When W4W member Courtney Buchanan launched her Freedom 250 silk scarf collaboration, customers saw the beautiful final product. What they didn’t see was the stressful “messy middle” behind the scenes — delayed shipments, constant tracking refreshes, and the vulnerability that comes with building something meaningful. This week’s Substack explores the creative chaos behind a sold-out launch and why the imperfect middle is often where the magic actually happens.

Leigh Kershner left a 17-year career at 40 to raise four children — through birth and adoption — show up through health crises, and be fully present for all of it. But she never put down the brush entirely. And when she returned to her art practice in earnest, something extraordinary happened.

"The final result is not beautiful in spite of the marks and scratches, but because of them — just like us."

Her story is one of faith, layered paint, grief, Monet's water lilies, and the courage to begin again. We are so proud to call her one of our own.