Unlock Your Potential with Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur: Move the Needle

Bubblz1948: I procrastinated to read this book – delivered January 12th, 2021. I had some time during my volunteer shifts to do some reading and I had committed to read and review this book. I read it during two of my shift schedules – couldn’t put it down.

This biographical account of Shelley’s life was inspiring, compelling, and most definitely moving. I am amazed at the series of life events that challenged this strong, vibrant woman to become the successful entrepreneur that she is today. I laughed, I cried (yes I actually did), and I was moved by all that she managed to survive through her (up to now) adult years.

I was challenged to look at “frogging” as a positive, learning experience – rather than drudgery. I was inspired to look after myself and my family – to take care of my health and my mental outlook. Saying “no” is not a negative thing – but a positive thing.

If you haven’t had the opportunity as yet to read this book, do yourself a favour – enjoy the read!!!

Canada on Jan 20, 2021

ceevee: This book is for any person who wants to know how to identify and act on their passion. Shelley Brander speaks engagingly about what motivated her to keep doing better, from childhood right through to her current day pursuits. Honestly recounting life stories demonstrating resilience, determination, empathy and kindness and pinpointing the things that work, how to make your passion into your job, while holding on to the important people and loved ones. I read the book quickly because it led me from point to point and I wanted to be there. Great insights into the things that work and don’t work, and to see what’s next! A great read for anyone, lots of information and resources.

Australia on Jan 16, 2021

Beejay: It was hard to put this book down. From start to finish Shelley’s personality bubbled and fizzed and entertained. It was so inspirational and left me feeling that anything was possible.

United Kingdom on Jan 13, 2021

Rushmore: First, a disclaimer. I am not looking to move the needle in my own personal life. I bought this book because Shelley asked me to - me and a few hundred thousand of her closest personal friends.

Shelley Brander is an entrepreneur. She owns a yarn store in Tulsa with a significant online presence. She has a strong background in marketing and branding. She co-owned a branding company with her husband for many years. She is a very interesting person and her life has taken a lot of twists and turns. Shelley writes that she does not want this book to be just a memoir. Just reading through the table of contents, it’s obvious it’s intended to be a self-help book. Some of her readers have obviously been inspired to move their own needles after reading this book. For me, however, its primary value is as memoir.

Shelly’s writing has a breezy, engaging style. She’s had struggles in her personal and professional life, but she’s clearly a glass half full kind of gal. Also, she knows what she wants and will not stop until she gets it. That’s lesson number one.

I definitely enjoyed reading about Shelly‘s career arc, first as a woman in the marketing trade, then...

United States on Jan 12, 2021

Julie K: Having watched with great interest and awe as Shelley VanDall Brander has grown her business from a local yarn shop to a worldwide community of yarn enthusiasts and experts over the years I was very excited to read Move the Needle: Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur. The book did not disappoint. Shelley shares the story of her pathway to success while also sharing personal anecdotes about her life and her family. She describes the ups and downs that she faced in her personal and professional life, sharing the roadblocks she encountered along the way, and shares the family and health issues that she dealt with that could easily have derailed her plans. Her story is truly inspirational. She displays a “never give up” and “never take no for an answer” attitude. Any setback or disappointment is seen as an opportunity for which she finds a solution and comes back better and stronger than ever. Her can do attitude has led her to this time and place where not only does she have a very successful in person and online retail presence but has also truly managed to “knit the world together” by bringing fiber enthusiasts and experts from around the world into her circle through...

United States on Jan 12, 2021

Jennifer: Some books that I look forward to reading sit on my nightstand for weeks, or months, or years before I actually open them. When an advance copy of "Move the Needle" arrived, I opened it right away, read it cover to cover in a matter of days, and as my friends and family can attest, I haven’t stopped thinking or talking about it since then. The timing was perfect - I had been wondering whether I might start doing more with something that has long been a hobby, and had read that this book would provide not only inspiration and encouragement but also practical wisdom on taking hobbies to the next level, whether that means simply trying out a new technique, expanding the community that shares your interests, or moving from being an enthusiast to becoming an entrepreneur. The author absolutely delivers through a combination of endearing and honest personal stories, helpful suggestions for visioning and making action plans, advice for “when things unravel”, and words of wisdom on everything from marketing to thinking outside the box to building a community of support for your endeavors. Yes, yarn and fiber arts is her medium (and mine, which made the book, for me, even more...

United States on Jan 12, 2021

Terri Jelic: Move the Needle is an honest account of a journey from can't to oh yes I can.
Things don't always go right, the path may not be smooth or straight, but things are always possible with empathy, positivity and grit. Even if you have no intention of going into business, there are lessons in this book for everyone. Move the needle was like listening to a friend that you've known forever.

Canada on Jan 12, 2021

Nicole: This is the compelling story of a woman who beat the odds without compromising her steadfast values of fairness, compassion, creativity, and connection. You will find "loops" of wisdom from cover to cover. Prepare to be inspired!

Canada on Jan 12, 2021