Betsy Craske
📍 Missoula, MT | Educator
📝 Editor’s Note
I had three unrelated people bring up the same niche topic last week. That has to be a sign, right?
Each separately asked me if I had defined my “why”. The third time I was looking for the Truman show cameras.
You are probably thinking what in the cringy self-help are you talking about? For context, I’m at a career inflection point and defining my “why” was suggested as one way to guide my next chapter. Luckily, I logged several hours in the car last week giving me ample time to think.
I landed on my why being, “serving others by creating exceptional experiences.” I got there by reflecting on when I am happiest and in flow. From a social standpoint, I’ve always enjoyed organizing events like filling a bus with international grad student friends to go to Charlotte for their first NFL game. I see Rambull as a medium for connecting with others through helpful recommendations and personal plugs.
From a professional standpoint, I hope to be a business owner that serves his employees by building great company culture that offers fulfilling work. I also want to create new strategies or products that go above to benefit clients.
Without further ado….
Why Betsy?
I found Betsy’s substack when researching other interesting newsletters devoted to authentic recommendations. After reading a few posts I knew that she was an ideal person to profile: interesting, well-rounded, active, and a good writer.
Follow Betsy on Instagram @betsycraskse and Substack
Self-Description
Mountain mama who finds joy in every season- riding bikes, swimming outside, growing flowers, skiing, reading books, cooking & baking, sewing, and hanging with my family. Always up for an adventure or chat over a glass of natural wine.
Betsy’s Recommendations
Written in her own words…
Digital Tools
This has been so fun to discover. This app is all about trading clothes (you only pay for shipping) so that the garments you're not wearing can have a second life, and you can try out brands and clothes styles without spending a lot of money. Keeping clothes out of the landfill and updating your wardrobe - it is a win win for me!
Well-Being
Four years ago, while I was pregnant, I started writing a few sentences every day in a five year journal. It has become a great way to reflect on my day, note any seasonal changes, and write about what my daughter has been up to. Last year I added a gratitude practice to my journal, writing down (at least) one thing each evening that I feel grateful for that day. The five year journal is a fun way to track time and reflect from day to day and year to year.
My vices are natural wine chosen by my pal Elizabeth at The Dram Shop here in Missoula, MT who has impeccable taste and the chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe's!
Content
TOGS is "founded by two professional skiers who dream about mountain peaks and fashion weeks." These two women are adventurers and also sartorially incredible- every newsletter they write has me clicking links left and right and feeling SEEN. I am their target audience for sure, "the mountain dweller who wants to fancyify their outdoor uniform."
Music
I don't personally know Rachel Stevens, but I like to imagine that if we did know one another, we'd be fast friends. I subscribe to her newsletter Messayist, and she provides excellent playlists for paying subscribers. A former DJ for Seattle's KEXP, she creates perfect playlists. Pisces Plunging is one of my favorites but honestly they're all so good. I look forward to a new playlist every month or so.
Travel
When asked "if you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?" I will 9 times out of 10 respond with Alaska. Summer or winter, it is one of my most favorite places to spend time. My most recent trip was to visit a friend (I'll plug her travel business), Traverse Alaska in March and involved walking on sea ice, seeing the Iditarod, participating in a nordic ski race through the trails in Anchorage, and ski touring outside of town at the scandinavian-esque Hatcher Pass Lodge. An absolute must is Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in Anchorage- I stopped multiple times, and as a self-proclaimed bakery connoisseur, it is hands down THE BEST! My newest dream is to do a Women's dog mushing retreat outside of Denali.
Amazon
I am not one to normally recommend a tech gadget, but when I was visiting my friend in Alaska, she had this phone holder in her car. She told me that every member of her family has them for each car they own, and I promptly ordered one before I even left the state. My husband liked mine so much that he ordered one, too.
Plug
I recently started a Substack, You Get-sy [with Betsy], with the goal to share things I like and experiences I recommend. I haven't totally solidified the purpose of the newsletter, but it has been a fun creative outlet. I try to provide a mix of local recommendations and more universal recs as well. I am a connector at heart and love connecting people with other people/things/ideas, so this is my outlet for that.
Want to get in touch with Betsy? “You can find me at my newsletter, on instagram, and by email. I'd love to hear from you!”
P.S. from Rambull — Will Waters, who I profiled a few weeks ago was kind enough to send me some Western Rise merch. I’ve got several compliments on the travel button down shirt. I love this because it doesn’t wrinkle and its versatile enough to wear for a formal or casual occasion. However, my wife would like to remind guys not to double up on wearing both a “tech” shirt and a “tech” pant.
Even better than asking “why” is asking five levels of why, a la Toyoda. This was something I learned while working at Microsoft in the 90s. https://www.mindtools.com/a3mi00v/5-whys