| June 2026 Living OUTSTANDING Highlights & Reflections |
June 2026 Living OUTSTANDING Highlights & Reflections |
Welcome to the June edition of Living OUTSTANDING! June has been a full month in every sense of the word—full schedules, full hearts, and a few unexpected adventures along the way. From celebrating Abby’s graduation to helping clients move into exciting new chapters, this month has been a reminder that life’s most meaningful moments often come with a lot of preparation, a little flexibility, and a whole lot of help from your village. In this issue, I’ll share the podcast I’m Obsessed with when I need something entertaining and empowering, along with Updates from a busy month in real estate. I’ll highlight a practical party Treasure that helped save our food tables from summer bugs, and a Sounds & Stage pick that brought a favorite book to life on screen. On the Tech front, I’ve been leaning into a convenient local service that made party prep and memory-making easier, and I’m filled with Anticipation for an upcoming multi-chamber networking event at 1840 Manor House. This month’s Networking brought a fun new Chamber meeting format, while my Discoveries have taken me around Rhode Island as I work remotely during my daughter’s Summer at Brown program. Inspiration came from Andy Grammer’s new podcast and the way he helps people feel seen through music, while a Notable read surprised me with its humor, heart, and unexpected depth. And as always, I’ll close with Gratitude—for Abby, for celebration, and for the people who showed up to help make her graduation party so special. As summer settles in, I hope this edition encourages you to celebrate the milestones, embrace the detours, and appreciate the people who help make the busy seasons beautiful. I’d love to hear—what made your June outstanding? <Note: You may need to click "view entire message" at the bottom to read the whole thing... Outstanding is a long word:)> |
Welcome to the June edition of Living OUTSTANDING! June has been a full month in every sense of the word—full schedules, full hearts, and a few unexpected adventures along the way. From celebrating Abby’s graduation to helping clients move into exciting new chapters, this month has been a reminder that life’s most meaningful moments often come with a lot of preparation, a little flexibility, and a whole lot of help from your village. In this issue, I’ll share the podcast I’m Obsessed with when I need something entertaining and empowering, along with Updates from a busy month in real estate. I’ll highlight a practical party Treasure that helped save our food tables from summer bugs, and a Sounds & Stage pick that brought a favorite book to life on screen. On the Tech front, I’ve been leaning into a convenient local service that made party prep and memory-making easier, and I’m filled with Anticipation for an upcoming multi-chamber networking event at 1840 Manor House. This month’s Networking brought a fun new Chamber meeting format, while my Discoveries have taken me around Rhode Island as I work remotely during my daughter’s Summer at Brown program. Inspiration came from Andy Grammer’s new podcast and the way he helps people feel seen through music, while a Notable read surprised me with its humor, heart, and unexpected depth. And as always, I’ll close with Gratitude—for Abby, for celebration, and for the people who showed up to help make her graduation party so special. As summer settles in, I hope this edition encourages you to celebrate the milestones, embrace the detours, and appreciate the people who help make the busy seasons beautiful. I’d love to hear—what made your June outstanding? <Note: You may need to click "view entire message" at the bottom to read the whole thing... Outstanding is a long word:)> |
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OBSESSED:What I'm enthralled by |
OBSESSED:What I'm enthralled by |
Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce |
Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce |
Someone at a networking event last month recommended Kylie Kelce’s podcast, Not Gonna Lie. I checked it out one day while I was driving and I was hooked! Kylie very much “tells it like it is,” which I appreciate, but she’s also really entertaining and easy to listen to. She has great guests, many of them women from the sports and entertainment world, and as a mother of four young daughters, she’s a big believer in empowering women. It has become a nice change of pace when I need a break from heavier or more serious podcasts. |
Someone at a networking event last month recommended Kylie Kelce’s podcast, Not Gonna Lie. I checked it out one day while I was driving and I was hooked! Kylie very much “tells it like it is,” which I appreciate, but she’s also really entertaining and easy to listen to. She has great guests, many of them women from the sports and entertainment world, and as a mother of four young daughters, she’s a big believer in empowering women. It has become a nice change of pace when I need a break from heavier or more serious podcasts. |
UPDATES:What I'm working on |
UPDATES:What I'm working on |
Buyers, Listings & Pricing Strategy |
Buyers, Listings & Pricing Strategy |
June was a busy month in real estate. I was excited to get two buyers and one listing under contract! One set of buyers lucked out and was able to lock in a special 3.5% interest rate through the OHFA Heroes program, which was such an incredible opportunity for them. Another buyer finally found the perfect house after searching for three years, which made the moment feel even more rewarding. On the listing side, as we were finalizing the pricing strategy for one of my listings, I stumbled upon two really compelling examples that show what can happen when a home is priced too high versus when it is priced right at market value. I’m working on the best way to illustrate those examples so I can include them in future listing presentations. It’s such a good reminder that pricing is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle when selling a home. If you’re curious about what I found—or wondering how pricing strategy could impact your own home—reach out. I’d be happy to share more. |
June was a busy month in real estate. I was excited to get two buyers and one listing under contract! One set of buyers lucked out and was able to lock in a special 3.5% interest rate through the OHFA Heroes program, which was such an incredible opportunity for them. Another buyer finally found the perfect house after searching for three years, which made the moment feel even more rewarding. On the listing side, as we were finalizing the pricing strategy for one of my listings, I stumbled upon two really compelling examples that show what can happen when a home is priced too high versus when it is priced right at market value. I’m working on the best way to illustrate those examples so I can include them in future listing presentations. It’s such a good reminder that pricing is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle when selling a home. If you’re curious about what I found—or wondering how pricing strategy could impact your own home—reach out. I’d be happy to share more. |
TREASURES:Thing I'm loving |
TREASURES:Thing I'm loving |
I hate eating outside because of bugs, so I really did not want to serve food outside for Abby’s graduation party. But these fly fans I purchased from Amazon saved the day! We put them on the food tables, and the continual motion helped keep the bugs away without needing anything messy or chemical near the food. And if you accidentally bump one while you’re reaching for something, it doesn’t hurt—the blades are soft and stop easily. |
I hate eating outside because of bugs, so I really did not want to serve food outside for Abby’s graduation party. But these fly fans I purchased from Amazon saved the day! We put them on the food tables, and the continual motion helped keep the bugs away without needing anything messy or chemical near the food. And if you accidentally bump one while you’re reaching for something, it doesn’t hurt—the blades are soft and stop easily. |
SOUNDS & STAGE:What I'm watching or listening to |
SOUNDS & STAGE:What I'm watching or listening to |
The Last Thing He Told Me |
The Last Thing He Told Me |
I’ve enjoyed watching The Last Thing He Told Me on Apple TV. I read the book, so I already knew the general storyline, but it was still really compelling to watch it unfold on screen. It's a nice suspense story without being really gory or scary. |
I’ve enjoyed watching The Last Thing He Told Me on Apple TV. I read the book, so I already knew the general storyline, but it was still really compelling to watch it unfold on screen. It's a nice suspense story without being really gory or scary. |
TECH:What's making my life easier |
TECH:What's making my life easier |
This might be a bit of a stretch to qualify as “tech,” but I’ve found myself using Walgreens Photo more and more lately—especially as I planned Abby’s graduation party. Their one-hour photo service is perfect when you just need to print photos quickly. But I also used Walgreens to make banners for the party, and they were really reasonably priced and turned out great. I accidentally printed the first one on paper instead of vinyl, so I designed a second one to be printed on vinyl for outside. I’ve also had cards printed there, and I know there are even more options I haven’t tried yet. I love that I can create something, send it in, and pick it up quickly close to home. And they always have a coupon code listed right on their site, so you never have to pay full price! |
This might be a bit of a stretch to qualify as “tech,” but I’ve found myself using Walgreens Photo more and more lately—especially as I planned Abby’s graduation party. Their one-hour photo service is perfect when you just need to print photos quickly. But I also used Walgreens to make banners for the party, and they were really reasonably priced and turned out great. I accidentally printed the first one on paper instead of vinyl, so I designed a second one to be printed on vinyl for outside. I’ve also had cards printed there, and I know there are even more options I haven’t tried yet. I love that I can create something, send it in, and pick it up quickly close to home. And they always have a coupon code listed right on their site, so you never have to pay full price! |
ANTICIPATION:What I'm looking forward to |
ANTICIPATION:What I'm looking forward to |
Copley Chamber Midsummer Networking Mixer |
Copley Chamber Midsummer Networking Mixer |
I’m looking forward to the Copley Chamber Midsummer Networking Mixer at 1840 Manor House on July 22nd from 5:30–7:30 PM. This will be a multi-chamber event presented by the Collaborative Chambers Alliance and held in partnership with the Copley, Fairlawn, and Richfield Chambers. I always enjoy opportunities to connect, and the 1840 Manor House is such a beautiful venue to do it. If you haven't been there yet, this is a great excuse to check it out! Weather permitting, the event will be outside on the beautiful grounds and fireside patio, with light hors d’oeuvres from Kingfish, a cash bar, and access to the venue’s speakeasy-inspired bourbon lounge. If you’re looking to meet new people, make meaningful connections, or simply enjoy a relaxed summer networking event in a beautiful setting, mark your calendar and register to attend. Hope to see you there! |
I’m looking forward to the Copley Chamber Midsummer Networking Mixer at 1840 Manor House on July 22nd from 5:30–7:30 PM. This will be a multi-chamber event presented by the Collaborative Chambers Alliance and held in partnership with the Copley, Fairlawn, and Richfield Chambers. I always enjoy opportunities to connect, and the 1840 Manor House is such a beautiful venue to do it. If you haven't been there yet, this is a great excuse to check it out! Weather permitting, the event will be outside on the beautiful grounds and fireside patio, with light hors d’oeuvres from Kingfish, a cash bar, and access to the venue’s speakeasy-inspired bourbon lounge. If you’re looking to meet new people, make meaningful connections, or simply enjoy a relaxed summer networking event in a beautiful setting, mark your calendar and register to attend. Hope to see you there! |
NETWORKING:Who I've connected with |
NETWORKING:Who I've connected with |
Insurance “Choose Your Own Adventure” |
Insurance “Choose Your Own Adventure” |
We tried a new format at the Copley Chamber member meeting this month, and it was a lot of fun. We had insurance experts representing several different areas, from home and auto to long-term care and even cyber security. Instead of everyone hearing the same presentation, participants could “choose their own adventure” and visit the two tables they were most interested in learning more about. I chose life insurance and cyber insurance, and I really learned a lot. It was a great way to make the topic more interactive and personalized, and I loved seeing members engage in conversations that were most relevant to them. |
We tried a new format at the Copley Chamber member meeting this month, and it was a lot of fun. We had insurance experts representing several different areas, from home and auto to long-term care and even cyber security. Instead of everyone hearing the same presentation, participants could “choose their own adventure” and visit the two tables they were most interested in learning more about. I chose life insurance and cyber insurance, and I really learned a lot. It was a great way to make the topic more interactive and personalized, and I loved seeing members engage in conversations that were most relevant to them. |
DISCOVERIES:What I'm learning or discovering |
DISCOVERIES:What I'm learning or discovering |
I’ve been working remotely from Rhode Island this week while my daughter is attending a Summer at Brown program, and I’ve really been enjoying exploring different parts of the state. Rhode Island may be small, but there is so much variety packed into it—from coastal towns and historic neighborhoods to cute shopping areas, restaurants, and scenic views. It has been fun to balance work with little pockets of exploring whenever I can. If you have any suggestions for my last couple of days here, please send them my way! |
I’ve been working remotely from Rhode Island this week while my daughter is attending a Summer at Brown program, and I’ve really been enjoying exploring different parts of the state. Rhode Island may be small, but there is so much variety packed into it—from coastal towns and historic neighborhoods to cute shopping areas, restaurants, and scenic views. It has been fun to balance work with little pockets of exploring whenever I can. If you have any suggestions for my last couple of days here, please send them my way! |
INSPIRATIONS:What is inspiring me |
INSPIRATIONS:What is inspiring me |
Andy Grammer’s Showing Up Podcast |
Andy Grammer’s Showing Up Podcast |
I’ve been a fan of Andy Grammer since the first concert my daughter wanted to go to a few years back. I’ve always found him and his music inspiring and fun to sing along to. Now he has taken my fandom up a notch with his new podcast, Showing Up. In each episode, he interviews someone about what it really takes to “show up,” and the conversations are thoughtful, encouraging, and meaningful. But my favorite part is at the end... Someone calls in and leaves him a voicemail, and he creates a custom song for them. It is so cool to hear how he takes someone’s story and turns it into something personal and beautiful through music. It’s such a creative reminder of how powerful it can be to truly listen to people and help them feel seen. |
I’ve been a fan of Andy Grammer since the first concert my daughter wanted to go to a few years back. I’ve always found him and his music inspiring and fun to sing along to. Now he has taken my fandom up a notch with his new podcast, Showing Up. In each episode, he interviews someone about what it really takes to “show up,” and the conversations are thoughtful, encouraging, and meaningful. But my favorite part is at the end... Someone calls in and leaves him a voicemail, and he creates a custom song for them. It is so cool to hear how he takes someone’s story and turns it into something personal and beautiful through music. It’s such a creative reminder of how powerful it can be to truly listen to people and help them feel seen. |
The Wedding People by Alison Espach |
The Wedding People by Alison Espach |
One of my favorite reads this month was The Wedding People by Alison Espach. It’s not your typical beach read. The story begins with a woman who wants to commit suicide,but it is not as depressing as that makes it sound. The plot line is unexpected, the characters feel very authentic, and there are actually humorous moments woven throughout. |
One of my favorite reads this month was The Wedding People by Alison Espach. It’s not your typical beach read. The story begins with a woman who wants to commit suicide,but it is not as depressing as that makes it sound. The plot line is unexpected, the characters feel very authentic, and there are actually humorous moments woven throughout. |
GRATITUDE:What I'm grateful for |
GRATITUDE:What I'm grateful for |
Abby's Graduation Celebration |
Abby's Graduation Celebration |
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This month, I was especially grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Abby’s graduation. We had the party at our house, so there was a lot of preparation involved. I really enjoyed pulling together pictures, creating photo books, printing banners, and finding ways to highlight Abby and her accomplishments. And I had so much fun planning the taco bar, lemonade bar and dessert bar. Everything came together nicely, and people seemed to enjoy the party despite the weather. We definitely did not let a thunderstorm watch—or even a tornado siren—dampen our spirits. Parties like this are a lot of work, but they are always easier when you have help. I was especially grateful to my cousins Dee and Cristine for all their help that weekend, and to my friend Elizabeth, who served as my “runner” during the party so I could actually enjoy myself. We were also blessed to be able to store extra things in our neighbor’s garage and use their driveway, which made a huge difference. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and this was such a beautiful example of how my village showed up when I needed them most. It made the celebration feel even more meaningful! Now I have a year to recover before I get to do it all again for Kayla! |
This month, I was especially grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Abby’s graduation. We had the party at our house, so there was a lot of preparation involved. I really enjoyed pulling together pictures, creating photo books, printing banners, and finding ways to highlight Abby and her accomplishments. And I had so much fun planning the taco bar, lemonade bar and dessert bar. Everything came together nicely, and people seemed to enjoy the party despite the weather. We definitely did not let a thunderstorm watch—or even a tornado siren—dampen our spirits. Parties like this are a lot of work, but they are always easier when you have help. I was especially grateful to my cousins Dee and Cristine for all their help that weekend, and to my friend Elizabeth, who served as my “runner” during the party so I could actually enjoy myself. We were also blessed to be able to store extra things in our neighbor’s garage and use their driveway, which made a huge difference. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and this was such a beautiful example of how my village showed up when I needed them most. It made the celebration feel even more meaningful! Now I have a year to recover before I get to do it all again for Kayla! |
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| | Outstanding Ohio is brought to you by Erin Johnson, eXp Realtor |
Outstanding Ohio is brought to you by Erin Johnson, eXp Realtor |
Erin's mission is to be Ohio's most Resourceful Realtor by providing the resources to help people buy and sell houses and live their best lives in the outstanding state of Ohio. Erin specializes in assisting clients in Copley/Fairlawn/Bath and Summit County, but is willing and able to serve most of Northeast Ohio. If you live outside of this area, she can refer you to an experienced agent who can serve you.
If you are thinking about buying or selling and would like a free consultation or home valuation, call/text 330-227-4355 or email erin@outstandingohio.com. |
Erin's mission is to be Ohio's most Resourceful Realtor by providing the resources to help people buy and sell houses and live their best lives in the outstanding state of Ohio. Erin specializes in assisting clients in Copley/Fairlawn/Bath and Summit County, but is willing and able to serve most of Northeast Ohio. If you live outside of this area, she can refer you to an experienced agent who can serve you.
If you are thinking about buying or selling and would like a free consultation or home valuation, call/text 330-227-4355 or email erin@outstandingohio.com. |
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2857 Riviera Rd Suite 201- Fairlawn, OH 44333 |
2857 Riviera Rd Suite 201- Fairlawn, OH 44333 |
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