Virginia Connector 23451 March 2024

Nathan Be ck

THE MAN BEHIND THE LENS

CAN YOU DIG

TOP BANDS & HAPPY HOURS

Virginia Connector has always celebrated and looked for new trends and perspectives, and we feel that this month’s issue embraces that concept in many ways. Looking at our coastal community with a new perspective provides learning opportunities, greater clarity, and personal growth.

Famed photographer Nathan Beck has taken shots of England and Greece and of celebrities and world leaders across the globe, but his heart always remains in Virginia. A resident of Crozet who considers Virginia Beach his second home, Mr. Beck’s greatest joy is photographing the people and natural beauty of our state. We sat down with him to discuss his current exhibit, The Recipe, which is on display at the Sandler Center until March 21. Every one of the 82 images in the exhibit brings a new perspective to Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and some photos simply take your breath away. It’s a must see.

This month, we have the pleasure of introducing the band, Can You Dig It. They bring a new perspective to live music in Virginia Beach. There are other local bands that only play one specific type of music such as classic rock or R&B. But this band has the talent to do old-time funk from the 70’s, the harder rock of the 90’s and modern hip hop. Each time I’ve seen them play, their energy and enthusiasm has le a lasting impact.

We also highlight an amazing young artist, Amber Pierce. She is a multi-media artist and native of Virginia Beach. Her work delves into personal experiences and emotional landscapes. As an Atrium Artist in Residence, you can see her work at Virginia MOCA from March 25-April 22. She has been making waves in the art world.

With spring right around the corner, we encourage you to check out our experts who can help you prepare for the warmer weather. Why not plant your garden indoors now? A grow-light and nutrients from the veteran-owned Grow Depot can get your herbs, tomatoes, and peppers started so you are ready to plant outdoors in early May.

Will you get a refund from the IRS? Why not plan that home improvement project now? Our experts want you to call them for advice, even if you aren’t ready to buy. They are on standby so you can make better choices.

Come out of hibernation Virginia Beach! Put on a jacket and visit Nathan Beck’s exhibit at the Sandler, go out dancing with Can You Dig It, and see the latest art at Virginia MOCA.

— Michelle Westberry

CONTENTS

6 EXPERTS, DEVELOPERS, CONSULTANTS AND TUTORS

8 CAN YOU DIG IT

Connecting to the audience on a deep emotional level

16 NATHAN BECK COVER STORY

Capturing the romance of photography

21 AMBER PIERCE

Versatile multi-media artist

26 TOP LOCAL BANDS AND HAPPY HOURS

Feb March

VIRGINIA BEACH EXPERTS

CALL THEM TODAY AND ASK FOR THEIR ADVICE AND EXPERTISE SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE BETTER CHOICES ON HOME SERVICES!

LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A RECOGNIZED EXPERT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! MICHELLE WESTBERRY (757) 567-9354

ART AND CUSTOM FRAMING

Jaqui Lilly

BEACH GALLERY (757) 428-3726 • beachgallery.com jaqui@beachgallery.com

CBD

Nicholas Antonio Rocha

QUEENS GREEN APOTHECARY (757) 486-0941 • QueensGreenVB.com QueensGreenRX@gmail.com

DENTAL EXPERT

Ronald C. Fuhrmann DDS RONALD FUHRMANN 757-499-8465 virginiabeachvadentist.com

ENTERTAINEMENT EXPERT

Nicole Maximo VB NIGHTLIFE 757-652-0808 vbnightlife.com

GROW EXPERT

Adam Dobbins

GROW DEPOT (757) 560-0355 • growdepot757.com adam@growdepot757.com

GYM

Bernie Neighbor

GYM AND JUICE TOWN CENTER (757) 969-8844 • gymandjuicetowncenter.com admin@gymandjuicetowncenter.com

HOME DECOR & GIFTS

Sharon Ballance

TOPIARIES (757) 437-1183 • topiariesva.com info@topiariesva.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT — FLOORING

Pete Yates

YATES FLOORING

(757) 717-9955 • yatesflooringva.com sales@yatesflooringva.com

HVAC & RESTORATION

Marjorie Spring & Megan Edwards

HIGH TIDE CONTRACTING (757) 910-6677 hightidecontracting.com

INSURANCE — HOME & AUTO

Monica Savino

SAVINO AGENCY (757) 435-4291 • goosehead.com

Monica.Savino@goosehead.com

INSURANCE — MEDICARE

Dale S. White

INTEGRITY INSURANCE

(757) 650-2500 • integritymedicareva.com

daleswhite@integritymedicareva.com

IRRIGATION

James Reeves

HYDRA IRRIGATION (757) 917-5652 • hydrairrigation.com

info@hydrairrigation.com

KITCHEN & BATH

Robert Stahl

NEPTUNE KITCHEN & BATH (757) 222-3181 NeptuneKitchenandBath.com

LANDSCAPING & ARBORISTS

Michael Campbell

ART-IS-TREE LLC (757) 319-5131 • artistreeva.com artistreeofvirginia@gmail.com

NETWORKING

Jake Maines

LIFE INSURANCE

Je & Danielle Randolph HR RETIRE, INC. 757-807-9505 • hrretire.com

757 NETWORKING HH (864) 567-4124 • networkinghh.com jake@jakemaines.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A EXPERT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! MICHELLE WESTBERRY (757) 567-9354

ORGANIZATIONAL/BUSINESS CONSULTING

Sue Lebrato

YOU’RE AMAZING! (757) 472-9164 slebrato@icloud.com

PERSONAL CHEF

James Francis

CHEF FRANCIS III (757) 359-2816 • ChefFrancisiii.com che rancisiiillc@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

Alex Hopper

SOUTH END PRODUCTIONS 757-536-0924 • southendproductions.com

PRESSURE WASHING EXPERT

Justin Kuenzer

STUDS-N-SUDS 757-646-3659 • StudsnSudsPressureWashing.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Dana Queen

STAY SOCIAL 757-618-8148 • staysocialus.com

SOLAR ENERGY

John Marshall XPLORE SOLAR (540) 654-0793 • xploresolar.com john@xploresolar.com

TAX ACCOUNTING

Cindy Stover

BAY TAX ACCOUNTING (757) 427-4424 • baytaxaccounting.com cinzia@baytaxllc.com

TRANSPORTATION — COMMERCIAL

Melissa Hedayatpoor

MTM INTERNATIONAL (407) 914-4866 • shipMTM.com operations@shipMTM.com

“We want people to engage and move and have a unique experience they remember.”

CAN YOU DIG IT

By Thomas Marshall

The Friday night crowd for Can You Dig It at South Beach Grill eagerly waited for the band to take the stage. When they did, the energy and raw emotion exploded to create an unforgettable evening. Everyone was happily dancing or singing along. The vivacious lead singers, Dre Stewart and Wayne Clifton, each sang about 20 songs and created a visual center for the evening. Like Bono bringing someone on stage, Dre and Wayne connected directly with young and old, black and white.

Like the band itself, the crowd this night was diverse, inclusive and amazingly loving. People of all backgrounds and identities came together to enjoy good music. From the grandmothers in their 60s and 70s who knew all the words to Elvis’ Suspicious Minds to the twenty somethings in dreds and piercings who loved the hip hop, Can You Dig It had something for everyone.

There are other local bands that only play one specific type of music such as classic rock or R&B. But this band has the talent to do old-time funk from the 70’s, the harder rock of the 90’s and modern hip hop. Not many bands can pull that off. “We cover a lot of ground for a lot people,” said Dre. “The fan base who follows us goes from kids to middle age to older people who like something that we do.”

This night was a cathartic experience; it seemed like everyone had a sense of release. After dancing all night long, my troubles from the long week seemed insignificant. Great music has a way of doing that. Music has the power to evoke strong emotions, and Can You Dig It connected to the audience on a deep emotional level. “We don’t want to put on a ‘rock show’ where people just watch,” says Wayne. “We want people to engage and move and have a unique experience they remember.”

The band played three hours straight! Steve Green, the guitar player, told the crowd, “You are all gonna wear out before we do, so we’ll just keep playin’.”

A truer statement has never been made. This band prides themselves on keeping people’s attention.

Every band member has a rich music history; most have known each other since they were youngsters. Steve is also the music director who puts together the song list. Can You Dig It was once focused on later 60s and early 70s music, but a few years ago they decided to make it more danceable and reach a broader audience. Steve was once in band that opened for Rick James and he has applied a lot of what he has seen to his work with Can You Dig It. Roderick Brown played with James Brown and Dre sang with Jeffrey Osborne.

The night was a beautiful hodge podge of R&B, hip hop and classic rock, but Purple Rain captured the essence of this band. All members are fans of Prince and they see Purple Rain as a song of survival and triumph to help people come out of difficult situations.

“A lot of us band members have lost brothers, parents, and close personal friends,” said Dre. “At the end of the day, we are glad we are still here and we use Purple Rain as a reflective song pouring our heart and soul in it.” It's clear that band has always been tight with each other, and their love for each other carries over to the audience.

“All music has meaning to me in one shape or form,” said Roderick. “All of it is a different experience every time I play music because it is 90% emotion and 10% talent.” Roderick plays a lot of instruments, but growing up as a kid, he gravitated to the bass because of the low frequency tone. On this night, Roderick said he felt a real joyful connection to his bandmates and the crowd around him. He wanted to play and play because the crowd was enjoying it so much.

“Music is not black or white, or cannot be put into a category, because it is simply universal,” says Dre. “If it is good music and we can deliver it, why not play it?”

If you venture out to see Can You Dig It, be prepared to be in a whole new frame of mind. If you were feeling low when you were walking in the door, you will feel a lot better when you walk out the door.

NETWORKING IN THE 757 WITH JAKE MAINES

Networking is an Investment in your Business

By Jake Maines

A few months back, I had suggested not just showing up to a couple of networking events a month, but doing more to promote yourself & stay top of mind.

Some of the things I recommended were hosting an event of your own, distributing an email list to frequently share helpful information, and trying to take on as many speaking engagements, podcast interviews, and magazine features as possible!

Well, I took some of my own advice and came up with a presentation that I could give to other business owners. I wrote up a killer speech but was worried about forgetting any of the meat of the presentation, so I wrote it out on notecards to take with me to the event. I originally thought the delivery of the presentation went well, then after watching the recorded video, I had second thoughts. I caught myself looking down at the notecards way too often! I realized I knew all the information I was teaching because I had packed the speech full of examples from my own experiences, and could have delivered the content a lot smoother had I ditched

the note cards. Some big lessons learned for next time!

Are you finding ways to stay top of mind outside of the networking events? Or better yet, are you finding time to get in front of new folks at networking events?

Networking Happy Hour: The Networking Happy Hour is always on the first Wednesday of the month. Go to networkinghh.com to get on the invite list, or by scanning the QR code below.

Cheers, Jake Maines REGISTER FOR NETWORKING HAPPY HOUR!

Need captions

Dana Queen, owner and founder of Stay Social, has been in marketing for 8+ years with a degree from ODU in this field. Stay Social as a company specializes in helping businesses grow and utilize their social media platforms to increase foot traffic and sales. She is a local and operates within the Virginia Beach area. She started this company to help her local area grow and reach its true potential Social Media Marketing is an ever growing market, and is something that all businesses need to grow Stay Social also provides other services like; Website Design, Photo & Video work, and Social Media Training for any in-house marketing teams

“Stay Social is a Social Media Marketing Agency that focuses on delivering quality service in everything we do. Through Strategy, Design, and Technology we build your brand. Our goal is to optimize profits and exposure by finding each business's specific demographics, and making the ideal marketing campaigns through social media and more ”

Smile, click, WOW!

Famed photographer captures the moment

On a recent blustery day, Virginia Connector staff spent an hour immersed in the genius of Mr. Nathan Beck and the inspiration that went into his new photography exhibit, The Recipe, which is running now at the Sandler Center until March 21 st . You can’t get any more behind the scenes than a personal tour from the famed photographer himself.

Mr. Beck was commissioned to take one-of-a-kind photographs of Virginia Beach’s restaurants and other places like Pungo’s strawberry fields and vegetable stands. “The exhibit takes the viewer behind the scenes of members of the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association,” said Martha Davenport, Executive Director, Virginia Beach Restaurant Association. “Some of our best memories of moments and celebrations shared with family and friends took place in a restaurant.” The exhibit is more than just visual; it stimulates all the senses. Mr. Beck’s hallmark is knowing where and when to look,

and these candid shots pulled us in for a closer look. His photography brings a freshness to all that we love about Virginia Beach.

Mr. Beck says, “I love photographing restaurants and I met some wonderful people in Virginia Beach while putting together this exhibit. I was thrilled meeting the different chefs and seeing the ambiance of the restaurants and I hope to photograph Virginia Beach more in the future.”

Charleston is known for restaurants and Charlottesville for wineries, but do we sometimes overlook the amazing restaurants, fresh seafood, wineries and breweries, and farm-to-table eateries here in our own backyard? From Back Bay to Chesapeake Bay, Oceanfront, Town Center, and throughout the city, Virginia Beach’s restaurant scene offers a rich and diverse food culture. Mr. Beck celebrates this delicious melting pot and reminds us that Virginia Beach is much more than beaches. We are a food and restaurant destination. “All the food I photographed was mouthwatering and so full of color,” he says. “The salmon at the Culinary Institute was a bright red, the green scallions were vibrant, there was a whiteness of the rice and the honey glaze glistened.”

Every one of the 82 images in this exhibit has a story and is captivating. You can feel the sun beating down on the herbs as they are cut. You can hear the sizzle of the pancakes. You can taste the brininess of the oysters. You hold your breath when you see the wave ready to crash into the martini glass and wash the whole scene away. Mr. Beck has captured moments that help us see our daily lives through a different lens.

Mr. Beck says, “Sometimes the photo focuses on the steam coming up, or the hot coffee being poured. Sometimes the dessert is glistening with toppings. I want people to feel the whip cream and chocolate sauce melting over the ice cream. I want to put food into action and have people captivated by the taste of the food. It is not always easy to capture the lusciousness when photographing food.”

...I want people to feel that they can come to the beach and enjoy themselves at the board walk...

Mr.Beck planned the King Neptune shot to celebrate our city and the result was something new, creative, and beautiful. He spent an hour setting up to get the perfect angle and depth. In the image, King Neptune glares at the champagne glasses and demands you take a sip. Hold the orange juice!

“King Neptune is the king of the ocean and I want people to feel that they can come to the beach and enjoy themselves at the board walk,” he said. “It’s like going to DC and photographing the Washington monument. Not everyone is a professional photographer, but I want people to take the oceanfront back with them in a photograph or selfie.”

Nathan Beck’s images are more than the typical shot on your I-Phone; they are a form of art - creative, imaginative, and detailed. During our tour, he frequently mentioned how he helped people relax so he could capture them in a moment of intimacy. When speaking with him, you quickly get a feeling that he has profound patience to get the best picture. He needed to be patient to get the perfect lighting for the shot of the Orion

rooftop in the late afternoon. He had to adjust to the harsh white lighting of kitchens and staging areas. He needed to be patient in order to get his subjects to trust him.

“Lighting indoors is often harsh white fluorescent that can turn the photos green,” says Mr. Beck. “You have to turn down the temperature and adjust the settings in the camera to balance the lighting so you can compensate for the harshness.”

Mr.Beck considers Virginia Beach his second home. He will be doing talks on photography this year with the Tidewater Community College’s photography class and other student groups. He will also do private artist talks for other youth groups and different charities.

“I want to help the artists of tomorrow with their photography, but also help with their leadership skills,” he says. “Hopefully I can help a student get a scholarship and maximize his or her potential and dreams.”

Mr. Beck has done an amazing service for our community and The Recipe exhibit is something you will want to enjoy wit h fami ly and friends. Hour s are from 10-6, Monday – Friday; 10-2pm, Saturday; and closed Sunday. Enter the Sandler through the Box Office door; the exhibit is on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The Recipe is open to the public for FREE. For group tours, please contact Elizabeth Duncan-Hawker, Publicist, at 757- 477-5691.

Meet The Artist

Mr. Beck is an internationally renowned commercial and editorial photographer who considers Virginia Beach his second home. His images have appeared on ABC News’ 20/20 and in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times Style Magazine, New York Post, Associated Press, Asian American Times, and of course, your favorite Virginia Beach magazine, Virginia Connector!

Mr. Beck’s prominent reputation is highlighted by his celebrity status across the political, sports, and luxury brand arenas. His clients have included thirteen U.S. Governors, three U.S. Presidents and three Vice Presidents, as well as familiar names like Charlton Heston, Jodie Foster, Jackie Chan, Jeff Gordon, and Tiger Woods. Over the decades, Mr. Beck has earned numerous national and international awards celebrating his photographic eye and master talent.

Visit his website at beckimage.

MEDICARE

MEDICARE EXPLAINED IN CLEAR TERMS to help you undertand ALL coverage available to meet your unique healthcare needs

MEDICARE EXPLAINED IN CLEAR TERMS

MEDICARE EXPLAINED IN CLEAR TERMS

to help you undertand ALL coverage available to meet your unique healthcare needs

MEDICARE EXPLAINED IN CLEAR TERMS to help you undertand ALL coverage available to meet your unique healthcare needs

Medicare approved grocery benefits under certain conditions for 2022. I am very grateful to have helped hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries obtain thousands of dollars worth of groceries this year. Please contact me to see if I can help you.

MEDICARE EXPLAINED IN CLEAR TERMS

to help you undertand ALL coverage available to meet your unique healthcare needs

to help you undertand ALL coverage available to meet your unique healthcare needs

Medicare approved grocery benefits under certain conditions for 2022. I am very grateful to have helped hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries obtain thousands of dollars worth of groceries this year. Please contact me to see if I can help you.

FLOOR TRADER

floortraderofvirginia.com

Floor Trader is your flooring supplier for installers and DIY homeowners and home flippers. Although installation services are not employed here, resources for contractors can be provided for you to book yourself. Floor Trader is a large warehouse with millions of square feet of flooring that’s readily available to you at the time of purchase.

Floor Trader of Chesapeake, 1725 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA

Floor Trader of Virginia Beach

1104 Lynnhaven Pkwy A, Virginia Beach, VA

Medicare approved grocery benefits under certain conditions for 2022. I am very grateful to have helped hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries obtain thousands of dollars worth of groceries this year. Please contact me to see if I can help you.

Medicare approved grocery benefits under certain conditions for 2022. I am very grateful to have helped hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries obtain thousands of dollars worth of groceries this year. Please contact me to see if I can help you.

Integrity Insurance Services is credentialed with the top Medicare carriers in our market. CMS requires us to let you know. “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Medicare approved grocery benefits under certain conditions for 2022. I am very grateful to have helped hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries obtain thousands of dollars worth of groceries this year. Please contact me to see if I can help you.

YOUR HOMETOWN INSURANCE GROUP

MEDICARE EXPLAINED IN CLEAR TERMS

Integrity Insurance Services is credentialed with the top Medicare carriers in our market. CMS requires us to let you know. “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Integrity Insurance Services is credentialed with the top Medicare carriers in our market. CMS requires us to let you know. “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

to help you undertand ALL coverage available to meet your unique healthcare needs

NO COMMITMENT

Integrity Insurance Services is credentialed with the top Medicare carriers in our market. CMS requires us to let you know. “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

YOUR HOMETOWN INSURANCE GROUP

Integrity Insurance Services is credentialed with the top Medicare carriers in our market. CMS requires us to let you know. “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

YOUR HOMETOWN INSURANCE GROUP

YOUR HOMETOWN INSURANCE GROUP

SPECIALIZING IN MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN & AROUND HAMPTON ROADS

YOUR HOMETOWN INSURANCE GROUP

SPECIALIZING IN MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN & AROUND HAMPTON ROADS

SPECIALIZING IN MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN & AROUND HAMPTON ROADS

SPECIALIZING IN MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN & AROUND HAMPTON ROADS

DALE S. WHITE

(757) 650-2500

SPECIALIZING IN MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN & AROUND HAMPTON ROADS

(757)

carpetworldofva.com

Medicare approved grocery benefits under certain conditions for 2022. I am very grateful to have helped hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries obtain thousands of dollars worth of groceries this year. Please contact me to see if I can help you.

YOUR HOMETOWN INSURANCE GROUP

DALE S. WHITE

DALE S. WHITE

NO COMMITMENT

FREE healthcare assessment

FREE healthcare assessment

NO COMMITMENT

Integrity Insurance Services is credentialed with the top Medicare carriers in our market. CMS requires us to let you know. “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

(757) 650-2500

(757) 650-2500

SPECIALIZING IN MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN & AROUND HAMPTON ROADS

DALE S. WHITE

NO COMMITMENT

NO COMMITMENT FREE healthcare assessment

Consultation

NO COMMITMENT

daleswhite@integritymedicareva.com

FREE healthcare assessment

Consultation

FREE healthcare assessment

daleswhite@integritymedicareva.com

FREE healthcare assessment

daleswhite@integritymedicareva.com

(757) 650-2500

DALE S. WHITE

DALE S. WHITE

(757) 650-2500

FREE Consultation

daleswhite@integritymedicareva.com

FREE Consultation

daleswhite@integritymedicareva.com

FREE Consultation

daleswhite@integritymedicareva.com

CARPET WORLD CARPET ONE

Carpet World Carpet One is a full-service flooring retailer for the everyday customer that will walk you through each step to fulfilling your flooring needs. They handle your project from start to finish, beginning with the design and ending with the installation.

Carpet World Carpet One of Chesapeake 669 Cedar Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Carpet World Carpet One of Norfolk 3431 N Military Hwy, Norfolk, VA 23518

PROSOURCE WHOLESALE

prosourcewholesale.com

Prosource Wholesale is a one-stop wholesale distributor for all types of flooring materials, as well as everything needed for kitchens and bathrooms. These stores are for trade professionals, so you must be a contractor, designer, installer, or other trade professional to shop here.

Prosource of Hampton Roads

1738 Lambert Ct, Chesapeake, VA

Prosource of Newport News

301 Village Ave, Yorktown, VA

Countdown until the

THE G ALL E R Y WATCH ART UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Every day see artists at work and happy to talk about their creations.

Also see over 50 regional artists on display in Virginia Beach’s only artists’ cooperative.

It’s the ViBe’s best place to take home a memory of your visit!

THE ARTISTS GALLERY is located in the Virginia Beach Art Center 532 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-425-6671 • Theartistsgallery.org

custom framing · fine art · reproductions

Friday Block Party ( first Friday of each month) Come meet your neighbors and join us for food, drinks, art, music and fun!

HOURS: Tues.-Fri.-10 am-5 pm • Sat.-10 a.m.-4 pm • Sun.-12-4 pm

313 Laskin Rd., Suite 104 | 757-428-3726 | www.beachgallery.com

Free Parking off 30th St.

BY SUE LEBRATO

A Positive Mindset serves everyone well, oneself, one’s colleagues, supervisors and family members. Everyone faces challenges from time to time but some people seem to maintain their resilience better than others. How do they do it, and how can you do it too?

Simple tips to maintain a positive mindset:

Focus on Solutions - When faced with challenges, shift your focus to potential solutions and see obstacles as opportunities for growth.

Mindfulness - Practice mindfulness to stay “in-the-moment”. Focus on the present and do not dwell on the past or the future. Notice when your mind shifts and re-focus on the present.

Practice Gratitude - Focus on and list or recite the things for which you are grateful. This can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have.

Have I saved enough?

What if there’s another stock market downturn?

Could changes in politics and policies affect me? Could increased tax rates take a toll on my monthly income?

What if I need to go into a nursing home?

Wouldn’t it be nice to retire with confidence?

Contact our office today to take the first step in measuring your retirement readiness and ensure you are prepared for the retirement you’ve always imagined!

Surround Yourself with Positivity - Spend time with positive and uplifting people, the e ect of positivity can have a strong influence on your own feelings.

If you or someone you know could use support in managing political conversations at work, start the year anew and reach out to You’re Amazing! at slebrato@me.com for an appointment. Happy Holidays!

Organizational/Business Consulting