Daydreamer

It all started one day when Alyson was sitting on the couch in her Newark, NJ studio contemplating her commute into Manhattan for work. She travels daily though Penn Station, the Big Apple’s major intercity train station and observed busy commuters disengaged with the people around them, glued to their smart phones and digital devices. Alyson herself admits how easy it is to fall into the zombie zone while navigating the masses of people around you.  The lack of connection, non-existent eye contact, and emotional void left Alyson wondering what it would take to get people to start reconnecting with the humankind surrounding them in one of the busiest rail stations in the world.

She envisioned wearing a t-shirt with “I love you” clearly emblazoned as a message to invoke some kind of reaction from passers-by. Alyson wondered, “What if this was the message that we led with? What if it is a fact? We are love.” And so the I Love You Project was born.

The Ultimate Re-Cycle

Alyson ignited a passion within her and is on a mission to spread the “I love you” message in a more universal way. She tapped the expertise of her brainstorm loving husband and came up with the idea of spreading the message by literally wearing it on her sleeve, or across her chest, as it were.

An experienced vintage collector, Alyson has spent the last 15 years finding hidden treasures at thrift stores, on Craigslist, and appreciating hand-me-down clothes, furniture, and household items. She values the history in things and honors this principle by purchasing her I LoveYou Project t-shirts from thrift and charity driven stores to celebrate their mission and pay-it-forward with the message of love.

Since she is passionate about keeping the I Love You Project shirts affordable for all, Alyson keeps the costs down by purchasing gently used shirts from thrift stores. She also likes the idea of not generating more stuff in the world by recycling. Alyson hopes these shirts become your go-to shirt in the drawer – soft, cozy, and comfortable like a favorite pair of shoes.

Pass It On

Her process is relatively simple. Alyson washes the gently used shirts then screen prints the “I love you” message and sells them for a very reasonable price of $10 per shirt. She learned to screen print from artistic neighbors in her building, a husband and wife duo that run Nightingale Projects http://www.nightingaleprojects.com/index.html. They swapped their artistic expertise for yoga lessons from Alyson. A wonderful trade-your-talent scenario that has proven fruitful for both parties.

The t-shirts are available in a variety of sizes from newborn to adults and the colors and styles vary depending on what Alyson finds on her thrift store excursions. Shipping is a flat rate of $5 and Alyson donates all profits beyond her material costs to charities that support others in need including: The Happy Hearts Fund http://www.happyheartsfund.org/, Angel’s Gate Animal Hospital http://www.angelsgate.org/ and Yele Haiti http://www.yele.org/.

Spread Your Love

Without consciously doing so, Alyson has become a role model social entrepreneur invoking social change, one t-shirt at a time. She aspires to create a worldwide community of love and to track where her t-shirts land with pins on a world map. Her Facebook page showcases photos of I Love You Project t-shirts worn by fans around the country. https://www.facebook.com/pages/i-love-you-project/260958851296

While the venture wasn’t started as a career endeavor, business is picking up and Alyson may soon need to recruit some additional help to screen print and mail the shirts to those who share her passion for spreading the love.  I told her to consider an I Love You Project Intern – perhaps someone looking for a career change opportunity to make a difference. She hopes corporate t-shirt manufacturers like Hanes, Gap, or American Apparel will consider donating t-shirt “seconds” that can’t be sold in retail stores to the I Love You Project for re-purposing. This would be a great way to keep her prices down and a way for those companies to pay-it-forward. Alyson wants the shirts to always be affordable so the “I love you” message becomes universal.

Double Take

I Love You Project t-shirt wearers report that reactions range from spontaneous “I love you too!” responses to knowing smiles and full-on double takes. Most people glance and keep on going but the perceptive Alyson knows that the message has given them pause and reboots their consciousness, at least for a moment, and that’s a good thing.

“Equal parts social experiment, self expression, art, and fashion – but all parts truth.” – Alyson dreams of a day when large crowds of people are wearing “I love you” across their chest. Not like an organized flash mob dance, but more of an organic movement to bring love back into our vocabulary and our behavior more often than not.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

I Love You Project t-shirts could become the hottest holiday gift item this season. An affordable expression of love that allows you to share the message with your people – one t-shirt at a time. Be sure to order your shirts early as this one-woman operation still works multiple jobs to earn her living but her I Love You Project is the most gratifying endeavor of all. You can contact Alyson at Alyson@iloveyouproject.net or http://www.iloveyouproject.net

Alyson is sharing a message worth spreading – Love. Consider joining the I Love You Project movement by ordering your t-shirt today.

Featured speakers include:

• Congresswoman Jackie Spier and Deborah Collins Stephens, co-authors: This is Not the Life I Ordered
• Sylvia Nasar, John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Business Journalism at Columbia University; Economist; Journalist; Author, A Beautiful Mind and Grand Pursuit: The Story of Economic Genius
• Betsy Myers, Presidential Advisor and Author, Take the Lead: Motive, Inspire and Bring out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You
• Mary LoVerde, best-selling author, I Used to Have a Handle on Life But it Broke
• Billie Dragoo, CEO, Repucare; National Board pf Directors NAWBO
• Caroline Dowd-Higgins, Director of Career and Professional Development and Adjunct Faculty, Indiana University Maurer School of Law; author, This is Not The Career I Ordered

Women deserve professional development opportunities and this event promises to deliver! Produced by Invent Your Future Enterprises, a social enterprise specializing in the retention, development, and acceleration of women leaders.

I hope you will consider joining us in Indy this Fall so you can use this educational opportunity to link your career plan and goals. Engage with experts and nationally recognized speakers while networking with your peers and expand your professional community with senior managers and executives from top companies in the Midwest.

You should always take advantage of an opportunity to shape your career destiny and Invent Your Future is a great place to start!

Registration information available at: www.inventyourfuture.com

Little Doggie Lips

She had a very successful career in a huge advertising agency in Los Angeles working on campaigns for national brands including Panda Express, Saturn cars, eBay Motors, Shutterfly and The San Francisco Giants, to name just a few. As an Art Director, she was responsible for full-scale guerilla marketing from websites to TV commercials and everything in-between. The work was exciting and fast paced but after many years it left her stressed out, unbalanced, and unhealthy.

As a way to relieve her stress, Grace began to take photos of homeless dogs at the local animal shelters in order to help them find loving homes. As an Art Director, she developed a wonderful eye and worked with photographers regularly so she knew the craft even though she was not formally trained in the medium.

The hobby morphed into a sideline business and Grace began working early mornings, late nights, and weekends on her photography in addition to her ad agency job. She was clocking over 70 hours per week and received a significant raise at the agency after launching a popular national television campaign. But after 9 months of the cottage industry business and the grind of the day job, Grace quit the ad agency to focus on her photography full-time. This woman, in love with organic gardening, old books and little doggie lips recognized her calling and took the leap.

Do You Zig or Zag?

Grace’s background in advertising gave her the perfect set of transferable skills to launch her new business and make it a successful full-time venture. She designed her own website, developed her brand and marketed the business in order to attract clients. Grace uses social media resources to spread the word about her business including a blog http://www.shinepetphotos.com/blog/ that has become very popular with clients.

While Grace capitalized on her own self reliance she also knows the importance of distinguishing herself and her work. Since the time Grace launched ShinePetPhotos, over 70 new pet photographers have popped up in the Los Angeles area alone. She continues to be strategic and tap into her business sense to differentiate herself and separate her business from the pack.

At the ad agency she learned how to serve clients well and to solve problems. Advertising is not just marketing a product or a service, it involves solving real life problems and this has helped tremendously in her new business. Grace knew it wasn’t just enough to identify her passion for animals in the form of photography – she had to monetize it in order to make a livelihood out of this new venture.

A Clear Picture of Success

When I asked Grace to distill her personal brand down to a few works she responded with modern pet photography. Her images are beautifully real and capture the relationship of the animal and their human families as well as the unique personality of each furry friend. She aims to capture the pets in their natural environment, with gorgeous natural light, doing their favorite things.

The adage that time is money is even more applicable according to Grace who now works from home. She goes on location for her photography shoots but her days are filled with hard work managing and building the business. She does find time for gardening and cooking which was not always possible when she worked at the ad agency.

Grace feels more balanced, healthier, and has a sense of calm in her new work that everyone around her has recognized. Working with dogs and cats as your subjects takes a lot of patience. Although Grace considers herself impatient with most things in life, she has developed a sense of serenity and peace with the animals which makes for a good photo shoot.

The accolades are piling up and Grace has become widely recognized in a short period of time. She is the official photographer of The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, has cover photos showcased in The Bark Magazine and her shots were in a feature story about Perez Hilton’s dog, Teddy. Grace was also named LA’s best pet photographer two years in a row by Tails Magazine.

Grace’s grit and determination have helped her transfer the ad agency skills into her own business. She is committed to doing everything she can with character and integrity and has built her business on those values. She finally feels like she is doing what is right for her and has a sense of contentment about the new career that she is designing.

Coming Full Circle

As a little girl, Grace knew she was passionate about animals. Little did she know then that many years later she would develop a business to celebrate her furry friends and capture their essence with photographs.

Grace’s friends and colleagues thought she was crazy to quit a lucrative job in the midst of a recession but she kept her eye on the prize and never looked back. In 2 years, her business has grown exponentially. She operated in the black her very first year and nearly tripled her intake during the second year. Working full-time while growing the business was one of the most challenging things Grace has ever done but she earned her dream career with sweat equity, business savvy and the wisdom to know the importance of distinguishing herself from the competition.

And needless to say, she has the most lovable furry clients to work with on a daily basis so life is grand.

Grace’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Identify your passion – then monetize it!
• Be strategic and learn how to differentiate your personal brand to separate yourself from the competition. Identify your niche market.
• Know that if you start a new business you will have to work extremely hard and manage your time wisely. It’s all up to you.
• Learn how to connect your transferable skills and experiences with a new opportunity.
• Develop a plan.

Quote:

“If you are more excited to leave your job on Friday than you are to come in to work on Monday, something is wrong.” Donny Deutsch

Resources:

Shine Pet Photos www.shinepetphotos.com

Blog www.shinepetphotos.com/blog

Ginger landed her first job performing singing-balloon-a-grams while attending the College of Charleston. After graduation, she struggled to find her own way by dabbling with a few restaurant, real estate, and ad agency jobs. When she finally found her niche, in the movie industry, she was able to use her unique passion for entertaining others to market family-friendly films. But Ginger’s true passion for living wasn’t fully ignited until she published her first children’s book: When Donkeys Fly.

What Will Your Epithet Say?

Looking back at how it all began, Ginger recalls waking up one morning after attending her uncle’s funeral worried that even if she were the very best at her job in the film industry, her epithet would read: Best B Movie Buyer in the Business – and that just wasn’t enough. As a senior “blurbologist” (her own unique term), she wrote the copy on the back of dvd/videos, scouted new producers, and licensed family films to be sold at retail.

After learning of all of the wonderful ways her uncle gave back to the community during his lifetime, Ginger decided then and there that she wanted to make a difference in the world and began indulging her true passion – writing.  She wrote When Donkey’s Fly, left her six figure career in what she called the “… gloom and doom entertainment industry”, and embarked on a mission to lead, and encourage others to lead, an extraordinary life.

When Donkeys Fly is an inspirational book for all ages that encourages people to believe in themselves despite any obstacles. When Donkeys Fly won the Mom’s Choice Award ® for “Most Inspirational/Motivational” new book and this is the message she is on a quest to share with anyone who will listen.

Ginger and her faithful flying donkey travel to schools, churches, colleges, and women’s groups all over the country to read the book, sing a song, and encourage other donkeys to fly.

Flying without a Net

In the spirit of the book, Ginger and a friend started a band called “Cosmo and the Flying Donkeys” to encourage other music lovers to follow their own passions. But how does one walk away from a financially secure job and start a new career as a first-time author or musician and make ends meet?

This new author took advantage of the growing self-publishing movement and borrowed against the equity in her home to finance the book and launch her new career.

This leap of faith was incredibly scary but also invigorating for Ginger who, for the first time, was flying without the proverbial safety net. The ability to shed corporate policy for personal satisfaction was very liberating for Ginger who is now relieved to be able to speak her own truth.

She recalls being on pins and needles in the film industry – much of the time living and working in a stress-based environment. Now, as her own boss, she can spend the afternoon playing with her niece, walking the beach or taking her Dad to the doctor because she is in charge of her own time.

Quality of Life

Even though she can’t count on a regular paycheck every Friday, Ginger believes that her lifestyle has changed for the better. For the first time in years, she can literally taste and enjoy the food she eats and not have to wolf down meals to make the next meeting or deadline.  Ginger has embraced a life of “living in the moment” and appreciates the simple pleasures more than ever.

“I knew that I made the right decision when I had my first massage after leaving the entertainment industry. After a few minutes of massage, my magical masseuse was surprised to find that the “stress knots” she routinely battled in my back were gone. Who knows how many years I have added to my life by choosing to follow my heart instead of my wallet.”

Ginger reports that financially things are going well and although she is not making what she did in the film industry (yet!) she is happy because she is living her values and following her passion and you can’t put a price tag on that.  She encourages others to follow their hearts and that is the premise of her book.

In addition to the book, donkeys are flying through classrooms with the help of Ginger’s techno savvy sister who developed a series of activities and resources for collaborative technology & literacy integration projects. Using Skype and Voicethread, kids can instantly connect with the characters and the events in the story. Students enjoy the rhythm of the text and the captivating illustrations and can even connect with Ginger directly through www.skypeanauthor.com. Ginger is thrilled to be able to find new ways to share the positive message of the book with children all over the world and maintains a blog– Friends of the Flying Donkey – where she shares moving stories of her adventures in the classroom and beyond.

Here is a letter that was forwarded from a First Grade teacher after one of Ginger’s school presentations:

“I think Ms. Hodge did a wonderful job!    One child in my class had struggled drawing a picture of herself yesterday so I asked her to finish it today.  She did a wonderful job and as I bragged on her, she stated, “I just let my donkey fly.”

The Mission

Ginger is on a personal mission to improve self esteem and literacy in schools. For younger students, she reads her book, sings her song and walks kids through the publishing process with a message that will boost self confidence and creativity. For high school students, she adapts the message to focus on career development with practical tips to follow their dreams to the job market.

Ginger’s Flying Donkey team also has plans to further promote literacy by recruiting college and semi-pro athletics to go to schools, read the book and share stories of how their own donkeys learned how to fly.

According to Ginger:

“It has been statistically shown that students whose reading scores are below the national average in 3rd grade rarely ever catch back up, so our goal is to share the positive message of ”When Donkeys Fly” with every 3rd grade student.  And South Carolina is only the beginning…

For students to learn to read, they first have to believe it is possible, right?  Our goal is to take literacy to a higher level by encouraging kids to believe that they can do anything,  including excel at reading despite their own circumstances or previous test rankings.

To date, we have a commitment from The Carolina Gamecocks, interest from The Citadel Bulldogs, The Charleston RiverDogs, The Florence RedWolves, and yes even a few Roller Derby teams… and this is only the beginning!”

Donkey Power

The charming book assures girls and boys everywhere that their dreams can come true. Several scenarios describe how people scoff at the heroine’s hopes to play baseball, to own a big boat, to be President of the United States, etc. by saying “You’ll do that….when donkeys fly.” Then one day she spots a flying donkey and realizes that all things are possible.

The book has an added challenge of hunting for the hidden donkey in the illustration on each page.  And the “Note From the Author” in the back of the book reveals the deeper, more spiritual, message of the hidden donkey with those who wish to find it.

Although When Donkeys Fly is a child-friendly book, it can also be the perfect gift for graduation, birthday, or any holiday for the special people in your circle of friends and family.

After growing up in the direct-to-retail world of the film industry, Ginger’s transferable skills and experience were very applicable when the time came to market her book.  She attends national conferences and speaks to groups from kindergarten classes to national professional organizations.

In fact, When Donkeys Fly was chosen by Executive Women International (EWI) as the book featured at their National Reading Rally. When asked about her finest hour as an author, Ginger recalls the looks on the faces of the students chosen from Louisville, Kentucky to be honored guests of EWI. As they entered the convention center, pages of the book were blown up bigger than life, animated donkeys flew across 30 ft screens, and over 600 executives gave a rousing standing ovation as the music played from a special rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly”.  Anyone could tell, simply from their expressions, that these students from one of the most poverty-stricken schools in the state believed that anything was possible… when donkeys fly.

Everything Happens for a Reason

Ginger doesn’t take full credit for writing the book and believes that the book was simply a gift that was meant to be shared. The day the ideas came to her, Ginger literally pulled her car over to the side of the road and remembers the words coming to her faster than she could write. She wrote the entire book in less than seven minutes, but feels that the ideas for it must have been “baking” in her mind for years.

Once written, Ginger sent an email to all of her friends from college who now have children, to get their reactions to the story.  Soon after the email, her friend C.B. Markham answered and said “I love the story so much I am going to illustrate this book… just for me.” Long story short, Ginger loved her illustrations and the power of seek and you will find was confirmed.

Ginger has plans in the works for her own publishing company, Donkey Fly Press and has two other books in the pipeline: When I Get a Dog and When Pigs Fly. She has taken stock of what is important in her life and made sacrifices to follow her passion. After the initial shock of job separation, she is now at peace with her decision and has made it her mission to help children and adults overcome obstacles, achieve empowerment, embrace their self confidence and follow their own flying donkeys.

Ginger still lives in South Carolina with her faithful Labrador, Sadie and her boat “Mr. Right”.

Ginger’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Set your intentions.
• Follow your passions.
• Savor every moment.
• Don’t let money drive your decisions.
• Strive to be peaceful and productive.
• Help those who help others.
• Remember that everything happens in divine time.

Quotes:

“Take a moral inventory of what success means to you – really think about it!” – Ginger Hodge

“Everyone can sing, you’ve just got to find your song”. – Ginger Hodge

Resources:

When Donkeys Fly www.whendonkeysflybook.com

Pam designs custom pieces that act as windows in time and reflect old world craftsmanship, dedication, and attention to detail. Venetian Décor does not promote the trapping and killing of animals but works exclusively with vintage fur coats to ensure that these historic resources are refashioned into useful and appreciated products.

According to Pam:

“Our mission is to imbue a little corner of your life with some old world magic and elegance by re-purposing vintage items and giving them a modern twist. My love of beautiful vintage fur coats and French furniture inspired me to create this line of products for you to enjoy for many years to come.”

A Little Bit of History Preserved

Her signature pieces are beautiful one-of-a-kind furnishings and throws made from vintage fur coats and buttons just like great-grandmother owned.  “We are based in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, where the pioneer spirit of early fur trappers and adventurers still whispers through the spruce and fir at night, and the hopes of gold-seekers echo down the wild rivers.” For Pamela, working with re-purposed fur coats and vintage rhinestone buttons and jewelry is a chance to imagine a moment in time in a world of horse-drawn buggies and mink capes to bring a touch of old world elegance into the busy modern world.

Pam came up with the prototypes for Venetian Décor in her home studio, an 800 square foot space where she also sells her creations. She uses Italian made and imported French furniture as well as antique French furniture for her pieces. The soft Italian made leathers, natural silk fabrics and ribbons, plus natural down cushions and wool are the ultimate in eco friendly materials.

Her first big break came from an Interior Design Show in Vancouver, BC where she showcased her wares. A writer profiled her business and featured a two page article in the Vancouver Sun newspaper with photos, and the official buzz began. The writer tackled the animal rights issue and deftly wrote that re-purposed fur means that no animals have died today. It also means that no faux fur, with its own environmental issues including pollution and petroleum based synthetics are being manufactured for these artistic creations.

Pam has her own philosophy about using vintage fur:

“I truly believe that I have found a final resting place for these animals. It’s a way to say that we appreciate you and respect you.

Whether you believe in Pam’s vintage fur credo or not, kudos are due to this mompreneur that has created a viable business she is passionate about.
Venetian Décor has was featured in a high profile article in the Beverly Hills Times magazine. Pam hopes this will introduce her brand to celebrity clientele that could really put her on the map. The Venetian Décor signature style is a blending of shabby-chic, eco-chic, French, Boho and refined but relaxed glamour styles blended together for a one-of-a kind design.

The Challenges of a Working Mother

Inspired by her own creative mother who was a ceramics artist, Pam feels a great sense of accomplishment with her new business venture. She still loves being a mother but finds this new work fulfilling and it gives her a sense of purpose so she can now put herself first. Her husband and family have been very supportive and enthusiastic and her daughters even lend a hand with her pieces.

With a new beginning in her 40’s when her kids are about to leave the nest, Pam is ready to succeed in her new business but admits there are challenges. She is a one woman show and shared that her responsibilities as a wife and mother don’t change with her new business so now she has two full-time jobs!

Without financial backing or business loans available to her, Pam used her savings to purchase the start up materials including reproduction furniture from Italy. She reinvests her profit into the business and keeps her overhead low by working from her home studio. Her husband is a professional in the building industry so he has been helpful as a resource for some basic business fundamentals but Pam has been on her own to learn the trade of the interior design industry. She advises other budding entrepreneurs to do their research about trademark, company name and logo first, and then focus on your product.

Waste Not, Want Not

Inspired by shabby chic queen, Rachel Ashwell, Pam is building her brand on the historic preservation of vintage furs as a way to honor the history of each piece with a new life. Re-purposing has become vogue in the art, interior design, and fashion world so Pam is capitalizing on the “waste not, want not” approach. Since vintage fur can last up to 100 years, her creations make sustainable sense, economically, environmentally, and socially.

Pam was featured on the Canadian TV show Urban Rush and she was recently approached by a jewelry designer to sell her pieces in their store. These baubles are a favorite of celebrities, Tori Spelling and Anne Heche so Pam hopes that they might also consider buying one of her pieces. If you have an heirloom fur coat that you want re-purposed, consider commissioning Pam to make you a custom piece that will live on for years to come.

While Pam is living a new dream with her own business, she is also establishing a practice of re-purposing and recycling items to create new furnishings. This business woman with a conscience feels like a butterfly that has just begun to spread her new wings

Pam’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Don’t overwhelm yourself with a new business, take baby steps and preserve your inner peace.
• Follow your heart and do something you are passionate about.
• Be sure you have a good resource team (family, mentors, etc.) to back you up.
• Go for it because you have nothing to lose by trying.
• Do your homework in setting up your trademark, company name and logo.

Favorite Quote: “You will never know if you don’t try.” Pam Beattie

Resources:

Venetian Décor http://venetiandecor.ca/

Fur Council www.furcouncil.com

Since 2005, Danielle has planned both intimate and large scale weddings and corporate events including some of New York City’s largest and most notable businesses. Located in the Big Apple, Curtain Up Events services the tri-state and greater New York area but Danielle also travels out of state for destination events.

Use Self Discovery for Career Transformation

She shared with me that she hit the wall as a performer and wanted self validation as a person and not just as an actress. It was a vulnerable self discovery process that helped her to realize that she was ready to leave the arts, and a very emotional decision. After many tears and a lot of deliberation about this major life and career change, Danielle was ready to reinvent herself and moved forward with confidence and conviction.

As an actress, she had worked many a catering gig when not performing and since her Mom was a professional caterer, she grew up surrounded by people in the special events industry. After leaving show biz, Danielle developed phenomenal vendor contacts from a 2 ½ year stint at another event planning firm where she worked prior to launching CUE. She received excellent reviews from colleagues and customers who encouraged her to set out her own shingle. Danielle combined her creative flair and business acumen to plan innovative and chic events under her new business name and thus, Curtain Up Events was born.

By the way, Madeline, Danielle’s 2 year old daughter was also born in 2009 and this working Mom was producing events up until a week before she gave birth. She also returned to work shortly after Madeline was born but does the logistical event planning from home to be closer to her daughter.

You Can’t Move Forward Without Taking a Risk

Launching her own business was quite a risk but Danielle is experiencing a validation that she finds very empowering. Her feedback from clients and vendors has been amazing and being her own boss has given her the freedom to make her own business decisions and design her work schedule around raising a daughter.

As a proverbial Stage Manager, Danielle calls all the shots in her business and enjoys having the opportunity to work with fabulous people designing special events that make people joyful.

“If you’ve ever been backstage during a performance, there are so many things going on which keep the show running that the audience never sees.  The same is true for a wedding.  I’m calling a million different cues, but the guests just enjoy a seamless event.  My musical-theater background also enables me to have a long list of theatrical vendors such as Tony-nominated lighting designers and Broadway performers that can make the day a little more spectacular.

Overall, I think the most unique thing I employ is my ability to connect with people.  A wedding is a very personal event and all of the special touches should reflect the couple and not me.  Those special touches will make people say “that wedding was so THEM.”

Her work and creative ideas appear on Brides.com, where she consults for numerous wedding planning stories. She was also a key producer on a team that planned an episode of “My Celebrity Wedding,” which aired on The Style Network.

The challenge for this working Mom is balancing work with raising a daughter. Danielle wants to be an inspiration and a role model for her daughter but admits “… sometimes you just have to budget to have someone watch the baby.”

“My biggest challenge is balancing work and personal life.  My daughter is very important to me and I constantly feel guilty about not spending enough time with her.  I know that I really do give her everything she needs and then some.  But, you’re always second guessing yourself and I’m always working at odd hours.  There’s always work to be done when you own your own company.  Even if the clients are completely taken care of, you still have to tend to the company itself.

You really have to have an amazing support system.  I have wonderful friends and family who are all hands on deck because they love me and believe in my company.  I also have an AMAZING group of women who work with me.  I couldn’t do it without them and I tell them every chance I get. If you think you can do everything yourself, you’ll just be running yourself ragged.  It’s so important to let others help you!!”

The curtain will rise and fall many times throughout our career lifetimes. Danielle found her passion a second time and serves as an inspiration for others who are looking for that next career opportunity. She deserves a standing ovation!

Danielle’s Advice

• Do what you love! I found something else I love, beyond my original career plan. I’m good at it and it makes me happy. Give yourself the opportunity to explore new things and find what you love.
• Take a risk – it could take you someplace wonderful.
• Be open to many things – you just might find something you never thought you would.
• Women can be competitive in the workplace so learn to work together and support each other and everybody wins.
• Always treat people with respect – sometimes it’s contagious and that’s a good thing.

Quote:

Danielle’s mantra is one she learned from Savor the Success – “Give, Give, Get” She is a firm believer in the power of giving and lives by the belief that you can’t please everybody all the time.

Resources

CUE www.curtainupevents.com

Savor the Success: www.savorthesuucess.com

A Circuitous Route to Career Bliss

Moving from a secure and high powered career in law to the world of an entrepreneur was no easy task. Ellen discussed the transition with friends, family, and her husband, all of whom supported her in this daring new career move. She phased into landscaping keeping her hand in the legal world part-time, at first. Ellen worked on friends’ properties and eventually got referrals from them and a local nursery.

Building and stewarding client relationships is something that Ellen did regularly as an attorney and this skill transferred well into her new business. She enjoyed the immediate connection with new clients and the process of developing a landscape plan to make them happier in their home environment.

Ellen thrives on creating gardens and landscapes that capture her clients’ wishes – whether it’s recovering the beauty of an overgrown or ailing landscape or developing the possibilities of an empty space transforming it from a detriment to an asset with a little attention. She creates themed gardens to respond to a client’s interest, such as honoring a loved one, having a serene place to sit or meditate, or having an herb garden that provides outdoor interest and fragrance as well as bringing extra delight to cooking. She is a listener who partners with her clients to give them a way of reaching their goals whether they understand the green world or not.

The Weeds in a Workplace Garden

As her own boss, Ellen is thriving in an autonomous work environment where she can set high standards of excellence and have the freedom to create new services and products for clients.  As an owner of a new business she admits the lack of security and endless demands on her time can be worrisome.  But recognizing that she is now responsible for her success and is not held back by being an employee for someone else has proven tremendously liberating.

She encourages other women to think about what they really like to do and not be deterred by the fear of not being able to make a living. Ellen suggests that career changers “…try it on and figure it out. There is a wonderful opportunity for trial and error and you can always change your mind. When you have created your new career the money will come.”

Growing the Business

This budding entrepreneur (pun intended!) admits that watching expenses is always a concern. Her strategy is to keep overhead down and continue to build her clientele with excellent referrals and services that distinguish her from other landscape companies. Ellen learned early on that record keeping was a necessity and utilizes a variety of tools to manage her books, foster client communications, and facilitate marketing and networking.

Since gardening in Pennsylvania where Ellen lives and works is seasonal she keeps busy in the winter months by taking classes and learning new techniques that will enhance her services to clients.  She enrolled in the three year certificate in horticulture program at the Barnes Foundation. “It is always fun to learn more and discover new possibilities in landscaping.” Ellen also speaks to garden clubs and other groups giving presentations and demonstrations. She likes to plan new projects with clients so they can start in the spring and she has launched a series of winter-proof indoor themed gardens that make wonderful presents for all occasions.

Marketing is always an important part of growing the business, no matter what the season. Ellen hired a marketing expert and recently launched a website that has given her a much needed online presence. She uses business cards with her new logo to network and posts lawn signs at job locations to capitalize on curb appeal and drive-by prospective clients who see her work. She offers a free consultation as a way for her and a potential client to get to know one another and discuss the client’s goals.

In 2010 the Wynnewood Business Association launched a recognition program for Women in Excellence and Ellen is the first recipient of its Women’s Excellence in Business Award. She is very grateful for this award and sees it as a sign of growth as well as an incentive to continue to move forward with her company.

Garden Rehabilitator

Ellen has been landscaping since she was a child. She started her first garden with her Mom in Connecticut and carries many of those techniques with her today. Gardening has also been a therapeutic outlet for Ellen who found that immersing herself in it was a new way to create life when her marriage died. Gardening was cathartic and healthy way for her to rebuild and renew her life.

Likewise Ellen enjoys bringing diseased plants back to good health or moving an ailing plant to a better location in the landscape so they may provide renewed pleasure. Almost no specimens are beyond rehabilitation and with Ellen’s expert knowledge and tender loving care, most plants come back to thrive in time.

Growth Potential

2010 marks 4 years for Ellen’s business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). She has steadily grown her clientele and works with a foreman and a crew who reflect the values of her company.  She has built a collegial team that enjoys working together and loves what they do.

Using her lawyerly skills in problem solving, contracts, and project management, Ellen has built a business she loves. Since she traded in her corporate business suits for jeans, a sun hat and waterproof boots, Ellen enjoys wearing skirts and dresses when she is not at work. But there is nothing better for this lawyer turned landscaper than digging in the earth and creating custom gardens that bring delight to the senses.

Quote:

“Be as you wish to seem.” Aristotle

Ellen’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Take the time to figure out what you really love to do. Test-drive many things and know that you can always change your mind. You are not defined by your current occupation but have a diversity of talents and abilities within you.
• Never give up – what you are meant to do is out there somewhere waiting for you to discover it.
• Rally your support network (friends, family, additional resources) because you will need to lean on them during your transition.
• Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself – it can be very liberating.

Resources:

Custom Gardens, LLC www.customgardensllc.com

The Power of a Personal Coach

Debbie utilized the expert resources of a personal and executive coach, Silver Rose, whom she first encountered when she brought in Silver as a consultant on a project while she was still working at the firm. Debbie hired Silver personally and began exploring an exit strategy and new options for her career future.

Her professional reinvention began with weekly 1:1 calls with Silver and detailed homework assignments on self assessment and personal tracking. She conducted informational interviews with business peers and joined a mastermind group that works as an advisory board of sorts to provide motivation and accountability – all under the tutelage of her coach. Debbie also joined Toastmasters and a few networking groups for outreach, education and the personal growth purposes.

Silver gave Debbie permission to explore and she realized that golf – her passion – was also an educational tool and a business opportunity ripe for developing. Her knowledge about how to generate business through golf empowered Debbie as a resource others wanted to learn from. She also saw a tremendous opportunity to build confidence in businesswomen through strategies incorporating golf.

Move Over Boys – Women Are Playing Golf, Too!

According to Debbie:

“It’s a known fact that women, as a group, don’t participate in the game of golf to the extent that men do. For the most part, they see the game of golf as a mystery to which only men hold the key. Yet, the message businesswomen hear today is that golf is a widely accepted playing field for conducting business and they are missing out on opportunities by not participating. The golf community has created women-only golf clinics targeting the female executive. Statistically, women are the largest new group coming to the game of golf today. Yet, often frustrated with their skill-set, they are also the largest group that leaves the game and does not return.”

So Debbie capitalized on demystifying this critical business skill that can be used successfully on the golf course. Her business – Golf for Cause teaches women (and men) how to use golf as business tool, to create opportunities, to forward relationships because it’s more than just about going out and hitting golf balls. Golf for Cause provides the keys and the tools to demystify the game.

In her new role, Debbie enjoys being 100% responsible for the success and failure of each strategic decision in her company. She has control over her schedule and her work product matches her integrity and is a more accurate and rewarding reflection of who she is and what she wants out of a career. Debbie also appreciates the opportunity to set a positive example for her children by doing something that makes a difference and by giving back to her community.

Making Money Playing Golf

While the new career sounds too good to be true, Debbie has learned a lot over the years. Her initial business plan was not realistic and included programming that does not fit her business model today. That took some tweaking and adjusting over time. With a small staff of only two (including Debbie) she doesn’t have a large team to rely on as she did back at the firm. Debbie has learned that she can only control so much and that delegation is not always an option. A perfectionist by nature, Debbie also learned that delivering the perfect program was unrealistic. “At some point you need to step up to the ball and hit it off the tee!”

Since golf is now her livelihood, another important lesson learned was to identify which programs work well and which generate meaningful revenue. The economy has also been a challenge and the meeting & events industry has taken a particularly hard hit. Many companies have cut training and professional development budgets entirely. Debbie learned quickly that she needed to stay flexible and open to new ideas and partnerships in order to grow her business.

A personal goal for Debbie was to keep her schedule free enough to travel with her daughter, a student athlete to national tournaments and college recruiting trips. This was a liberty she gave herself with the new business that would not have been possible at the firm. She also set up administrative systems to enable the business to run smoothly in her absence.

“I set up systems such that I have an assistant who works remotely and maintains my database, follows up on various tasks as needed, brings forward ideas, keeps me on task, etc. Finding the right person was an incredible challenge as I spent a lot of time and money getting systems in place and then checking, redoing, and re-educating.  With the right person in place – I’m free to work “on” the business and not “in” the business.”

Mission Accomplished

The mission of Golf for Cause as an organization is to develop and deliver products and services that move others to use golf as a dynamic strategy to achieve their objectives, focusing primarily on business professionals new to the game, especially women.

While Debbie benefited from the expert counsel of her coach, Silver Rose, she also suggests that women seeking a career change develop a support network to help stay properly focused on goals and to provide a level of accountability.

She suggests that new entrepreneurs work with a good accountant from the start to better understand which strategies are effective and meaningful tax-wise for the business.

Birdies, Bogeys, and Business

Debbie’s repertoire of golf educational opportunities provides a myriad of topics such as:

• The secrets even successful business owners and managers don’t know
• Create an even more rewarding business environment
• See how your business success and your golf game are a reflection of who you are
• How to improve both your business and your golf score

Participants usually spend half the day in the classroom using golf as a metaphor to learn what differentiates being an entrepreneur, manager, or technician and the how this applies to the business world. After the classroom session, participants hit the course and play 9 holes of golf in a strategic format. All levels can participate, even never-played-before beginners. The day ends with a facilitated de-brief session, awards, and refreshments. An ideal group size is 6-40 participants and Debbie customizes programs to fit an organization or individual’s needs.

The reviews are in and Debbie consistently scores big with her clients!  The programs are experiential and golf anchors the learning. Debbie’s repertoire of golf educational opportunities provides a myriad of topics such as:

Mental Mulligans: A fun and enlightening team-building workshop for your group that reveals how you show up in and out of the office, on and off the golf course. Learn to understand different behavior styles on the golf course and how they impact your game and your success in business!

Get in the Game – Business Golf with On-Course Mentoring: A great way for business professionals to add golf to their business tool boxes.

Tee Off Program: A half-day outing designed to prepare the newer (or non-golfer) who wants to make a positive impression when playing in a charity or industry golf tournament.

Nine and Wine: A golf mentoring program offering a casual golf experience, designed especially for new golfers (men and women) to help them feel at ease on the tees. Golf up to nine holes with a mentor with facilitated debrief, networking and hosted happy hour after golf (“wine” not “whine!”)

Birdies, Bogeys & Business – Success On & Off the Course: a program that Debbie co-created and delivers with Joyce Friel from Peak Performance Consulting (www.peakperformancecorp.com).  This half-day program uses golf as a metaphor to learn what differentiates being an entrepreneur, manager and technician – and the implications for you and your business.  Explore your ownership mentality and create an even more successful business environment.

All Golf for Cause programs are designed so that participants at any golf skill level can participate, even never-played-before beginners.  Ideal group sizes range from 6 to 40 participants and Debbie customizes programs to fit an organization’s or individual’s needs.

By discovering new fairways and approach shots for defining business objectives, relationship development, and marketing strategies, Debbie Waitkus has turned golf into gold.

Favorite Quote:

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is that you’re the pilot.”

Michael Althsuler

Advice and Action Steps:

• For all the perfectionists – let go already and just do it!
• Consider a professional career coach and/or a resource team to assist you.
• Find a good accountant early on if you begin a new business.
• Really think about what you are passionate about doing – your next career may be right under your nose.

Resources:

Golf for Cause www.golfforcause.com

Silver Rose, Coach  www.silverspeaks.com

After earning an undergraduate degree from Cornell with a major in Food Science, the career path lured Joni out into the world-of-work and the thought of medical school soon faded. A renaissance woman, Joni has always blended her aptitude for math and science with a love for the arts and a passion for theatre. Who knew the seeds of her artistic passion would later lead to a career change and the beginning of a new chapter in her professional life.

Good Old Boys

While Joni confesses to not really loving Food Science it did give her opportunities she never envisioned in the professional world. She was recruited from Cornell to work at General Foods, a prime gig for a newly minted undergrad and her laboratory focus was on coconut and chocolate. While some might die for an opportunity to work with chocolate all day, Joni yearned for something more.

She quickly moved from the lab into sales management and was the first woman ever to land a coveted position on the proverbial row of General Foods good old boys in industrial sales. Joni is wicked smart, well spoken, and has a palpable competitive edge that empowered her to be tremendously successful and earn the trust and respect of the male dominated sales force. Energized by sales, she loved to close a deal and began to set company records.

Saleswoman of the Year

Since love and life happen when you least expect them to, Joni took a new job in Cincinnati following a man who at the time seemed like he could be the one. The man did not turn out to be a keeper but Joni took Cincinnati by storm and earned Salesperson of the Year in her new post at Amko Plastics and continued to distinguish herself in the sales profession.

Ever conscious of her need for reinvention and a new beginning, Joni embarked on a personal and professional cleanse and took a new job with Ocean Spray (from chocolate to cranberries!) and went back into the lab for 18 months. But the lab environment just didn’t feed her soul like sales and she ventured forward taking a regional sales position with a division of FMC which manufactured food and pharma ingredient products.

After FMC Joni was recruited to work for RP Scherer which was based in Florida but she negotiated to work from home when not traveling and bought her first home in Wilton, CT. With a significant salary increase and a reputation as a leader in the industry, Joni was sitting pretty in her newly purchased antique home on a full acre lot.

Finding Her Comfort Zone

While home ownership gave her a tremendous sense of pride, cutting an acre of grass and tending to the landscaping was not something she relished. A friend of a friend set her up on a blind date and Chris, a Radiologist entered the picture and her life. Little did Joni know at the time that he would become her husband.

As their relationship grew so did the weeds in Joni’s yard and Chris offered to cut the grass and help out this career woman on the go. At the top of her sales game, Joni wanted more than just a manicured lawn and moved again professionally to Altus Biologics where she earned stock options and witnessed the company stock go public.

While she was rewarded for growing their business, she also grew her personal life and after a year and a half courtship, married Chris who had two young daughters from his first marriage. Joni recalls that at a certain point she just knew Chris was the one and they have been happily married for 13 years.

When Joni became pregnant she went on maternity leave from Altus fully expecting to return to work after the break. But her newborn son, Jack pulled at her motherly heart strings and she tapped her inner Martha Stewart and became super mom and step mom all in one, reinventing once again in a very different role.

Not Exactly the Brady Bunch

While caring for an infant released an inner mom that Joni never knew was part of her, life was complicated with two teenage step daughters who suffered the loss of their mother to an aggressive cancer when Joni was 8 months pregnant with Jack. The emotional struggle for a blended family is difficult enough but the intense grieving for their deceased mother was devastating for Joni’s new step daughters.

Her sales instincts kicked in and Joni was eager to build the relationships and close the new mother deal, as it were. She baked from scratch regularly and put together elaborately themed birthday parties for the girls and became the über mom that every kid on the block envied. This bruised new family not only survived but thrived with Joni as the glue that held them together.

A few years later, Chris McGary became antsy in affluent and stuffy Connecticut and longed for a simpler life that would also allow for his thriving medical career in Radiology. Waiting until the girls graduated from high school, Chris chose Bloomington, IN to relocate his family and make a fresh start. While the Hoosier heartland had charm it was a scary step for east coast Joni and her toddler son to pick up and move to from her native east coast. How would she get her NYC theatre fix on a regular basis and where would she have access to gourmet food staples not to mention leaving dear friends?

Women Writing for a Change

The move happened fast and the McGary’s went west and Joni turned to writing to chronicle her family’s journey to Indiana. Not exactly a pioneer woman’s story but a wonderful therapy to express her emotions and an opportunity to find her voice amidst this massive life change.

Just about the same time that the Julie & Julia blog (which later inspired the movie) came to be, Joni established her blog called Bloomington Girl to vent, marvel, and discover her new path with a growing fan base that followed her regularly.

It first started with her east coast posse who were eager to read about her new world. Then, Bloomington residents started to follow Joni who often helped them appreciate their town from a new vantage point. Joni shared advice, wisdom, photos, and delicious recipes and became known virtually to people who had never met her in person.

Part of her survival strategy was getting back to New York whenever possible to catch up on the latest plays. She also joined a progressive women’s writing group – Women Writing for a Change that gave her support and encouragement for this newfound medium in Bloomington.

The Call of the Theatre

While she hadn’t acted in many years, the theatrical calling still beckoned but this time in the form of playwriting. Joni tried to write a story about her husband’s ex-wife’s death as a cathartic journey since it impacted her entire family so dramatically. The story got too heavy to tell as creative non-fiction, so she attempted to write it as a play.

The new medium was very compelling and Joni took a playwriting class at Indiana University, her new college town home. In 2008, one of her 10 minute plays 100% Distracted was produced by the Bloomington Playwrights Project and the page of the new life chapter officially turned.

Whether you meet Joni in-person, read her work, or talk with her by phone, her energy and passion are palpable. It is no surprise that she delved into the new playwriting genre with enthusiasm and fearlessness. She began to submit her work to national festivals and competitions and soon began to get positive recognition.

No Guts No Glory

With moxie and a goal to improve, her work started to get noticed. Joni was a contributing playwright at the highly competitive 2009 Sewanee Writers Conference and at the 2009 Stony Brook Southampton Playwriting Conference. 100% Distracted was produced again in 2009 as part of the Indianapolis Fringe Festival. Soon she was in the game and started to feel like a real writer working with and learning from professional playwrights.

Her full length play, Over the Moon had staged readings in 2010 at The Vortex Theatre in Albuquerque, NM, The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, MN and The Aronoff Center (Cincinnati Playwright’s Initiative New Voices Series) in Cincinnati, OH. She scripted the cabaret-style Musical Review, Practice Makes Perfect: A Diva’s Guide to Life, produced in January 2010 in Bloomington, IN and Dance Lessons for Catherine was selected in a national play contest sponsored by Womensworx at the Vortex and had a four-week run at the Vortex Theatre in Albuquerque, NM in January 2010.Other plays include A Choice to Make, We Interrupt This Program, and The Love Translator (Bloomington Playwrights Project).

It all sounds glamorous but getting a play from the page to the stage is a herculean task with massive re-writes and brutal feedback from producers, directors, and fellow playwrights. One must have very thick skin and a serious love for the craft to survive the constant criticism and Joni says that she is getting more used to that process as time goes on. For the longest time she felt like a closet artist faking her way into the writing world. But now with some national recognition under her belt and the encouragement of industry professionals, Joni is ready to take her writing to a new level.

Hungry to hone her craft, Joni continues to submit her plays to writing workshops and festivals nationally. She wants to tell engaging and relevant stories of the human condition and is ready for the rigor of the theatre profession.

Second Act

An emeritus Board member and grant writer for the Cardinal Stage Company, Bloomington’s professional regional theatre company, Joni has distinguished herself in her community and beyond. Now that her son Jack is almost eleven and enjoying boyhood independence, it’s time for Joni to focus on herself again.

She is nervous about balancing family and the new demands of an emerging playwright but excited for the challenge. As one would expect from a Food Scientist, she is an exquisite cook and takes pride in making nutritionally sound and healthy meals without any processed ingredients for her family. Chris is an avid gardener so the McGary’s have a stash of canned and preserved fruits and vegetables from their summer bounty that last them all winter.

The intrepid nature of Joni has given her an ability to talk a risk and reinvent herself multiple times. This next chapter is indeed exciting and has major career potential. For she is not just a socialite housewife collecting tea pots – this is not a passing fancy, Joni is in it for the long haul. The timeline for becoming a great artist is much less direct than that of her previous careers but she is on a mission. Now or never – the time couldn’t be more right.

I am impressed with Joni’s courage to pursue a new career after a deliberate mom’s leave of absence from the workforce. This forty-something woman is honoring herself while still prioritizing her family and she can teach us all a lesson about playing to your strengths and honoring your passion with a fresh new career reinvention.

Joni’s new play Fat Girl is occupying most of writing time now. She is on a great new journey and ready for the challenge. Be on the lookout for this emerging playwright at regional theatre companies like Steppenwolf someday soon.

Joni’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Don’t be afraid of rejection.
• Always have the ability to laugh at yourself.
• Talk with others who have been successful in your field and learn from them.
• You have to take a leap and sometimes a risk to move forward towards your goals.

Quote: “It’s ok to say – I’m a beginner. I know I have a lot to learn and it’s time to make the leap. I am ready.”  – Joni McGary

Resources:

Women Writing for a Change http://www.womenwritingbloomington.com/

Bloomington Playwrights Project http://newplays.org/cmsms/home

Cardinal Stage Company www.cardinalstage.org

As you would expect, these kinds of positions required long hours and constant travel. Eventually Stacy decided that she did not want to spend all of her time on the road. Six years ago she enrolled in a wine immersion course at the Culinary Institute of America (CIS) while on a vacation in California, which whet her appetite (and her thirst!) to learn more about the wine industry.

Taste Test

She confessed to a giddy excitement about the class and admitted that she never felt this passion for the banking industry.

Her initial CIA course taught her about different facets of the wine industry and later she was referred to the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) run out of London. Since the commute to England for the course was appealing but not feasible with her day job, Stacy opted for a 10 week east coast class from the WSET which was closer to home.

She breezed through the beginner level classes quickly and tackled intermediate and advanced wine curriculum which covered wines from around the world delving into viticulture and vinification – the business of wine and what makes these wines what they are today.  After an additional three years, Stacy earned a Diploma of Wine & Spirits and focused on building her expertise in the trade side of the wine industry.

When You Least Expect It

It took 3 years for Stacy to earn her Diploma of Wine & Spirits but it’s important to note that two  years into her program the financial market crashed and Stacy was laid off from her job. She got a meager severance and this really gave her an opportunity to consider all her options.

With some deep thought and some really good wine for inspiration, Stacy decided to take the plunge and move forward on a career track in the wine industry leaving the financial world behind.

It was a leap of faith but one that Stacy has never missed or looked back at. The WSET diploma empowered her with a marketable skill set, even in a difficult economy. She started with a managerial job in a retail wine store and then moved on to a distribution role. Currently, Stacy is a Sales Representative for Martin Scott Wines, one of the premier distributors of fine wines from around the world with a diverse portfolio of quality products from the world’s most prestigious regions.  In addition, Stacy now teaches some of the WSET classes to students in Philadelphia at Philly Wine.

She now sells to stores and restaurants and works with Sommeliers as well as individual clients, and chefs. With a portfolio of over 2,000 wines, Stacy travels around New Jersey, loving her new career and thriving in her new role.

Good to the Last Drop

Stacy shared that the distributors are the middlemen in the industry who work with restaurants and retailers as well as suppliers and importers. She loves talking about wine with her customers and has traveled to learn more about many of the distinct wine regions including: Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, New Zealand, Canada, and California. While taking vacations, she has scheduled visits to wineries and she loves the continuing education aspect of the wine industry that allows for constant professional development.

Sometimes it’s hard to remember her old life in the financial sector because Stacy is so well matched to her new career. A self described foodie, she lives to eat and enjoys pairing great wines with great food. While she admits to never getting a bottle of wine as a hostess gift since her friends are afraid to make a wine selection for her, she is happy to share her wine wisdom with friends as well as clients.

Stacy is on-call to many a friend who need a wine suggestion for a special occasion meal or gift and is more than happy to oblige.

Cup Half Full

The passion is palpable in Stacy’s voice and she lives each day with a sense of adventure that is infectious. While the transition was very scary at first and she had to tap some of her savings, it was well worth the risk in the long run. She recalls a few moments when she thought “What did I do?” after starting from scratch but Stacy is playing to her strengths and truly monetizing a new passion.

Although a rookie in this new career field, Stacy is very happy to utilize her creative strengths and knows she has the potential to make the same kind of money she once made in the financial sector. She has come to terms with the need to be patient and persistent and is enjoying every day at work in this new role.

Future plans may steer her towards the management side of the business but for now she is soaking up all she can to experience the world of wine and the opportunities that are available to her. An eternal optimist, Stacy’s cup is not only half full – but overflowing with great opportunities.

Stacy’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Remember the importance of your network and the power of relationship building.
• Your network can be transferable to a different industry.
• Make a plan and figure out what it takes to make that succeed.
• Take a class in something you are really interested in – it may spark a new career opportunity.
• Take a risk so you can move forward.

Quote:

“I can and I will succeed!”  – Stacy Breuers

Resources:

CIA: http://www.ciaprochef.com/winestudies/

Martin Scott Wines http://www.martinscottwines.com/

Philly Wine  http://www.phillywine.com/

Wine & Spirit Eduction Trust http://www.wsetglobal.com/