Member Highlight: Skye McDonald
It all begins with an idea.
Skye McDonald is a publisher, writer and wellness coach. She is the creator of the Wise Women Collective and leads our Writer’s Group. This Nashville born, Montclair resident, Taylor Swift fan is living her best life and inspires others to do the same. Read more to learn all about Skye!
Full Name:
Emily Skye McDonald
Nickname:
Skye (what I go by).
What do you do professionally?
I’m an author and publisher. I’m also a wellness coach, In both fields, my focus is on self-love as the key to satisfaction and love.
What do you want to do (professionally and/or personally)?
My ultimate goal is to be an author and public speaker, focusing on the idea of happily ever after in fiction and real, practical life. The “HEA” is all about falling in love with yourself. We spend a lot of our lives worrying about being what others want us to be. I’m about getting raw and real with yourself, and daring to love the whole of you.
Do you have any passion projects or ideas you want to explore with the Creative + Community?
Bringing the Wise Women Collective to Creative + is something I’m very excited about. I’m hoping more Creative + members join us and find a place to learn and share their ideas.
The author workshops we have going are going to be fantastic! I am so eager to foster expression and creativity via writing within the Creative + Community. I can’t wait to see what we create together at these monthly meetings.
Who inspires you? Why?
The women of the Wise Women Collective inspire me. Each of them are so unique, and they bring themselves to their business as well as our community. Seeing a group of individuals gather and share their brilliant talents with each other inspires me constantly. As a person who has often felt like I needed to filter my personality, it is so refreshing to know and gather with women as our whole selves.
Taylor Swift also inspires me! Her poetic music and entrepreneurial brilliance are a force of humanity. I am in awe and total respect of her.
Hobbies / Interests / Things that bring you joy:
Anything that leaves me breathless brings me joy. I seek awe think that play is an essential element of joyful living.
It follows then that I am very active! I love hiking with my dogs. SCUBA diving. Travel. Running obstacle course races. I’m also interested in tarot (I read personally and professionally) and spirituality.
Greatest accomplishments:
Wow, this is a tough one! I’ll break it down.
Professionally, I have two. When I was a teacher, a student named me as their Teacher Who Made A Difference when he won the New York Times Scholarship. That was huge. As an author, the decision to become my own publisher after a loooong journey was a pivotal moment. I wouldn’t be here without that decision.
Personally, my greatest accomplishment was flipping the table on my established, successful life. I walked away, went on a soul journey, and dared to say, “I want more, and I want to find out what that might be.” I could’ve lived my entire existence in a very satisfactory routine. I didn’t. Now, I’m here. And I have nothing but gratitude for what was, for the pain, and for all that I’ve discovered since.
Future accomplishments:
Future accomplishments: Giving a TED Talk. Hitting all the bestseller lists. Holding book clubs around my Nashville-based novels.
What excites you about being a Creative + Club Member?
The energy is such a match for me! Creative + is a place to gather and be your full self, and I am all about that. I am excited to be a part of the community. I’m also excited to connect and grow with like-minded professionals.
Best piece of advice you have ever been given:
“If it’s gonna be, it’s up to me.”—my dad.
Who is someone you want to collaborate with? Why?
Anyone. If I connect with someone and hatch a clever, creative idea, I am the type of person who says, “let’s go for it!” … Also, Taylor Swift. ;)
Favorite quote:
Ughhhh so many!
“Tell me, what is it you intend to do with your one wild and precious life?” —Mary Oliver
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” —The Beatles
“You were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. And you know what? So was I.”—The Doctor
What does your best life look like?
I’m basically living it. Of course, if I dream a little bigger… Living in a house on many acres, so I can let my dogs run free on the land. Writing and speaking for continued impact. Working with the Wise Women. (So, now but with a bigger yard lol)
Last words for the Creative + Community?
I love the quote, “you know those things you’ve been thinking about doing? You should go do them.” I’m excited to meet and connect with you all as we find the stuff we want to do, and support each other in doing it!
Skye’s Website, Groups & Socials: