In the words of Kamala Harris, from her autobiography "The Truths We Hold" -- " Years from now, our children and grandchildren will look up and lock eyes with us. They will ask us where we were when the stakes were so high. They will ask us what it was like. I don't want us to just tell them how we felt. I want us to tell them what we did."
Trina, wow - that Kamala Harris quote really hits home. It's exactly that feeling that keeps pushing me forward. What will we tell our kids we did when it mattered? Thank you for standing with me through this. Your support means more than you know!
Kudos to you. Aren’t we proud of America being a place where someone can start a business- and then stand up for themselves when that business is threatened? If I were one of your employees, I’d be very grateful you were advocating for my livelihood. As much as the narrative of the press seems to be either/or— we are smarter and more nuanced than one or the other. I’d ask the commenters above to think about if you really disagree with what she is saying? Or do you think our President is above reproach? If he’s right, the case will be over— if he’s wrong, our system will make a decision and correct it. When the right to advocate for yourself and be heard becomes a non-starter for people like Ophelia above, we are moving away from the American dream- and I’m not ready for that.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful perspective, Coral. You've beautifully articulated something I believe deeply - that our ability to respectfully advocate for ourselves and our businesses is fundamental to the American experience. I'm especially touched by your point about nuance. We seem to have lost the middle ground in so many conversations, but that's precisely where understanding happens. There's room for reasonable people to see issues from different angles while still respecting one another.
My team means everything to me, and ensuring they can continue doing the work they love is a responsibility I take seriously. The legal system exists for exactly this purpose - to provide checks and balances where needed.
Thank you for seeing the big picture and for thinking of others. I supported you and your efforts prior, but I respect you even more now for doing what is RIGHT.
A full body YES to leaving a legacy of “inclusion, factual and respectful truth-telling, and ultimately of love.” So very well said.
FWIW, I’m a new follower and a new customer of Simplified, and I found my way here through other trusted voices who amplified your fight. Speaking up may have cost you some customers, but it got you at least one new one (🙋🏻♀️) and I would bet many many more. Keep going. Your voice matters. And thank you.
Abby, thank you so much for these kind words! It means the world to hear that this resonates with you. I'm touched that you found your way to Simplified through this journey - welcome to our community! There's something powerful about connecting with others who share similar values.
Thank you for being human and taking the risk, taking the next step. Planners put you in this lane and gave you the platform to have facts to speak on the true cost of tariffs to American small businesses. Yes there will be trolls. Yes there will be lost customers. Yes there will be new customers. Yes your kids and others will learn and grow. And maybe your voice will be the mighty one that affects change on these tariffs.
Alison, thank you! You really get it. Taking this step was definitely a risk, but having the actual numbers and facts about how tariffs impact small businesses like ours gave me the confidence to speak up. You're spot on about the mix of reactions - some trolls, some leaving, some joining. That's just part of it. And yes, my kids watching this unfold matters so much to me.
Love what you said about not reducing people to one aspect of their identity. We're more than our jobs, family roles, and political opinions. That complexity makes things messy sometimes, but we have to be able to have conversations that are hard or uncomfortable.
Emily, I have been a fan of you and your planners for years. I've read your books and have witnessed your evolution first-hand. I'm so proud of 2025 Emily. Every time I think of this lawsuit I pray for you, your family and your company - that your hearts will be resilient throughout this process; that your convictions not waiver; that you know you are loved and respected because of your strength, not in spite of it.
Lisa, thank you for this beautiful message. It means so much to hear from someone who's been along for the journey and has witnessed the evolution over the years. Your prayers and support mean the world.
Yes to so many things about this article!! We aren’t meant to be placed in boxes, we are meant to grow and expand and push ourselves. Thank you for using your platform in this way Emily!
Especially when it's hard... 1000% yes. Thank you for speaking up, and doing so in a way that is respectful and grounded in truth. Thank you for taking action and for paving the way for other impacted business owners to get involved.
Thank you for standing up for your values and your team. It's an incredible responsibility to have the livelihoods of others in your hands and it is evident that you do not take it lightly. I have loved your products for years and will continue to support as long as I can. I have been sharing your story with friends and family when conversations turn to the current state of our country. Thank you for your courage and for speaking truth to power. You inspire more women, myself included, to do the same.
Sarah, thank you for these incredibly kind words. Taking care of my team really is at the heart of everything - their livelihoods matter deeply to me. I'm so touched that you've been sharing our story. That kind of support spreads awareness in ways I never could alone.
Hey Emily, I cannot begin to tell you how much hope and inspiration I am gaining from following your expanded journey. This has been an incredibly difficult time in our country and your shining light means the world to me. Thank you.🩵
Bravo, Emily! You're embodying a lesson I've learned repeatedly: while it does seem scary, it's always better to embrace your whole authentic self and speak honestly than to play small and stay in a narrow lane that others want to keep you in (for their reasons).
In the words of Kamala Harris, from her autobiography "The Truths We Hold" -- " Years from now, our children and grandchildren will look up and lock eyes with us. They will ask us where we were when the stakes were so high. They will ask us what it was like. I don't want us to just tell them how we felt. I want us to tell them what we did."
We are standing behind you, Emily!
Trina, wow - that Kamala Harris quote really hits home. It's exactly that feeling that keeps pushing me forward. What will we tell our kids we did when it mattered? Thank you for standing with me through this. Your support means more than you know!
Kudos to you. Aren’t we proud of America being a place where someone can start a business- and then stand up for themselves when that business is threatened? If I were one of your employees, I’d be very grateful you were advocating for my livelihood. As much as the narrative of the press seems to be either/or— we are smarter and more nuanced than one or the other. I’d ask the commenters above to think about if you really disagree with what she is saying? Or do you think our President is above reproach? If he’s right, the case will be over— if he’s wrong, our system will make a decision and correct it. When the right to advocate for yourself and be heard becomes a non-starter for people like Ophelia above, we are moving away from the American dream- and I’m not ready for that.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful perspective, Coral. You've beautifully articulated something I believe deeply - that our ability to respectfully advocate for ourselves and our businesses is fundamental to the American experience. I'm especially touched by your point about nuance. We seem to have lost the middle ground in so many conversations, but that's precisely where understanding happens. There's room for reasonable people to see issues from different angles while still respecting one another.
My team means everything to me, and ensuring they can continue doing the work they love is a responsibility I take seriously. The legal system exists for exactly this purpose - to provide checks and balances where needed.
Thank you for seeing the big picture and for thinking of others. I supported you and your efforts prior, but I respect you even more now for doing what is RIGHT.
A full body YES to leaving a legacy of “inclusion, factual and respectful truth-telling, and ultimately of love.” So very well said.
FWIW, I’m a new follower and a new customer of Simplified, and I found my way here through other trusted voices who amplified your fight. Speaking up may have cost you some customers, but it got you at least one new one (🙋🏻♀️) and I would bet many many more. Keep going. Your voice matters. And thank you.
Abby, thank you so much for these kind words! It means the world to hear that this resonates with you. I'm touched that you found your way to Simplified through this journey - welcome to our community! There's something powerful about connecting with others who share similar values.
Thank you for being human and taking the risk, taking the next step. Planners put you in this lane and gave you the platform to have facts to speak on the true cost of tariffs to American small businesses. Yes there will be trolls. Yes there will be lost customers. Yes there will be new customers. Yes your kids and others will learn and grow. And maybe your voice will be the mighty one that affects change on these tariffs.
Alison, thank you! You really get it. Taking this step was definitely a risk, but having the actual numbers and facts about how tariffs impact small businesses like ours gave me the confidence to speak up. You're spot on about the mix of reactions - some trolls, some leaving, some joining. That's just part of it. And yes, my kids watching this unfold matters so much to me.
Love what you said about not reducing people to one aspect of their identity. We're more than our jobs, family roles, and political opinions. That complexity makes things messy sometimes, but we have to be able to have conversations that are hard or uncomfortable.
Totally agree. And we all bring such different lived experiences to the proverbial table. It's imperative not to shut someone up.
I have been a supporter of your brand for many years now. And I appreciate your bravery even more than your planners.
Thank you, Tabitha. So much.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 We are not just one thing, we are many, and we can change and adapt at any time.
Amen!!
You’re a beacon of light, my friend.
Thank you so much Megan!
Emily, I have been a fan of you and your planners for years. I've read your books and have witnessed your evolution first-hand. I'm so proud of 2025 Emily. Every time I think of this lawsuit I pray for you, your family and your company - that your hearts will be resilient throughout this process; that your convictions not waiver; that you know you are loved and respected because of your strength, not in spite of it.
Lisa, thank you for this beautiful message. It means so much to hear from someone who's been along for the journey and has witnessed the evolution over the years. Your prayers and support mean the world.
Yes to so many things about this article!! We aren’t meant to be placed in boxes, we are meant to grow and expand and push ourselves. Thank you for using your platform in this way Emily!
Thank you so much, Elspeth!!
I teared up reading this. Thank you for putting into words what alot of women are feeling right now. I stand with you and with Team Simplified.
Thank you Andrea!! Truly.
Especially when it's hard... 1000% yes. Thank you for speaking up, and doing so in a way that is respectful and grounded in truth. Thank you for taking action and for paving the way for other impacted business owners to get involved.
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for standing up for your values and your team. It's an incredible responsibility to have the livelihoods of others in your hands and it is evident that you do not take it lightly. I have loved your products for years and will continue to support as long as I can. I have been sharing your story with friends and family when conversations turn to the current state of our country. Thank you for your courage and for speaking truth to power. You inspire more women, myself included, to do the same.
Sarah, thank you for these incredibly kind words. Taking care of my team really is at the heart of everything - their livelihoods matter deeply to me. I'm so touched that you've been sharing our story. That kind of support spreads awareness in ways I never could alone.
Hey Emily, I cannot begin to tell you how much hope and inspiration I am gaining from following your expanded journey. This has been an incredibly difficult time in our country and your shining light means the world to me. Thank you.🩵
Cindy, thank you for your kindness and for taking the time to let me know this matters. It truly means so much to me.
Bravo, Emily! You're embodying a lesson I've learned repeatedly: while it does seem scary, it's always better to embrace your whole authentic self and speak honestly than to play small and stay in a narrow lane that others want to keep you in (for their reasons).