Smart Women Play Big!
Friday, December 10th, 2010Instead of an article this week I wanted to run a series of guest biographies of some of the many brilliant people like you who have already signed up for Smart Women Programs for 2011. My hope is that you will be inspired and empowered by their entrepreneurial journeys and you will step up and step in to the journey with them next year!
Rachelle Anslyn
Rachelle Anslyn is known for thinking big and living an extraordinary life. Her passion for being authentic, creative, and vibrant has taken her to explore the depths of what is possible. She has traveled over 30 countries to work with clients, for volunteer aide, to study with yoga masters, and for the delight of cultural wisdom. Rachelle has studied over 100 different dietary theories and learned straight from leading health experts and doctors such as Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil, Sally Fallon, Mark Hyman, David Wolfe and many, many more. Rachelle graduated in 2009 from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City. Her mindset mastery came from attending The School for The Work of Byron Katie in New York City in 2001. The following year, Rachelle staffed The School working directly with Byron Katie in Los Angeles. Rachelle has also studied with yoga masters around the globe in several traditions including Kundalini, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Vibrant Living Yoga and Yoga Synergy. Through her experience with self inquiry, yoga, nutrition and the healing arts, Rachelle has cultivated a full spectrum mastery of living a vibrant purposeful life.
Meredith Hill
In July 2000, Meredith Hill decided to marry her passion for travel and for Africa and created Hills of Africa Travel, Inc. Married to a Zimbabwean, Meredith has traveled extensively throughout southern Africa. Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours. We offer spectacular adventures with personalized and customized service, guaranteed to provide you with the experience of a lifetime. Hills of Africa Travel is a team of extraordinary travel agents and tour operators who are passionate about sharing the magic of Africa through first-hand knowledge and exemplary customer service. Our expert knowledge, experience, and passion for our customers allow us to create a personalized safari adventure of a lifetime for all travelers.
Carrie Jacobs
Carrie Strathman Jacobs is fast becoming the champion of Visionary Executives in every stage of growth and transition. Her association, the Global Institute of Visionary Executives guides exceptional clients to the success they seek, while supporting them to think differently and take strides in creating their own brand of success and fulfillment. In order to do more, we need to be more. With the wealth of knowledge, resources and community, housed within this association, members can expect to shorten their learning curve and transition time by months, even years.
As an Executive Coach and Personal Development Consultant, Carrie brings to the table her 30 years experience in personal and organizational development, training and coaching. She specializes in reconnecting individuals with their unique spirit to create new, strategic ways of building and sustaining an individuals own unique brand of success. Carrie has consulted with multiple government organizations, national corporations and small business owners, guiding their leaders to create strong business practices for sustainable growth. She is excited to have supported multiple executives to create smooth and elegant growth and transformation for themselves and their teams.
Constance DeWitt
Constance DeWitt is a New Age Woman who has combined her B.Sc. from Syracuse University, her experience as a VISTA Volunteer in Guam, a certificate from the Eiseman Center for Color information and Training, a Master’s from the New York School of Feng Shui, and her Study Tour of China to become proficient in the energetics of sustainable living. She has attended countless seminars relating to sustainability, the environment and the study of how people live and work in their spaces. Constance has been an Allied Member of The American Society of Interior Designers for nearly thirty years and has held numerous community positions including Assistant Town Clerk, Secretary for the Vermont Association of Listers and Assessors, Trustee for the Woodstock, Vermont, Historical Society and The East Barnard Church. Connie’s business experience ranges widely as well: she has served as Business Manager for an 18th and 19th Century Antiques Emporium, as Treasurers for a food cooperative and a landscaping business, owned and managed a restaurant, and operated her own Real Estate Agency. Her long-term interest in the environment and sustainability, extensive exposure to cutting-edge technology through professional venues, self-education and exploration has made her a true renaissance woman equally at home in Xi’an, China, the Maasai Mara in Kenya or the hills of Vermont where she has lived most of her life. Constance sees her life’s mission as sharing her passion and knowledge about the dynamic of life- sustaining energy and how it is the foundation for health, industry, and the survival of the planet. Her ideas about the application of simple steps to transform stagnation into the vibrant, joyful, creative life we could all be experiencing are uplifting, motivational and productive. Anyone who hears Constance speak cannot be left unchanged by the experience. Ms. DeWitt is currently working on a business venture to provide sustainable products for the environmentally conscious. She wants to do for the environment what Martha Stewart has done for the home. Constance may be contacted at CDesignVT@gmail.com.
Kiva Leatherman
Kiva is the Founder and President of Wise Workshops, which develops curriculum for women to learn about their health, wealth and time. As a speaker, she encourages women to know themselves, to know about their money and to stop living vicariously through others – to achieve success and happiness on their terms.
Kiva was formerly a Sales Vice President with a major investment firm managing a territory that generated over $100 million in sales annually. Although the investment business was definitely a boys club, Kiva found a way to succeed with grace, humor and feminine strength. Her presentations on women and investing laid the groundwork for what eventually became Wise Workshops and her personal mission to ensure that women are in charge of their own money, their own time and the decisions that they make regarding their nutrition and health. She teaches women to create a framework for success which gives them the power and freedom to live well. Kiva graduated with degrees in Psychology and Performing Arts from Washington University in St. Louis. She loves teaching women to get their groove on through dance and is a certified fitness trainer. Kiva lives on the beautiful Seacoast of New Hampshire with her husband, Michael and her young children, Myles and Charlotte.
Linda Rivero
Linda’s interests and professional activities have been diverse, ranging from corporate training and language instruction to international travel consulting, bilingual counseling, and professional photography. Yet all her activities share two common threads: Linda’s passion for communication and connection through culture, language and travel, paired with her dedication to helping those in need of support. Linda’s love for personal expression through business combined with her passion for culture and caring for women in need has led her to found the Global Action Network of Entrepreneurial Women, a membership-based network serving women entrepreneurs in both the industrialized and developing worlds.
Camille Gaines
Camille’s passion for investing began when she saw her father successfully time the purchase of municipal bonds in the early 1980’s when interest rates on the bonds were as high as 20%, and municipal bonds were selling at deep discounts. Her father’s theory was that “the last thing to go out would be the lights.” He was right. Those same municipal bonds appreciated in value and paid tax free interest up to 20% over the next decade, allowing her father to take an early retirement and enhanced her parent’s lifestyle. Isn’t that what investing wisely is all about? His success came from doing research by reading a few financial publications regularly, looking at the big picture, and not following the crowd.
Sherry Borsheim
Sherry Borsheim is the CEO of the International Association of Business Organizing (IABO) which focuses on providing resources and teaching various business organizing systems such as effective filing systems, Microsoft Outlook training, follow-up systems, operations manual, managing your Inbox, time management, organizing your computer files and so much more! Her company also teaches its members how to simplify workflow and create customized organizing systems to manage all the information in their business and life!
She is also the author of Conquer Your Chaos, fast forward to office efficiency and Conquer Your Email Chaos for Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2003.
Sarah David
Hello! My name is Sarah David and I am the Chief Empowerment Officer and Founder of the Empowered Women’s Institute for Entrepreneurship™. We are very excited as we count down the launch of a global community for the professional development of women to unlock their unique gifts and talents. Through this global association set for pre-launch activities fall 2010, I use my passion for connecting with others, drive, “go-getter” attitude and over 13 years experience in professional development to help others understand they are powerful and equipped beyond measure and get inspired, get focused and get connected in business, career and life! Within this network I am able to provide a platform to inspire the development of others in their entrepreneurial learning, leadership development and career advancement. Whether you are a small business owner, executive, individual trying to advance in your current careers or re-inventing yourself for new careers or business opportunities, EWI has something for you!
Karen Dodd
After going into public relations at the age of 19, teaching sales and marketing for two of the largest vocational institutes in the country, and consulting to numerous companies in the private sector, Karen started her own private mentoring practice, specializing in working with small business owners and solo-professionals. In just 8 months, she doubled her client base, around the country and internationally. Starting with helping clients to identify their niche in the marketplace and then teaching them to create marketing systems to attract their ideal clients, Karen has become known as “The Intuitive Marketing Mentor.” By using her New Clients By Design Blueprint Formula®, Karen is able to help solo-entrepreneurs build their businesses in record time, enjoy more income and have more time off.
Catherine Rocheleau
I started my career as a Registered Dietitian with a key focus on management. I quickly rose through the ranks until I was a Food and Nutrition Services Director. Although I loved my job, I struggled with internal conflicts and external obstacles which resulted in frustrations. I began exploring options including new career paths. I mentioned to a colleague that contract work was one option for me in the future. Soon she approached me about a 6 month contract which I could complete around my full-time position. I submitted a proposal and won the contract.(sidebar: This contract lasted 16 years).
I soon came to realize that I loved this type of work and I could better utilize my skills as a consultant, helping other organizations to make changes and achieve results. A diagnosis with an autoimmune disease and extended time away from work soon solidified my decision to jump off the employment diving board into the unknowns of entrepreneurship. I quickly connected with my network and gained contracts teaching food service management courses at Langara College (formerly Vancouver Community College – Langara) and as an Interim Manager for an outsourcing company. Other clients gradually came on board and I knew I had made the right decision for me.
Donna Duffy
As a business owner, marketer, coach and consultant-I love to build community and help others realize their potential especially in the areas of education and business. I love to read, learn and teach. Speaking and writing, coaching and consulting, and helping other long in their journey are among my favorite things. After years of living in the Middle East, in a great neighborhood in Nazareth, I returned to the US and am on a mission to build community where ever I can–mostly in the areas of business and education. I’m grateful for the great sense of purpose and gifts I’v been given and feel that one of my greatest contributions in to cheer and inspire.
