Recently, I had the honor of being interviewed by blogger and fashion and home design expert, Cindy Hattersley for her Ageless Style series. Since 2012, she has encouraged women over 50 to get out of their comfort zones and into the good stuff by inspiring them to tell their own story in their home, garden, and wardrobe.

She’s a great interviewer and asked some meaty questions so I thought I’d share my interview here. Here’s the interview:

Meet a Stylish Woman who Reinvented Herself after 60

 

 

*Affiliate disclosure.

Introduce us to your story and what prompted you to start your community online.

My name is Honey Good, and I am a late bloomer in the business world. I changed course because I was bored with my social busyness and started a hobby turned business in my 60s. Fortunately, fear of the unknown is not part of my DNA. Now, I am now the CEO of HoneyGood.com, the trusted mentor to women in three private Facebook groups: Estranged Mothers and Grandmothers: Millions Strong, Women Over 50: Celebrate Visibility, and Widow Support Group: Women Healing Together.

On top of that, I am an influencer on my social media channels and the author of the book Stories for My Grandchild: A Grandmother’s Journal. To my surprise and delight, I was hired by Abrams Noterie, New York to write this book.

My business journey has been enlightening, and my advice to every woman is to be overly curious and never let fear stop you from exploring new endeavors. The places I have traveled, the people I have met, the lessons I have learned, and the aggravation I have experienced, learning to run a business, have opened my world to all possibilities.

You reside in Chicago and are called the Modern Matriarch. How did you land on that name and how has life in the city molded you into the person that you are? 

I am a small-town girl. I was raised in Kankakee by the Sea, a name I chose—to give the town a romantic touch (it is in the middle of a cornfield!) My late husband and I raised our daughters in Honolulu, Hawaii, and after I was widowed in my 40s, I moved to Chicago to be near family, remarried, and have lived a city life for 33 years. Chicago did not mold me. Kankakee by the Sea and Island Living are my soul sisters.

You can take the girl out of the small town, but you cannot take the small town out of the girl. I am that woman today, and I like it just fine. Honolulu is my spiritual sister. I am a Modern Matriarch because, over my lifetime of adventure, loss, illness, incredible escapades around the world, and daily life trials, I have earned my PhD in Positive Empowerment. Because of my endurance, curiosity, and ability to see my glass half full, I am accomplished.

Honey Good is a space for women to come together; it’s a sisterhood based on life’s passages with purpose and wisdom. Tell us how your life story has impacted your community and how it’s grown since you started it. 

Women need women. Growing up as a minority in a small town gave me unexpected tools that taught me how to live a purposeful life even when confronted with adversity. I acquired survival skills. Adversity never stopped me.

A positive attitude gave me my latitude, and most importantly, I learned the importance of empathy and friendship with others from all walks of life, irrespective of religion, income, and nationality. I started my groups because I enjoy giving back. I am a trusted and positive mentor to thousands of women.

You are known as a storyteller – what are some of your favorites, and why? Tell us about your art of storytelling. 

My journey into the wonderful world of writing has been a joyous one. I have never taken a writing lesson, yet I find immense fulfillment in expressing my vulnerabilities to other women, showing them that every woman’s life has hills and valleys. My stories are written in the first person, like a journal, and I advise every woman to keep a journal because she will ultimately find her voice.

Each of my stories is a favorite, as they all hold a special place in my heart. I write about all types of relationships, my travels around the world, and how I found the tools to heal from widowhood and cancer. In my writings, I journal about mothers-in-law, how to bring a blended family together, and of course, style. And, I adore writing about style because a woman’s inner and outer beauty is her biography.

Health: you have had some struggles in the past months with family – what keeps your mindset positive? 

Like everyone, I have had my share of struggles over the past several months. The love of my life, Sheldon F. Good, has been dealing with medical issues. I handle my sadness and worry by dedicating myself to my husband while feeling a strong sense of gratitude that I have my guy.

I have added a few new projects to my life that give me a lift. Admittedly, I have spent so much time caring and thinking about my husband’s needs that I neglected to take care of myself. I finally woke up and started walking 3 miles most days and taking Pilates classes two days a week.

You have several Facebook groups – Estranged Mothers and Grandmothers: Millions Strong, Women Over 50: Celebrate Visibility, and Widow Support Group: Women Healing Together. Tell us a bit about these groups and how your story has impacted the need for each of these communities. 

I established my groups on Celebrating Life, Widowhood, and Estrangement because I am an authority on these issues and can call myself an authentic mentor. I do wholeheartedly celebrate life. I was a widow in my 40s and I am an estranged mother and grandmother.

Travel! You love the outdoors – what are your top five locations and why? What’s on your travel itinerary?

I don’t have five favorite places because every country and city has its delicious flavor. Alongside my ultimate concierge (my hubby), I have traveled the world throughout Europe, India, Antarctica, Africa, and Asia.

Growing up in a small town, I never envisioned I’d see the silverback gorillas in Rwanda or travel across the Serengeti Plain in Tanzania. Or walk the streets of Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, ride camels on the Sahara and sleep in tents, gaze at the Terracotta soldiers in China, or sleep in a Ryokan in Japan. Never would I have imagined I would stand at the Wall in Jerusalem or visit Normandy with grandchildren as proud Americans. But I have been blessed to do all this and more.

Tell us about your book, Stories for My Grandchild: A Grandmother’s Journal, and how it came to fruition.

Writing the hardcover book, Stories for My Grandchild: A Grandmother’s Journal, was a significant milestone in my business journey. The inspiration for this book came from a desire to share my life’s experiences and lessons with my grandchildren and future generations.

I never anticipated becoming an author, but one day, an email from an editor at Abrams Noterie changed that. They saw me as the ‘hip 21st Century Grandmother’ and wanted a modern book written. Without hesitation, I accepted their invitation, and the journey that followed was nothing short of delightful.

I am razzled, frazzled, and dazzled! In other words, I don’t have average days! I say that, smiling. How boring that would be. I am a day person.

My ‘kinda’ routine goes like this: I get up and out of bed around 5:00 a.m. I make coffee, turn on soft music, grab my laptop, and start writing in my condo in the sky on the 71st floor as the sun rises in the east over Lake Michigan! Then, I leave home around 7:45 for my Pilates class or outdoor walk. A little after 9:00, I return home and make a daily smoothie for my ultimate concierge and prepare breakfast, shower, and dress for the day. Then, I feed, kiss, and hug my divine Wheaten Terrier, America.

The rest of my day is filled with work, spending time with my hubby, making videos, running errands, or having lunch with a friend. There is a lot of laughter in our condo in the sky because of the constant tumult. People come and go every day, and I love the commotion.

Amazon arrives daily, too! How would I describe myself and my day? I am dizzy and always busy.

How would you describe your own personal style?

I have my style in everything I do. I dance to my own drummer, and I have had this attitude all my life. Personal style is a woman’s biography.

If you could pick just three accessories to take you from one season to the next, what would they be, and why?

I adore accessories more than clothes because they define a woman’s personality. My three favorite accessories are pearl earrings, great glasses with tinted blue insets, and red lipstick. They are all noticed at first glance year-round!

Your hair color is amazing – tell us how you care for it and some of your favorite products for gray hair. 

Believe it or not, I cut the sides of my hair with my kitchen scissors in all different lengths. My favorite hair products are Moroccan Oil Hydrating Shampoo and Oligo Blue Conditioner Revitalisant Bleu because I have gray hair. My favorite hairdryer is Zuvi. And, my go-to appliance for straightening my hair is my Moroccan Oil flat iron.

Share with us how you stay active and healthy, even with a busy schedule – from an exercise regimen, to diet, and supplements. Share your tips!

I mentioned I walk and take Pilates classes twice a week. I do take a few supplements: Vitamin D3 and Zinc. No, I don’t have a strict diet. I nosh. Not too wise. I have one cup of coffee a day and then a little of this and a little of that, which could include hot water and lemon, tortilla chips, chicken salad with avocado, pomegranate seeds, cottage cheese, nuts, who knows!

I eat a lot of protein, and I love twice-baked potatoes. I don’t drink soft drinks or eat sweets. For dinner, I am more regimented. Salmon, a salad or a Steak, and a few fries from my ultimate concierge’s plate! I love French fries.

Other than your family, your community, travel, and shopping, what are some of your hobbies that we might not know about?

My hobbies are caring for my orchid and jade plants and needlepoint. I adore everything that grows. My new project may be a freshwater fish tank. I decided a saltwater tank would calm me and bring back the feelings I had when I lived in Honolulu.

If you could give your younger self any words of advice, what would they be?

ALWAYS listen to your heart. It knows.

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