Woah! I started StagPath 8 years ago. 😯

I'm finally writing a newsletter update and would love to hear back!

I haven’t been very good at keeping everyone in the loop, but my incredible housekeeping friend (more on that later) legit volunteered to help me juggle this kind of stuff. I guess I have an assistant now?

What a wild turn of events. 😂 One minute I’m hiring help to clean up what was once literally a bit of a hoarder house (my childhood home) and the next minute I have an added member to StagPath’s incredibly small team!

So with the encouragement of Alexa, my latest assistant (omg), here I am with a snapshot of StagPath’s journey from where it all started to what it has become today!

Originally an Etsy shop selling nature-inspired art, StagPath has changed a lot. Launching the StagPath Mystery Box after a set of ornaments I shipped out was stolen by porch pirates...fully shook my world. Not only did my supporter get more stuff than she originally ordered when I surprised her with the first-ever StagPath Mystery Box, but the scribbled list of fun facts I included for each item was the very beginning of my journey towards becoming not just an artist, but a teacher, a guide, and even a friend. 🥰

Nowadays, I haven’t been making as many arts and crafts (ya know, the hoarder house thing), but I’ve created nature stickers with a forever updating digital guide, I host adventurous events and workshops, and I even launched some virtual and in-person services to help others learn more deeply about their most curious interests in nature. Oh! I also installed informational QR code plant signs at a fancy rental property, which was kind of overwhelming, but helped me pay off my debt!

Outside of launching new products and services, I also joined my local chamber of commerce, became a metro park volunteer and an iNaturalist ambassador, annnd I reported some terrible shit I was seeing at my local parks. 😬

A glimpse of the Songs of Summer 2024 mini camping retreat with Andi Wesley’s yoga community.

I’ve collaborated with a bunch of people over the last few years, including: Lorenzo Tavani of Cook, Forage, Feast, Andi Wesley of Earth Spirit Energy Work, Rae DiPaolo of Tree Folk Fables, Sheena Hancel of The Pollen Patch, Caleb Thompson of Central Ohio Outdoors, Susan Reiser & Susan Peters of Thrive Massage & Wellness, Valerie Libbey of Libbey Farms, Matt Ross, host of Blurbs, plus Ted & Min of Parker Reserve, and several others.

I’ve supported clients across 8 countries and 4 continents, as far away as Qatar and New Zealand! The vast majority of my sales are not Ohio-based, extending past 200 sales of just online transactions alone, even some of my in-person events have attracted out-of-state visitors, with a few international supporters interested in attending future in-person experiences.

Are you reading this? Holy crap!

I had no idea when I began all of this how far my impact could extend. The last virtual guidance session I hosted was for Matt Ross, a birding podcaster in New Zealand who enjoyed the service so much that he created a podcast episode about what he learned—unprompted.

As science communicators, we often cover topics that are not restricted to the interests of one particular region. Learning about the natural world is for everyone, and anyone can find value in my services no matter where they are located.

To kick off the new year, I’m offering a StagPath Mystery Box giveaway, plus a deep discount on my virtual guidance sessions to all of my supporters!

The StagPath Mystery Box is like a guided nature walk in a box, where you can explore each item at your own pace with the included digital guide personalized for each individual, including state-specific resources to learn more.

The StagPath Mystery Box is what started it all! Check out all these crazy good reviews for it. Creating the StagPath Mystery Box has taught me how to be a better writer, to connect with others who may be different from myself, and that there is alwayyyys more to learn. Each box is unique, with items I’ve collected based on each individual’s interests, along with a detailed email about everything inside, including video and audio resources for those who have different learning styles. Sometimes I include rocks and fossils, pine resin, or fresh baked bread in a mystery box, while other times I might include a DIY t-shirt bag, wild edibles, or nature-inspired artwork. It is never the same! Fill out this form for the opportunity to win one!

Everyone has something different that inspires them to have a one-on-one virtual nature guidance session with me. Some are inspired to learn more about foraging and land management, while others are drawn to faunal associations or just being more present with their surroundings.

A StagPath Nature Guidance Session is virtual, one-on-one, and designed to help you learn more about whatever peaks your interest when it comes to the natural world. Many of us have careers, families, and societal mayhem that keep us busy. Too busy! So busy in fact that the vast majority of us will never learn how to forage wild edible plants and mushrooms, build a fire without a lighter, or spot a fossilized bone in a creek bed. I’m here to help kick off your lifelong learning adventure with the tools and resources I use myself to get you where you want to be faster. The journey is long, but we don’t have to go it alone. To celebrate the new year, I’m offering a discount! To receive 30% off of a StagPath Virtual Nature Guidance Session (normally valued at $175), enter the code NEWYEAR at checkout.

I’m looking forward to a new year with more adventures to share.

Welp, it’s probably time for me to start working on the house again, but thanks for the continued support and I’ll be back with more of the story later!

In the meantime, what have you been up to? 😄 I’d love to hear back.