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I received an email from my alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, thanking me (and every other alum who has contributed) for my/our support. I believe in tithing and attribute much of my success in life to the education I received there. Even my tagline: Leading Remarkable Women to Uncommon Success tips it’s hat to our founder’s, Mary Lyon’s, description of us as uncommon women. I’m happy and honored to be able to give back.
This video acknowledgment brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. It’s extremely hopeful. Do you agree?
I received a beautiful invitation in the mail last month for an event I’ll be attending tomorrow night, March 31. The pink sticky note on the outside of it was from Linda Hunt, a current client in my Mastermind Group. It read, “Jane, this is a wonderful event I thought you would enjoy. Please attend as my guest + feel free to bring a friend.”
What attracted me, in addition to the handwritten note which was the closer, was:
- The name of the event–Hearts of Hope Women’s Benefit
- The tag line for the benefit–Women who can…for women who can’t
- The cause– Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s Women’s Ministries for Homeless Women
- The guest speaker–Elisa Morgan, Author, She Did What She Could
- The invitation to bring a friend
After reading the bio of the keynote speaker who has authored over 15 books on mothering, I immediately thought of my friend Leigh Scott who is currently authoring her own book on parenting. When she said “yes” to the invitation, I let Linda know her table would be two women fuller.
This morning I called Linda to find out more about this group. Now I’m even more excited than I was when I originally rsvp’d. The premise is to get women together in a room. We women understand how powerful that energy is. This group started two years ago with 150 women attending, had 300 last year and expects 500 tomorrow evening. (There’s still room for two more at Linda’s table. Contact me asap if you’re able to join us.)
Linda’s interest began when she ‘stumbled upon’ the non-profit Alpha Home (see their mission below*) after being hired do handle their bookkeeping. Her deep compassion for the homeless took this job opportunity beyond the office and into her heart. Hence, her hosting tables at these events and spreading the word about how women can help each other. Will you join me, Linda and Leigh? (BTW, it’s free–sponsored by underwriters who believe in this mission and support it with their dollars.)
*WELCOME TO ALPHA HOME
At Alpha Home, our goal is to provide women with an affordable, safe haven where they can identify and overcome the core issues underlying their chemical addictions, regain their independence, and rejoin their communities as healthy, whole women.
When Meredith Gray (not that Meredith Gray) received a diagnosis that she had breast cancer for the second time, rather than dive under the covers to hide, she mobilized into action to deal with her illness. She documented her process and progress in a brand new film entitled NAKED. On Wednesday night I had the extreme privilege of hosting an Artsy Girls viewing of Meredith’s documentary.
I had been a witness to parts of Meredith’s experience as a friend and colleague, but nothing compared to seeing her journey from beginning to the present exquisitely filmed by Lisa Simmons of Fingerpost Productions.
We see Meredith interviewing numerous physicians regarding her options for surgery and reconstruction. We watch her being poked with needles in hospital rooms, and another day modeling for art students at the Silvermine Guild Arts Center as a way of preserving her breasts through their paintings.
Over and over what struck me and the women in the audience was Meredith’s courage, determination and strength of character. She took on insurance companies, dealt with pain and even coped with her dog’s medical needs, which didn’t take a hiatus just because she was ill, in between chemo treatments.
Meredith emerges from it all victorious and vibrantly healthy. I highly recommend this film to every woman out there, whether she’s been diagnosed, knows someone who has, or simply wants to be in control of her healthy future.
To purchase your own copy of Meredith’s film, click here.
Let me count the ways.
Yesterday was the WBDC (newly renamed Women’s Business Development Council) AM Business Breakfast attended by over 350 men and women. I’m still basking in the glow of the positive energy and vibrancy I received from being there.
First, there’s the connection to colleagues, especially colleagues who’ve become dear friends. We business owners spend so much time producing our goods and services that opportunities to meet and mingle in such a party atmosphere are fewer and further between. It felt like a class reunion filled with like-minded entrepreneurs and those who support us through funding and education, like the WBDC.
Then there’s the content. Peyton Patterson, Chairman and CEO of NewAlliance Bank, was the keynote speaker. In the brief 20 minutes she was on stage, Peyton got right to the issues of banks and small business, some of the challenges she’s faced (like when there was a WANTED poster with her face on it), and her mother’s voice always telling her to “Go for it!” She even addressed the question on everyone’s mind, what’s next after NewAlliance merges with First Niagara? I was tickled to hear her say she might be seated amongst us business owners at next year’s breakfast event. I’d love that!
Becky Surran has served as the interviewer at these events for several years now. I was equally fascinated watching Becky’s role as she skillfully and fluidly posed questions of Peyton. In my role as Speaker Chair, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the interview process unfold so that it will best serve the audience. Becky has been masterful in assuring that the message delivered is right for the WBDC audience.
Everyone attending the breakfast has a special feeling about the services WBDC provides. During the inspiring video about the organization and each speaker’s comments, attendees were reminded again and again what kind of contribution WBDC makes to Connecticut’s economics and citizens. The feel-good effect rubs off on each person there. Our presence supports the effort.
Also, it’s fun to dress up once in awhile and be seen. Women are endlessly generous with their attention and praise which I soaked in (and returned).
Even if you weren’t there, you can contribute or benefit from this exceptional Council. I hope you will.
The drive to the Danbury Federal Correction Institution and the facility itself were surprisingly attractive, if you could look past the sea of barbed wire and fencing all around. I was there last Friday and felt a little bit nervous upon arrival. We were screened as though getting on a flight and had our hands stamped in order to pass through an ultraviolet process and heavy-duty sealed passageway.
My daughter Laura joined me for the job fair at the prison. We set up along with about 10 other vendors including the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), an organization I’m very familiar with and whom I greatly admire. Lucy Baney of Access Technologies also had a table. She and I had met a few years ago when she spoke for WBDC. When she saw me rolling in my cartons of books she came right over and said, “Boy, they let anybody in here, don’t they?” Any nervousness I was feeling quickly dissipated with her warm and funny welcome.
I wasn’t sure who the prisoners were until someone pointed out that anyone wearing all khaki was an inmate. We had met a few women before the event who fit that description, but I thought they were staff. There was no discernible difference in appearance from those visiting and those residing there. The inmates ranged in age from twenty-something to sixty-ish and older. They were very open about how their incarceration would impact their ability to get jobs when released. Many were very interested in entrepreneurship and creating their own futures.
I gave a brief talk to each group that convened in my area. I wanted to convey hope and possibility no matter what the industry they were interested in. I brought my first book, Decorating Eggs, along to show them what I had made a successful business out of. They were all intrigued and could immediately understand the potential of their ideas, whether it was running a beauty salon or helping others with communication skills.
The women were eager to learn. I donated a copy of my newly republished book Soul Proprietor to each of them and was tickled that they lined up to get my autograph. This is the closest I come to feeling like a rock star.
My contact information is in the front of the book. I hope to hear from some of them as they develop their plans. It felt good to share a positive message with women who have served their time and deserve a second chance.
Life without power continues to be a challenge. Here’s a photo of the bugaboo keeping my neighborhood in the dark.
Born with an entrepreneurial spirit, I’m finding a way–blogging this morning from Panera Bread where there is free wi-fi (before the public library opens), showering at my fitness center, putting on my makeup by daylight coming through the kitchen window for last night’s Remarkable Women’s Network event.
Also, today I let my clients know by text that they’d need to call my cell phone for our sessions. I sat in my car with the motor running (fortunately, I drive a hybrid, so it didn’t use up any gas) and coached from the driver’s seat. Appropriate, no?!
This is getting old. It may go on until Friday, we’re told. But here’s what I’m grateful for:
That I live in a country where I am completely assured that this will get resolved.
That it’s Daylight Savings Time and I can still see things in my house without the benefit of my battery-powered lantern until about 7:30pm.
That I have owned a MacBook since last June which retains its battery power for 4-5 hours, or about 3 hours longer than my Dell laptop held out.
That good friends offered me showers and a place to stay should I need it.
That 21 Remarkable Women showed up for last night’s event in spite of whatever was going on at home. One woman even saw an added benefit of the evening that she could charge her cell phone there while networking. I love being around positive, action-oriented people.
The Artsy Girls met last night at the home of Cynthia Steckel, aka Cynthia Victor, author extraordinaire. In addition to the joy of being in each others’ company and hearing what great feats these creative women are up to (book contracts, new showrooms opening abroad, major acknowledgments from a toy company, etc.), we had a secret mission to honor Liz Ball.
Liz, the owner of Pierce Ball Gallery, has been hosting the first annual Artsy Girls Show–A Common Thread since early October. The show features a wide range of media from painting, photography to sculpture and quilts. There’ll be a special opening this Sunday, December 13 from 1 – 5pm. Liz announced last night that several mothers have called asking if it was appropriate to bring their daughters who were aspiring artists. The answer was a resounding, “YES!”
We Artsy Girls wanted to do something to thank Liz for her generosity of spirit, not to mention the time and talent that went into assembling, curating and hanging this exhibit. Liz’s company, TFI Envision, was serving as a drop center for the St. Luke’s LifeWorks 20th Annual Holiday Gift Collection. Unbeknownst to Liz, we decided to each bring a toy for a child, fill up a couple of vans and deliver the gifts to the cause.
After telling Liz our plan, we walked her outside to see what had been collected. There wasn’t a gift certificate in the world that would have meant as much as seeing all the presents being donated in Liz’s honor. Thank you, Liz, from all the Artsy Girls and all the boys and girls blessed by your caring spirit.
You can tell when someone is thriving. There’s an aura about them, a strong sense of direction and engagement. That’s how I would describe my client, friend and colleague Betsy Krobot who has been on a misison for the last several months to create a green vision in her business.
Betsy’s company, BetsyK Home Choreography, has her working in people’s homes and helping them not only de-clutter and organize, but also reach their visions which have been blocked by all the stuff in their way. On a daily basis she loads up her van with cartons and furnishings that are taking up space. Also, on a daily basis, she sees where those items can be used and appreciated. Betsy’s mission is to be the conduit between that supply and demand.
This past weekend she took a giant leap of faith forward and held her first ever Swap Shop Event. There were multiple successes for Betsy:
- She appeared on Channel 12 News Saturday night as a feature story.
- She formed an alliance with a colleague that added excitement, ideas and clarity to her vision.
- She enlisted several potential employees to see how they would work out in a low-risk environment.
I was particularly excited about Betsy’s project based on the success of other entrepreneurs who’ve done quite well for themselves. My sister Barbara worked for Dick Hoehn at the Free People’s store in Philadelphia in the 70′s where a ‘free bin’ existed with a similar intention of giving back to those who need an item. That shop morphed into Urban Outfitters. I also reminded Betsy of a few other small businesses that began in the owners’ garages–like Microsoft and HP.
Betsy has the vision and the drive. I know that her commitment level and persistence will pave the way to her success.
Any item’s value is only equal to your need or love for it. Betsy Krobot
Kate Eisemann recently shot dozens of images of me for a new headshot. I was still enamored of the one she did three years ago, but based on some feedback from an unbiased third party, I decided it was time to step out as a glasses-wearing woman business owner who also happens to be three years older–not that it shows…
I would love your opinion on the narrowed down selection of shots Kate took. She generously provided me with four re-touched options for consideration. Will you vote on your favorite via the comments section?
The winner will be the one that goes onto my website and all my marketing materials for the next several years. No pressure!
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- #4
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Linda Ross, my friend who walks at Compo Beach with me on Tuesday mornings, admitted recently that she’d always wanted to be a philanthropist. In a past life, she traveled in wealthy circles where millions were routinely donated at fancy fund-raisers. She never felt a part of that world.
A month ago she invited Buddy and me to her house for dinner along with several other couples. We would share an early meal before attending the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra performance that evening. Linda had devised a plan to help share her love of this organization with different couples before each concert boosting ticket sales and introducing new audience members to NSO. The cultural institution got wind of her efforts and sent a photographer over to her house to capture us at the dining room table and again in our seats at Norwalk City Hall.
In their most recent program they acknowledged Linda and her husband prominently displaying our photographs. “We at the Norwalk Symphony salute Mr. and Mrs. Ross and the great effort they are making to spread the word!”
Linda told me that that recognition meant more to her than any financial contribution she’d ever made.
The point? When you take a step toward your own vision, whether it’s philanthropy, business development or personal growth, the rewards are greater than anticipated. Do what you can where you are with what you have. Let me know what steps you’ve taken, and I’ll salute you.
