This past Christmas, I realized three things at once: I’m lucky to have such good friends and clients, MasterClass ran a good holiday deal, and, clearly, I’m known for loving to learn among those who matter to me.

At least a few times a month, I have clients who apologize to me for needing to reschedule something, not having a moment to review something, not getting back to me in a timely manner, or any number of other “problems.” My answer is always the same, “Don’t worry, I’m here to support you!”

Why are my clients apologizing to me? First, they are just kind people who respect my time as much as I respect theirs. Second, they are parents and they have bigger things going on in their lives than their work. At least 75% of my current and past clients are parents.

I recently tried an exercise of writing a letter to future clients I hope come into my life. Typically, this would not be my type of thing. While I sometimes believe it’s important to put things out into the universe, I would say that I don’t fall into the stereotype of the typical LA resident—I can’t tell you what your zodiac means, or if Mercury is in retrograde, and I don’t have any crystals in my home.

"It takes a village."

While this quote is typically about children (and I’m proud to be a part of a few villages, Auntie Maddie at your service), it really is universal. It’s about the things you are most proud of. Is my business my child? No. It’s nowhere near as precious as kiddos are, but it is the thing that came from me and only me. Not only that, but my services are a literal reflection of myself—what do you get when you work with Maddie Tudor Consulting? Me.