Hey you,

Let’s skip the polite intro, shall we? If we were meeting up in person I’d probably jump right into whatever was on my mind…

We’ve officially hit the part of the year where time feels fake, and every calendar reminder is met with a “how is it July already?”

Also, it’s my birthday month. Which means I’m equal parts reflective, restless, and wondering if it’s too early to abandon my Q3 goals in favor of cake. But instead of spiraling about what isn’t perfect, I’ve been trying something different: focusing on what’s been brave.

This month’s blog post is all about that shift - from “good girl” perfectionism to founder-level boldness. And, yes, salty lemonade is involved.

If you’ve ever nodded through a “just be grateful” moment while silently thinking, are you kidding me?… Same.

Let’s get into it.

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🧪Alchemy Notes

Here’s to Spitting Out the (Salty) Lemonade

Inspired by Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani (plus a few other smart, salty books), this month’s note dives into what it means to stop playing nice and start making braver, bolder business moves. Not perfectly… but with clarity.

For years, I bit my tongue and smoothed things over… trying to be the kind of professional who was easy to work with. Which mostly meant quiet, agreeable, and slowly erasing the parts of me that didn’t fit.

This month, I’m sharing what it looks like to stop making things palatable that were never meant to be… and start choosing bravery instead.

In this post you’ll find:

• A few of the brave (and imperfect) moves I’ve made so far this year.

• The financial books that made me reflect on why women still get left behind when it comes to money.

• Why I believe building financial strategy is an act of power and protest.

🍋 Want the full story (and the messy metaphor)? Click here to read the blog.

📚The Alchemist’s Bookshelf

Why these books made the cut:
I don’t recommend just anything. These are titles I’ve read, loved, and still think about. Some links are affiliate, which helps support this newsletter, at no extra cost to you.

✨Read of the Month: Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani

Why be perfect when you can be brave? A sharp, honest look at how perfectionism holds us back… and how speaking up (even when your voice shakes) is its own kind of power. An inspiring read that reminds us why doing the thing is better than waiting for it to be perfect.

📖More picks for whatever phase you are in:

• For a dose of financial clarity (without the shame spiral):

  💸Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap + Rich AF by Vivian Tu

  Smart, relatable money advice for women who want more freedom, and less noise, around finances.

• For when bravery means owning your mistakes:

  🗡️The Bridge Kingdom + The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen

  A romantasy duology (but the beginning of a 6 book series) where being brave means admitting when you’re wrong… and fighting like hell to make it right.

• For when you need to laugh and feel seen:

  🐭Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

  Equal parts hilarious and healing. Jenny makes you laugh-snort while reminding you that your weirdness is not only valid, it’s welcome.

• For humor with a surprising heart:

  🍸I’ll Have What She’s Having by Chelsea Handler

  Still sharp, still funny… but this time, more vulnerable. Chelsea turns the spotlight on herself in a way that’s both refreshing and unexpectedly relatable.

📚 P.S. I read a lot… across strategy, memoir, psychology, and the occasional fantasy/romantasy/thriller/witchy novel. The book recs in this newsletter aren’t filler. They’re part of how I think, lead, and help clients navigate complexity. Want to see what else is on my shelf? Take a peek at my bookstore (affiliate link, updated regularly).

⚗️Potion Shelf Pick

I only recommend things when I think, “Oh, this could actually help someone skip the spiral.” This is the stuff I use, enjoy, and would suggest over coffee if you mentioned the right kind of headache.

Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you decide to buy. It helps support this newsletter (and keeps the good recs coming).

☀️Sunscreen I Actually Use: Colorescience No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Yes, it’s pricey. And, yes… I’ve tried to break up with it (so many times). But this is the sunscreen I keep coming back to (plus their Glow and Flex sunscreens when I want some color). Plus, right now they’ve got a 20% off + free shipping special going on, so it’s a good time to try it out.

It’s actually moisturizing, doesn’t make me breakout, and doesn’t leave a ghostly white cast (although if you aren’t as pale as I am you may want to try their Flex sunscreen). It’s light enough for every day, water/sweat resistant, and doesn’t make my eyes sting at the end of the day (which happens to me with a lot of sunscreens).

🌞Why it’s a potion pick: Protecting your energy and your face is a long game. I believe in investing where it counts. This is one of those spots. 

📊 Get the KPI Guide

It's done. The Alchemy KPI Cheat Sheet is live.

This guide walks you through the handful of metrics that actually matter, whether you run a service-based business or sell products. It breaks down what to track, what to watch, and what to do when the numbers get weird.

If you've ever stared at a spreadsheet and thought, “Cool, but what the hell am I supposed to do with this?” this is for you.

👉 Download the Cheat Sheet

🪄Let’s Not Make It Weird

Hi, I’m Tara, Founder and Chief Alchemist of Alchemy Advising. I help growing businesses untangle their finances, rethink pricing, and build smarter systems so they can scale without burning out.

With nearly 20 years in operations and finance, including FP&A leadership at brands like HOKA and UGG, I now work with founders and execs who need clarity, not just spreadsheets. Think: budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and big-picture planning that actually connects to how your business runs day-to-day.

If this newsletter made you nod, pause, breathe a little easier, curse less at your P&L, here’s what’s next:

• 👉 Follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn for more insights, reads, and behind-the-scenes of Alchemy Advising.

• 📬 Forward this to a founder or ops leader who’s buried in numbers but hungry for insight.

• 💬 Hit reply if something sparked (or you just want to say “Hi!”). I read every message… and yes, I care about what you think.

• 📅 Want to talk shop? Visit www.alchemyadvising.co and learn about working together or book a chat.