Present Joys Featured Guest: Holly Howard
This week we welcome Holly Howard to share her present joys with us.
This week we welcome Holly Howard, founder and CEO of Pyramid.Work, an AI-powered strategic growth engine for the entrepreneurial economy. We have been longtime admirers of Holly and her unique perspective on entrepreneurship, capitalism, and life! Holly is not your average business sage—she’s embraced many identities of her own (dancer, premed student, thinker, writer, Master in Religions of the World and many more) always staying true to where she is and who she is as she navigates this messy, beautiful world. Her curiosity is inspiring! Read on to see what’s bringing Holly joy!
Swimming
I try to swim or work out every morning. Due to some health challenges, I’ve had to go to the gym more recently, but swimming is my ultimate joy. I have been in the water my entire life. I love submerging myself in the water. I love putting in earplugs and having an hour of absolute quiet. I also love the locker room. Most of the people I swim with are over 70, and we constantly tell each other how much we love each other and how happy we are when we see each other! It makes my heart burst.
The Beginning Comes After The End
I am seeking perspectives on hope and I really love Rebecca Solnit’s writing. I dip in and out of this and keep it on my bedside as a companion when I feel consumed by present-day news.
Pyramid
My new company! It is truly a joy to go back and build something from scratch. I’ve been consulting for 14 years, so a long time since I started something. Learning brings me joy, and every day I either learn a new skill or I learn something about myself and how I navigate uncertainty, and at times it can really suck! Hard! But then I realize it’s a joy to even be able to experience that suck-i-ness!
Love Story
A total joy; absolute guilty pleasure. I know it’s not truthful. But the representation of the 90s is such a joy to watch. It actually spun me into a depression originally. I miss that era so, so much. It was as magical as the show makes it seem. The soundtrack brings me so much joy, I’ve been listening to the Spotify playlist non-stop!
My New F150
This was a Christmas gift to myself this year. My father-in-law took us truck shopping the day after Christmas. I’ve been vision boarding this truck for 3 years and this is the year my husband and I have committed to taking road trips across America and sleeping under the stars. I am obsessed with my truck!
Manhattan’s & Sunsets
On Fridays, my husband makes us Manhattans, and we watch the sunset over the ocean from our apartment. It is my truest joy – ever. I vision boarded my apartment, my husband (LOL – true), and sitting with him in my dream environment is, I believe, the literal definition of joy! And always - 2 cherries!
A few more joys from Michelle and Joyce…
Chocolate Hedgehogs I’m in love with this chocolatier from Maine and find myself dreaming of their chocolate, coconut covered date and almond “hedgehogs.” So cute and just the perfect amount of sweet.
A World in the Making: The Shakers Ready to visit Philadelphia if only to catch this Shaker show at the ICA. Still feel TOAL got snubbed at the Oscars.
Summer, I mean Spring, Salads It’s been summer-level hot over here and salads for dinner have been our go to. I will always be loyal to this one, but have been enjoying multi-component greens with a homemade dressing. I like using jam (from Saba jam) as my subtle sweetener in the dressing also been trying Yuzuco’s yuzu juice as an acid and it’s really nice.
Estonian Summer We’re planning a trip to Estonia in August and I’m so excited to be staying here for a few days. Send me tips if you’ve been!
Personality A playdate for Bruce served as a good reminder to embrace and accept individuality. While all the other doggos were mid-romp, Bruce was a defiant distance away, completely content to follow his own solitary sniffs.
Explorer Road Michelle and I have started taking weekly walks together and I love that the road leading into the trailhead is named “Explorer Road.” It feels fitting given that there’s always something to discover through our conversations together.
Spring Again Fig leaves, longer days, all the Pisces/Aries birthdays—I’ve been enjoying these early signs of spring.
Simple Clothes I don’t have an especially elaborate sense of style, but lately I’ve been drawn to an even simpler way of dressing—like what a kid would sketch if told to draw a “shirt” or “dress.” Simple silhouettes in a Crayola color palette is what I’m currently drawn to.