tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083954607725892272024-03-08T07:02:12.361-08:00Friends Doing Good ThingsSteve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-36112760514992249862011-11-26T09:49:00.000-08:002011-11-26T10:01:50.196-08:00November 2011 Update<span style="font-family:verdana;">It’s been <strong>WAY TOO LONG</strong> since the last update, however while enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday I thought about of all the reasons to be thankful our health, safety, family and friends. Life tends to gets in the way if you let it, but many people in our friends network continue to pursue their passions. It is important to celebrate their achievements.<br /><br />In this post, you’ll find a wide range of opportunities to support. Take a little time to review the items below and please, continue to do good things and help each other prosper. All the best.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">1. BRANDON BROWN – PEACE CORPS IN SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://love-peace-empowerment.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://love-peace-empowerment.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Brandon was highlighted in the last update too because he’s truly doing “great things”. He and his team in Sierra Leone are holding a fundraiser to help the wonderful people in his community. With the generous contributions received so far, they have paid all five of their unpaid teachers through the next two years, amassed an army of tools they will use to work in their school farm and we are now in the planning stages of erecting a structure to start a school library. A contribution of $100 pays a teacher for 3 months, and $420 pays a teacher for an entire year. $1,700 pays for the first school farm which will improve community farming techniques as well as raise money for the school. They are already putting donor's money to good use bypaying for the salary of Zainab Kongoteh, the lone female teacher at St. Peter's this year! Please consider a donation of any size!!!!<br /></span><a href="https://www.wepay.com/donate/15581" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">https://www.wepay.com/donate/15581</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.stpetersbauya.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.stpetersbauya.org/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">2. APRIL WRIGHT – GOING ATTRACTIONS; A DOCUMENTARY ON AMERICAN DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATRES</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.goingattractions.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.goingattractions.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – April continues to pursue her dreams in filmmaking. She has a wonderful documentary based on the culture and recent resurgence of drive in threatres. She’s looking to raise finishing funds for the film if you or others you know might be interested in supporting her.<br /></span><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1752495099/be-a-part-of-going-attractions-drive-in-documentar?ref=live" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1752495099/be-a-part-of-going-attractions-drive-in-documentar?ref=live</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">3. WUNDABAR PILATES</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.wundabar.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.wundabar.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – A good friend from grad-school, Amy Sowers Jordan, opened her first Pilates studio in Montrose, CA in 2008. She has gone on to open additional studios and now WundaBar Pilates. This is Pilates reinvented, with a revolutionary piece of equipment called the WundaFormer. For an amazing workout or to inquire about franchises, check out her website for more information.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">4. FUNDERTAINMENT</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.fundertainment.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.fundertainment.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – A good friend, Jeff Paradowski, is connected with Fundertainment to help with school fundraising efforts. For those who are actively involved in your schools, please take a few minutes to consider Fundertainment. They have created a partnership with major Hollywood studios to offer high quality DVD and Blu-Ray movies for purchase with up to 50% of the proceeds going to the schools. There are no upfront costs, however there is lots of potential!<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">5. OCULU.COM</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.oculu.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.oculu.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – John Cecil is a great guy and his video production company, Innovate Media Group (</span><a href="http://www.innovatemedia.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.innovatemedia.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) has officially launched their new online video platform. It’s been six years in the making and could not happen at a better time. If you are looking to put video on your website, you need to talk with John about all the possibilities.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">6. COMMON LAW TV SERIES</span></strong> – (http://www.usanetwork.com/series/commonlaw/) – Great friends, Karim Zreik, Dan Schotz and Job Turteltaub are currently filming a new TV series set to premiere on USA in early 2012. The show follows former petty criminal and ladies man Travis Marks (Michael Ealy) and methodical ex-lawyer Wes Mitchell (Warren Kole), two acclaimed LAPD homicide detectives whose longtime partnership, like a bad marriage, is on the rocks. So their captain (Jack McGee) sends them to couples therapist Dr. Ryan (Sonya Walger) to help them work out their issues. Here’s a link to the trailer (</span><a href="http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/01/common-law-trailer/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/01/common-law-trailer/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">).<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">7. LUCKY DOG FLIGHTS</span></strong> – (http://</span><a href="http://www.luckydogrescueflights.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.luckydogrescueflights.org/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Tracey Coldewey, a good friend from Chicago, knows the folks at Lucky Dog Flights. They are dedicated to providing charitable flights to those in need at no cost, with an emphasis on animal rescue flights. Their services are available to financially distressed individuals and families that are in a time-sensitive, but non-emergency situation due to a medical condition. They transport people for medical treatments that are not available in their area. Sometimes they transport people to hospice care and they provide compassion flights as well, so that family members can visit those who are critically ill. Lucky Dog Rescue Flights has rescued over 300 dogs that would otherwise have been killed. For more information, please check out their website! </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">8. BOOK: VIRTUALLY VERTICAL: PRAGMATIC GUIDE TO STREAMLINING THE CORPORATION</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Virtually-Vertical-Pragmatic-Streamlining-Corporation/dp/1453781048/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322328818&sr=1-1-fkmr1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.amazon.com/Virtually-Vertical-Pragmatic-Streamlining-Corporation/dp/1453781048/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322328818&sr=1-1-fkmr1</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Sumantra Sengputa has been a good friend for many years, starting back when he worked with Hitachi Consulting. He has decades of incredible operational experience and has been published many times over his career. Additionally, he recently founded EVM Partners (</span><a href="http://www.evmpartners.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.evmpartners.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) which provides top-notch strategic, operational, financial and technical management consulting.</span>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-9458896951905276322011-01-13T18:06:00.001-08:002011-01-23T23:37:30.461-08:00January 2011 Update<span style="font-family:verdana;">2011 is upon us (wow, was Y2K really that long ago!?!?!). Tons of great things are taking place in our extended network of friends, which is great news. We continue to hear throughout the different media channels that this might be a jobless recovery. Not good for all those struggling to make ends meet. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But with that being said, your network of contacts has never been more important. And your ability to help your extended network is also very critical. If nothing else, pass along the information that you feel is relevant, but please help spread the word for all those who are taking risks to follow their dreams. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When I made my documentary film, “Life Is An Attitude”, I ended the film with a quote that developed while we were filming: “The Power of a Dream and the Determination to Make it Happen.” Follow your dreams and have the determination to continue, because determination is a must for any business or social entrepreneur. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Continue to do good things and help each other. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">BRANDON BROWN – PEACE CORPS IN SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA</span></strong> – (<a href="http://love-peace-empowerment.blogspot.com/">http://love-peace-empowerment.blogspot.com/</a>) – A lot of people talk about foregoing corporate life and consistent salaries to help those in need, Brandon is doing it. As a group of friends for over 20 years, we could not be prouder of him. And who knew how good of a writer he really was! Ha. Please follow him, support him and most of all, support those who make life changes to significantly impact the lives of others less fortunate. If you’d like to help, let me know and we’ll arrange things with his family here in the States. Brandon, we pray for your safety and success. We look forward to all the stories and life experiences. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">MY AMI PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE</span></strong>– (<a href="http://www.my-ami.com/">http://www.my-ami.com/</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/My-Ami/302990866397">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/My-Ami/302990866397</a>) – a good friend from USC and his wife (Louis & Bea Fahrberger) put together a pretty awesome portable child’s entertainment device. We just got one and the kids love it. Connect in your iPhone, iTouch, etc. and the kids will sit and watch videos and play games. It’s great for traveling, going out to dinner and any other situation where you need the kids to chill out for a bit. If you’re like us, whatever keeps the kids sitting down and quiet for a period of time is worth its weight in gold – the My Ami does that nicely. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">3. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">FETCH RECRUITING</span></strong> – (<a href="http://www.fetchrecruiting.com/">http://www.fetchrecruiting.com/</a>) – My friend (and fellow dog lover), Janine Davis, is a very talented recruiter. She focuses on technical and business recruiting for a variety of clients across multiple industries. The job market is tough, so having people like Janine in your network can be huge when looking to land a new career opportunity. Her mission at Fetch is “to maximize the hit ratio and minimize the sleaze.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">4. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">KAT5 HOMES</span></strong> – (<a href="http://www.kat5homes.com/">http://www.kat5homes.com</a>) – Reuse. Recycle. Go Green. Sustainability. A friend from high school, Bill Hinchliff, is helping the environment while building some pretty impressive homes and offices. Check out his website if you’d like to see how cool shipping containers can look as a living room! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">5. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">VELOPE.TV</span></strong> – (<a href="http://www.velope.tv/">http://www.velope.tv</a>) – Mike Gregor has been a friend for over 15 years. He’s a super talented guy and currently runs a company in San Francisco called, Velope TV – Interactive Television Consulting, Design and Engineering. From their website, “Velope creates rich user interfaces for connected televisions and media devices. Our solutions address the constraints of your entire technology stack and leverage production techniques that facilitate cinematic user experience.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">6. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">PACKAGING CALCULATOR</span></strong> – (<a href="http://www.packagingcalculator.com/">http://www.packagingcalculator.com/</a>) – I met Sanford Fitleson at Herbalife, as he was one of the global packaging engineers. This is a free website for packaging engineers (or anyone else that wants to convert something to something else). The site performs basic conversions, as well as geometric, density and corrugate calculations. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">7. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">SUSAN CRAMM’S BOOK: 8 THINGS WE HATE ABOUT IT</span></strong> – (<a href="http://www.valuedance.com/">http://www.valuedance.com</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Things-Hate-About-Frustrations-Partnership/dp/1422131661">http://www.amazon.com/Things-Hate-About-Frustrations-Partnership/dp/1422131661</a>) – Susan Cramm was an Executive Coach for my department when I was working at Sony Pictures. She terrific! She’s a recognized industry expert in information technology leadership who has held CxO positions at several industry leading companies. Her book is great and discusses the “relationships” between IT and the Business, while focusing on the human interactions and leadership skills needed to be successful. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">8. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">BILL NEWMAN’S BOOK: UNDERSTANDING SAP BUSINESSOBJECTS ENTERPRISE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT</span></strong> – (<a href="http://www.newportconsgroup.com/">http://www.newportconsgroup.com</a> - <a href="http://www.sap-press.com/products/Understanding-SAP-BusinessObjects-Enterprise-Performance-Management-.html">http://www.sap-press.com/products/Understanding-SAP-BusinessObjects-Enterprise-Performance-Management-.html</a>) – Bill Newman and I met during business development activities for my company Profitiviti. He runs a nice consulting firm called Newport Consulting Group. His book provides a strategic look at corporate performance and how EPM solutions can be applied. With a scenario-based approach and plenty of practical examples, this book enables you to understand the tools and techniques that are used during enterprise performance management. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">9. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">JENNIFER SERTL’S BOOK: STRATEGY, LEADERSHIP AND THE SOUL</span></strong> – (<a href="http://www.agility3r.com/Book.html">http://www.agility3r.com/Book.html</a>) – Like Bill Newman, I met Jennifer while doing business development for Profitiviti. She’s a great lady who’s with many skills and talents: thought leader in corporate consciousness, keynote speaker, organizational effectiveness, etc. Her book “presents a unique analysis of the dynamics of organizational evolution since 1850 to the present day, reflecting on how the context of the changing nature of society over time has informed the necessary adjustments in structure and leadership, and in what way these have been vital to the sustainability of those organizations.”<br /></span>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-22321813777786175722010-06-16T11:25:00.000-07:002010-06-18T09:05:20.393-07:00June 2010 Update<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">“Why choose failure, when success is an option” – I recite this quote every day (sometimes several times per day).</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It keeps me focused on the things I need to do to make a positive impact on those around me.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">What keeps you on track?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Too many people settle for less in life, to only look back and wonder what might have happened if they made a change to follow their passion. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Well, yesterday was June 15</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, the mid-way point of 2010.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">How are things going?</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Are you achieving the personal and professional goals that you’ve charted for yourself?</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Are you working on the things that make you the happiest and make a difference in lives of other people?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Here are some great achievements taking place around you – in your expanded network of friends, family and colleagues.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Support them because they are working on their dreams and goals.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">They are choosing success and can use all the help they can get.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">All the best and make it a great week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii- mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91;mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">LUCY WOODWARD LAUNCHES DEBUT VERVE ALBUM “HOOKED”</span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#1F497D;"><a href="http://www.lucywoodward.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.lucywoodward.com/</span></a></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#272727;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Lucy is a very good friend who just released an amazing album, “Hooked”.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> She’s receiving well deserved press on Access Hollywood, Marie Clare magazine and through many other media sources.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Make some time to enjoy her songs and you’ll definitely be hooked (pun intended).</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#1F497D;"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hooked-bonus-track-version/id371713051" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://itunes.apple.com/us/<wbr>album/hooked-bonus-track-<wbr>version/id371713051</span></a></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="color:black;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">IQUBZ LLC</span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span></span><a href="http://www.iqubz.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.iqubz.com/</span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – Stephan and Ashu are great friends and Managing Directors for IQubz LLC.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The software we use at my company, Profitiviti, was built and currently supported by IQubz and we could not ask for a better business partner.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Please keep them in mind for any systems work that you might be considering.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">In summary, IQubz is a global software solutions and service provider specializing in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Business Intelligence (BI). IQubz, a Microsoft Certified Partner, offers solutions and services based on Microsoft technology and Microsoft Dynamics business solutions platform. IQubz is owned and managed by professionals with solid backgrounds in variety of industries including financial services, hospitality and travel, retail and wholesale distribution, field service and professional services.</span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="color:black;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">SONRISA SCHOOL (MISSION VIEJO)</span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span></span><a href="http://www.sonrisaschool.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.sonrisaschool.org/</span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – Ashu (profiled above in IQubz) and his wife Priya have operated an amazing school for kids with special needs for over 10 years.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Recently, their school Sonrisa was profiled in the Orange County Register (</span></span><a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-251788-students-sonrisa.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-251788-students-sonrisa.html</span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">).</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">As you know, helping kids with special needs is a strong passion for my wife and I.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Having a connection with Ashu and Priya is terrific and we are very proud of the services and support they provide.</span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">4.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii- mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91;mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">SHARED PERFORMANCE</span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span><a href="http://www.sharedperformance.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.sharedperformance.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My friend Steve Tiches recently launched a new company called Shared Performance that focuses on helping organizations achieve desired results by maximizing the efficiencies of individuals. The Shared Performance software determines what things must be achieved in order for a company to obtain specific results, who is responsible for each achievement, and provides companies with an understanding of what they get for the money they spend on obtaining specific results. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">5.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">MYSMARTBIO</span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span><a href="http://www.mysmartbio.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.mysmartbio.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – A friend for the past 15+ years, Steve Walters has launched a very nice website with some business partners.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">MySmartBio is a free online utility for sharing and managing your personal career information. For young and mid-career professionals, SmartBio offers a lifelong home for managing social network profiles, building online personas/resumes, showcasing work samples, professional development, connecting with 1000+ job sites and more. Whether you appear on a social network, job board, recruiter or employer site, SmartBio allows you to control and update your online presence<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> anytime, anywhere in a single click. Here is a recent Wall Street Journal article: </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/hire-education/2010/06/17/whale-watching-the-art-of-the-mentorship/?mod=rss_WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_hire_education"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://blogs.wsj.com/hire-education/2010/06/17/whale-watching-the-art-of-the-mentorship/?mod=rss_WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_hire_education</span></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">6.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">WILBUR RANCH TOFFEE</span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span><a href="http://www.wilburranchtoffee.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.wilburranchtoffee.com/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Melinda Miller</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> used to work at Universal Studios and recently launched Wilbur Ranch Toffee.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Inspired by her grandmother, Melinda began baking when she was a young girl and developed a passion for making exceptionally delicious desserts and candies. She is best known for her gourmet almond toffee which she made for special occasions and gifts. Encouraged by her friends and family, she has turned her love for making toffee into a business.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Wilbur Ranch Toffee’s mission is to create distinctively delicious toffee products and promote elegant gift giving. Exclusively made in small handcrafted batches, discover the most exquisite toffee your palate will savor. Wilbur Ranch Toffee uses only the finest premium quality ingredients in each of its creations. The gourmet toffee is also available for holidays, special occasions, corporate events, parties, weddings, showers, charity dinners or private affairs.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Melinda can be reached at </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="mailto:melinda@wilburranchtoffee.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#4263AB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">melinda@wilburranchtoffee</span></span><span style="color:#4263AB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr></span><span style="color:#4263AB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">com</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">7.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color:#365F91;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">MAEDAWN WELLNESS CENTER </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– (</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2EMaeDawn%2Ecom&urlhash=ONH6&_t=mbox_mebc" target="_blank"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0in;text-decoration:none;text-underline: nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.MaeDawn.com</span></span></a></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) a friend from the Sony Pictures Days, Gina Candido, has launched a new career as a Wellness Coach.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in;padding:0infont-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">In short, they offer guidance and counseling for people to live more natural lives through Holistic Therapies. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Her area of expertise is energy therapy (Reiki) for stress relief and relaxation. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Additionally, she is getting her certification to be a Hypnotherapist. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">She is also teaming up with a family therapist (38 years experience) and a nutritionist to offer the full holistic experience - caring for the body, mind, emotions and spirit.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Check out their website or Facebook for more information: </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi- mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi- border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0infont-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fpages%2FRancho-Cucamonga-CA%2FMaeDawn-Wellness-Center%2F110501512315719&urlhash=Ia9R&_t=mbox_mebc" target="_blank"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0in;text-decoration:none;text-underline: nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.facebook</span></span><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0in;text-decoration:none;text-underline: nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr></span><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0in;text-decoration:none;text-underline: nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">com/pages/Rancho-Cucamonga-CA</span></span><span style=" border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0in; text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">/</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr></span><span style=" border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0in; text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">MaeDawn-Wellness-Center</span></span><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in; padding:0in;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">/</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr></span><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in; padding:0in;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#006699;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">110501512315719</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span style="border-style:initial;border-color:initial;outline-width: 0px;outline-style: initial; outline-font-weight:inherit;font-style:inheritcolor:initial;"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in; padding:0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi- mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi- border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0in;padding:0infont-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">8.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color:#365F91;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">“SELF REFLECTION” GUITAR ALBUM </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– (</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#1F497D;"><a href="http://www.gustepper.com/srindex.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.gustepper.com/<wbr>srindex.html</span></a></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – Gus Tepper has been a long time friend after we met at Sony Pictures.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Gus is from Argentina and love South American music.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">He recently created a website where he </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">can share his songs and albums: “South America Guitar” and “Self Reflection”.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="apple-style-span"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">9.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color:#365F91;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">DESIGNED2DREAM SPECIAL EVENTS DESIGNER </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.designed2dream.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.designed2dream.com/</span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – Sherri Curtis is a friend from Herbalife who has been playing special events for over 15 years.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Designed2Dream’s vision is to create an atmosphere of excellence, excitement and of great anticipation. Your event will be a day of elegance, a day you are sure to never forget. You will leave your dreams and walk into reality!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="apple-style-span"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">10.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color:#365F91;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">HANDS ON CONCEPTS </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.teamhoc.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.teamhoc.com</span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – A friend Teidi Tucker’s husband founded a fantastic company called, Hands On Concepts.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">He runs a complete product development company that creates amazing producible goods for the disabled products industry: MonoSki, Outriggers, Mono Hauler, Wheelchairs, etc.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">These high-end adaptive living products allow individuals with disabilities to enjoy sports and other everyday living experiences to the fullest.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-64857928687500999962010-01-16T10:56:00.000-08:002010-01-16T10:57:03.437-08:00January 2010 Update<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Happy TWENTY-10!!!! Hope you all enjoyed a happy, safe and fun holiday season. Hard to believe we’ve already closed the first decade of the 2000’s. In our Profitiviti blog (</span><a href="http://profitiviti.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://profitiviti.wordpress.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) I asked the question, “</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">What’s in your highlight reel?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">” Here the exercise was to reflect on your accomplishments, learnings and experiences to relive the year and decade through a virtual memory book. From me, it was a great couple hours of un-plugging from work to mentally review some amazing and challenging times. Additionally, the beginning of the year is a great time to focus on your positive impacts your will have in the future.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">In this “Friends Doing Good Things” update there are a ton of great things to share! I continue to be amazed at all of your awesome accomplishments, despite some of the most challenging economic times of our lives. As always, I urge you to support the efforts of your network of friends and pass forward their contact information within your own network of friends and family. All the best for a life-changing 2010!!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91;mso-themecolor:accent1;mso-themeshade:191"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">YEARN FOUNDATION</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span><a href="http://yearnfoundation.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://yearnfoundation.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#272727"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Brent Dance is a friend that I met while he was a member of a very strong Deloitte Strategy team that we were working with at Herbalife. He and his wife recently welcomed a new baby into their family and it’s been a pleasure keeping in touch with him over the years. I’m inspired by his new organization: t</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">he </span><a href="http://www.yearnfoundation.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Yearn Foundation</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> is a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of Russian orphans. Yearn is based on the principle that what we yearn for, we can achieve, no matter our circumstances. Yearn's mission is two-fold: (1) provide for the material and medical needs of children and (2) implement life skills education and career development programs in orphanages to help orphans adapt and succeed in society once "emancipated." Recently, Yearn experienced small success. Just last month, Yearn raised money for Kostya - a small boy with spina bifida and hydrocephalus - to pay for critical medical operations allowing him to walk again. Yearn was also recently selected by </span><a href="http://www.lostlakecreative.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Lost Lake Creative</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> to be featured in the documentary film the </span><a href="http://www.lostlakecreative.com/identityproject.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Identity Project</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. Currently they are raising funds for an orphanage in Eastern Siberia. They are excited for what the future holds and encourage you to join our </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=109734477494&ref=ts" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Facebook</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> and </span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2074245" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">LinkedIn</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> groups to stay connected and help them create some serious Yearn! </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-themecolor:accent1;mso-themeshade:191"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">FRESH CONSULTING</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span><a href="http://freshconsulting.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://freshconsulting.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – Keeping the accomplishments in the family for a bit, Fresh Consulting was founded by Brent’s cousin, Jeff Dance – another strong team member from Deloitte that we enjoyed working with a few years ago. Fresh Consulting is a team of strategic </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">business consultants that focus on emerging web technology to deliver business results. Their capabilities in strategy development, website design/implementation and social media are second to none.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Jeff also helped launched another great resource to discover the best of the web by evaluating a comprehensive list of capabilities and services available online, </span><a href="http://www.web2review.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">www.web2review.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-themecolor:accent1;mso-themeshade:191"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">PAMPERED CUSTOMIZED SKIN CARE SOLUTIONS</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (Studio: </span><a href="http://www.skincarebylaurie.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.skincarebylaurie.com/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – Debbie Luscomb Figuredo is a good friend that moved out of the corporate world to follow her passion of helping clients with their skin care needs. She is a member of the Associated Skin Care Professionals and has set up her studio in the South Bay, on Hawthorne Blvd in Torrance. </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">She is currently offering all of her services to you and your extended family and</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> friends. What that means to you is a $20 referral discount off your next appointment, and for them a locked in low rate on all services offered: Microderm, photo-facials and peels. Her rates will be $50 per hour for a limited time through June and all treatments can be customized to be completed in this time frame.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">4.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-themecolor:accent1;mso-themeshade:191"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">PREP & LANDING</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> – (</span><a href="http://disney.go.com/partners/prepandlanding/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://disney.go.com/partners/prepandlanding/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – A good and long-time friend from elementary school, Ian Cooney, was the EFX Supervisor on the recent Disney holiday program, Prep & Landing. A great, family show that we enjoyed – great job Ian and team. For additional information, see their facebook page: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/PrepandLanding"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.facebook.com/PrepandLanding</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">5.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91;mso-themecolor:accent1;mso-themeshade:191"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">iPHONE VOICE BAND APPLICATION by WAVE MACHINE LABS</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– (</span><a href="http://www.wavemachinelabs.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.wavemachinelabs.com/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – While working for Andersen Consulting and living in Chicago for two years back in the mid-1990’s, I met Tracey Coldewey. She has been a good friend ever since and is now married to Rim Buntinas, a very talented musician, artist and entrepreneur. Rim is President of </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">WaveMachine Labs is proud to announce Voice Band 1.0 for the iPhone. Voice Band turns your voice into a musical instrument, allowing you to create complete songs by simply singing a melody into your iPhone. A built-in recorder lets you create songs one instrument at a time. Voice Band works in real time as you sing, and includes ten instruments: two electric guitars, bass, saxophone, two synthesizers, organ and drums.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Check out this YouTube link to see Rim and Voice Band in action: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QxN1u7KWDM" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr>watch?v=-QxN1u7KWDM</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. WaveMachine Labs, located in Chicago, IL has been producing music software for over ten years. Its flagship product Drumagog, a drum replacer, has won several critical awards and is used worldwide in recording studios.</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">6.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">NATIVE CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPES </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– My cousin’s Dave & Brenda Matea are inspiring in their efforts to conserve water, but also they are making their home and community more attractive through their installation of a native California landscape (</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/dmatea#100003" target="_blank"><span style="color:#4263AB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://gallery.me.com/dmatea</span></span><span style="color:#4263AB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">#</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr></span><span style="color:#4263AB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">100003</span></span></a></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">). Their slogan is, </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">"Changing the environment, one landscape at a time!"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> In order to pass along more information if you are interested, here are some links for their landscaper (</span><a href="http://www.calown.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.calown.com/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) and an upcoming Native Plant Garden Tour (</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#00217D"><a href="http://www.theodorepayne.org/Tour/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#4263AB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.theodorepayne.org</span></span><span style="color:#4263AB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">/</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr></span><span style="color:#4263AB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Tour/</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">).</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">7.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">BOOK RELEASE: “</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">COURT REPORTING: BAD GRAMMAR/GOOD PUNCTUATION”</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– (</span><a href="http://www.ncraonline.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.ncraonline.org</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – I’ve known Margie Wakeman for around 33 years and her son Tedd has been a good friend since our days of U5 AYSO soccer. Margie has </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">been teaching for 46 years, of which 34 have been spent teaching court reporting. She has taught over 300 seminars all over the country on English grammar and punctuation. Her book,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Court Reporting: Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, is a textbook/reference book on how to punctuate the court reporting transcript. It is being published by the National Court Reporters’ Association and will be available in March at the online bookstore at</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://ncraonline.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ncraonline.org</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. There will be a book signing at the NCRA Midyear Convention in San Francisco</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">8.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">JOSE CORRAL APPOINTED TO PROTOTYPES NON-PROFIT BOARD </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">– (</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; color:#333333"><a href="http://www.prototypes.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.prototypes.org</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) – PROTOTYPES was featured in our “Friends Doing Good Things” blog back in February 2009. This is a great </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">organization providing treatment services in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, trauma, health issues, domestic violence, and reentry and prevention, outreach, and education services to women, children and families.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> A friend from Pepperdine grad-school is the CEO of this organization and another good friend from Pepperdine was just appointed to their Board. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">“</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Jose Corral serves on the Board of Directors of PROTOTYPES whose mission is to rebuild the lives of women, children, and communities impacted by substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence. PROTOTYPES’ programs ensure that children have a place where they feel safe and nurtured as their mothers receive the residential counseling and treatment they need. To learn more about PROTOTYPES, please visit</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><a href="http://www.prototypes.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#4263AB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">www.prototypes.org</span></span></a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">to see testimonials from alumni, take a video tour, donate to the cause, and</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:navy"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></i></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">learn more about their treatment programs. PROTOTYPES relies on financial support from people in our communities. Help them spread the word about their amazing work by becoming a fan on Facebook at</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:navy"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:navy"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.facebook.com/#/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><wbr>pages/PROTOTYPES/199789313132</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">.” I know that Jose, Cassandra and the rest of the Board of Directors thank you for anything you can help with in supporting their mission.</span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-64986768000275828202009-10-09T11:53:00.000-07:002010-01-16T11:22:39.607-08:00October 2009 Update<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, the time has come to include our own efforts and accomplishments in this BLOG.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Recently we unveiled our</span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> new company, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Profitiviti</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This has been a major part of our Master Plan and has been in the works for many, many years.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You can image how incredibly excited we are for this to actually be taking place.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last October we launched our consulting business (Part 1 of the Master Plan) and now we are launching the software solution (Part 2).</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It’s been an amazing, amazing year – we are very blessed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And Part 3 of our Master Plan is also in place – today we are also launching our non-profit organization (filing in process) – </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Expand-Abilities</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As you know, we are passionate about serving children with special needs.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Expand-Abilities’</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> mission does just that.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Along with all of our hard work, many others are following their dreams and passions.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All of these efforts continue to be innovative and exciting.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Keep supporting your friends and family members, pass along these leads to others – Tweet about them, put them in your BLOGs, send them to your distribution lists.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There is no better time than now to support developing businesses.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thanks for all your compassion and support.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Make today great!</span><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91;mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">PROFITIVITI</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – (</span></span><a href="http://www.profitiviti.com/"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.profitiviti.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) – </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#272727;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Basically, we conduct a thorough and detailed analysis of our client's business operations. This assessment results in improved strategy development, enhanced cost control initiatives, better alignment of investments for growth and an optimized product portfolio.</span></span></span><span style="color:#272727;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We've used this methodology for a few years with Excel and Access tools, however Profitiviti is our new enterprise solution.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Literally, we've made and saved companies millions of dollars over the years.</span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our clients have ranged from $50 Million to over $3 Billion. Our approach is great for senior executives (COOs, CFOs, SVPs of Strategy, General Managers) along with Venture Capital / Private Equity firms.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This approach is a great way to monitor/evaluate a company’s ability to execute over time and provides additional insight not available through Board presentations or financial statements.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let me know if you have questions, would like a demo, have any referrals you would share (bonuses available!) or just want to chat.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">EXPAND-ABILITIES</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – (</span></span><a href="http://www.expand-abilities.org/"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.expand-abilities.org</span></span></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) – Even before Catherine and I welcomed our daughter Julia into our lives, we truly enjoyed working with children with special needs.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The magic that Julia brings our family is wonderful – our entire family learns so much for each other every day and we never take anything for granted.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">With Expand-Abilities, we’ve team up with several other dedicated friends who share a similar mission – we believe in setting high expectations and fulfilling the rights to unconditional access and opportunity.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Profitiviti has chosen Expand-Abilities as its charity of choice.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We hope you look to Expand-Abilities as well, since we work every day to fulfill our tagline: </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Developing Skills.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Empowering Families.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Strengthening Communities</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">MATEA DESIGN</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – (</span></span><a href="mailto:dmatea@me.com"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">dmatea@me.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) – Dave Matea is my cousin and a very talented.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He has produced several incredible logos for my companies along with on-target marketing collateral.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He is the sole designer behind our Profitiviti brand and we could not be happier.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Matea Design is an independently operated design service that delivers a smart approach to purposed driven graphic design solutions. Specializing in corporate communications, Identity systems, and web design. The end result is to express ideas that inspire, endure and elevate marketplace presence.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#365F91; mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">COOLEY CAREER COACHING</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – (</span></span><a href="http://www.cooleycareercoaching.com/"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.cooleycareercoaching.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) – David Cooley is a great career coach.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We met when I was finishing up grad school and when I was trying to figure out my next career steps.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">David has a masterful skill of helping one reflect internally to truly define a “personal brand.”</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">With that “personal brand”, David weaves a story around personal and career accomplishments to create a targeted value proposition for employers, tying together a strong common themed resume, cover letter and interviewing approach.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I’ve referred many people to David over the years and believe in his approach.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Check him out in a recent story for FOX (</span></span><a href="http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/job_shop/Job_Shop_Video_Career_Centers_20090826" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#4263AB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/job_shop/Job_Shop_Video_Career_Centers_20090826</span></span></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;color:#365F91;mso-thememso-themeshade:191font-family:Calibri;color:accent1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ARTICLE ONE PARTNERS</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – (</span></span><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.articleonepartners.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) – My USC college roommate, Ray Felts, is the Chief Operating Officer of Article One Partners.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They are </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in a new space termed "crowdsourcing", where the wisdom of a crowd is better than a few individuals doing the work. They created a global community of patent researchers that help industry clients discover prior art to resolve patent disputes and get higher confidence in the valuation of IP.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In June 2009, they received the Top Award at Startup 2009 Conference.</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#365F91;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">PIVOTAL RESOURCES</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">JOB POSTING </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">– (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.pivotalresources.com</span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) – Pivotal Resources</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">is </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">a leading consulting firm focused on helping their clients drive new levels of financial performance and customer satisfaction.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Their suite of training and consulting services revolve around Process Improvement, Performance Management and Leadership Development.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They serve a broad range of organizations, with a concentration in service industries such as healthcare, financial services and technology with clients including some of the world’s most respected brands: Starwood Hotels, Charles Schwab, Kaiser Permanente, Cisco Systems and GE.</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> While I was leading the Global Continuous Improvement Program (Lean Six Sigma) at Herbalife and were very happy with Pivotal’s assistance, insight and services. They are looking for a Sales & Business Development Associate. Click on the following link for more information, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJob=&jobId=761693" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#4263AB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJob=&jobId=761693</span></span></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, or let me know and I'll connect you with them directly.</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#365F91;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">AQUENT</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">JOB POSTING </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">– (</span><a href="http://www.articleonepartners.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.aquent.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) – Aquent is </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">a leading talent agency for marketing and designers. A friend of mine Sharon Strauss is</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> hiring 4 additional sales people in LA, and 4 in the Bay Area. All need to have 5+ years sales experience in either a Marketing, Interactive or Graphic Design organization!! Please reach out to Sharon directly at </span><a href="http://sstrauss@aquent.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#4263AB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">strauss@aquent.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-50522330650430635372009-07-13T18:16:00.000-07:002009-07-14T09:24:44.116-07:00July 2009 Update<span style="font-family:verdana;">So, this update is one with personal interest (see #1 below), but it is also one that continues to show the amazing things our friends are doing around the world. The blood, sweat and tears that all of you are putting forth is awesome and continues to be inspiring. As friends of these friends, keep supporting them and passing along a good word to others – viral marketing begins by first sharing these updates with others. For each of you that have started a business at some point in your life, you know that friends and family members are the first ones you look to for support. Continue to help each other and do good things each and every day! All the best.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">1. CATHERINE RAACK PHOTOGRAPHY</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.catraackphoto.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.catraackphoto.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Catherine, of course, is my beautiful wife…and now, business partner. She has turned a hobby of hers for many years into a business and we are so excited. She has a great way of capturing life’s moments. Her passion as a mother, as a Labor & Delivery Nurse and as a photographer comes out in her work. Take a look at her website and contact her if you have questions or if you are interested in her photography services. Keep checking the “What’s New” page of her website for current promotions!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">2. GAEA GEAR</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.pilatespluspasadena.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http:// www.gaeagear.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – we met Paul and Karen Hoffmann during the VIP AYSO soccer season last Fall. They recently launched a new business called, Gaea Gear. Gaea Gear is an amazing new children’s clothing company for children with special needs, with an initial focus on clothing for children with Autism. What does that mean? Well, often children, particularly those with Autism, have trouble with clothing. Many have sensory challenges that make fabrics uncomfortable and irritating. Also, clothes with fasteners such as buttons and snaps can cause lots of frustration. And as kids with special needs get older (i.e. past the age of 2 or 3), there are very few clothing options that address their needs (that aren’t institutional looking). So, the Gaea Gear clothing line looks to overcome these challenges. Check out their website for more information and to order some great stuff.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">3. PILATES PLUS PASADENA</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.pilatespluspasadena.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.pilatespluspasadena.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Amy Sowers is a good friend from grad-school and she has recently opened up her second Pilates studio. Congrats Amy! Her first was, Pilates Plus Montrose (</span><a href="http://www.pilatesplusmontrose.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.pilatesplusmontrose.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) and was one of the original “Friends Doing Good Things” updates. Check out her websites and contact the studios if you are interested in taking some classes.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">4. LIZZYS BUSY BABY</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.lizzysbusybaby.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.lizzysbusybaby.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Joe Almeida is a long-time friend from Sony Pictures. He and his wife, Liz, started a company of organic and eco friendly baby products. For those who are parents (or know people who have kids) this is a great concept. They not only offer quality baby products and organic clothing, but they are famous for their “emergency baby kits" – the exact stuff you need when “problems arise” when you’re out in public (e.g., extra diapers, wipes, etc.) – and it’s environmentally safe! Take a look and put your order in today for yourself or as gifts.<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;"><strong>5. MY AMI</strong></span> – (</span><a href="http://www.amientertainmentsolutions.com/My_Ami_Preview.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.amientertainmentsolutions.com/My_Ami_Preview.html</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Louis Fahrberger and I met at USC – when we were Resident Advisors together. He and his wife, Bea, created a pretty interesting portable entertainment device for kids. Kids love (need) to be entertained, especially when they are in line at a supermarket or shopping center. Their product is sure to help! Take a look and connect with them if you are interested in more information.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">6. BOOK: LIVING WELL IN A NURSING HOME: EVERYTHING YOU AND YOUR FOLKS NEED TO KNOW</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Well-Nursing-Home-Everything/dp/0897934601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244403450&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.amazon.com/Living-Well-Nursing-Home-Everything/dp/0897934601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244403450&sr=8-1</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Lynn Dickinson has been a friend for many years, since our days at USC. She’s an amazing person, wonderful supporter of “Friends” stuff and a great writer. This book is very well written and something many people must consider at some point in their lives. Check it out and get educated on a very important topic!<br />“While life in a nursing home is rarely considered a first choice, at times it's the best choice. Still, the decision to put a loved one in a home is incredibly difficult. Nursing homes are a reality that touch many lives, but they are usually associated with negative media and fear-based thinking. This book concentrates on the positive aspects of nursing homes and offers strategies for identifying the best facilities. Among the topics covered are how to recognize signs that a family member needs extra support, determining whether in-home care is a viable option, the different types of long-term care, working and communicating with the staff, and preparing for the end of life – to help make all stages of these life transitions easier for everyone involved.”<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">7. GROUNDWORK OPPORTUNITIES (GO)</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.groundworkopportunities.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.groundworkopportunities.org</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – this amazing non-profit was profiled in our October 2008 update. Well, this is one fundraising effort that deserves some mention – the team at GO is currently climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro! Check out this link (</span><a href="http://www.groundworkopportunities.org/kilimanjaro/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.groundworkopportunities.org/kilimanjaro/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) and donate to this worthy cause. All the donations raised go to disadvantaged communities in Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">8. GREEN ALLY</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://bit.ly/greenally"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://bit.ly/greenally</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – George Lu is a friend from Herbalife. He and his cousin have launched an Amazon storefront selling blooming teas and totes. I have to say, from personal experience while in Shanghai, I enjoyed several cups of blooming jasmine tea – how the flower unfolds with the hot water is pretty amazing and a very different experience for those who haven’t tried it before.<br />“Being green is not easy, but we emphasize progress, not perfection. So we're committed to taking one step at a time to introduce simple, healthy, green changes to your environment and ours. Please browse our product line of jasmine teas and reusable totes, and don't hesitate to let us know what else you'd like to see on these pages. The world needs you to be a fellow green ally.”<br /></span>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-81741220415483647842009-03-19T11:08:00.000-07:002009-05-17T11:45:34.863-07:00May 2009 Update<span style="font-family:verdana;">Thanks so much for the feedback on this BLOG, but thank you more for supporting the friends highlighted below. In this tough, turbulent economy, it's great to provide some positive news; however, regardless of the highs and lows, it's wonderful to see people helping people. Love it.<br /><br />There has been a ton of work going on within our “friends network.” Here are some additional friends turning hobbies into businesses and/or pushing forward with long-time dreams and passions. All the best everyone!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">1.</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#000099;">MARIE TEAGARDIN PHOTOGRAPHY</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.teagardin.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.teagardin.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Marie and husband Mike are good friends, and very talented photographers. We all met in the early 1990's during our days at Andersen Consulting and we've stayed friends ever since. She mainly focuses her business in the South Bay, Brentwood and Palos Verdes, but does venture outside the area as well. She will be opening a studio in Brentwood (Barrington & Sunset) on June 1st. Check out the BLOG on her website for updates and more details. Marie has taken our family photos on a couple occasions and we've always been thrilled with the results.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">2. HARPER’S ISLAND (TV SHOW ON CBS)</span></strong> – Karim Zreik, Dan Shotz and Jon Turteltaub from Junction Entertainment have another great show on network TV (Saturday nights at 9 PM on CBS). We’ve been watching each week and things are getting really interesting on the island. For more information, check out their BLOG -> </span><a href="http://www.tvwithoutpity.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.tvwithoutpity.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> then click “blogs” for Karim’s “Notes of an Assassin” episodic breakdown. For episodes go to </span><a href="http://www.cbs.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.cbs.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> or </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. For “webisodes” see </span><a href="http://www.harpersglobe.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.harpersglobe.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">3. STORYNAUT PRODUCTIONS</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.storynaut.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.storynaut.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Bill Ellis, a friend from Herbalife, has launched a new company called Storynaut Productions. It's a small start-up focused on cool stories, modest budgets, and leveraging new marketing and distribution channels. They are currently in pre-production for their first two feature-length movies, with targeted completion dates next year. Check out their website, track their progress and get involved.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">4. KINDRED</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.shopkindred.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.shopkindred.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Nichole and Dave Cortese have been friends for many years and are great supporters of many companies on this BLOG. When I heard of their “Twelvesies” idea I instantly loved it. On their website, they offer several items including a “Twelvesies Deluxe Gift Set” to document baby’s first year with a monthly birthday photo shoot. These unique onesies are screen printed with “1 month” all the way up to “12 months” and make the perfect “wardrobe” to take baby’s photo each month. Watch as baby’s growth unfolds in the Twelvesies accordion album.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">5. SOCALTECH.COM</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.socaltech.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.socalTECH.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Benjamin Kuo and I met in our EE program as USC…he was the one that “set the curve” most of the time! This incredible website provides news and information about high tech companies in Southern California, and is used to find new customers, keep updated on industry news, and learn more about what's happening in high tech and venture capital. His firm also runs silicontap.com (Silicon Valley technology news), techrockies.com (Rocky Mountains), nwinnovation.com (Pacific Northwest), and texastechpulse.com (Texas). These sites are really great resources on funding and new company information.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">6. TYPE A RESOURCES</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.typearesources.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.typearesources.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – JM Bascom and I met a few years ago through mutual friends. She’s a very talented woman who is currently President of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Los Angeles Chapter. Type A Resources is a recruitment agency in Los Angeles, specializing in the placement of Project & Program Managers, working with both individual candidates and corporate clients. JM’s professional experience is across several industries including IT, Web Design, Entertainment (film and television), Mortgage Services, eLearning, Professional Services, and Consulting. She has a large network of available, talented and qualified Project and Program Managers. JM also recently started an online BLOG called <strong><span style="color:#009900;">Gumptionista</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.gumptionista.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.gumptionista.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">). Her BLOG is for “strong, sassy, authentic, and self-aware women, who fight for what they believe in. Women who speak with conviction, embrace their true self, empower and inspire others.”<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">7. LA PHOTOGRAPHER</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.laphotographer.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.laphotographer.org/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Gene Avakyan, a friend from Pepperdine grad school and a great supporter of many fundraising events. He’s been a photographer for many years and focuses on portrait, event, fine art, wedding and commercial photography. Check out his website for samples of his pictures and to find out more information about his many talents – video, graphic design, etc.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">8. THE </span><span style="color:#000099;">DOMAIN RESERVE</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.thedomainreserve.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.thedomainreserve.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Sanford Fitelson, a friend from Pepperdine and Herbalife recently launched a new business. “Thinking about setting up your own website? Look to TheDomainReserve.com for all of your domain and website needs at competitive prices. Get a new domain name for only $1.99 with the purchase of a web hosting package for as little as $3.99/month. You could have your own website up and running for as little as $6.00. Plus we offer more advanced features for businesses such as shopping cart, website analytics, SSL certificates, and dedicated servers. Best of all, we have the most incredible 24/7 customer support group around. Give a call if you have any questions and we're sure you will be floored by our friendly, domestic, and helpful personnel.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">9. EVENTFUL MOMENTS</span></strong>– (</span><a href="http://www.eventful-moments.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.eventful-moments.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Kim Tittle is a long-time friend (Junior High School I think) and a consistent supporter of many "friends" events and businesses. She recently went out on her own to start Eventful Moments - a boutique event production company based in Los Angeles focusing on weddings, mitzvah, corporate dinner and film premiere events. She's very talented, service oriented and an all-around fantastic person.</span>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-89968356213054879822009-02-25T16:04:00.000-08:002009-03-03T10:45:28.431-08:00February 2009 Update<p><span style="font-family:verdana;">As you can tell, I'm dipping my toes into "social media". </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Several of you have sent e-mails over the past year or so encouraging me to make the move to a BLOG, so here it is!!! I appreciate all of your feedback and comments, but most of all, I enjoy hearing how many of you are supporting the businesses highlighted below. Grassroots marketing and supporting friends with their dreams is AWESOME. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">You all inspire me...please continue to help each other out.</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">RESERVOIR RESTAURANT</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.silverlakereservoir.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.silverlakereservoir.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – good friends, Anne & Darren Roberts, are opening a new restaurant in the Silver Lake area the first week of March. It’s located at 1700 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026. reservoir offers “seasonal California rustic cuisine” and should be amazing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Gloria Felix, Chef/Owner: Graduated from the prestigious California School of Culinary Arts- Le Cordon Bleu Program in 2001. She has worked at top restaurants in Los Angeles, including Vida, Lucques, AOC, Grace, Jar & Blair's.<br /><br />Darren Roberts, General Manager/Owner: Darren has been on the opening team of over a dozen restaurants with different concepts and corporate cultures. Early in his 20 year career in the restaurant industry, he came to realize that restaurant patrons don’t frequent restaurants only to be fed, but to have an experience. He has since been mastering customer service.<br /><br />Check out the following write-ups:<br /></span><a href="http://www.foodgps.com/review/reservoir-details-and-opening-menu-revealed/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.foodgps.com/review/reservoir-details-and-opening-menu-revealed/</span></a><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/02/reservoir-forme.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/02/reservoir-forme.html</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br />2. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">IT’S GREAT TO BE DIFFERENT BOOK</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.itsgreattobedifferent.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.itsgreattobedifferent.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – George Fisher has co-authored a great little book: </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">“What’s it like growing up and feeling different? Whether you are a tall banana, a little grape or just round all over, we all want to fit in. Sometimes it takes someone a bit wiser to show us why being different is great.”<br /><br /><br />3. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">MICHELANGELO THE DIVER BOOK</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.thedreamdiver.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.thedreamdiver.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Dana Cammandatore is the mother of a boy named Michelangelo. Our daughter Julia and Michelangelo were in the same pre-K class when we were in LA. Dana wrote this amazing story about her autistic son and his trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. Here is Dana’s dedication: </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">“When my son, Michelangelo, was diagnosed with autism I was worried that all my dreams would disappear. I was wrong. He constantly inspires and challenges me to help him realize his dreams. He wants to be a scuba diver when he grows up. T his story is dedicated to all the parents who need to remind themselves to keep dreaming and to “Andy the Diver” for giving Michelangelo something to dream about.”<br /><br /><br />4. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">PROTOTYPES</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.prototypes.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.prototypes.org</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – a friend from the Pepperdine MBA Program, Cassandra Loch, is the CEO of PROTOTYPES. Many of you know my passion for helping people, well Cassandra and her team are doing just that. If you’re looking for a worthwhile organization to donate to or help out, take a few minutes and check out PROTOTYPES. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">“PROTOTYPES provides treatment services in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, trauma, health issues, domestic violence, and reentry and prevention, outreach, and education services to women, children and families. PROTOTYPES also provides training, technical assistance, consultation and research. With a 20 million dollar budget and nearly 300 staff members, PROTOTYPES serves over 15,000 high risk women and families each year.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">5. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">LAYOVER</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1001521/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1001521/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - April Wright, a long time friend has recently completed another film in which she not only wrote, but also the directed. Her film won the Silver Lei Award for Filmmaking Excellence in the Honolulu International Film Festival and is showing at the Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills on Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30pm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">6. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">BUYABARGAIN.COM</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.buyabargain.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.BuyABargain.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - a friend from Sony Pictures, Ken Cheney and his friend Ross Jensen, have recently launched their long awaited dream business. Buyabargain.com is an online retailer bringing to you music CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray, computer software, video games, electronics, apparel, beauty products, toys, etc. Buyabargain.com has partnered with Amazon.com, as an authorized Amazon Affiliate to ease your mind about online fraud. Once you have chosen a product you will be able to create or use an existing Amazon.com account to complete your purchase. With the security of Amazon's secure checkout process you can feel confident that your personal information is safe and secure. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">7. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">BURLANE PHOTOGRAPHY</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.burlanephotography.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.burlanephotography.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - a friend from Sony Pictures, Ginni Burch, has started her own photography company. Ginni is located in Orange County and is "infatuated" with taking pictures. Contact Ginni if you know anyone that is having or has had a baby, is getting married, graduating from high school or may just want to have some family photos taken.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">8. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">COAST CAPITAL GROUP</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.coastcapitalgroup.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.coastcapitalgroup.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - Todd Fite is a long time friend from back in our Babe Ruth baseball days. We all are commpletely aware that the current economy is tough right now. But if you or someone you know is looking to refinance or purchase a new home, Todd can help. Call him at 310-350-5679.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">9. <strong><span style="color:#000099;">NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL FINANCIAL NETWORK</span></strong> (<a href="http://www.todd-tripp.com/">http://www.todd-tripp.com/</a>) - Todd Trip and I met several months back to discuss some financial planning options, etc. He's a talented and straightforward guy...and he's a Trojan! During our conversation, Todd mentioned that he is hiring...that's right - <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">HE'S HIRING</span></strong>. He's located in Irvine and is looking for highly talented sales representatives with high energy and drive, a self employment mindset, competitive yet coachable, and looking for a long term career. Contact Todd directly if you are interested.</span></p></span>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-38566520449125246302009-02-25T15:57:00.000-08:002009-03-03T10:46:52.798-08:00October 2008 Update<span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello everyone...hope this finds you all doing well. It's been a few months since the last update and some "good things" are happening. In this note, we have a cross section of new businesses developing: </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1) <strong><span style="color:#000099;">JUST FRICKIN COOKIN</span></strong> - Phil Giacopelli, a friend from Sony Pictures Entertainment (who is a very good cook) developed two marinades which are definitely tasty. Check out the website (<a href="http://www.justfrickincookin.com/">www.justfrickincookin.com</a>) for information on the "Grillin & Chillin Sauce" as well as the "Maui Marinade". I just placed my second order...310-909-8928; <a href="mailto:sales@justfrickincookin.com">sales@justfrickincookin.com</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2) <strong><span style="color:#000099;">BIODESIGNS</span></strong> - a longtime friend from childhood, Julie Alley and her husband Randall, developed a human performance company focused on improving individual's prosthetic experience. For those of you who utilize prosthetics or know people who do, check out their website (<a href="http://www.biodesigns.com/">www.biodesigns.com</a>) or contact Julie directly (<a href="mailto:jalley@biodesigns.com">jalley@biodesigns.com</a>). Julie and Randall are great people that are very knowledgeable and service oriented. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">3) <strong><span style="color:#000099;">FOODDIGGER.COM </span></strong>- a friend of a friend, Thi, recently launched a food review website that is rapidly expanding. The launch was focused first on the Los Angeles market...now growing in New York and San Francisco . Bon Appetit and get those reviews written (<a href="http://www.fooddigger.com/">www.fooddigger.com</a>). </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">4) <strong><span style="color:#000099;">GAINAR CREATIVE MUSIC</span></strong> - a brother-in-law of a friend is developing a music and sound company in Pittsburgh, PA (<a href="http://www.gainarcreativemusic.com/">www.gainarcreativemusic.com</a>). They provide original music composition, sound design and professional audio services for media projects, including: film, video, television, game audio, radio and the web - complete audio production services under one roof. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">5) <strong><span style="color:#000099;">GROUNDWORK OPPORTUNITIES</span></strong> - a friend of a friend, Bart Skorupa, started a charity called Groundwork Opportunities (<a href="http://www.groundworkopportunities.org/">www.groundworkopportunities.org</a>) to offer travelers the ability to volunteer for worthy causes as a part of their vacation. Groundwork Opportunities (GO!) works to involve a network of donors and volunteers who are interested in a more personal and measurable approach to giving. The idea behind GO! is to mobilize people towards causes that interest them, to offer full transparency explaining exactly where project money is going, and to provide direct and immediate support to individuals on the ground through partnerships with locally established organizations. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">6) <strong><span style="color:#000099;">WISHCRAFT</span></strong> (<a href="http://www.wishcraftworkshop.com/">www.wishcraftworkshop.com</a>) - a friend from Sony Pictures, Candice Blansett, has left the corporate world to develop a great company called Wishcraft in Chicago , IL . The workshop is a colorful and comfortable place for children of all ages to explore their creativity and craftiness in classes and as part of a community. Unlike a traditional art studio, students are encouraged to create without preconceived notions. The workshop provides a quality learning experience, showing that practicing math and spatial reasoning can create something functional and fun. As they learn, students are encouraged to curiously approach projects with abandon, without concern for formality. We encourage creative reuse whenever possible as part of our commitment to protecting the environment. </span>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908395460772589227.post-72245407827432565902009-02-25T15:51:00.000-08:002009-05-26T17:52:26.254-07:00Previous Update Information<span style="font-family:verdana;">Because I'm just getting started with this Blog and don't have my initial e-mails, here are items that were previously hightlighted:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">· </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">IRENT2U.COM</span></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.irent2u.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.iRent2u.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) – Tim McCormack's online rental marketplace<br /><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">INDIE WINE MAKERS</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://indiewinemakers.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://indiewinemakers.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - Robin Andersen's featured wines and reviews<br /><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">“GOING ATTRACTIONS” DOCUMENTARY</span></strong> – </span><a href="http://www.driveindoc.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.driveindoc.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> - April Wright's documentary on Drive-in Theaters<br /><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">HANDCLENS</span></strong> –</span> alcohol free sanitizer and lotion in Costco's today - Marwan Zreik is the President of Woodward Labs (</span><a href="http://www.woodwardlabs.com/Products/handclensA.htm"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.woodwardlabs.com/Products/handclensA.htm</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">)<br /><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">"The Parenting Business: Hindsight is 20/20"</span></strong> ( </span><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Parenting-Business-Hindsight-20/dp/097254867x"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.amazon.ca/Parenting-Business-Hindsight-20/dp/097254867x</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - Carolyn Esparza (author - solutionsforelpaso@juno.com)<br /><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">PILATES PLUS MONTROSE</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.pilatesplusmontrose.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.pilatesplusmontrose.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - Amy Sowers (owner) - <span style="color:#ff0000;">Pasadena location is coming soon</span><br /><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">LIFE OF GRATITUDE</span></strong> – (</span><a href="http://www.lifeofgratitude.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.lifeofgratitude.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - Rushell Gordon’s company to help get what you want in life by first celebrating what you currently have.<br /><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">CAMPSITE DELIVERY</span></strong> – ( </span><a href="http://www.campsitedelivery.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.campsitedelivery.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - Jennifer Hornstein's (founder) "fun and hassle free camping experience" company </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">PHILANTHRO PRODUCTIONS</span></strong> – ( <a href="http://www.philanthroproductions.org/">www.philanthroproductions.org</a>) - </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Philanthro Productions' mission is to get more young adults involved in charity by hosting first-rate parties in partnership with leading non-profits. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />· <strong><span style="color:#000099;">JERICHO</span></strong> – (TV show is now on DVD - </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jericho-First-Season-Skeet-Ulrich/dp/B000SQFC2C"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.amazon.com/Jericho-First-Season-Skeet-Ulrich/dp/B000SQFC2C</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">) - Karim Zreik (Executive Producer)</span></p>Steve Raackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149463119910819847noreply@blogger.com0