Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Micaela Fox of Franklin

We recently had the chance to connect with Micaela Fox and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Micaela, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
The same thing you are struggling with.

We are all human, we are all so much more alike than different. We are all facing similar battles, including the struggle to be vulnerable with our battles. None of us are alone in our fear of rejection, fear of failure, imposter syndrome, insecurity, joy and pain. It is the beauty of shared humanity. Vulnerability is terrifying and so much can scream at us to not let others into the darkest parts of us, but the moment we find the courage to -the lights come on- and we discover we were never in that room alone the whole time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a builder, entrepreneur, photographer and writer. My heart and passion is to see dreams, visions and ideas come to life. I absolutely love building from the ground and fueling the pioneer spirit. Currently I am in transition to onboard on with a creative agency whose mission is aligned with this in every way: Harbor + Union out of Franklin, Tennessee. Our heart is to become the leading creative agency in Nashville for brands, execs and entrepreneurs looking to scale, grow and reach their potential with co-working, event space, and brand consulting.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe at the core, fear and shame breaks the bond between people. These two things drive a Grand Canyon of disconnection between people–leading people to react in whatever way they have learned best to cope, wether that is avoidant or vying for control. Both cause fracture and both are rooted in fear and shame, leading to mess of communication and attachment issues triggered like crazy.

What restores? A hell a lot of courage, honesty, humility/ownership, vulnerability and forgiveness.

It takes two to tango and a relationship can only be restored if both people show up.

Fear and shame can cause a lot of people to walk away from the pain and discomfort they feel. It is a lot easier to turn away as it takes a hell a lot of courage to stay and press into something that feels splintered. But restoration and honest, vulnerable communication matters deeply. People matter too much.

It takes both being willing to hear the other outside of just their own experience. Two experiences happen at once constantly and both have to really listen to the impact and experience of the other without defense, with the heart to truly take ownership. As well as, each being willing to be honest with themselves where they in a triggered spiral and projecting their own trauma onto the other person.

Relationships are the place of our greatest pain and our greatest joy. Connection is what we are alive for. For the sake of love and restoration, we must have the courage to not just face our fear and shame but even more terrifyingly–let others hold it. PS. Also speaking to myself here.

I want to take heed to Maya Angelou’s words when she said, “have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Constantly. haha I think the beginnings of entrepreneurship should come with a fore-warning label that says: WARNING you will question your life decisions and might have the urge to quit at least 3 times a week.

I am smiling. It’s the beauty of the courage and vulnerability it takes to go after your dreams and believe in yourself. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, it’s not something you see quick results in. It is a long game filled with delayed-gratification and a mental battle to remain in it when the uncertainty comes.

Until, you see the breaking and when it breaks, it’s the most meaningful thing in the world. No matter how much fear comes your way, don’t give up.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I’m unsure of the percentage of people who would agree with me on this, but I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason.

I actually believe that a lot of things happen that are outside of our ability to reason, though we try so hard to find answers for any kind of peace of mind. When in reality even answers to “why” wouldn’t heal the grief. We aren’t searching for answers, we’re searching for the return of presence inside the void ripped in us.

As humans, we place things in categories–we detest grey areas, randomness and being out of control.
It is a difficult thing to accept, how things can crumble in ways we cannot anticipate. We really only say “everything happens for a reason” to pretend that it’s true. A bandaid used for some kind of illusion of control, we in reality the real honest work is to relinquish control.

One of my favorite authors says the hardest questions in life are the most interesting and I couldn’t agree more. There is a lot less black and white in this world than we want to be, but that makes for a whole lot more color to fill in all the spaces between. Like iridescent light refracting through a window.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing? 
Continuing to take risks–no matter what people think, how they will judge or misunderstand. I know so many people who talk about the things they dream of, until it’s one, two, three years later and I find they never took the risk. I want to continuing risking no matter the fear. Not for the sake of ambition, I’m over that, but the sake of purely being me.

Too many suppress themselves, their worth and potential.

At some point you have to tell yourself “this is not an experience I want to keep having” and stop entertaining things that don’t benefit you in any way, shape or form.

At some point you have take agency for your life and dig in for the life you want to build.

I want to write and publish it, even if it feels like someone writing drunk in a bathroom–by God, we need people writing more raw poetry. I want to build businesses, so I am going to build businesses, even if they fail–I’m going to learn and try again. I want to live, unapologetically and with passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.harborandunion.com/
• Instagram: micaela__fox
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/foxmicaela/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnatomyofaBrand