Summer 2012
Inspiring Success Stories of
Celebrity BBusinesswomen usinesswomen
Patti Stanger MillionairE Matchmaker
Real Estate
on the Rise!
Open the window
to your
Imagination! Managing a
Successful Job Search
Meet our 10
Biggest Achievers!
summer 2012
palmbeachwoman.com | info@palmbeachwoman.com |
PalmBeachWoman
spotlight on success
8 Kyle Richards 11 Sue Devitt 14 Patti Stanger
Millionaire Matchmaker
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Sue Devitt Beauty
business
18 Short Sales 24 The Power of One 26 Women’s Agenda 28 Managing a Successful Job Search 32 Unemployment a Major Issue 36 She Who Adds The Most Value 38 Palm Beach County Real Estate on the Rise Big Gains
A Tool for Driving Real Change
Achievers
Palm Beach Achiever Profiles
41
WelLness
Treatment 54 Medical Abroad 58 Dr. Rodriguez Salivary 60 Adrenal Testing 62 Out of Balance 63 Nurturing Friendships Facial Rejuvenation Specialist
Style & Beauty
64 Consumer Ph.D. 66 Curls Rock Hair Studio
Living
68 Lori Jill Designs
Credits Publisher Jill Duggan
Editorial Assistant Elizabeth Rosales
Graphics Design Alyssa Walizer Virginia Balabanova Lisa Fayad
Business Contributors Renee Smith, Esq. Roy Assad, Maria Darby Myra Goldick, Anita Attridge Kellie Kuecha
Staff Writers Deborah Welky, Senior Staff Writer Welky Publications and Promotions Inc. Toni Rich, Staff Writer
Wellness Contributors Dr. Eva Mor Dr. Albert I. Rodriguez Dr. Gloria Hakkarainen Christine King
Style & Beauty Contributors Jessica Lhota Cameron Shara Esposito Living Contributors Dr Elinor Robin Dr. Mary Anne Duggan Photography Rebecca Lafita
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his issue of PALM BEACH Woman magazine comes with big, big news: a brand new publisher will arrive next issue! As our readership continues to grow and expand, as our product attracts the attention of more advertisers, as our pages continue to feature more international celebrities and local success stories than ever before, we look up from our keyboards and wonder if we couldn’t use just a little bit of help. We believe that individuals who share a vision and work together to create a winning team achieve success. As a result, we will be expanding and now have an extraordinary new publishing team. Over the months that follow, you may notice subtle changes in features and layout, changes in distribution and marketing, but no changes at all in the quality that drew you to PALM BEACH Woman. There is no publication in South Florida that is as committed to celebrating the achievements of professional women as PALM BEACH Woman. We’ll continue to publish in print and online. We’ll continue to be your Facebook friend. And nothing will prevent us from introducing you to the high achieving women who spell success for Palm Beach County. You know who you are. In this issue, we’ve covered everything from entertainment to cosmetics, from taxes to real estate and interior design. Our pages are brimming with good news about the economy (it’s true!) to good news for girls with curls (yes!). As always, we shared tips for enhancing your career and encouraged you to embrace change -- just as we are! Again we thank you, our readers, for your enthusiastic support. Without you, we are nothing but picas on the page. And a special thank you goes out to those of you who support our advertisers. We know they appreciate it! So settle in and strap on your seatbelt for the next big adventure. Just like you, we are celebrating our achievement. To your success,
Jill Duggan
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
By Deborah Welky
Millionaire Matchmaker
P
atti Stanger, star of Bravo TV’s “The Millionaire Matchmaker,”
“Having a reality show is the hardest work you’ll ever do,”
took everything she learned about matchmaking from her
Stanger says. “We seldom have people to do our hair, to do our
mother and grandmother and turned it into a business. She
makeup. We work for our money but nobody talks about that.
established Millionaire’s Club in 2000 and the TV show rapidly
A-listers are put in a trailer; they let them take a nap! We keep our
followed.
eyes on the budget.”
“People dating each other will never change. It’s timeless,” said
Stanger learned the art of salesmanship at an early age.
Stanger. “When we started out five seasons ago, reality TV was
“My dream was to become the next female icon through
fairly new. We helped develop a new frontier. Everybody was
screenwriting but then my parents divorced,” she says. “I worked
shocked that this was becoming this phenomenon.”
in New York City’s garment center for 10 years and that’s where I
So is Stanger a bit of a visionary? Yes. And is she also uncommonly lucky? No. “When I started Millionaire’s Club, I trademarked the name and did everything by the book,” said Stanger. “I wouldn’t take out a loan; I paid as I went and grew little by little. I made $300,000400,000 the first year and a million the second year. I didn’t believe in having a business partner and I didn’t believe in going into debt. I was young but I wasn’t partying on weekends. I had no assistants. I was a one-woman show, working seven days a week.” That strong work ethic took her to where she is today -- hosting a top-rated show and dispensing advice to over 170,000 Twitter followers. “When I was younger, if I wanted something – clothes, jewelry, makeup -- I took two jobs to get it. Today’s kids
learned how to run a business. If you can sell in the garment center and be successful, you can sell anything.” When the garment industry fell apart in the 1980’s and Stanger’s mother remarried and moved to Florida, Patti accompanied her and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Miami in 1983. She held several different jobs, including a stint in her mother’s restaurant (“I hated it”) and eventually was hired as Director of Marketing for Great Expectations, a dating franchise with an office in Boca Raton. “I built their database,” said Stanger. “I also learned that it was best if they had representation at trade shows, community festivals and parties. They needed to be personable and talk to the public.” Following Stanger’s advice, Great Expectations was soon bringing in $25,000-50,000 a month – per
have no ambition. They see
office. But when the company
Paris Hilton and the A-listers
was sold, Stanger was unhappy
and they think that’s how it is,” says Stanger. “Well, what they don’t see is that Paris works her ass off to market herself. What’s going on in this new generation? Is it something in the water?” In addition to working like mad, Stanger never lets the glitter and glamour of Hollywood distract her from the fact that her television show is a business. 8
PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
with the way the staff was treated. She also was unsuccessful in convincing the company they needed to embrace technology by going online. So she stayed through the transition, and then took the knowledge she’d gained and went out on her own.
“I realized I was a business owner, not a drone,” said Stanger. “And I said then that I would always protect my staff; I’d institute a bonus structure so they’d never leave and I’d be family-friendly.”
A star was being born. “I was the only one on the air as a love expert and I made a lot of great relationships,” said Stanger, who counts Dr. Phil McGraw
Realizing how important technology and social networks were to
among her friends. “But to have a reality show you can’t be just a
her daughter, Patti’s mother encouraged her to move to California,
personality. ‘Millionaire Matchmaker’ tells a story in one hour but
saying that “South Florida is old school – and you don’t speak
it is also about my style, my ethics, my morals and those kinds of
Spanish.”
things – they’re the core of the whole situation.”
Once in Los Angeles, Stanger noticed that the newly minted
Through it all, Stanger has always refused to compromise. “If a
millionaires of Silicon Valley were coming to California “to get
decision was going to hurt my business or my staff, I said no. I will
their hotties” and that no one in the matchmaking business was
come to the table and hit the highs and lows to get ratings, but I’m
focusing on them. I know how to work with men, Stanger thought.
in business. I look at the demographics. I market myself. I do a lot
She formed Millionaire’s Club, which was an instant success, and
of my own PR.”
began to get a reputation as an expert in the field of love. She appeared on “Entertainment Tonight,” “The Insider” and the “Anna Nicole Show.” When the editor of Marie Claire magazine confessed to Stanger that even she had dating problems, Patti was found herself featured in the January 2001 issue.
Although Stanger now has a good agent and a good manager, it wasn’t always so. One of her first agents advised her to turn down an offer of $100,000 for a show idea she had. That idea eventually morphed into ABC’s “The Bachelor.”
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
9
“I thought 100 grand was great money!” Stanger says. “That’s when I fired my agent, decided to go to meetings myself and protect myself. I learned how to franchise and license and take my show to the next level. You are the brand and you have to take control of your own business. Because I’m fiercely independent, teaming up with Bravo scared the s--- out of me. I hated my producers for five years. Then I learned about community and partnership and how to be a team player. Now we have this wonderful relationship because I’ve learned to respect people I don’t always get along with. Now I have no doubt and only faith in the network.” Having
paid
her
dues,
Stanger
now
has
two
on-air
assistants, the man and wife team of Destin Pfaff and Rachel Federoff. The couple met on MySpace and Destin got his “Millionaire Matchmaker” job by answering a craigslist ad. Now parents, both share their opinions with Patti as she views videos of potential clients and works to find them true love. “When I hire someone, I look for an intuitive person who can match people, who has a sixth sense about who goes together,” Stanger says. “I also need people without a Fear of Approach. I need someone who says, ‘I don’t mind calling the president of the United States.’ My staff also must treat the show like the business that it is. Our show has sexual harassment policies in place; we have to watch out because sometimes people want to use people to get business deals; proprietary information must stay in my office. But we’re also a family – we love and fight every day, yet we know where our loyalties lie.” She is currently working to produce two major reality shows and is entertaining discussions about a scripted television show on her life. “So there’s a lot going on, on the Hollywood side,” she says. In addition to her TV work, Stanger has written a book -- “Become Your Own Matchmaker” and starred in “Married in a Year”, which is out on DVD. Patti has an additional website for those looking for love but not necessary a millionaire named www.PSxoxo.com. Still, her plan for the future has always been the same -- to sell Millionaire’s Club internationally, perhaps to someone from China, India or the Far East where matchmaking is almost a way of life. And if that happens? I’m willing to work as a producer to make others famous,” Stanger says. “I’ll share the wealth. I realize I can’t stay on TV and look good forever -- I’m no Dr. Ruth. But I’ll always be matchmaking. I’ll still fix up the grocery girl with the nail tech down the street.”
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
Seven Bits of Advice from Patti Stanger: 1. Self-love starts with pride and pride starts with your job. Do you like it? Are you doing it for the right reasons? “If someone tells me they hate their job but don’t believe they can make money doing what they love, I ask, ‘Did you ever try?’ Besides, money is not the be-all and end-all that people think it is.” 2. If you own a business, try not to take out a loan. Instead, pay a little cash as you go. “Let it grow at its own pace. If that’s 10% a year, that’s okay. This is not a race. Let your employees buy into the company because they’ll stay longer if they have a piece of the pie. And, as fashionista Donna Karan told me, ‘Never go public. You’ll lose power; you’ll lose creativity and you’ll be miserable.’” 3. Work smart, not hard. “Less overhead means more payment in your pocket. I’m not going to work 24/7 and put my company in a lot of debt so I can have a corner office.” 4. There is no reason for a woman to stay with a loser or someone who beats her up. “Women shouldn’t be afraid to go into the marketplace. Even someone who has only worked as a housewife has tons of skills – she can organize, she can cook. And look around the corner. The internet has changed the world.” 5. Stay healthy, fit and beautiful. “Women are enhancing their image and men need to do it, too. Look at Michelle Pfeiffer and Cher – these women are keeping’ the train moving’. I work out on the elliptical, I’m gluten free and I’ve had my eyes done. I love dark chocolate and red wine but I’ve got to watch it. Massages and reflexology and acupuncture go a long way. And I meditate every day.” 6. Men are the hunters but women are the attractors. “We signal them with energy. If you’re not attracting the right men maybe you just need to get out of your own city for awhile.” 7. Figure out how little you really need but do things for yourself. “I like a lot of clothes and I collect vintage jewelry. Vintage Chanel and the Cartier ‘Love’ bracelet are my favorite things. They make me feel beautiful and secure. Like my mother says, ‘you can’t melt down a dress.’”
KYLE RICHARDS By Deborah Welky
I tell (my children) that the most important thing is to be a mom,” says Kyle. “But I feel it is also important that they see me working hard and doing well.
K
yle Richards, star of the Bravo TV hit The Real Housewives of
the fight against cancer, having completed a 68-mile bike marathon
Beverly Hills knows what it’s like to be California-busy.
last year to raise money to help fight the disease.
Born into a Hollywood acting family, she’s been working since she
A real housewife if ever there was one, Kyle is married to
was four years old. Her first role was in Disney’s Escape to Witch
Mauricio Umansky, one of the nation’s top realtors, and has four
Mountain, where she played the younger version of her sister Kim,
daughters.
also a housewife.
We caught up with Richards last month when she visited Boca Raton
Kyle’s television credits include Little House on The Prairie, Carter
to celebrate the release of her book, “Life Is Not a Reality Show:
Country, Down To Earth and E.R. She also starred in the films
Keeping It Real with the Housewife Who Does It All.” She explains
Halloween and The Watcher in the Woods. Deadly Sibling Rivalry, a
how the idea for the book came about.
Lifetime original movie is up next. She is also an avid advocate for
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
11
“I grew up in a family of girls,” Kyle said. “I was the youngest of
wants to create a line of branded products, including a line of
three and we had four other girls living with us, in addition to my
clothing and handbags.
grandmother. Listening to my mom be their guru – going over the do’s and don’ts of dating, for instance – I was like a sponge. In time,
“I want to create something that represents who I am, something
friends would come to me asking things like, ‘How do I get the guy to
that people can afford,” she says.
call back?’ And it’s the same thing now. Now women ask how I juggle my family and career, how I keep my marriage happy – so I wanted to write something that would empower women. In the book, I tell them how to find and keep the right guy, while looking and feeling their best. In essence, I wrote a manual for my daughters!” Although Kyle’s sisters had been acting since they were babies in New York, Kyle’s mother had to give her youngest daughter a bit of a nudge.
If
age 5 and kept right on going. Soon, acting was my life. I loved it
fun
the rules,
“My mom felt like I was shy and thought I could overcome my shyness through acting,” Kyle said. “It worked! I did Little House at
you obey all
you’ll miss all the
then and I still do.”
.
When Kyle’s parents divorced when she was very young, Kyle became self-sufficient. This self-sufficiency is something she wants to teach her daughters. “I tell them that the most important thing is to be a mom,” says Kyle. “But I feel it is also important that they see me working hard and doing well.” She admits that things have ramped up lately. “I’m not used to being as busy as this,” she admits. “Coming to Florida meant I had
on fashion, beauty and relationships – just like she’s been doing all her life. Here are three of her top tips:
to leave my kids for 48 hours and that caused some guilt. I’m used
»» Fashion: “If you find a pair of slacks you
to driving them everywhere. I had to call upon my mom-in-law to
love, buy two and have one pair hemmed for
pick up my daughter from her soccer game. That part is hard. I get
when you wear heels, one for when you wear
very overwhelmed at times and emotional. Even though it’s only 48
flats.”
hours, it’s a very big adjustment for me.”
»» Beauty: “False eyelashes take your look to
Truly, Kyle Richards is more housewife than Beverly Hills. She doesn’t
whole new level of glamour. In the book, I ex-
have a driver, a nanny or a personal chef. When she and her hubby
plain how to apply them properly.”
go out to dinner, they usually take the kids along. “It’s not exactly a date night,” she laughs. “But actually we try to be home and not out more than three nights a week. Remember, I grew up with a mom who did everything herself. When I grew up, we were in Bel-Air. We made our beds, washed the car – I want my
»» Relationships: “Marriage really is giveand-take. A lot of women don’t ‘give’ to their husbands. I make sure my husband knows no one is going to love him like I am. He’s a nice
kids to be like that. I don’t want my kids to have to rely on other
Jewish boy who has really grown into his looks.
people to do things.”
Somehow, he turned into this Latin lover
Writing Keeping It Real was one of her dreams, but there are others. Having been voted one of the Best Dressed TV Housewives, Kyle
12
In her book, she gives from-the-heart tips
PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
with a little salt-and-pepper on the sides. I love it! …And why is that not cute on me?”
I started my business to create a positive impact on women’s lives through the creation of color, treatment and overall beauty. I feel Palm Beach Woman embraces the sentiment that to be a successful woman today it is important to be an advocate for other women and to have an impact not only on your own lives, and that of your family, but your community and the world wherever possible. For a regional magazine, Palm Beach Woman has a very forward thinking, proactive, inspiring attitude.
Sue Devitt - Sue Devitt Beauty
I
nternational celebrity makeup artist Sue Devitt spent years
Devitt’s work has graced the runways of Versace, Valentino,
working to develop healthy beauty products and nutrient-rich
Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Feretti, Oscar de la Renta and Marc
cosmetics. Models and celebrities around the world as well as
Jacobs. She has worked with the world’s top fashion photogra-
everyday women have embraced the Sue Devitt Beauty line
phers and A-list clients for appearances at movie premieres, the
at home.
Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Cannes Film Festival.
Her
secret?
Devitt’s
technologically
advanced
formulas
Devitt says, “I was very excited when I identified an
include powerful anti-aging ingredients, vitamins, minerals and
unexplored niche in the cosmetic marketplace. I developed
nutrients, especially those found in seaweed which have soothing
a line of high performance, nutrient rich formulations that
and nurturing marine properties. She calls her revolutionary
deliver excellent results for women of all ages, skin tones and
approach to makeup “Color Treatment for the Skin .” Her
skin types. Launching the brand exclusively at Barneys New York
SpaComplexion line uses a plethora of hydrating marine miner-
was such a privilege and was a very exciting experience for me.”
als engineered for time-release delivery to give clients a healthy,
“At the time of the brand’s conception, I was a well known makeup
radiant complexion and increased skin firmness throughout the day.
artist in Hollywood and New York receiving a lot of press support
TM
TM
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
from the editorial community. Women requiring the highest level of professionalism trusted my expertise and so I set out to create my own product line with a series of ingredients and delivery systems that I had been wanting touse on myself and on my clients.” “As
an
internationally
claimed
makeup
artist
product
formulator
I
acand have
endeavored to capture the color, texture and light from the beauty of nature in the far and distant corners of the world,” she said. “I have collaborated with the best scientists in the industry to develop my signature MicroquaticTM Age Defying Complex of high performance ingredients that
Never
deliver
vitamins,
minerals
and nutrients through our skin care and cosmetics for healthy,
give up on your dream
youthful and radiant skin.” As detail-oriented in her home and garden as she is in her work, Devitt confides that she could see the brand branching out expanding into other markets as well. “If it made sense and reached the style and quality benchmarks that the brand is currently known for, then I would definitely venture into new initiatives that extended beyond beauty as we know it today” she says. A native Australian, Devitt spends time “down under” as often as she can and fills in the gaps by phone, calling home weekly and sometimes daily. She also understands the importance of social media. “It’s the present, the future and an intimate way of having a dialog with your customer. That way they feel connected to your brand and you can offer more customized advice” Devitt said. To aspiring entrepreneurs, Devitt says it’s essential to learn “how and when” to turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes.’ “Never give up on your dream,” she advises. “It materializes because you manifest it.” To see what’s new in Sue Devitt products, visit www.suedevittbeauty.com
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
15
BUSINESS Palm Beach County
Real Estate on the Rise By Deborah Welky
I
t looks as if it’s finally happening. The South Florida housing market is slowly recovering. Prices are stabilizing, interest rates are at record lows and people are simply tired of waiting to buy or sell. In addition, many northerners who are planning to relocate to Florida in the near future are realizing that the smartest time to buy is now. Carol Van Gorp, CEO of the REALTORS® Association of the Palm Beaches agrees. “Things are certainly looking up and looking positive,” she says. “We had been getting feedback for some time with the numbers showing revitalization. The rest of the country is happy to see it. I came here from mid-Missouri and the saying among Realtors is, ‘as California and Florida go, so goes the rest of the market.’ In the rest of the U.S., they haven’t seen the recovery start like we have.” Yet while buyers are doing their part, sellers are still playing it close to the vest. The dramatic drop in active listings was one the 2011’s top stories with inventory levels plunging 39.5 percent to 14,884 units – good news if you’re looking to sell quickly. As it stands, Palm Beach County’s current inventory would last about 6.3 months, with 5-6 months’ supply being considered a balanced market. Inventory coming on the market in 2007 was sitting for 29 months so there’s been significant progress. “We’re just about there,” statesthe real estate guide known as “The Skinny.” “Facing less competition, sellers are seeing multiple-offer situations; buyers are seeing 4.0 percent loans, supply-demand trends are more balanced.”
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
19
Dropping prices also put Florida homes more in line with home prices around the country. In 2011, the median sales price of a Palm Beach County home fell 16.7 percent to $125,000. “It’s ultimately good for our economy that our prices go down a bit,” says Van Gorp yet she agrees that “Now is the time to buy. Money is cheap and our prices are very low. Once the inventory is whittled down, the prices start coming up. We are starting the price increase now. I would tell visitors that it is really an excellent time to buy.” And Van Gorp puts her money where her mouth is, recently selling her mid-Missouri home and buying one in Palm Beach County. She counsels others to do their research and evaluate their options, especially residents. “You must analyze your situation and look at your long-term goals,” she says. “If you’re a family that’s living in cramped quarters, the house that you
want is very inexpensive at this time. When the market is hot, you may be able to sell your existing home at a high price but the house you want to buy is even higher.” Van Gorp suggests visiting Realtor.com, looking at what’s for sale in your neighborhood, asking Realtors about the potential sales value of your home and before you buy anything, “List your house and see if you can get it sold. It is not a good time to be in a two-mortgage situation.” As rental rates continue to rise, investors and families who can afford to buy, will. “Buying becomes more attractive,” says Van Gorp. “But mortgages these days are harder to come by, you need to put more money down. We’re not seeing a requirement of 20 percent but most buyers are putting down more than 10 percent.”
The National Association of Realtors is predicting a 10 percent price increase in South Florida prices in 2012 due to the pent-up demand. Van Gorp herself is waiting for the dam to break. She cites the many “boomerang” situations around the country, with adult children moving back home with their own children in tow. “My neighbor’s daughter, son-in-law and parents are back living with her,” said Van Gorp. “It’s been a national phenomenon for a year, the varied occupants of a single family home. There’s an increased demand for lodging but the affordability has been putting a damper on it. Once this breaks free, we’re going to see quite a surge.” Perhaps the biggest difference in the Palm Beach County market as compared to the rest of the nation is that realtors aren’t just
selling homes, they are selling a lifestyle. As usual, it comes down to location. “We find that people moving here want a water view; those who have been here a while want closet space” laughs Van Gorp. “But they’re all smelling bargains and they’re sniffing around. I caution buyers to avoid analysis paralysis. Right now Palm Beach County has beautiful properties at the lowest they’re going to be. I sell Palm Beach County by the inches of snow elsewhere. It’s not difficult.”
Now is the time to buy. Money is cheap and our prices are very low.
SHORT SALES BIG GAINS Top Reasons You’ll Win with a Short Sale by Renee Smith, Esq.
S
community. Everyone reaps the bene fits of a homeowner
4. Associations can rebuild the community faster because of short sales.
choosing to short sale versus allowing the home to be
Associations are on the front lines of the real estate down
foreclosed. There are so many benefits but here are my top
turn but short sales are an association’s life preserver. Here is
picks to encourage the homeowners and their neighbors to talk
why: They get paid at closing like all the other parties versus
about short sales as a solution.
fighting the lender in foreclosure, they average higher past due
hort sales can be a Win/Win situation for everyone, from the homeowner, to the buyer, the Realtors, the neighborhood and followed, eventually by the whole
assessment payments than the statutory amount allowed
1. The Homeowner can begin with a fresh slate.
if the home foreclosed and the new owner begins paying immediately. Instead of a bank who won’t pay until the property is resold. Since the property goes from owner to owner
Every homeowner that has struggled with her over leveraged
it is maintained, versus a vacant foreclosed property becoming
home should know short sales are the win that helps you begin
an association eyesore. Finally, short sales’ sale prices are on
again. The banks give cash incentives up to $33,000 for you to
the average higher than foreclosures because the property
cooperate with the short sale. Your loan is closed and any
is in better condition, thus resulting in higher market value for
amount not paid by the sales proceeds is forgiven. Every home-
the neighborhood.
owner is eligible for a short sale approval. A short sale costs little or is free to the homeowner and you can apply for a new home loan in 1-2 years!
2. Buyers get a bargain.
5. Communities see jobs increase and drain on public services decrease. Short sales are increasing and that growth positively
Short sale buyers benefit by getting a well maintained home,
impacts the ancillary jobs in the community like surveyors,
traditional sale with walk through, property disclosures and title
title companies, Realtors and home inspectors while fewer
insurance policy by a traditional closing agent. Short sales are
foreclosures, sheriff sales and abandoned homes free up the
also becoming much faster - some close in less than 90 days.
public service sector to use financial and human resources on more important community issues.
3. Realtors can increase their business through no additional training.
Further, when properties are short sold, the county taxes,
Every Realtor can list a short sale. Short sales are not limited to
time frame than the 300-500 days it takes a home to go through
specific Realtors chosen by a bank like foreclosures. Realtor
the foreclosure process. All this with no additional expense to
commissions are 6 percent, as in a traditional sale and no longer
the community!
does a Realtor need to process short sales as companies, such as
With everyone winning and at no or little cost to the parties
myself, have stepped in to assist them. Since short sales can account up to 40 percent of various Florida markets, Realtors can see their commissions almost double without additional training.
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
water or sewer bills are brought current increasing county/city revenues and any code violations are corrected in a much shorter
who benefit, short sales are the shortest way to real estate and community recovery.
The Power of One By Roy Assad
What gives someone the ability to impact our world in a powerful way? Are there characteristics inherent in these individuals? And what price do they pay for this power? I will share with you what I consider the essential elements of power!
W
e have either known someone who always strives to make a difference or perhaps it is you who has chosen this path — to make a difference in our homes, schools, companies and better yet, our world.
Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. said, “Let’s make a dent in the universe,” and through his technological advances, Mr. Jobs has made a substantive dent!
In my many years of working with people and organizations, I have discovered several common; some might say uncommon, characteristics present in those people who effect change; first in themselves, then their environment and ultimately the universe. I like to call it the Power of One!
1. The Power of being present I describe those people who are so “in the moment” that you can tell they are present in the mind, body and spirit. You are the focus of their total attention and they are not distracted by anything around them. The power of being present is extremely effective and always something we remember. It fulfills the adage, “Where ever you are, be all there!”
2. The Power of sacrifice It is said that, “Great achievement is born from great sacrifice.” And we all know nothing in life is free! Even freedom has its price. So when we begin to understand the great privileges we have and the cost to others in order for us to enjoy them, then we begin to understand the meaning and value of sacrifice – think of the personal toll on thousands of people necessary to set the Eastern Block nations free.
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
3. The Power of creativity Another wise person said, “We are all born original; however, many of us die a copy!” That is a sad commentary. We all need to be as creative and different as possible in order to create a better world, better schools or even a better family. Don’t follow a path; leave a trail.
4. The Power of enthusiasm Enthusiasm is contagious. Whether it is a conscious choice or subconscious avoidance, we tend to steer clear of those who are always down on life. We respond and are drawn to people who live an excited life. We need to always be “ON,” excited about future opportunities, excited about our responsibility to mankind and to our community.
5. The Power of commitment When a friend promises to love you forever or when someone pledges to support you in your efforts, the gratitude you feel for those people are rare commodities. Someone once told me a story of a kamikaze pilot who was flying his 59th mission – now there’s someone who obviously lacked commitment!
6. The Power of humility It is said, “Go the extra mile -- it is not crowded there.” Humbleness and humility are great traits to possess.. When people become successful, they sometimes lose their humility – and that is a real shame. No one likes to feel as if they don’t matter anymore. Perhaps you’ve heard this one before: “It is nice to be important, however it is more important to be nice!”
7. The Power of your word During his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy challenged the American people: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” That question still rings true today, for powerful words are an amazing force! Effective, committed communication is a required trait of the truly powerful. Clarity in conversation is a must. In fact, a coach friend of mine wrote a speech titled “No Guessing.” Do your words leave people guessing?
8. The Power of the people Every successful family, church, company and city that has had the right people, doing the right things, at the right time, for the right reasons. Otherwise, nothing is accomplished. Call it people power!
It is said “there is nothing more powerful than the human soul on fire!”
That is when a human being can make a difference. When one person can change the way things are done and create a new way of solving a problem.
I am not suggesting that we all go out with the aim of changing the world. However, I am suggesting that it is within us to have the power to make a difference in our own areas of life, impacting the people around us. And that, my friend, is the “Power of One.”
For more information, contact Roy B. Assad, Partner at The Human Capital Group, LLC rassad@HCGnow.com, www.HCGnow.com.
Women's Agendas A Tool for Driving Real Change By Maria Darby
W
ith over 50 percent of today’s graduate degrees going to females, women are becoming an increasingly domi-
“Businesses have an exciting opportunity to… harness the value that accelerating the advancement of high potential women can bring to their organizations”
nant force in the workplace. Businesses have an exciting opportunity to capitalize on this trend and harness the value that accelerating the advancement of high potential women can bring to their organizations. But this doesn’t happen by betting on the organic activities of proactive players alone. It takes a deliberate and focused approach – an agenda. An agenda has purpose and objectives. It has specific timeframes and expected outputs. It serves to keep participants focused and moving toward a mutually agreed upon goal. Most important, it can serve as a tool for driving real change.
sponsored events with speakers, panels or even breakout sessions on women’s issues and state in the workplace. These are
There are many models and theories on change man-
fine for putting the issue on the organizational radar, but when
agement but the common denominator is movement of the
the event is over – who is working on the “ability and willing-
people in an organization from awareness to ownership of
ness” phases of change? Who is making sure leaders in the
the change. This movement happens through progressive
organization are rallying around the high potential women
stages of understanding, ability, willingness, buy-in, to the
throughout the ranks? How is the organization staying focused
end state of behaving and operating in the new mode. When
on moving the dial for these women? What kind of investment
looking at how to harness the value of accelerating high
is the organization making in driving real change?
potential women, a Women’s Agenda can ensure the organization gets past the awareness stage and truly moves toward action and results in the operation.
28
change. However, most efforts center on a series of corporate
Here is where a well-structured and managed
Women’s Agenda can establish organizational commitment and investment in its high potential women – both capital
Corporate America has done fairly well with diversity
investment and investment of time energy of its leaders.
efforts and campaigns focused on the advancement of wom-
A Women’s Agenda can lay out clear objectives and
en when it comes to raising awareness or tilling the field for
tactical focus areas that lift the organization beyond the
PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
cycle
of
special
events
and
into
ongoing
deliberate
actions and efforts that drive real change. It starts by putting a stake in the ground around commitment to achieving gender balance at all levels of the organization. Better yet - it means setting goals for increasing women’s representation at the executive leadership levels. It involves creating greater access to participation in networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities for women at all levels. It means ensuring women understand the critical
distinctions
between
supporters,
sponsors
and
advocates and how to recognize if they indeed have more than supporters in the organization. An effective Women’s Agenda focuses the mentoring efforts in the organization – ensuring an explicit approach against its strategic objectives. This may mean very deliberate small mentoring groups organized around specific goals and objectives. It typically involves deliberately matched mentors and mentees, and the consistent training and preparation of mentors.
An effective Women’s Agenda will be tuned into
the organization’s culture and demystify the organization’s unwritten rules – ensuring women at all levels have access to understanding the culture and desired leadership traits. An organization may have highly competent and strategic women but they miss a seat at the table by not reading the cultural clues that are essential to being heard and engaged. A tailored Women’s Agenda can help break down these barriers and facilitate getting these women to work within the culture versus perceiving they have been shut out. Unleashing this potential within the organization can open many possibilities, bring a new lens to
corporate strate-
gic direction and take the organization to the next level of performance and results.
It starts with a commitment and enlisting male
and female champions of women’s leadership as models for success. It drives forward with some form of central coordination and integration to ensure a systemic approach to meeting the Women’s Agenda goals. It comes to life with each and every woman in the organization who achieves greater leadership roles and in turn pulls through women behind them. That is beyond awareness-building – that is ownership – and with ownership - you achieve real change.
Maria Darby is a Senior Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton in the Firm’s Strategy and Organization capability, where she is one of the Firm’s change management leaders. She is the Partner sponsor of the firm’s Women’s Forum and on the Women’s Agenda Leadership Committee, where she supports the change management dimensions of Booz Allen’s Women’s Agenda and SOAR campaign – the firm’s award-winning normal Women’s strategy and outreach campaign that has contributed to the firm’s recognition by Working Mother and Fortune as a best company. She is a regular instructor for the Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP) program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, and the Vice President of the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP), a professional association focused on advancing the practice of change management. SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
29
MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL JOB SEARCH By Anita Attridge In today’s competitive marketplace people are getting jobs…and
describes what you did and what the result was. Conclude with the
very good ones. You can be one of these people! How you think
Education section.
about your role, the way you manage your search and how you use your time will be key factors in determining your success. You are the manager of your job search so… manage your search as you would any job.
fortable saying it.
The first step of your job search is to clarify what you want to do. Then you can develop job targets to focus your search by determining:
Manage your search by using the 80/20 rule: In a job search 80 percent of jobs are found thought networking or direct contact; 20 percent of the jobs are found through
the industry or company size of interest to you; example:
responding to postings or working with a search firm. Here are some reasons for this phenomenon.
consumer products, hospitals
P:
cinctly summarize your expertise. Practice your pitch with friends or colleagues so you know it represents you well and you are com-
Clarify your job goals and establish job search targets:
I:
“Pitch”: Be prepared to answer the question… “Tell me about yourself.” Begin by stating who you are professionally and suc-
the position or function you are seeking; example:
marketing director; VP, Finance
20% - Responding to job postings and working with search firms.
G: the geographic area where you want to work; example: Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale You can have as many job targets as you chose; however, prioritize them so that you are always working on your favored target.
Marketing plan: Using your job targets, you can develop a marketing plan that will provide a summary of the companies in your target market. Developing a
Responding to job postings is easy to do To which is why employers receive hundreds learn about of resumes for each job. The likelihood the “hidden job of your resume being seen is questionable even if you were the perfect person for the job. Search market”, spend firms work for the company because that is 80% of your job who pays them. A recruiter is only interested search time in you if there is a job that needs your talents. meeting with 80% - Networking and direct contact people. Today networking and direct contacts are essential to
marketing plan is easy…use Google… type in the word companies,.. The industry you selected and your geographic area. The result…a list of companies in your target market. Knowing the companies in your target market, you can develop a strategy for meeting people in these companies.
you
begin
meeting
with
people,
prepare
your
Resume: Your resume will be read for 10 to 15 seconds so craft it well. State the type of job you are seeking, Marketing Director. Then, continue with a summary section that defines the skills and expertise that differentiates you from other candidates. This is the digital age…use bullets so that your information is easy to read. Next is the experience section. Begin each bullet with an action word that PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
hire you. There is strong agreement among researchers that at least 50% of the jobs are never posted. In addition, many companies are people for a position so it’s important to network.
marketing tools:
32
market” start networking and contacting people in a position to
giving monetary rewards to employees who recommend
Prepare your marketing tools: Before
managing a strong job search. If you want to tap into the “hidden
Marketing strategy: Review your marketing plan, the list of companies in your selected geographic area. Think about people you may know in these companies and network with them. In addition, network with everyone you know including former colleagues and bosses. Attend professional meetings and network with the people there. It’s a way to let
people know about your search and to learn more about the companies and positions of interest to you. As you network with people always ask them for the names of people that you should contact. If you don’t like to network, consider it a new skill that you will need to learn to accomplish your goals. If you don’t have a networking contact in a company of interest, contact the person who would be in a position to hire you directly. When you contact them, don’t ask about a job; instead ask for a half hour informational interview to learn more about their organization. Use LinkedIn to build your online network. Continually add people to your network and join groups. This will provide you with a research tool to find people in companies of interest. Use the 80/20 rule to manage your job search activity. Spend 80 percent of your time on networking and direct contact activities and 20 percent of your time responding to postings and working with search firms.
Interview as a consultant: How you think about your role in the interview influences how you participate in the interview. Think about yourself as a consultant: • Plan for the interview by researching the company and the people with whom you will be interviewing. Plan the questions you want to ask to learn more about what is important to the hiring manager and each person interviewing you. • Participate in the interview as a consultant. Ask the hiring manager about what they would like to have accomplished. What the challenges are. The more you understand about what is important to the hiring manager the better you can respond to questions about your expertise. It’s up to you to demonstrate that you are the best candidate. • Follow-up with a letter to each person interviewed. Focus the letter to the hiring managers on what was important to them and how you could help them achieve their goals. To the other people you interviewed, focus the letter to on how you would work with them to help them achieve their goals. • If you mange your search by interviewing as a consultant, using the 80/20 rule and staying focused, you will succeed.
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
33
Unemployment remains a major issue
for people with disabilities in 2012 By Myra Goldick-Disability Advocate
T
he Americans with Disability Act celebrated its 21st anniversary on July 26, 2011. Our nation achieved a major civil rights victory for those of us with disabilities and we recognized the victory. However, we have a long way to go to create an environment in the workplace, which truly offers an equal opportunity for people of all diversities, especially for the silent minority, the disabled.
Did you know? • Well-trained people with disabilities still face heartbreaking discrimination in the workplace. • Unemployment numbers for the disabled remain almost double those of unemployed able-bodied citizens. • The enhancement of employment opportunities for people with disabilities is a joint effort on the part of both big business and small business. Do you know who is making a difference in South Florida?
Americans with disabilities are often stereotyped and misjudged by so many employment managers, businesses and CEOs. Right here in Palm Beach County unemployment numbers remain shockingly high for the general ablebodied population, however the figures for the disabled are even greater.
becoming productive young men and women with a burning desire to contribute to society. It is estimated that over 10 percent of the population is living with some kind of disability. It is societies loss if we fail to recognize their value and provide employment to all our citizens.
As of October 2011, the unemployment statistics for the disabled population was considerably higher by 6 to 7 percent. According to the Department of Labor, the figures for this sector of the population was considerably higher and may have been under reported.
Science has contributed heavily to the advancement of prosthetics and equipment for people living with mobility challenges. Newly designed bionic artificial limbs have enhanced the lives of amputees raising their ability to interact with society and even excel in the field of sports.
The silent minority is ready, willing and able to join the job market. Sadly, often they are discounted, misjudged and never given the chance to show their real talents as serious contributors to the economic growth and productivity of our country.
Mobility devices and electric wheelchairs are highly engineered to fit easily under desks and can be quickly transported via automobiles.
Modern technology and medical advances have created an environment in which people are living longer and more productive independent lives. The medical community now manages diseases, which were once considered deadly.
There are smart phones and computers with hands-free dictation applications. Automobile manufactures have created and designed technology that allows those with mobility issues to have their cars adapted to fit their needs giving them a greater independence and flexibility within the employment arena.
As we live longer people are developing age-related disabilities. Infants born with developmental and learning disabilities were once cast aside as hopeless and faced a life of rejection. Today, they are thriving through the advancement of science and the recognition of the educational system to provide special classes for a wide variety of learning disabilities. These once forgotten children are growing up and
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
Independence creates self-esteem, motivation and above all the ability to create a change in the attitude of society towards the disabled. Seemingly, on the surface it’s a winning situation for all those involved, the employer, their entire staff and the potential employee. So why then is there such a disparity between the unemployment numbers of the able-bodied citizen and those who have visible or
““Good news! The unemployment rate for the general able-bodied population is lower than it has been since February 2009. The bad news is that the employment statics for the disabled population is considerably higher by 6 to 7 percent”
hidden challenges? Unfortunately, the fact remains that people with disabilities are often viewed as undependable and their capabilities questioned as to whether they make a real significant difference in the revenue stream of a business.
What’s next? On the positive side, there are many corporations, large and small who are pioneers in the advancement of the employment for people with disabilities. There are an impressive number of small business owners who are striving to level the playing field by offering growth opportunities for people with disabilities. A special thank you to the many small business owners such as Alice Danis, co-founder of Four Walls Design and Construction, Inc., a company, which is focus on redesigning the living quarters for the physically challenged. Alice says; “A safe home results in a better quality of life, as well as enhancing the independence of people with disabilities”. Alice works in conjunction with Fred Sandberg, founder of Accessibility Solutions and Safety Inc. Fred, a paraplegic since 1978 is an Abilities Consultant helping others to rehabilitate from physical injuries and return to the job market. http://4wallsinc.com/
“Good news! The unemployment rate for the general able-bodied population is lower than it has been since February 2009. The bad news is that the employment statics for the disabled population is considerably higher by 6 to 7 percent”
More Resources: • Palm Beach Habilitation Center • The Able Trust • JobAccess.org For information about Myra visit: myra@myragoldick. com host of the Never Say Impossible talk show http:// neversayimpossible.net
Alan B Wayne is the founder of Anchored Focus. Alan Specializes in coaching adults with ADHD. He is a shining example of how effective his coaching program is because he has overcome his own ADHD. http://www.alanbrucewayne.com SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
37
She Who Adds the Most Value
Wins!
“Unless you are selling from a unique VALUE proposition, you are likely not going to survive the next few years in business.”
by Kellie Kuecha
I
t wasn’t too long ago that many of us opened our business
1. Social Media is here to stay
doors with a shiny new website, a beautiful new sign and glossy
It is no longer acceptable for business owners to use the ex-
brochures heralding to the world that we in fact are in busi-
cuse, I don’t have time, I don’t like to mix my personal life with my
ness! We grabbed our pretty little business cards, mapped out our
business, people who spend their time on social media don’t
networking events for the month and we hit the streets in search
make money and many more. Nonsense! The amount of friends,
of new business. We believed our commercials and overzealous
fans and followers one has is most certainly a barometer used to
excitement would be enough to get our businesses booming, any for
measure business success and more importantly, whether or not
many it was. However the entire game changed a few short years ago
someone is keeping up with current trends. We cannot win the battle
and unfortunately, very few have learned the new rules! Hence the
here by hiding in the corner and pretending like Facebook doesn’t
overwhelming amount of commercial buildings for rent, bankrupt-
exist! If we are to be the CRO (Chief Relationship Officer) of our busi-
cies, foreclosures and complete desperation on the rise! The good
ness, then we must make it our business to play where the big fish are
news is you can win the game provided you know the rules and you
playing! You don’t gain friends, fans or followers however, without
are willing to play by them! Here is what you need to know to pros-
flipping the tables a bit! Here is what I mean…
per today!
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
2. USPs have now become UVPs Come on, you were taught just like I was, that you must have a unique selling proposition in order to succeed. A unique
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way of selling your “me too” business by spewing your uniquely crafted message about who you are and what you provide to anyone who was willing to listen! Poof! In the blink of an eye, those days are gone! Unless you are selling from a unique VALUE proposition, you are likely not going to survive the next few years in business. Here is what I mean when I say we must flip the tables; your entire game of promoting your business all day, every day, has flipped into NOT promoting your business at all. Think about it this way, if every day you woke up and said, how can I add value today to my clients, community and world – and then set forth in your business and social world to do nothing but that, add value, I can assure you that you would never have to promote your business another day in your life and the clients will come – in droves! Sounds complicated, it’s not. Read on…
3. our business is not unique, get over it Think of the last time you went to a networking event, three quarters of the room was filled with insurance agents, bankers,
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MLMers, business and life coaches, financial planners, restaurant owners and so on, you get the idea. First and foremost, the only true way to stand out from the herd of like businesses is to brand yourself, but we will save that for another time. But the guaranteed way to build your tribe, brand ambassadors and loyal patrons is to out value your competi ion. You see, while everyone else is handing out business cards and begging you to click on the link to see what they are offering, you my friend must leave the cards home, get rid of any temptation to solicit and flip the tables by adding more and more value each and every day. Have no fear, there is a strategy to this and you have no choice but to learn it if you intend on thriving while everyone else is just trying to survive! Let’s take one step at a time. You must first decide who you are, what lights your fire and carve your own little personal niche into society. Once you do that, you marry your passion with your message and your offering and you set the course to out value the competition. She who adds the most value will win every time! Kellie Kuecha is a marketing and brandingexpert specializing in women’s success. She is the CEO and Founder of The W.O.M.A.N. Club an online social network for women and Kellie Kuecha World Enterprises LLC where she leads events, seminars and trainings around the globe. You can connect with Kellie@www.KellieKuecha.com
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
39
Congratulations, Achievers!
N
ot so long ago, women had to find a job that fit
fields and exemplify achievement. They range
in with their life patterns, rather than choose
from business development to a CEO, from a
a vocation which itself defines their existence. A
politician to a producer to an attorney to
woman’s success is judged by a different yardstick
entrepreneurship.
altogether. Through the merits of those that set
colleagues and friends and now they are our
examples by breaking the glass ceiling, we now
latest Palm Beach Achievers.
live in a time where women are recognized for their achievement and looked upon as a force to contend with.
They
are
our
vendors,
As you turn the pages and read their profiles, you will discover why they were nominated and distinguished as Palm Beach Achievers.
We are thrilled to introduce you to ten of the most amazing women who are leaders in their respective SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
41
Honorable Anne M. Gannon Anne Gannon, the Constitutional Tax Collector of Palm Beach County, has taken all her skills and smarts and used them to change things for the better. She credits Ellie Smeal, Patricia Ireland and Jana Mackey of the National Organization for Women as her role models and mentors. “While we say women have achieved equality, we haven’t,” said Gannon. “There are some barriers left in this business. A lack of upward mobility in major corporations in this country is the reason so many women open small businesses.” Gannon walked out on a company where she had worked for 17 years, after 50 percent of a male coworker’s duties were added to her workload with no raise in pay. “I told them it was time for me to leave,” said Gannon. “Salary should be based on performance.” With two partners, Gannon then started up a company that made lamps and s mall tables. “It was a real struggle for a couple of years but I grew more professionally than I would have at that company,” she said. After selling her business in 1989, she was motivated to run for the Florida House of Representatives. She won in 2000. When her husband died from a brain tumor, Gannon returned home to Palm Beach County, where her small business education coupled with what she had learned doing cost analysis and budgets for Dole Fresh Fruit helped bring her to where she is today. As the Constitutional Tax Collector of Palm Beach County, Gannon is responsible for the collection and disbursement of more than $3 billion in tax revenues. The agency employs over 290 people in Palm Beach County. “I always had an interest in cost analysis and serving the public,” said Gannon. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve changed the agency. It hadn’t been modernized in 25 years and now we’ve come into the 21st century with technology, software, employee training and educating the public. Most of the people I’ve brought in came from the private sector. I needed people who would think outside the box.” Gannon also believes in paying it forward. “I mentor young women who are interested in running for public office,” she says. “I encourage them because we do need more women in public office and Palm Beach County is very kind to women. The public trust women and appreciate that we bring different ideas and issues to the table.” She explains that the atmosphere was quite different in the State Legislature, so different that she declined to run for Congress when asked. Yet her drive to serve remained strong. “The public often does not realize the things people give up to be a public official. You give up a lot of your personal privacy and your personal time.” Gannon said. Gannon states that good listening skills and focus are critical for suc-
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
Anne M. Gannon “Failure is impossible” cess. “If you run for office and you lose, you have to figure out what you need to do to get where you want to go,” she explained. “Focus is critical whether you’re in business, in public life or a homemaker. To be the best that you can be, there has to be a commitment.” After her husband’s death, Gannon channeled a portion of her energy into creating the Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research. “Tumor biopsies are sent to the registry at UF and the cells are used to do research and develop treatments,” said Gannon. “Research institutions meet annually to talk about innovations and research. It’s the last frontier of cancers. Very few people who have a brain tumor last even a year. My husband died in 77 days. I met a woman whose husband was diagnosed in the morning and he died that evening. The tumor cells multiply so fast. Total removal is rarely possible and radiation radically impairs one’s ability to function. We need to find drugs that will block the multiplication of cells”. With Anne Gannon behind the project, success seems certain. For further information about the Honorable Anne M. Gannon or the office of the Constitutional Tax Collector, call (561) 355-2805 or visit www.taxcollectorpbc.com.
mon and the good effects each quality can have. It is due to be released in 2013.
Jacquie Journey Jacquie Journey has worked in the entertainment field all her life. She began interning at various radio stations at age of 15. Over the years she gained experience as an actress, producer, director and celebrity interviewer. In 2011, Journey launched her own production company, Jacqueline Renee Journey Productions, where she is working to develop several original television series and feature films. “I love and enjoy being in charge of my own company. I can do whatever piques my interest,” says Journey. “Right now we have a sitcom, a drama and two documentary series in the works.” Journey is the driving force behind them all, formulating each concept and backstory, writing an explanatory logline and then creating a 3 to 5 minute pilot for interested networks. “I plan on putting my next television series into production here in South Florida by the end of 2012,” she says. “In fact, right now I’m looking for motivated, ambitious, entrepreneurial women who have interesting lives and are at different levels of success so I can chronicle their careers.” Journey studied Communications at the University of St. Thomas while working for Hit Video USA, a music TV channel in Houston. She hosted on-air programs and worked her way up to the role of assistant producer. Upon moving to Florida, she became senior producer at The Music Zone and responsible for producing 56 hours of original programming each week.
In addition to building her company, Journey also helps build homes through Habitat for Humanity. She seeks sponsors to donate gifts and essentials. At M*E Television, she was able to help many struggling families pay their bills, feed their loved ones and give presents to their children. She continues to help those who want to succeed but don’t necessarily have the right tools or know how to use them. “My upcoming book and two of my new television projects will give hard-working women an opportunity to catapult their careers and get a real chance at success,” she hints. And she does have some advice for women just starting out in any career. “Work for free,” she says. “Find a company you admire, offer to work for free on weekends or over the summer and they’re more likely to give you a shot. At the last network I worked at, we hired about 50 percent of the interns. If they had a level of confidence and were reliable, they were the first people we went to when we had an available position.” Journey feels that experience often trumps education. For further information, call Jacqueline Renee Journey Productions at (561) 247-7980 or email JRJ@theJRJ.com.
“In order to succeed, you must risk failure”
An opportunity in Austin TX, had Journey helping build M*E, a music and entertainment channel with Time Warner. Eventually, she became the vice president and executive producer for the channel and hosted one of its most popular series, Timeline. “We filmed more than 350 live concerts and dozens of documentaries in the four short years that I was there,” she said. “I had the great privilege to work with countless talents like Willie Nelson, Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Juliette Lewis, Matthew McConaughey and many more. We were awarded eight Telly Awards and an Addy.” Journey says one of the most interesting interviews she ever did was with Gary Busey, who has earned a bit of a reputation as a loose cannon. “I remember trying to ask him questions about the movie he was filming and not being able to get a word in because he was either criticizing my crew or trying to kiss me on the neck,” she says. “But I most enjoyed meeting Christopher Plummer, a true talent, gentleman and inspiration. Best Eyes is an unbreakable tie – Matthew McConaughey and Billy Bob Thornton have taken eye contact to a whole new level.” Having met thousands of successful celebrities and musicians, Journey has written a how-to book detailing the qualities they all seem to have in com-
Jacquie Journey SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
43
Lauren Malis Lauren Malis, CEO of The Luxe Group, grew up in a world where her mother ran the Miss World pageant USA and a modeling school and her father a CPA, ran his own firm and was involved in politics. Being raised by parents who spent their time building, creating and attending events and managing public relations prepared her perfectly for a career in event production, entertainment, public relations, brand marketing and business development. “I would be at a pageant with my Mom and Bob Hope was joking with me. Or I would go to the office with my Dad and sit behind the big desk pretending to run the place. Hey. the day I was born I made the press- my dad was running a golf tournament and he brought in Arnold Palmer but I was born so I got a little blurb about me in the sports section. It’s destiny.” Malis’s first steps toward creating her own company was to intern at the William Morris Agency where she booked and managed some of the top celebrities of all time and learned the business directly from founder Lou Weiss. She always had a fascination with politics and in 1994, she worked on George Pataki’s Campaign when he became Governor of New York she joined his administration as the Director of Communications and Special Projects for Empire State Development Corporation which is the economic development agency for the State. Besides the day-to-day management of public relations and communications strategies, she worked on the redevelopment of Times Square, The Hudson River Park Conservancy, The Tribeca Film Festival, Fashion Week, the UN 50th Anniversary and the I Love NY campaign. Also during that time she contributed to and helped write a cookbook with Senator D’amato’s Mother called cooking and canning with Mama D’amato. “Thus is my career in events, public relations and branding,” said Malis. “It was enormously fascinating and I met so many people and made so many connections, it seemed like a natural fit to open my company.” Malis planned to launch her company full time in September 2001 but the terrorist attacks in New York postponed any start up until 2002. “There were definitely challenges,” Malis says. “To get solid clients, I just continued to pound the pavement and do whatever I possibly could. One problem I have is that I occasionally get pigeon-holed. If people liked a wedding I did, they think I only do weddings. If it was a party, they think I only do parties.” The Luxe Group does much more. “We do corporate parties and meetings globally. We do talent acquisition. Due to my background with William Morris, I have good relationships with agents across the country and can secure major talents at a much better price then someone calling up on their own.”
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Lauren Malis “Move forward with purpose.” provides consulting services in, brand marketing, event production, entertainment, public relations, business development and sponsorship solicitation. Malis has consulted for a number of casinos including Foxwoods Resort Casino and The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. She recently collaborated with Donald J. Trump to create The Trump Concert Series, which kicked off with a performance by Andrea Bocelli at Mar-a-Lago. Malis booked the event, negotiated all contracts, designed the set, produced the show and worked closely with Trump who she thinks is one of the most brilliant businessmen she has ever met. So whats next? The Luxe Group is positioned to expand in LA and its offerings into client SEO branding and reputation management. “I come with an extra heightened sense of how to do that,” said Malis “working with politicians and entertainers I know how to respond in a crisis.” She also has a new strategic partner and has a full design, production and manufacturing company to create lifestyle brands for celebrities including fashion, beauty and home goods. And two reality based television shows. “Life is about doing. So, I keep moving forward with purpose.”
The Luxe Group also provides concierge services for high net worth clients. “Many people who come to Palm Beach or go to Nantucket for four months and want everything taken care of before they come here or there so we are hired to do that. “
For those entering a similar field, Malis suggests, finding a mentor and asking them a million questions. And listen. Malis herself uses a lot of student interns. “I teach them and send them on their way. I throw them right into the fire because you learn by doing. I work 24/7, I have to remind myself to take a vacation day.”
We also handle PR and branding for lifestyle clients in many areas and also work with a number of not for profits in fundraising. The Luxe Group
Contact Information: (917) 609-8017.
PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
times, no matter what,” she continues, “You also have to be true to yourself and believe in what you stand for.”
Mayor Susan Whelchel An educator by nature, Mayor Susan Whelchel likes to spread knowledge any way she can. Her passion has always been in teaching, never expecting that one day she’d be the Mayor of Boca Raton, “I realized that I had to be the change that I wanted to make.” Mayor Whelchel was a teacher for 18 years before even considering running for office. “I watched kids grow up and go to college. A lot of students, including my children, didn’t return to Boca Raton because they found better offers and more jobs in other larger cities,” Mayor Whelchel explains, “I wanted to find a way to open more doors for young adults in our community and show them that there were great universities in our own backyard to attend and jobs for them to come back to if they did go away to college.”
Mayor Whelchel believes Boca Raton is truly the best place to live. Between having the white sand beaches that run for miles, some of the top-ranked hospitals in the county and highly sought after private colleges and universities, Mayor Whelchel says Boca Raton has a lot to offer its community, “There’s really no place like it and we’re right in the middle of great neighbors, Miami and Orlando.” When Mayor Whelchel is not on mayor duty, which she admits is rare, she spends her time with her family, “Family has always come first, and they are my life.” Mayor Whelchel also spends a lot of time volunteering, “It’s my job to give back and I love that I am able to do that for a living.” Contact information: Telephone: (561) 393-7708
The mayor of Boca Raton was having a conversation about that exact topic with a few of her other retired teaching collogues and friends when they proposed she run for office, “They told me that if anyone was passionate about our children and our neighborhood, it’s me.” It was then that Mayor Whelchel became an influence in the city of Boca Raton and an advocate for local schools and education.
Email: swhelchel@ci.boca-raton.fl.us
“My interest is the future because that is where I’m going to spend the rest of my life”
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be elected, but I knew that if I was, I could make a difference,” the Mayor continues, “So I went for it.” Being a teacher gave Mayor Whelchel the patience she needed once in office, “A lot of people think that once you’re the mayor, you can make change immediately and it’s not that simple.” She had to do a lot of waiting when she wanted to implement a change. In order to make an adjustment in an already in place system, the mayor has to get a lot of people on her side that agree and believe that it is the right adjustment to make. “It was a challenge to persuade the other members of counsel to take on a particular project. The timing has to be right and the people involved have to be right, otherwise it’s a waiting game.” One of her best accomplishments was just that, an idea that she turned into a reality. The Don Estridge High Tech Middle School was opened in 2004. “I wanted that school in Boca Raton, and I wouldn’t rest until it was here.” The Don Estridge High Tech Middle School is a technology infused middle school that offers an above average education to the kids of Boca Raton and its surrounding cities. The school is ranked an “A”, results from the FCAT tests students have to take, for seven years in a row and still going strong. “We have to educate these kids in order to succeed, if we can’t do that, we have failed them.” Being a great listener and being able to hear all sides of a story is Mayor Whelchel’s idea of a good mayor. “You have to be fair, at all
Mayor Susan Whelchel SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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Paula Ryan Paula Ryan is the founder and CEO of Internet Business Solutions and Design (IBSD), a full service digital interactive media agency exclusively focused on creating results for its clients. If the Ryan name sounds familiar, it is because Paula ran for mayor of West Palm Beach in 2011. In fact, it was that experience which served, in part, as the catalyst for forming IBSD. “When I got into the race six months before the election, I was not very well known in the community,” Ryan explains. “I’d been here a long time but my job had me traveling outside the community a great deal. I had consulted to the City for a year, served on several County boards and my husband is a well-respected attorney, so I had connections, but I was not politically known. The week before the election, I attended a fundraiser where I met a group of young men from New Epic Media who told me about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and I was fascinated. I realized that had I known how to take advantage of all the opportunities offered through social media, the Internet; the race could’ve been completely different for me. Getting my name out there was critical to voters.” Having always been computer savvy and good with technological gadgetry, Ryan accepted a job as interim CEO at New Epic. When that job began to take her in a different direction, she left to form her own company, Internet Business Solutions and Design. She says that connecting people on a local level and across generational lines is one of the key aspects of IBSD and one that newer generations sometimes undervalue. Conversely, what older generations undervalue is the importance of technology as a business tool. “A common misconception is that social media is about the social, that it’s what the kids use,” said Ryan. “People feel it’s a violation, that the exposure is not worth the opportunity to gain. I can understand that part of the generational gap but that’s where skill set comes into play. If you understand the technology, you can control your image and get your message out there. That’s the advantage social media has over the traditional marketing business model.” She says, “I’m not afraid to try something new and I’m not afraid of failing. I feel that in order to be successful, you’ve got to fail and you’ve got to try new things.” Surmounting the challenges was what made the job fun. “To be a leader, you have to believe in yourself and you have to believe in what you’re doing. You must make a decision and establish a course and if you find yourself off course or on the wrong course, you have to be willing to make an adjustment. The idea of Palm Beach Woman
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
Paula Ryan “There’s no value in being ‘right.’ Not everything is about right and wrong. You need to understand that just because you think something is the right thing to do, doesn’t make it the right thing to do. Different people have different opinions.”
magazine is to focus on what sets people apart, to learn what each individual has done to take his or her business to the next level. The career advice I give everyone is, “Do what you love and love what you do. You’re going to work hard anyway, there’s no magic formula and it’s a lot easier if you’re doing what you love”. To contact Paula Ryan, email: paula@ibs-design.com.
Let’s Talk Initiative which aims to provide counseling and an open forum for elementary children who want to talk about divorce, drug addiction or death but are afraid. “I want to bring good to the world and
Dena Foman, Esq. Dena Foman is a partner with McLaughlin & Stern in West Palm Beach. In law school, she was taught to be non-judgmental but she had to learn that lesson the hard way. “I dropped out of high school just before completing the 11th grade, then got pregnant maybe six months later,” Foman says. “I moved to Florida from North Carolina because my parents got divorced and I wanted to be with my mother rather than my Dad. When I got here, Mom was living in a crack house. I was soon being approached by people and fighting with her then husband. I called my father and begged him to let me come back home.” Upon returning to North Carolina, Foman got her GED, graduated from Gaston College with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of NC at Charlotte and then received her Juris Doctorate from UNC at Chapel Hill School of Law in 2001. With less than perfect examples to emulate, Foman admits she messed up raising her first child, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She is doing better with her three other boys. “It’s been trial and error,” she says. “I surround myself with other women whom I think are good mothers, people who are doing it the way I envision it should be done. And today I would consider myself to be a good mother.”
help stop the judgment of others. I truly believe that one person can make a difference. It is not often that the child of a crack addict, who quit high school and got pregnant as a teenager, makes it into one of the finest law schools in the country. That type of tenacity to overcome and achieve is so powerful that it brands you with a sense that no goal is too large. The ability to dream of possibility despite your past, is a rare quality and I embrace it with a sense of thanks rather than disdain. There are obstacles in the legal profession and there are prejudices, especially for women. My advice to up-and-comers, is to know it is there, but do not spend too much time on it. The negative will prevent you from the positive. Representing people is positive. It is an honor that you have been given. You should treat it that way.” For further information, call (561) 659-4020 or visit www.mclaughlinstern.com
“Something may not be your destination, but it may be your transportation to your destination.”
Foman hopes to teach her children the importance of looking beneath the surface. “I selected my career because I wanted to give a voice to those who could not speak for themselves and I felt that my background would be helpful to the profession as a whole.” While coming up the ranks, Foman says she had several mentors, although she doubts any of them looked at it that way. “Several seasoned litigators took me under their wing and forced me to be a good lawyer. They would watch me in the courtroom and tell me if I wasn’t working up to my potential. They forced me to confront a lot of my fears.” Foman put a lot of her struggle into words, hoping to help others in similar situations. Only I Can Define Me was released in 2011. Another book, as yet untitled, is in the works for 2013. “My second book deals with the issues that women face in business; morphing many times during the day from mom to powerful career woman, back to mom, to cook, to homework helper then to wife. It deals with the sometimes obvious and other times hidden prejudices, in the legal system in particular,” said Foman. She also speaks publicly about women’s issues, adult education and bipolar disorder. She has formed a non-profit organization called The
Dena Foman SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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Clare Moloney Clare Moloney is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. A Marketing and Business Development Specialist at Best Restorations, Inc., she is one of the very few women in a male dominated industry. “I just have to stay calm under pressure and not allow my emotions to get involved when I see heartbreaking outcomes from some of these disasters.” Clare says she often enjoys being the only woman in her company, “It gives me an edge, it makes me unique and I get noticed,” she explains. For Clare, any way to stand out is a good thing; her nearly 6-foot frame also helps. Best Restorations, Inc. is devoted to helping families in times of crisis. They get the call when homes have been damaged by fire, mold, water or wind. Oftentimes, the families are distressed over what has happened to their home. Clare and the team of experts at Best Restorations, Inc. are happy they are the ones that can help. “Sometimes it’s hard to hear a family call and say they lost everything in a fire or are worried because they came back to a home with mold damage. Some of the stories just blow my mind,” Clare explains. “That’s when I have to keep in mind that we can help and are going in there to fix things.” Although she says she has to stay focused on the job and not let too many emotions get involved, Clare says she’s glad there is a woman for the customers to talk to. “The men in our business are great. They care so much about helping these families and their homes, but I know that a woman has a soothing voice and can help ensure that everything is going to be okay. We have an extra sense of compassion.” “Being educated is your best weapon.” Clare loves to stay up to date with what’s going on in her industry. Networking and getting to know what the other competing companies are up to is one of Clare’s priorities. “We’re a tight-knit group. Everyone knows everyone in the industry and we like to help each other.” Clare explains that you have to maintain good relationships with everyone in the industry because you never know what you can learn from each other and offer one another. Clare has drifted from her original career in mind. The native Alaskan graduated from Florida State University with a double major- Finance and Real Estate. Clare always wanted to be a real estate agent. “There was just something that excited me about properties and home buying.” However, when Clare graduated college, the housing economy was at a low and she realized she should switch gears. “I thought, marketing seems interesting, let’s go with that.” Clare says her career change was a great decision, “I love my job and those I work with; I like that I can help people every day.” Clare firmly believes that you can never stop learning; a lot of her colleagues have tucked her under their wing and have been there for her when she needed some advice. But Clare’s main source of
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
Clare Moloney “Patience is the toughest road to stay on, but the surest road to victory.” inspiration is her father, “He’s my go-to man,” she explains. “My dad is everything to me; I call him to this day with questions, not just about my job, but about everything.” Clare explains that if you want get into the home restoration business, you have to have thick skin, especially for women. “Every single call is frantic; you have to be calm under pressure. You have to learn that you can’t save what’s already been damaged, but you can certainly help them build new memories.” Clare is excited for the future and what it has in store for her. But for now, she wants to keep mastering the business and continue learning everything she can. “I like to go to every networking event I can get my hands on, I love to meet new people and get a taste of things I’ve never known before.” For more information on Clare Moloney call (561) 819-5550 or email clare@bestrestorations.net
mend. It’s a lot of work to keep everything running smoothly. And we’re growing every day.”
Katherine Lynch Like many Northern transplants, Katy Lynch didn’t know that many people but needed a job when she arrived in Palm Beach County. She was hired as the office manager for Dine Magazine and threw herself into the work “heart and soul.” Then, just four months later, one of the print magazine’s original partners stepped down and Lynch was asked to take over. Today, as editor, publisher and owner of SouthFlorida.DineMag.net, Lynch doesn’t even b other putting out a hardcover edition – epicureans from Palm Beach County to Dade know where to look for the tastes, the tips and the trends in dining. Her website features restaurant suggestions, blogs written by a variety of food-savvy travelers and an events calendar for gastronomes wanting to keep up. The Mother’s Day calendar offered practical advice on where to take Mom, how much it might cost, and exactly what it was that was going to take Mom’s breath away – things like jumbo shrimp stuffed with blue claw crabmeat served in a Champagne reduction creamy polenta with a fricassee of truffled mushrooms; spice-encrusted cobia with coconut rice; organic poached eggs with dried tomato, guanciale and polenta; red velvet pancakes with vanilla sweet ricotta; snow crab frittatas; Lobster Eggs Benedict; Doce de Leite French Toast, bottomless mimosas and at least one creative food station -- the “Cuban Food Truck.”
Her hopes for the future are twofold – she’d like to expand Dine’s area of influence and she’d like to conduct wine tours for the public. “I’d love to do wine tours in different parts of the world and take people along,” Lynch dreams. There’s no doubt she’ll get there. “I think having a goal and setting things in motion to reach it defines an Achiever,” she says. And what makes one a leader? “Someone who’s personable, who’s able to relate to people and who has a good head on their shoulders.” To those just starting out, she counsels, “The restaurant business is a fast-moving one. Restaurants are always opening and closing. In fact, the whole world of dining out has changed dramatically. The mindset of the consumer has changed. When I got in, everything was just beginning to go online. People had been relying on print only, for a long time. So you can never be too comfortable. You have to be willing to embrace change.” For further information, call (561) 313-2210 or visit www.Southflorida.dinemag.net
“A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.”
In addition to overseeing a website good enough to eat, Lynch produces food and wine events throughout South Florida. “Last week, I did four,” she says, taking time for a deep breath. “We work with the local restaurants to put on special Happy Hour events. We also do wine pairings with dinner, wine tastings, cooking classes and even high teas. I spend a lot of my time in local restaurants brainstorming with the owners. I want to introduce people to the local food.” Taking her business from zero to 60 required vision, effort and lots of hard work. “It’s certainly not what I went to school for,” said Lynch. “In fact, I was working for a mortgage company before I decided to get involved with Dine. I came into the industry not knowing much. I had to learn how to run an entire magazine really quickly. I had to connect myself with strong mentors who would assist me in moving forward. But I partnered up with Taylor Morgan (another Palm Beach Woman Achiever) and started creating events for her company in addition to the work I was doing for Dine.” It was an excellent move. Lynch, who produced over 150 events in 2011 alone, says, “People think I just go out to eat all the time but there’s a lot of back work involved. Connecting with that many restaurants is always quite a challenge. Sometimes the events are sold out. Plus, we do a lot of sales and marketing in addition to the events. For our website, we need to sift through the restaurants to find the ones we would recom-
Katherine Lynch SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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carol chenkin Carol Chenkin of CLC Enterprises believes that what makes someone a good leader is being a good listener. Chenkin listens to the needs of her clients and helps them to establish an affordable marketing plan. “I think most people believe that you need a ton of money to market a business. Many businesses are missing out on wonderful marketing opportunities because they don’t know where to start.” That is where CLC comes into play. CLC enfolds their clients into their business, “We become your partner and work with you to understand your goals and objectives. We want to create the best possible plan with cost effective solutions,” says Chenkin. Carol Chenkin studied Advertising and Communications at Syracuse University; afterwards she landed a job with Young and Rubican World Wide, a Public Relations and Communications Firm. Within a year she was promoted to help run the public relations arm within Y&R “I went to work for a special division in Buson-Marsteller called CEP, Corporate Entertainment Productions. The group focused on servicing all of B-M needs worldwide that has to do with special events, celebrity spokespersons and promotional tie-ins.” The department gave Chenkin the experience she needed to strike out on
Carol Chenkin
her own.
“Carpe Diem”
After working with Buson-Marsteller for 12 years, Chenkin opened her Event-Marketing company in Boca Raton, “establishing a business in a new market was tough but through hard work and determi-
Carol Chenkin has advice for those starting out, “I would say find
nation,” Chenkin says, “I was able to grow one client into the next and
something that you love to do, have a passion for what you are do-
that’s how I was able to establish my name and company.” Chenkin
ing, then you are never really working..”
would like to expand the company to its full potential, “I am not sure where that would lead,” she says, “but I am going to have work hard
Visit www.standamongfriends.org, for more information about
and have fun getting there.”
the organization.
Chenkin is always looking for ways to help in her community, “I am
To get in touch with Carol Chenkin visit www.carolchenkin.com
extremely involved in working with organizations.” The one that is nearest and dearest to her heart is the one she started with her two best friends over 15 years ago, Stand Among Friends. SAF is a non-profit that works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities. One of Chenkin’s greatest professional and personal achievements was an event for the SAF, “In 2011, we trademarked the name emb(race) and have the First Annual Stand Among Friends emb(race) held at FAU.” This is a 10k, 5k family fun day! The emb(race) campaign held it second annual event in February 2012. “The event had over 1500 people and we raised over $140,000.” This event is so special as anyone can participate, whether you have a hand cycle or on your feet.”
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
Now Gigi mentors her sales team and gives back to her community through Executive Women Outreach. “I have a great deal of compassion for those less fortunate and for those I love,” Gigi says. “I want to make the
gigi tylander
community where we live a better place for everyone.”
Two years ago Gigi Tylander sold Tylander’s Office Solutions. The timing
Professionally, she hopes to continue to expand the business she started.
was right and it was a move she had been considering for a while. But it
“Last year was the best we’ve ever had,” she says. “I want to grow our fur-
wasn’t like Gigi to buy a ticket to Paris. She opted instead to stay on as Vice
niture business. Our Northwood showroom has two floors of furniture to
President of Sales. “Building a multimillion dollar business from zero was
display for clients.”
my greatest professional accomplishment,” Gigi says. “When I opened my doors in 1986, I had no clients. I was proud of the business I built and I’m still proud. It’s definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Gigi’s advice to those in a sales-driven business, “The most important thing is to provide the very best in customer service. Be a leader in providing solutions for your customer and develop re-
Originally located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, Tylander
lationships that will be helpful to you and to them. That’s the
relocated to the Old Northwood area. Not bad for someone who had
key. I went into a business that’s much more complicated than it
graduated from the University of Texas with a BA in Journalism. “UT is a
would seem on the surface,” she says. “But it’s been a lot of fun.”
huge university and the School of Journalism and School of Advertising are merged,” explains Gigi. “That served me well and the minute I gradu-
To reach Gigi Tylander at Tylander’s Office Supply, call (561) 833-
ated I went to New York, the mecca for advertising and marketing.”
7997 or visit www.tylander.com.
She soon found herself in New Jersey, working in the Personal Products Division of Johnson & Johnson. “At J&J, each division is an autonomous company. You’re really in a small company working for a very large company,” she said. “It’s great for a young person because you get the expo-
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do It.”
sure you wouldn’t have in a large company.” Yet it was when she moved back to New York, that Gigi found her mentor. “I met a wonderful lady who was instrumental in helping me professionally. She was absolutely brilliant and inspiring. She is very talented in the field of marketing and a mathematical whiz. She also helped me become more politically savvy in a large company,” said Gigi. It was her husband Bill whose job relocation brought the young couple to Palm Beach in 1979.” The options for marketing in West Palm Beach were very limited. It wasn’t exactly a headquarters for big business,” said Gigi. “I wanted to be my own boss,” she said. “The opportunities to work for a large company in the West Palm Beach area weren’t there, so I thought I’d just build my own. I went to a franchise show at the South Florida Fair and ran into a group called Hurricane Office Supplies. The owner had come up with the concept of grouping independent stores and forming an alliance – a buying group – so small businesses would have the same buying clout as large chains. Unfortunately, that dissolved the year I opened the store. That was a pretty big blow. I had counted on him to be a pillar of my new business. But I found out that being independent rather than part of a franchise was more in tune with my personality.” She continued on her own, reading and networking until she found another buying group. “Our prices are competitive and we can provide a better level of service than big box stores,” she explains. “We have relationships with our clients, we act as a problem solver. I’ve been working with some clients for 20 years.”
Gigi Tylander SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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WELLNESS Medical Treatment Abroad
The Latest News By Dr. Eva Mor
Author –“Making the Golden Years Golden”
F
or some time now many Americans have been driven by the high cost of medical insurance and deficiencies in coverage to seek medical treatment abroad, in countries such as Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Brazil, South Africa, Romania, Hungary and other eastern European countries. More than a half million Americans chose to receive medical care overseas last year alone. Many medical care facilities abroad now market specific surgical procedures -- such as open heart surgery, joint replacement surgery, cosmetic surgery, back surgery and dental implants -- to the American public, frequently including swanky accommodation in the fees. This overseas medical care is often provided by staffs that are fluent in English, with many of the doctors having been educated or trained in their specialties in the United States. In most cases these procedures cost less than 50 percent of what they would run in the United States.
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
These international medical providers of specific treatments are usually well-organized and staffed with representatives based in the United States. Clients who choose to be treated abroad are often provided with help making traveling arrangements, booking hotels for recuperation stays, organizing pickup from the airport and transportation for their return home. There are people that will highly recommend going overseas for medical treatment based on their personal experience. Still my recommendation would be to carefully research individual hospitals and clinics, before setting out to put your life and health in their hands. Check for accreditation with the International Joint Commission, or the World Health Organization (WHO), but even if the places check out with these agencies, you need to research the institutions’ background, accreditations and personnel qualifications with medical associations and on the Internet. Your personal doctor should also be included in the decision-making
medical treatment -- and in most cases it is a cheaper alternative than to pay for the same procedure done in the U.S. Again, you should check with your own insurance company to see if they will cover that treatment. Even with all the cost of traveling and the expense of hotels, you may still come spend less than you would on the co-pay here. There are drawbacks, however, to choosing overseas care. One of the considerations you must make is, upon return, who is going to provide you with follow-up care? That is the most important reason why your personal doctor should be part of the decision to seek medical care abroad. If at all possible, the doctor performing the medical procedure should communicate with your doctor at home. Another drawback is that in case complications arise from the procedure due to negligence or error on the part of the staff, you would have limited, if any, legal recourse. Being alone in a strange country, you are totally dependent on people that you do not know. Suppose you arrive at your destination after paying for all or part of the procedure, and you discover that the facility or the professional staff are not what you were promised before you arrived? You would have a hard time recouping your payment at the very least. You need also to know that most foreign hospitals and clinics do not carry malpractice insurance. If you do decide to go the international route for medical care, you should consider the following to guide you and help you to plan your trip:
1. Seek advice from your private physician. He or she may be knowledgeable on the subject, and may advise you directly or at least refer you to sources that may help you to become better informed and prepared to make your decision. Seek advice from specialists in the United States about the procedure and where to get the best and most affordable care. The more information regarding the specific medical treatment you need you have, the safer you will be. The Internet is a good source for information. 2. You should ask the following questions before agreeing to undergo a procedure: How many similar does that facility does a year? What is their rate of success? If an implant is to be used, what kind it is, what’s the implant’s safety record, and is it on par with implants used in the United States? 3. Find out if you need to make arrangements through a health travel agency. These travel agencies specialize in finding destination facilities that match your needs, but you should remember that some agencies represent specific medical institutions and their recommendations may be biased. 4. Make sure you know all the costs involved, also get the bill and contract in writing. Financial arrangements should be clear, and mode of payment should be in writing and clearly understood to minimize the possibility of hidden costs. 5. Bring all back all relevant medical documents – including MRI’s, CT scan or X-rays films, test reports and records -- for your doctor to review. 6. Bring a family member or a friend with you to advocate for you in case of need, especially if the procedure you are having done renders you unable to make decisions for yourself. 7. Check with your insurance if they will pay either fully or partially for the procedure. Again, have the insurance company’s commitment in writing. This will eliminate misunderstandings when the time comes for reimbursements. Hopefully the trend of skyrocketing medical care costs in this country will bottom and out and eliminate the need to seek help outside the borders of the United States. But until it does, overseas treatment may be an option – as long as you make sure you are well protected from the dangers to your health and your wallet. For more info- www.goldenyearsgolden.com
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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Dr. Rodriguez Facial Rejuvenation by Deborah Welky
“Facial rejuvenation is the equivalent of doing a really nice painting. When I see the improvement and the patient is happy, I want to look at that piece of fine art again and again.
H
ow many times have you stood in front of your full-length mirror and thought, “If only I could play Sculptor and move my excess fat to where my body needs it most?”
You can – or, rather, Dr. Albert I. Rodriguez can. Today, in a procedure unique to Forever U, Dr. Rodriguez harvests a woman’s own fat from her sides, thighs or abdomen, and then reintroduces the adipose back into areas in the face that have lost volume giving a more youthful look. This can be done in other parts of the body where fat normally resides as well, like breast and buttocks-- to help give a patient the body they want. Dr. Rodriguez has taken aesthetic medicine to a whole new level. A third generation physician, Dr. Rodriguez has been practicing medicine in South Florida for over 20 years. He is board certified in two specialties with fellowship training in aesthetic medicine. Dr. Rodriguez attended the University of Illinois, completed his Residency training in Anesthesiology/Pain Management at the University of Miami and did his fellowship training in Aesthetic Medicine at the American Academy of Anti-Aging. “My passion comes from the fact that I am able to change people’s lives in such a dramatic and amazing way,” said Dr. Rodriguez.
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
Specialist
The cost of the procedure runs from $5,500 to $9,500, depending upon the extent of sculpting to be done. Yet, because no anesthesia is used and the procedure takes less time to perform, the cost is a fraction of the cost of older methods of cosmetic surgery (traditionally $15,000 to $40,000). Also, at Forever U the entire face can be done all at the same time where, using traditional methods, a patient might have to schedule and pay separately for work done on the forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, laugh lines, lips, jowls and chin. “The field of medicine has never been more exciting,” says Dr. Rodriguez. “We are entering a new era using Platelet Rich Plasma to treat a variety of conditions. I truly believe we have the ability to look our best, no matter what our age – improving our mind, body and spirit.” To schedule a consultation, call (561) 914-EVRU or email Foreveru2011@aol.com
“The fact that I can change someone’s face from looking old or sad is very satisfying. I am also an artist so when I see the improvement and the patient is happy, I want to look at that piece of fine art again and again. It’s exhilarating.” PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) can be used to rejuvenate the face. It signals the body to recruit growth factors to the area by increasing the concentration of platelets and affecting growth factors by as much as 600%. These concentrated platelets contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, vital to initiate and accelerate connective tissue repair and regeneration. The minimally invasive procedure generally takes less than 2 hours and does not even require general anesthesia. A small amount of blood is taken from the patient’s arm and placed into a centrifuge which separates the platelets from the rest of the blood components as it spins. Specially designed blunt instruments inject the fat, sculpting body areas as desired. No scalpels are used in the procedure so no scars are produced and, since a woman’s own fat cells are used, no allergic or adverse reactions are triggered. Often requested are injections to the facial area which restore balanced proportions, rejuvenate the look and texture of the skin, and restore a youthful glow. Breasts and buttocks can also be enhanced. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately. “The process is scientifically and cosmetically interesting,” says Dr. Rodriguez. “Sometimes synthetic implants look unnatural but we are using your own body to enhance itself. I can’t think of a better way to improve an area – actually, two areas at once”.
SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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Adrenal FatiguE Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia? Stress Can Be the Reason by Dr. Gloria Hakkarainen, MD
P
erhaps you feel more than a little tired or worn out and you
How important is it to have good adrenal function? Simply put, it
can’t regain your normal energy no matter what you do.
is vital to your health. The adrenals are the body’s sensors of stress.
Maybe you’ve gained 10-15 pounds and it seems impossible
When they believe that the person is actively undergoing stress they
to get them off. If any of this seems to describe your current state,
directly influence adrenaline production for that famous fight vs.
ask yourself, when was the last time I really felt relaxed and well?
flight response. The elevated cortisol that is secreted also creates an
Unfortunately Americans have been suffering with a human energy crisis for decades. We have a society than runs 24/7, creating stress that can lead to early chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and strokes unless we do something now to change direction. The adrenal glands that control our reactions to stress and help us with the toils of daily living are small crescent shaped glands located on top of the kidneys. They secrete their hormones directly into our circulation and are a key player in hormone control throughout the body. Many hormones are made by the adrenals including cortisone, hydrocortisone, testosterone, estrogen, DHEA and progesterone. Adrenal health directly influences our wellbeing. Over many years the adrenal glands can cope up to a certain point, then start to fatigue with ongoing stresses and will slowly but surely fail. Hormonal balance is responsible for many important factors that determine energy production yet people ignore the warning signs that their adrenals are failing and continue to push themselves with pep talks, chiding themselves for not having energy and keep themselves stimulated with chocolate, teas and coffees. In the end they may have complaints that are vague and difficult
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immediate supply of glucose for consumption by muscle and brain tissues to cope with the stress. Under longstanding conditions, this can become a set up for the development of diabetes. One other important fact is that without proper adrenal function, virtually all the other sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are greatly affected. This can influence the patient’s ability to get pregnant naturally, affect the success of fertility treatments and can later bring on a more intense and abrupt menopause with greater tendencies for hotflashes and night sweats. Males can also experience potency issues and have low libido and show signs of erectile dysfunction. All hormones work together and low adrenal reserve will require higher dosing of hormone replacement to achieve appropriate effects in the body. The newest testing modality to determine if you have adrenal issues is a 4-point salivary test for cortisol and can be done conveniently at home. If a person succumbs easily to allergies and infections, feels constantly drained and exhausted, experiences low blood pressures and sugars then they may warrant a more intensive work up. The first goal of treatment is to remove
for doctors to pinpoint such as chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
any harmful stressors from a patient’s immediate environment.
Uncharacteristic sudden temper outbursts with later remorse can
Serious lifestyle changes are tantamount to restoring good
arise, energy levels deteriorate as they feel more despondent.
health. Limit consumption of processed foods and chemical
PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
additives. Investigation for gluten sensitivity in the diet can be
These are but a few of many items that can be used for adrenal
another useful adjunctive along with thyroid support. Take away
support. Occasionally patients will need true cortisol replacement.
trigger foods with empty simple refined carbs along with the
Dosing needs to be individualized as with any other medication.
addition of healthy fat to the diet, which promotes good energy.
Adjunctive care with massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga and
Avoid excess alcohol and tobacco as these substances can harm the already overtaxed adrenal glands. Also start with high potency natural supplements such as those listed below.
• Ashwaganda 75mg
• Vitamin C 3 grams daily
• DHEA 50mg daily
• L-theanine 100 to 400mg daily
• Pantothenic Acid (vitamin B5) 1500mg daily
• Melatonin 300ug to 6 mg at bedtime, daily
• Phosphatidylserine 300mg daily
• Licorice (Glycerrhiza glabra) 1000mg or less daily
• Relora (Magnolia Officinalis) 125 mg
• Adrenal Extracts supplements in high potency; such as OraAdren or AdrenAll
• Intravenous Infusion with Vitamin C, B’s and Magnesium
meditation can all be effective when combined with the other suggestions already mentioned. Have an activity that helps you get away mentally from the stresses of the day. Ensuring that these simple activities make it into the daily schedule can increase your ability to get through the stress of life and improve adrenal health.
Out of Balance How to detect and avoid your parents’ experiencing potentially dangerous falls By Christine King
T
here are several physiological changes the human body experiences as it ages. Connective tissue shortens and thickens which causes stiff joints. Our proprioception de-
creases (Proprioception is knowing where our body is in space at all times.). Other changes such as vision, reduced mobility and loss
You should take them to a trained professional for an assess-
of physical fitness are also large contributors.
ment. This can be a Physical Therapist or a Post-Rehab/Medical
When these changes occur there are several consequences including: 1. Gait is compromised making falls more prevalent. 2. We lose our balance easily, particularly on unsteady surfaces. 3. We encounter trouble with ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living),
Exercise Specialist. These
professionals
provide
specific
balance
and
gait
instructions that your parents can practice for the rest of their lives. In addition, if a fall does occur these professionals can provide safety instructions as to how to cautiously get up from the floor. They can also teach you about dangerous obstacles in the household that
which can place us in danger of tripping and falling. Unfortunately, falls are a growing problem. According to the CDC, one out of three adults age 65 and older falls each year, but less than half talk to their healthcare providers about it. Falls are also the leading cause of injury death among this group. The great news is that falls are largely preventable. Watching how your folk’s move physically is a perfect method for you to begin
Christine King is a Medical Exercise Specialist, Fitness Expert, and owner of Your Best Fit Inc. She has helped thousands of people recover from injuries, look and feel better and improve their overall well being. She can be reached at Christine@LifeOnlyBetter.com. www.LifeOnlyBetter.com
trouble shooting these potential life threatening injuries. Here are some pointers: 1. When walking are the feet too close together? 2. Do they pick up their feet enough and have a clear heel/toe strike when walking? 3. Do they shuffle? 4. Has their level of physical activity decreased in any way? If you feel your parents are experiencing any of the above, NOW is the time to get them help before they experience harmful falls.
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
cause falls. Simple things like wires, area rugs and furniture that is too close together. Age does not equal balance issues and certainly doesn’t need to warrant the use of a cane or walker. Safely improving the level of physical fitness, practicing gait and balance exercises and weeding out dangerous obstacles in the home will help avoid injurious falls and help your parents to improve their overall quality of life and to be IN BALANCE!
and me. In her fifties, she rejoined a bowling league and reignited a part of herself that had been lying dormant. In her sixties she joined a mah-jongg group; my Catholic mother and her four Jewish friends were a formidable force. I will never forget the sight of my mother’s friends gathering ranks around her as she was preparing to die. These later-life friends were truly friends for all times, in both joy and sorrow. Friendships formed around a common activity, like sports and games, are actually more common in males, but don’t tell my running friends that. We train together every
I
Saturday morning and afterwards we
by Mary Anne Duggan, Ph.D.
go out for a huge breakfast. We refer
t was the night of the big sleepover with a group of girlfriends,
to this as our happy hour or our younger, female equivalent of
and Michelle and I were assigned to share a room. I was not
ROMEO (retired-old-men-eating-out). I guess we are JULIET (joyful-
sure of the protocol for sleepovers, so I decided when it was time for lights out I would just shut my eyes and go to sleep. Then, Michelle started talking in hushed whispers, sharing secrets and talking on matters about which she felt deeply, and a fast friendship formed. We talked long into the night.
usually-laughing-incorrigibles-eating-together). But as I wax acronymic about my friends, there can be another side to female friendships. In the book Toxic Friends: The Antidote for Women Stuck in Complicated Friendships, author Susan Shapiro Barash writes about 10 types of female friends: Leader, Doormat,
This isn’t a childhood memory but one that took place just a few
Sacrificer, Misery Lover, User, Frenemy, Trophy Friend, Mirroring
months ago with a bunch of forty-something’s who ran a half-mar-
Friend, Sharer and Authentic friend. Through her research, Shap-
athon race the next day. I hadn’t been on a sleepover since I was
iro Barash shows that challenges in female friendships may be the
a teenager where we drank too many tequila sunrises, anguished
norm. Indeed, friendships between women can be a minefield if
about our weight and talked about boys. At this recent sleepover,
conditions aren’t right.
we sipped wine, ate pasta, laughed and still talked about boys (husband-boys, that is).
For such cases, there is The Friendship Doctor, (yes, there is one). Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author of Best
My female friendships are especially sweet at mid-life. Somewhere
Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend pens
between changing babies and seeing them off to college, my girl-
“The Friendship Blog” (http://www.thefriendshipblog.com/) which
friends took a backseat to the demands of daily life. But now is a
is a site that includes Levine’s writings on friendship as well as a
second chance to enjoy the closeness that can only come with a
forum for readers to share their thoughts. It is an excellent resource
true friend. The extra time available by being a little older helps but
for anyone with a friendship dilemma, along with having the po-
like fine wine, it is maturity that makes these relationships more
tential to suck away hours for the visitor with all it has to offer.
full-bodied and brilliant.
For right now, however, I can leave the books and blogs aside and
This friendship resurgence is happening for me at a time when the
just enjoy my friends: “The Golden Retriever” (Stacey), “The Stand-
number of close confidants held by Americans is shrinking. A 2006
Up” (Kim), “The Beautifier,” (Sharon), and “The Lifer” (Caroline). What
study published in the American Sociological Review, looked at
term would my friends give me? Keeping that question in mind
two decades worth of data and discovered the average number
may be the key to solid female friendships. After all, “In order to
of people with whom Americans can talk about things important
have friends, you must first be one.” - Elbert Hubbard – American
to them dropped by nearly one-third and 25 percent of survey re-
writer and probably a very good friend.
spondents said they had no one with whom to discuss important matters. This is problematic in a time where we have more than ever to talk about and more reasons to seek counsel from a friend. I should have seen my mid-life friendships coming. My mother, too, took a friendship hiatus while she was chasing around my siblings
Dr. Mary Anne Duggan is an educational psychologist and research director at Arizona State University. She can be reached at mary. duggan@asu.edu.
Style & Beauty
by Jessica Cameron
I
n a world where women are the majority of Ph.D. holders,
it’s all looking good to buy and ship until BAM! Your tire blows
(in 2009, we officially passed men as the majority in earn-
out and you’re no longer in the running, but off to the side of
ing P.H.D’s as reported by USA Today in 2010) most of our daily
the racetrack. Why? It all looked good a minute ago when your
shopping habits truly do require a degree in product knowl-
bag was full and you were ready to reap the savings but now it’s
edge, marketing and more research than a term paper. Busi-
saying your size has just sold out! But now that you know that
nesses, small and corporate, are finding it tougher than ever to
paying full price isn’t totally necessary, it’s time to put a halt
keep up with the demand of such a well-researched customer,
on the race until you feel like you’re completely researched any
may it be a large purchase such as a car or a trivial buy such
possible way to make this purchase a definite win.
as a sunscreen? We’ve come a long way since not having the
We’ve all done it. Researched, put items on hold, read reviews
legal right to vote to currently accounting for 85 percent of all consumer purchases (sheconomy.com.) In an amazing statistic claiming that women start over 70 percent of all new businesses, it should be easy to market and keep up with…well…us. And it can be. Admit it, you’re a pro at shopping; when you seek out a product you intend on purchasing, the game begins.
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online, asked friends, posted on forums, blogged, facebooked, tweeted and searched for justification that we were making the right decision. That is precisely why we are such incredible shoppers, dominating the market and keeping retailers on their corporate toes. But what if you’re on the opposite side of this equation, what if you are a small to medium sized business
Much like a car race with the black and white checkered line
trying desperately to maintain demand for information? Plain
being the goal, a seasoned pro’s shopping experience has a
and simple, you need to be the best at what you do. Secondly,
clear goal in mind and the only tricky part is how she gets there.
you need to ask yourself in most every situation “What would
Hypothetically, sticking to my car race theory, the road looks
make me happy?” or “What would I want?” Business owners
clear and you’re first in line to finish with your virtual shopping
too commonly make the mistake of attempting to cater to a
bag filled with the items that you want. It’s a go until you re-
market or consumer whom they’re not even slightly familiar
ceive an email from a competing chain with the identical prod-
with. This is a huge mistake since if it truly came down to it;
uct that offers free shipping and 10% off. Your brakes squeal
they wouldn’t know the first thing about their business, re-
as you click over to the competitor’s website to view the deal;
gardless of whether or not they’re experts on the service or
PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
product that they are offering. My best advice on being 100 percent successful at understanding your customer or client and keeping her not only loyal, but riveted is to be her. How can you advertise to a customer if you don’t know what she reads? How can you determine how much she wants to spend if you don’t have a clue about her income or expenses? How can you offer her a product that she will recommend to her friends if you don’t know how they even communicate to each other? You could sit down and write up a mock business plan and decipher statistics about the area and hypothetical situations about her whereabouts and habits, but unless you get inside of her head, they’re all just guesses. Remember, it’s a technology-driven time when the last one standing is going to be the person or business, which can combine an even amount of knowledge, personalization and cutting edge information. For instance, my industry is cosmetics; and since I’ve been involved in the industry, we’ve undergone changes from every end of the spectrum. I’ve seen dramatic changes in everything from women being used to spending $5.00 on a drugstore lipstick to not batting an eyelash at the $38 price point. I’ve dealt with FDA regulations requiring sunscreens to protect against both UVA and UVB rays (a far cry from slathering baby oil on tanned bodies,) and been called out
on new regulations that I wasn’t even aware of by very savvy consumers! It’s a fast paced world out there, but it just takes some research and dedication, but no matter what, we’re still winning!
Katrina
Rodriguez Curls Rock Hair Studio By Deborah Welky
K
atrina Rodriguez worked for years in New York City as a hair stylist educator, but it wasn’t until she moved to Florida that she experienced the ah-ha moment that led her to open Curls Rock, her own salon. “I have to credit Lorraine Massey, the founder and owner of the Devachan salons in Soho, Westchester and Los Angeles,” said Rodriguez. “I worked uptown for many years. Uptown, they were straightening everybody’s hair with blowers, chemical straighteners and flat irons. Downtown, they were teaching women to embrace their curls – and to hydrate their hair. For Rodriguez, downtown provided the more sensible option. Upon meeting Massey, Rodriguez embraced her mentor’s philosophy of “Straighten your curly girl and she will be happy for a day; teach her to love and embrace her curls and she will be happy for life.” Rodriguez also accepted the position of full time educator with the Devachan Salon and brand for the tri-state area, learning the techniques of DevaCurl cutting and products. “After a few years I moved to Florida, bringing this philosophy and technique with me but I encountered opposition in salons who never heard of DevaCurl and just wanted to straighten all curly girls. I had no choice but to go on my own and open Curls Rock,” said Rodriguez, who has since been promoted to a national educator for the DevaCurl Company. “Without Lorraine Massey’s epiphany of ‘no more blow fry’, this would never be.” At her own Curls Rock hair studio in Boca Raton, Rodriguez is now teaching women to love their curly hair. We turn away clients with straight hair,” she says. “And we don’t cut wet hair. After all, you don’t wear your hair wet. We go with the flow of your hair. Every single person that sits in the chair gets their own specific DNA haircut. It must be designed for them because everyone’s DNA is different. We do a consultation, evaluate their needs, evaluate their hair, discuss which products to use and cut accordingly. It’s totally outside the box; it’s out of this world.” It is also a learning process for the clients. “You are beautiful with curly hair,” Rodriguez says. “We simply must
introduce you to the products and use the proper cutting techniques. Your face, your features -- everybody has a different head of curls on them. At Curls Rock, we cut around the curl and we have customers shedding tears of joy that someone has finally come and shown them the way. It’s amazing the life change it has on everybody.” In addition to a boost in their self-esteem, clients also save time and money by literally going back to their roots. People with straight hair are often told to return to their salons every 4-6 weeks to get their ends clipped. Curly hair takes longer to come down and grow – usually 3-6 months. And there’s one more advantage to embracing one’s curls. “There’s a tremendous benefit to the health of the hair,” adds Rodriguez. “Using hot thermal appliances on any organic substance isn’t beneficial in any way, shape or form. You wouldn’t take a flat iron to your silk blouse – you’d melt the fibers. And that’s exactly what happens when you apply one to your hair – you’re actually melting the fibers of your hair. Frizz is when your hair stands up on end seeking hydration from the air. So our products are geared toward hydration. There’s nothing in them that would cause your hair to dehydrate.” A head full of shiny, bouncy, well-hydrated curls is Rodriguez’s goal for her clients. “There are four kinds of curls – ‘swavy’, wavy, Botticelli and corkscrew. I have seen people go from Brazilian straighteners to long, shiny hair. And when we make one client happy, they tell 10 of their friends.” For more information or to make an appointment, call (561) 994-0449 or go to www.curlsrockhairstudio.com. SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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LIVING
Lori Jill Designs L
open the window to By Deborah Welky
ori Jill Designs is a custom window treatment design center and a Hunter Douglas
Gallery showroom serving all of South Florida and located in Boca Raton. Owners Lori Jill and Jeff Finkel have been furnishing window treatments and bedding for over 20 years. They offer everything from simple blinds, shades and shutters to sophisticated draperies, top treatments, gorgeous drapery hardware and beautiful bedding ensembles, all customized to each client’s unique tastes and budget.
Lori Jill’s Best Design Tip: “Don’t be swayed by current trends. Always be true to what you envision. If it’s in your heart...you can’t go wrong.”
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“We had a new home with a zillion windows and no clue what to select. Lori and Jeff helped us determine ideal treatments for our unique decorating tastes, light control and privacy issues...at pricing
your imagination We sat down with Lori to get the inside scoop for the Palm Beach
the under-treatments (blinds, shades or shutters) meet your needs.
Woman audience from a potential client’s perspective.
We take care of the entire process for you from design and selection through measuring to fabrication in our own workroom to quality, pro-
Client: I’ve never ordered custom window treatments before. Are there
fessional installation by our team. We’ll help you come up with a one-
advantages?
of-a-kind look you’ll be proud of.
Lori: The biggest advantage of custom window treatments over ready-
Client: Please remember I am on a budget.
made treatments is that the custom treatments truly fit your decor, life-
Lori: We hear that a lot. In this economy, we deal daily with clients at all
style, aesthetics, light control, privacy, safety and budgetary needs. At
income levels needing to stretch their decorating dollars, who are jus-
Lori Jill Designs, you work with a window treatment design expert like
tifiably seeking high quality products at reasonable prices. That’s why
me who comes to your home and helps you design and select window
we recommend our client’s invest more of their window treatment
fashion that make sense with your lighting, colors, furniture, layout, etc.
budget in their power rooms such as the family room, kitchen and bed-
I have over 30 years’ experience in the window fashions business, am
rooms, where they spend the most time and to invest less in the rooms
an active member of the Window Coverings Association of American
that are not used as often. After all, a key reason to work with Lori Jill
and Lori Jill Designs is an active strategic partner in the American So-
Designs is that we manage the entire process for our client, which
ciety of Interior Designers. My accreditations enhance my experience,
results in breath-taking treatments without overpaying for them.
which adds to my ability to help clients come up with ideal window treatment solutions for their homes at pricing that make sense.
If you were to work with an interior designer, you might need to pay a commission or retainer in addition to the cost of the window
Client: Can you walk me through the design process?
treatments...and this added cost doesn’t exist when you work directly
Lori: A complimentary design consultation typically involves one
with us. We are window treatment specialists who know the window
of our window treatment design consultants coming to your home,
treatment market inside and out and know how to create value.
listening to your wants and needs and then helping you turn your
Client: Sure sounds better than going to a home center!
window treatment needs and dreams into affordable realities. We have accounts with virtually every credible window treatment
Lori: Our first-time clients are usually surprised and thrilled with the
manufacturer of fabric and drapery hardware in the country. As a
affordability of window treatments from Lori Jill Designs, especially if
Hunter Douglas Gallery showroom, we feature and promote an array
they’ve spoken with a home center or large department store retailer
of blinds, shades and shutter products to solve any window treatment
who typically charges for the design consultation, the measurement,
design challenge. With the use of our iPads, we can show our clients
the products, the installation and even charges for after-sale service
thousands of design options and superimpose these design options
when needed. Our all-inclusive approach makes window treatments
on photos of the client’s windows so they can immediately see how
affordable.
the designs will look in their home. Client: What if my ideas don’t fit the norm? Lori: No problem, as it’s my challenge and joy to make your ideas work. We’ll guide you through the entire process, making sure the designs are original and tasteful, the fabrics and hardware are appropriate and
Lori Jill’s Best Money-Saving Tip: “Instead of having an interior designer bring you to us...call us and we will bring our window treatment design expertise to you...at no cost...and pass the savings onto you!” SUMMER 2012 • PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE
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“My window treatments from Lori Jill Designs are breath-taking to look at, beautifully made and were surprisingly affordable. No one does window treat-
each client is satisfied with the end-results. We’ve worked very hard to earn our incredible reputation and we are humbled by our client’s appreciation of our efforts. Lori Jill Designs offers every brand name of blinds, shades, shutters, fabric and drapery hardware, features Hunter Douglas window
Client: I am glad to hear that because Florida is all about sun, sand and
fashions and is backed by the Hunter Douglas “Right Choice”
sea. What can I put on my windows that won’t block my views yet get rid
program that assures 100% client satisfaction with any Hunter Douglas
of the relentless heat! I mean the view is s a key reason I bought my house
product purchased from Lori Jill Designs. Their Boca Raton
but we do need some privacy.
showroom is open daily from 10-5:00 and open nights/weekends
Lori: Most new Florida homes today feature tons of glass and specialty shapes such as arches, lots of sliding glass doors and tall windows. With
by appointment. Call them at 561-752-1072 or visit their website: www.lorijilldesigns.com.
many of our clients, our design focus is to bring the outside beauty and sunshine of Florida into their home, yet give them the light control, privacy and heat control they seek. There are numerous products avail-
Lori Finkel with Lynn Sheer - a valued Lori Jill Designs’ client.
able such as solar shades that preserve the view, reduce the heat and save energy. We can even design light and airy sheers that look beautiful while preserving your views, reducing the heat and are easy to operate with enhancements such as motorization, which has become remarkably affordable. We can then “dress” your windows, add some pop of color or a wow factor with some simple top treatments or side panels. Client: You sound like you know and love your job. Lori: I do and it’s our enthusiasm and commitment to each client that sets us apart. At Lori Jill Designs, we love to enhance our client’s lives by making their homes beautiful through the window treatment design process. It’s always rewarding when we help a client achieve their design dreams. Over 75 percent of our clients call us back to do additional work and refer us to someone in their networks. A statistic we are very proud of, but one we work very hard to earn. I can say we have 100 percent client satisfaction, as we do whatever has to be done to make sure
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PALM BEACH WOMAN MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2012
“If you want designer window fashions professional made and installed at affordable pricing, you need to call Lori Jill Designs. It’s that simple.”