Issue 18 March 2019

Issue 18 March 2019

Featuring Wendy Magee

Editor’s Note Each of us has a purpose. A reason we were born. A mission to complete and accomplish!

You are needed and important! Your voice, your story and your life can make a difference!

You can be a change maker! Just step up and do it!

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Do you know your purpose?

Do you know what you are meant to do?

Have you found your calling?

Are you ready to fulfill your destiny?

My wish and goal for you is that you find your purpose. Not just exist but passionately make a difference in this world. To wake up every morning with an excitement for what lays ahead!

To choose to embrace your journey and give it your complete all! To make your life everything you ever dreamed of! So, make a choice today in your personal and business life to find your purpose and fulfill!!!

Teresa Hawley-Howard CEO of WOM Enterprises Publisher, Author and Writing Coach

Teresa Hawley Howard is a best-selling author, blogger, empowerment coach, and radio host. She lives in Murchison Texas with her husband Rickey.

She is a mom and a Mimi. www.WOMEnterprises.com

Coming 2019

Wemdy Magee Cover Story “Everything you need is already inside you.”

You have to believe that God created you unique, and walk in the purpose he has given to you. Look Inside for Exceptional.

That is your LIFE.

Wendy Magee has been married to David Magee Jr. for 11 years. They have two beautiful children, Kaleb and Kyrie. Wendy was born and raised in Port Arthur, TX. She obtained her Bachelor's at Wiley College in Criminal Justice, and currently resides in New Orleans, LA as the Director of Operations for CASA Jefferson. In May 2015, Wendy obtained her Master's Degree in Human Services from Lubbock Christian University.

Wendy self-published her first book title And She Called Him Lord on January 8, 2016. She believes when people begin to understand God’s purpose for marriage, it will provoke them to live an UNbelievable life that will compel people to investigate the power of God for a divorce-proof marriage. In December, her book was the recipient of the Henri Award for Christian Living. She was also featured in the Nov/Dec edition of Break Thru Magazine.

In February 2017, Wendy started Speak Up ministry where her focus is to lift up marriages and relationships through edification and empowerment. She plans on extending her knowledge of having a divorce-proof marriage beyond the church through inspirational and empowerment speaking engagements.

Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, playing volleyball, and working with young adults through her husband's non-profit Harnessing Youths’ Potential and Energy (H.Y.P.E).

She attends Mount Carmel Ministry and is an Ordained Minister under the leadership of Apostle

Arthal Thomas Sr. Together her and David work with the youth and young adults in the ministry.

Over the past year, Wendy began to hear many women questioning their purpose. As she spokewith these women, she found that many of them have been married for several years, feeling like they have lost themselves and didn’t have purpose. God begin to show Wendy how to encourage women through the Word of God to Look Inside For Exceptional, and they will find that God has been cultivating their purpose and now it’s time to embrace it.

In this new devotional, YOU ARE UNIQUE, Motivational Speaker, Amazon Best-Selling Author, and Christian Literary Award recipient, Wendy Magee provides you with powerful strategies for twenty-one days on how to embrace your greatness. Each day’s devotion is filled with life changing advice utilizing the Word of God that you can apply to your own life.

The world wants you to think that as a women, wife, or mother you don’t have purpose, but the Word of God tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). God has given every person a purpose, it’s time for you to embrace your own uniqueness. My prayer is for every person to find the best in themselves, so they can walk in their God-given purpose.

I have found my purpose, found out why I’m unique. Now I am able to work alongside my husband mentoring youth in the New Orleans area.

I would like to see H.Y.P.E mentoring program grow by reaching more youth. I would like my devotional to reach as many people who is looking for their God-given purpose. I would like to start speaking to women’s groups to encourage and empower them to know that they are unique.

FB: Author Wendy Magee IG:@wlmagee07 www.wendymagee.org 504-475-4429

Menecia Jackson The Author MJ Menecia Jackson - I am a bilingual hardworking multitasker. LOL! Married with 3 children and 2 step.

I live in Atlanta but was born in NC. I have been writing poetry for over 15 years, I am also an awesome cook / inspiring chef, master cosmetologist and multi-million-dollar asset manager in pursuit of my realtor’s license. I love traveling, the outdoors, awesome conversations, adventure and a good book.

The Speechless Series Speechless: #NostalgicBliss & Speechles: #UneasyThoughts are the first two books in my amazing series! they are raw, real and provaocative. They invite you to think and question and choose to speak out!

The Speechless Series is a collection of poetry accumulated over 15 plus years, displaying the trials and tribulations of an average female growing and overcoming every obstacle set before her while maturing from each circumstance. I was able to turn my life around and accomplish many goals, one publishing these 2 books.

Menecia goal is to be on the New York Times Best Seller List! Contact her at: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter @theauthormj.com www.speechlesswiththeauthormj.blog www.theauthormj.com theauthormj@gmail.com

Speechless – often misunderstood, yet extremely outspoken

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Spotlight Erica Stepteau Erica Stepteau is a dynamic and tenacious motivational speaker, who empower women to rise up and claim their unstoppable power regardless of their obstacles or past experiences. One of the tenacious paths she is known for is maintaining joy and hope in a 13-year journey towards fertility journey which she has experienced 4 natural miscarriages, failed IVF, failed IUI, countless medicated cycles and a recent diagnosis of Adenomyosis. Regardless of the tragedies she keeps a bright smile on her face and trust that God has a major plan for her life. Her journey has inspired many women to keep hope alive even when their situation looks “impossible “or not clear.

Erica’s coaching and motivational journey began in 2011 via multiple social media platforms; she used her story as the fuel to help women achieve their health & wellness goals by teaching some of the same principles she adapted on her journey. After several years of coaching women to get into the driver’s seat of their wellness, she transitioned her focus on helping women optimize their lives in many other compartments such as self-love, confidence, passion/purpose, and abundant thinking all through insightful mindset and empowerment coaching in her virtual practice as a Tenacity & Empowerment Coach. One of her most profound messages she created is titled, “Cultivate the Queen in You” – Stop living as a Pawn …Start living as a Queen.

Erica is the published author of Unstoppable Tenacity: A Memoir and Self-help Guide to Empower Women to Rise up and Claim their Unstoppable Power. This book reveals the majority of traumatic childhood & adult experiences which has shaped her into the person she is today and how her path was designed by God to boldly share the message to never give up and never settle for less. In addition, Erica is currently enrolled in a Public Health Doctoral program to further her education with an expected graduation date of 2018. She lives, plays and works in Cleveland, Ohio and has huge intentions on sharing her message “Unstoppable Tenacity” around the world!

Erica is inspired by Optimum Health, Infinite Prosperity, and Fulfillment!

Her book is Unstoppable Tenacity: http://www.unstoppabletenacity.com

Her advice to other women: I am here to remind you, whoever you are and wherever you are, that you have infinite power within you, even if you don’t feel it right now. And that power is what you need to tap into in order to claim your inheritance.

You are a Queen. You might not know it yet; you might feel alone or small or not enough. But I am here to tell you that it is time to shake out your hair and grab your crown. Your power is based in the tenacity of your heart — because only with unflinching faith and relentless action, can you claim your throne.

A true queen has grace, poise, confidence, intelligence and a warrior spirit because no matter what, she will stand for her kingdom, her legacy, her truth and no one will deny it of her.

It’s time to be the tenacious woman God called you to be. Most of the time it’s our emotional baggage and gremlins preventing us from being “unstoppable”. My sole purpose is to empower women to be tenacious on their journey by pushing beyond thoughts of scarcity, past failures, potential obstacles, or lack of resources.

Tenacity is a learned trait. It takes a lot of self-love, consistency, and determination to make it happen and you, my friend, CAN make your dreams happen. She wishes to Spread the word of Unstoppable Tenacity through virtual summits, speaking engagements, community events, and etc.

Connect with Erica: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/unstoppabletenacity Facebook Group: Tenacious Queens Unite Instagram: erica_steptea

Spotlight Wendy K. Benson and Elizabeth A. Myers “Most of us understandably feel vulnerable and don’t feel confident when we are sitting in an exam room or lying in a hospital bed, but we can take steps immediately to help feel that way. We need to own our experiences, to let others know how important this critical information is to us, that we are truly invested in our own health and well-being, and that we are passionate about living a healthy, full life with an increased understanding.”

Our book is The Confident Patient, Successfully Navigate Your Healthcare Journey The Confident Patient is written as an extension of our own philosophy: it is important for us to help guide, reassure, and support you and your family, especially when you are dealing with a healthcare crisis. Our company, 2x2 Health: Private Health Concierge, was created to support those who have a healthcare need. Our mission is to guide individuals with complex healthcare issues with our compassionate experts who possess invaluable knowledge, experience and relationships. We focus on care coordination, clinical companionship, as well as health education and wellness. We strongly believe that relationships matter and expertise, care and support, during critical times is an absolute. In this book and when we talk with our patients, our communication style is the same as when we talk with a very close friend. We are all in this together. Our aim with this book is to increase your comfort level, increase your knowledge, and ultimately to increase your confidence level in your healthcare experiences. This book is a guide that provides several real-life examples and gives practical advice that you can use immediately. The tactics in this book will help you feel empowered and more in control.

We have worked together with our team to build this business by helping others, being genuine, and collaborating with medical professionals.

We would like to continue to spread the word that support is out there and available.

Whether you need Care Coordination or the support of one of the thousands of organizations that exist, when you need extra assistance, there are specific ways that you can make or enhance connections, reach out for it. http://www.2x2health.com care@2x2health.com (833) 2x2-NRSE (833) 292-6773 Most of us understandably feel vulnerable and don’t feel confident when we are sitting in an exam room or lying in a hospital bed, but we can take steps immediately to help feel that way. We need to own our experiences, to let others know how important this critical information is to us, that we are truly invested in our own health and well-being, and that we are passionate about living a healthy, full life with an increased understanding.

www.TributeMagazine.net

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Spotlight Arlene Majors “Weeping may endure for a night but JOY comes in the morning!”

Psalm 30: 5 Arlene R Major is originally from Albuquerque, NM the Land of Enchantment. She is the oldest of three children; she has one brother and one sister. Arlene’s Dad passed in 2010 and her mother is living somewhere in the United States; they have not been able to speak in over 5 years. She is a happily married mom with four children and soon to be first time Grand momma. Arlene started writing in high school but always kept it to herself because she never really thought anyone would take it seriously. She dabbled in poetry as well as magazine articles. In 2014 after much encouragement from her aunt and her cousin; she started her first blog site called ‘Joy Does Come in the Morning.’ She has been writing ever since. Arlene penned the name ‘Lady Blue’ after her first ‘open mic’ session and a piece she wrote called, ‘Forgiveness.’

Arlene started doing radio in 2015 and she has been with wmskonlineradio.com since 2015. Things seemed to have blossomed since then with events, meeting and speaking with celebrities and artists and mostly inviting the community to see that there is still some good in the world. She also writes for World Prayer, a Christian website and Urban Image. She has penned articles for ‘Compulsive magazine’ and for the upcoming ‘State vs. Us, magazine’ due out in 2018. Writing her personal story has allowed her to not only reflect, but too share what her life was like, in the hopes that it would help someone else.

We are Spotlighting Arlene for her, 50 Shades of Blue which came about when she turned 50 and was reflecting on her life and how she could give back at this stage in her life. “Being that I have survived domestic violence, it only seemed fitting to have an event that would give survivors and victims’ alike a place to gather, share and uplift each other.” Domestic Violence, now called Intimate Partner Violence or IPV, is a stigma in our society. It is something that when it happens, the situation is swept under the rug and ignored until someone dies as a result of the violence. It is not an easy subject to talk about or to live through or live with. She wanted to use her voice to let others know that together if we combine our efforts, we can raise enough awareness that we are not ignored. Arlene spoke with us and said, “Our current administration wants to treat this violent act as a preexisting condition or something that we asked for. That is not true and the victim is not the problem. We need to wipe the societal view that it only happens to women. Men and children are also affected. It is not just in heterosexual relationships that it happens. The LGBTQ community deals with high rates of violence and homicide. Children are affected in many ways as well as social, economic and other areas. Pets even suffer the consequences of this act. We have too many lazy laws and too many people that don't see that all suffer when it comes to this type of violence.”

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When speaking on the topic of overcoming, Arlene said; “I have won awards over the past few years for my writing and involvement in the community. I would have to say that my biggest success is when I learned to forgive.” “It takes a lot for someone to understand and to do that without looking back. It was not something that I needed validation for. It was something that I needed for me and for those in my life currently. Learning to accept my part in what happens in my life and to look at the entire picture not only allows me to have a view of the world that is no longer tainted but allows me to look at the entire picture and see a situation for what it actually is and not what I wish it to be.”

You can contact Arlene R. Majors by visiting her website or email; Ladyblue1.com https://50shadesofbluebalt.wixsite.com/50shadesofblue Arlene’s Lady Blue Book is now available on Amazon.com and you can find Arlene at these Social Media sites.

Instgram: @ladybluu1 (radio and blog) @50shadesofbluebmore (domestic violence advocacy) and @lbfabulous (follow my weightloss journey) Twitter: @ladybluu1, @Alwayzmotivate and @50shadesofblue3 Tumblr: @ladybluu1 Facebook: Inspirational group: Joy Does Come in the Morning: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php? fbid=10210816199582033&set=gm.1735932433084269&type=3 CovenantConnection: https://www.facebook.com/wmskcovenantconnection/ Lady Blue: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealLadyBluu1/ LadyBlueTalkRadioGroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1345471592136930/? ref=group_header Lady Blue Radio Show: https://www.facebook.com/Ladybluuone/ 50 Shades of Blue Baltimore: https://www.facebook.com/50shadesbmore/

. www.TributeMagazine.net

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Ready to Become an Author If your answer to this question is YES, this class is for YOU!! This class will help dispel the myths and help you to take steps to make this a reality!

There are several ways to go about the process and some questions you need to decide before you begin. So let’s get started right now!!

1.

How will you use your book?

a.

Sell at your events

b.

Give away or sell on your website

c.

Promote yourself or your business

d.

Launch your speaking career

2.

What’s Your budget?

This is your most important decision! So think about it carefully! This will decide everything else in your project!

Once you decide on the subject; Take time to brainstorm on a title! Take out a piece of paper and write down all your ideas. You should just let the creative juices flow! Making a list is the best way to do this.

So, you can look at all your options! Ok! Now your content is chosen, your title is chosen and you have decided your budget and publishing package choice. So it’s time to get the project going. You have to do this part with intention. You must decide to make it happen. You cannot treat it like a hobby. You must make a commitment.

Let WOM Enterprises help you make your publishing experience beautiful and amazing!

Contact us today! www.teresahawleyhoward.com

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Be Careful How You Speak to yourself!

You will speak the most to yourself! I know you are shocked by that statement. You are saying no I don’t! but yes you do! It may not be out loud but in your head, you are speaking volumes to yourself! Every thought and word you are speaking life and death to yourself! It sets the tone for your day, your week, your business, your family and your life. So you need to pay more attention to those thoughts and prayers!!

Ask yourself do I build myself up? Am I my own cheerleader? Do I believe in me? In my dreams? In my abilities? Do I say I can do it? Or do I tear myself down? Am I always doubting myself? Am I always reliving my mistakes? Do I continuously tell myself I cannot do it? Take time to think about this. It is really important! If you are not uplifting yourself, it’s time to start! It’s time to stop all of that negative speak! It’s time to start building yourself up!

You need to realize your words have power! They can elevate your life or they can take you to the depths of misery. It’s totally your choice! What you say to yourself is more important than what others say about you! You must learn to love you and your flaws and mistakes.

You must learn to speak to yourself with grace and love and not with disdain. The words you speak to yourself today will determine your tomorrow!

So, start today and change your tomorrow! Lift yourself up, be your own champion, be your own cheerleader and speak love to you!

Here are some tips to get you started!

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4.

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Each morning before you do anything! Look in the mirror and say I love you and I’m going to start acting like it!

List three things that you do well! Celebrate them!

Everyday list one thing you are grateful for!

Take time to Celebrate small victories!

Begin each day with praise and uplifting! (listen to great music or spend time in the word) Forgive yourself and begin again!

Each day is a new chance to make changes and live a happy, positive, and loving life. So take it and make it yours!

Thankfulness Sharon Gulley Cultivating a spirit of thankfulness honors God and strengthens our faith. It also strengthens our relationships with other people. We can’t be in a right relationship with God or with anyone without a spirit of thankfulness.

Cultivating a spirit of thankfulness is more than a good idea; it’s a direct command from God. In the Old Testament, God laid down specific guidelines for the Israelites to bring offerings of thanks. In the New Testament, believers are instructed to be thankful in all circumstances.

When we’re struggling with trials and difficulties, this sounds like a strange command, especially since we live in a culture that encourages us to act on the basis of how we feel in the moment; but God knows that when we focus on our blessings instead, it’s easier to keep our problems and concerns in the right perspective.

Being thankful also improves our physical and emotional health. Holding on to feelings of thankfulness boosts our immune system and increases blood supply to our heart. Daily guided affirmations or the habit of keeping a weekly gratitude journal can increase our alertness, enthusiasm, and energy, and improve our sleep. People who describe themselves as feeling grateful tend to suffer less stress and depression than the rest of the population.

Reminding yourself what you have to be thankful for and recording your thankfulness each day helps to cement how thankful you are. It doesn’t matter how difficult your life is at the moment, there is always something to be thankful for. Finding that will help you deal with the other parts of life. Record 3-5 things you’re thankful for at the end of every day. When you’re having a particularly difficult time, it can be beneficial to go back to what you’ve written previously.

Each day as you read the Bible ask yourself, what can I give thanks to God for? There will be many things: for who God is, what he’s life, what he’s done for us in Christ, blessings of friends/family/church. Keep on mulling over/meditating on these things throughout the day, rejoicing and giving thanks to God for them.

This attitude of thankfulness will see you through all the trials and tribulations of life.

I will give thanks to you with all my heart, O Lord my God. I will honor you forever because your mercy toward me is great. Psalms 86:12-13 Ask yourself today: How often do I express gratitude to God or to other people?

Sharon Gulley of Beautiful Expectations of Faith

Sharon Gulley – of Beautiful Expectations of Faith Sharon Gulley is an Author, Co-Author, Editor, and Creative Writer, Article Writer, Spiritual Healer & Coach, Motivational Speaker, Domestic Violence Survivor and Advocate. Sharon Gulley spiritually counsels Women whose lives have been touched by Domestic Violence to help them to move on from the past in a healthy and productive way. She has also had a secret love for the field of Ancient Medicine; so she is studying in the fields of: Medicine vs. Science, Metaphysical Healing, Ancient Medicine and Spiritualism. She wants to bring back to the world, the Traditional but Ancient ways of healing for those who have been told they are terminally ill.

Sharon’s Books & Co-Authored Books: From Fear to Freedom, Echo’s in the Darkness, Sisterhood of Stories, The Beauty of Color-Poetry & Prose, I am Beautiful, Resilient, and The Butterfly Flutters By - Poetry. Books can be found on Amazon.com

Connect with Sharon Gulley at: Facebook.com – Sharon Gulley Sharongulley.weebly.com – website Twitter- @greenilygulley Linkendin.com – Sharon Gulley Amazon.com – Sharon Gulley Poetrysoup.com – Sharon Gulley

Elizabeth Lupacchino CHt, RMP is an internationally certified Hypnotherapist and Master Reiki Practitioner with over 30 years’ experience. She works primarily with cancer patients and those who have recovered from cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Elizabeth also helps clients who want to make life changes and who want to end unwanted addictions. She teaches people how to meditate and how to discover and reach their soul’s purpose. Elizabeth is available for private sessions, either in person or by phone, as well as group sessions. Arrangements can also be made for her to conduct workshops and seminars.

Elizabeth co-authored her first transformational book in 2014; “Food for the Soul, Daily Meditations for a Month of Transformation.” She is also a co-author in the anthology “Angels Among Us,” and “The Power of Prayer.” Elizabeth is originally from Manchester, Connecticut and is presently residing in Middletown, Connecticut.

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

This is my favorite quote from C.S. Lewis. A day doesn’t go by without my hearing someone say they wish they could change something in their past. Does this sound familiar to you? Several of my patients tell me this. That their lives would be so much better if they had only done things differently. But where is their focus? Where is all their energy going? It is being focused on past events; events that they can’t change. I am not saying that we should ignore what has occurred in our past. What I am saying is to acknowledge it, learn the lessons and view it with a nonjudgmental eye. And that is the challenge; viewing it without judgment.

Several years ago, I was at a crossroads in my life. I had what appeared to be a wonderful opportunity to move out of state to continue learning and growing in my Spiritual development. Some of my friends were supportive of my journey while family members and others were not. At the time I was very conflicted and didn’t know which way to go; even though my “gut” was telling me the truth.

I chose not to listen to my “gut” and went anyway. And, yes, I quickly discovered that it was a big mistake.

What I realized was that my “gut” was actually God telling me that this was not what it appeared to be.

After being there for several months, a series of events that could only be called miracles occurred that would enable my return home. My immediate reaction upon my return was to berate myself and feel guilty

for my decision. And then, thru the power of prayer I was able to forgive myself. This opened my eyes to see that others had already done that. By my focusing on the past I was not living in the present and missed many opportunities to start over.

This is one of the reasons why my patients are so successful in making life changes of their own. I can honestly draw on my own experiences and help them open their eyes and see where they are headed without judgment.

My goal is to help as many people as I can achieve the peace they desire by not living in the past, by not judging their past; but by looking where they are today, now, and start living the life they deserve. You can contact Elizabeth at elizlupacchino@aol.com to make an appointment or for a consultation.

You can find out more about Elizabeth at: Facebook: Elizabeth Lupacchino, Author, Clinical Hypnotherapist LinkedIn: Elizabeth Lupacchino Email: elizlupacchino@aol.com Website: http://www.Elizabethlupacchino.com

Spotlight Dr. Cheryl Lentz

I am Dr. Cheryl Lentz, author, scholar, keynote speaker, business owner, and university professor, known as The Academic Entrepreneur.

“Have the courage to simply begin. Many people talk about writing a book.

Be the one that actually writes your book. The world is waiting!”

My passion is to get doctoral research off the coffee table and out of the hallowed halls of academia to reach a broader audience, particularly within the business community. Often, information gets stuck in the doctoral process; our goal is to build a bridge to connect this research with the people who are searching for these answers. Our purpose is to offer a premier publishing solution for doctoral scholars to publish their research in an easy to understand format to reach beyond the walls of academia into our business communities to provide answers to many of the questions businesses are asking.

With the new generations joining the workforce, many in business remain challenged with how to motivate and inspire these new employees, entrepreneurs, and business owners as they join the work force. Our contributing scholars provide amazing research with these answers and effective and proven strategies to overcome these challenges.

Our primary audience are students and faculty attending institutions of higher learning3. We also appeal to business owners who seek answers to the questions many doctoral scholars ask in their research. We are matchmakers—to connect those asking the questions with those who have found the answers. our next book in the series will be The Refractive Thinker® Vol XVII: Managing a Cultural Workforce: The Impact of Global Employees, with a publishing date of August 1st. 2019.

Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com; and please join us for our Book Signings at DePaul University in Chicago on April 5th, 2019 in Chicago http://refractivethinker.com/press-releases/the-refractive-thinker-is-going-to-depaul-university-in-chicago/ and The University of Chicago on April 6th

http://refractivethinker.com/press-releases/the-refractive-thinker-goes-to-the-university-of-chicago/

http://refractivethinker.com/authors/dr-cheryl-a-lentz/ https://twitter.com/DrCherylLentz https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Cheryl.Lentz email: drcheryllentz@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcheryllentz/

Spotlight Julee Hafner “That everyone has something to say, be heroic and say it as you never know who you might be able to help.”

I’m Julee Hafner. I am a best-selling author, international speaker and mentor to business professionals. I help professionals to communicate more effectively and develop skills of change to transform themselves into the person they desire becoming.

There are not too many people exploring the topic of unlearning and the power of change. People are often perplexed by what to change and how to change. This subject has always fascinated me. How do we get rid of things we don’t like or want to change? … And how can we make it as easy as possible.

A couple of things that readers should take away…

First, that change is never easy unless you know how… and, Second, there are techniques and strategies that you can learn to embrace and facilitate change. You can make it easy on yourself… and I can show you how.

Readers from the Refractive Thinker, will be individuals who like to see things from a different perspective and challenge the norm. They are willing to think differently and unlearn their previous thinking…

My next book will be on heroic communication, and another one about changes and the challenges we all face.

It is on Amazon and my other book and its companion workbook are also on Amazon My website is: DrJuleeHafner.com

Spotlight Martha Hanlon and Chris Williams

“Your customers don’t care about you. They care about themselves.

Tell them how you take away the problem they want to be rid of.”

We are Martha Hanlon and Chris Williams, founders of Wide Awake Business.

In March we launch our new book, Customertopia, at our retreat, Lead Her Up, for women small business owners making at least $500K in their business.

In Customertopia they’ll discover the insights about their customers they must have in order to be seen and heard in today’s noise, crazy, changing, challenging markets. They’ll be guided on how to uncover those insights, how to use them and then how to put them to work to create a business that’s machine-like, fun and profitable…rather than something that’s different everyday which is highly unprofitable, unpredictable and stress-producing. We share and guide small business owners to the real path to build a business that grows.

Businesses grow when you build your business from your customer’s point of view, from them in to you, and you speak the language of your customer. Then you have what most small business owners want—an easier, simpler and more profitable business!

We’re sharing this in detail because many of your readers want to know, not just the problem we had, but how we pulled ourselves out of it.

Like many businesses we were deeply affected by the recession of 2009. We lost about 75% of our revenue as our clients retracted their business development efforts, pulled back on their marketing, sales and team development. Our Ideal Customers no longer wanted the things they were desiring before. They wanted something else, something different. But customers don’t send you a letter telling you what they want! You have to become a detective to determine their new desires.

We watched their behavior, talked to our prospects…asked them questions that revealed their desires for themselves and their businesses as their businesses were hurting, too. We reworked the services we offered based on the information we were gathering, and we, frankly, cut back how we were personally paid. We didn’t turn things around right away. One of the lessons we’d share with our readers is to be patient when you make changes. Be persistent and consistent in conveying what you do for your clients, particularly as you make changes. Don’t pull the plug immediately on new things you try to reinvigorate your

business…but also don’t hang on too long to things that aren’t working for you. That’s called “busy, but not productive” work.

When we got stuck, didn’t know exactly what to do, we sought help from those who did know. Any of your readers who feel stuck should do the same thing…hire a business mentor who can see your business with fresh eyes to target the efforts that can end (not productive) and what to start (that will turn the business).

This is one of our “Super Powers” at Wide Awake Business!

Our efforts to regroup, to align to the new requirements of our Ideal Customer enabled us to first survive the recession, and then to conquer it and begin to grow again.

What we experienced will sound familiar to many of your readers. Where there might be a difference is: are they still doing too many things themselves? Doing rather than leading their business? Getting stuck and not know what to do next so they sit still? Feeling overwhelmed and stressed about how to grow?

That’s what we’re masters at: taking businesses out of the stuck stage, getting them focused on only the executions that move them forward.

Some of the new things that popped up as the year progressed we didn’t anticipate in January put exciting opportunities on our plate. This coming March we have created a leadership retreat for women small business owners, called Lead Her Up. This is a small, intimate, invitation-only retreat for women owners making at least $500K in their business. Many of our Wide Awake Business clients are women who own small businesses, $500K to $8M. They have had a difficult time pulling themselves out of “doing” the work instead “leading” the company’s work. And they don’t have a network of women in similar positions to them. We’ll work with them to build their leadership talent for themselves, their team and their Brand. Plus integrate them into a facilitated Master Mind of women peers for support and advancement. These are just some of the things Lead Her Up will deliver.

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Spotlight Dr. Zuhair Hasan

“Sustainability strategies are numerous; however, their adoption and implementation reside in the hands of managers who advocate and embrace sustainability. Therefore, leaders of organizational sustainability should be cognizant of their values, principles, and behaviors, since everything they promote or demote has its effect on the success of organizational sustainability and on achieving sustainable world objectives.”

I am Dr. Zuhair Hasan with more than 20 years in consulting engineering practice, and had worked on projects totaling worth of more than $1.5 billion, where I focuses on sustainability of projects specifically energy and water savings. I have a PhD in business management, master’s degree in building construction, and a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering.

My experience includes private sector and public sector organizations. I am an entrepreneur and an independent sustainability leadership consultant. Additionally, I am a frequent author and coauthor of articles on both sustainability in engineering practice and leadership, including Virtuous Leadership – Insights for the 21st Century, A Federal Case for Smart Design, and 5 Proven Methods That Will Make You The Leader People Admire.

Leading Organizational Sustainability: behaviors and Values to Master My book is probably the first book that integrates few leadership styles for organizational sustainability. It contains behaviors and values that operational leaders should master to become successful in their roles. In my humble opinion, getting a book with the information it contains and directions to an audience is both an achievement and a success. I would like to be presenting excerpts from my book to some professional associations in conferences, and publishing few articles on the same subject.

I have only a profile on LinkedIn. My profile name is Zuhair (Zack) Hasan. And here is the link to it: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-zuhair-hasan-ph-d-p-e-leed-ap-42766b103/ The best way to reach me is my email address: zeeman3236@gmail.com, or my phone number: 770-310-4434.