Paint in My Hair: The Kind of Leadership I Believe In

In April, I walked into our Women of the Murray Coffee & Connect in Tocumwal with paint in my hair, splattered clothes, and a heart full of both chaos and gratitude. I had just come off the back of multiple back-to-back paint parties for my creative business, barely having time to catch my breath.

And yet—I showed up.

Not because I had everything perfectly together (clearly I didn’t), but because this is exactly the kind of leadership and community I believe in: one that values presence over polish, and heart over perfection.

Between running my regional paint party business (Place of Stace), operating my freelance brand and design studio (Stayd Creative), working two days at a local business as well, restoring our 1950s family home, and raising two beautiful kids—I live a life many women can relate to: full, messy, and deeply meaningful.

I share this not for applause, but because I believe authenticity builds connection. When we see each other as we are—juggling roles, wearing multiple hats, occasionally arriving covered in paint—we make space for real, grounded community. And that’s what Women of the Murray is here to create.

Yes, I’m probably taking on too much. (Aren’t we all?)But what keeps me going is the conversations I have with women in our towns, the stories shared over coffee, the vulnerability in our events, and the fire in our collective belly to build something bigger than ourselves.

Leadership, to me, isn’t about being perfectly polished. It’s about showing up—consistently, wholeheartedly, and without pretense.

So if you’re ever feeling like a hot mess, like you’re dropping balls or running on empty… I see you. You’re not alone. You’re already doing more than enough.

And you’re welcome here—paint in your hair and all.