Welcome to 2026, gorgeous—we made it. I’m so glad you’re here.
A brand‑new year means a brand‑new focus, and I’m bringing all the lessons (and a few bruises) from 2025 with me.
As many of you know, I’ve set a contextual word every year for 25+ years as my decision‑filtering system, and this year’s word is CURATED ELEVATION. Last year it was Exceptional and guess what…I ended up publishing a book with that word in the title!
Just as the House of Chanel curates a collection, the “House of Neen” will be curating clients, product offerings, relationships, health, and financial investments with even more intention so keep an eye out for more exciting news to come.
This year is about choosing carefully, editing ruthlessly, and designing exceptional experiences so every client, every team member—and especially every solo person in your world—feels unmistakably seen, heard, and valued.
What would shift in your leadership if you treated 2026 as the year you curate—not just manage—your clients, commitments, and team experiences?
Women, Wellness and the Solo Traveler
When one of my LinkedIn posts exploded with more than 150 comments in a few hours, I knew I’d surfaced something many people were feeling.
I was talking about the trends for wellness travel and solo female travel and what solo female travelers really notice—wellness, safety, and all the “little” details that quietly say, “We see you.”
It got me thinking much broader than travel, for all businesses. It applies to our single client, solo team member and people who feel alone.
That same idea is at the heart of Exceptional Experiences: luxury isn’t about money, it’s about moments: how intentionally we make people feel seen, heard, and valued—especially the solo client, solo traveler, or single person on our team.
If you’d like the read the LinkedIn article and the brilliant comments, you can read the article here:
Your January Lens: Lead for the Solo Person
This month, I’m using one question as a filter:
“If someone experiences this alone, how does it feel?”
That includes:
- A solo client or guest
- A solo traveler you serve
- The “only” person in the room on your team (only woman, only remote person, only person of color, only introvert, only single person)
Designing for them is one of the fastest ways to make your corporate or business culture more inclusive and your brand more exceptional.
Use the Five Luxury Levers from the Exceptional Experiences Book
From my Experience Elevation Model™, the book is filled with systems of elevation you can apply, and here are practical ways to start:
- ENTICE – Signal “we see you” Update one slide, web page, or recruiting post so solo clients and “onlys” can actually see themselves in your stories and images. Be inclusive.
- INVITE – Create belonging on purpose For your next key meeting or client call, send a clearer, warmer invite: who’s hosting, what to expect, how they’ll be supported (especially if they’re coming alone). Be inviting.
- EXCITE – Add one thoughtful detail Choose one touchpoint and add a small wellness‑focused upgrade (e.g., better lighting, real tea/coffee, healthy snacks, a quiet landing space, or a personalized welcome). Be attentive.
- DELIGHT – Systemize thoughtfulness Create a tiny checklist for solo clients or new hires: clear directions, a named point person, and a check‑in after their first experience. Be thoughtful.
- IGNITE – Turn feeling seen into advocacy When a solo client or “only” shares that they felt truly cared for, thank them—and ask, “How could we make this even better for people like you?” Be curious.
January Exceptional Experiences Challenge
Here’s my invitation to you:
This month, redesign just one touchpoint using the luxury levers—Entice, Invite, Excite, Delight, or Ignite—specifically with the solo person in mind.
It can be tiny, as long as it’s intentional and repeatable.
What’s the one interaction—in your client journey or inside your team—where a solo person is most likely to feel overlooked right now, and which lever are you most tempted to use first: Entice, Invite, Excite, Delight, or Ignite? Hit the button below and share your insights with me!