Blog
Who am I?
As a businesswoman
I am an award-winning speaker, author, and business consultant/coach.
Before launching Advanta Strategies, LLC, I was President and Chief Marketer for THE LRF Design Group, Inc., a leading mid-size interior design consulting firm in NJ, creating relationships with Fortune 500 companies and building a 7 figure business from a room in my basement.
As a student…
Graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Interior Design
I graduated from Rowan University with a degree in Education – Art.
I am currently attending Kutztown University for my M. Ed. Art
During COVID-19, I completed a six-month noncredit program through the University of Pennsylvania, Foundations in Positive Psychology through the University of Michigan, and Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most.
Recently, I completed a certificate program in Feng Shui to add depth to my knowledge as I gave the workshop “Envision Possibilities” based on the Feng Shui principles on Jan 20th, 2024.
Today, I attend a watercolor class with the most fantastic teacher. I’m excited to explore those rusty skills.
As a Rotarian
I’ve been a member since 2000 – State College Downtown Rotary, Trainer for District 7360, National Immunization Day Madagascar, and Humor Week in Bulgaria as a clown. I was married to a district governor, so I underwent the same training he did during the ramp-up to his leadership position.
Wife of Jerry Friedman – deceased
I was married to a great guy. A brilliant Aerospace Engineer and Astrophysicist who died of Alzheimer’s in 2019. I was his primary and only caregiver. You can see the drop off in activity since 2017, when doing anything other than caregiving was impossible. I wouldn’t change a minute of our time together.
My personal timeline is an exciting ride. I caught the tail of that comet as it swung by, and I’ve been hanging on every sin
Grateful
A little bit of sleep goes a long way
Starting Again 2024
Happy New Year.
Question of the year 2024 – from 2023. What’s working for you?
I’m a list maker, so I’ll begin.
Working for me # 1 – Sleep Habit
I end every day writing a list, surprise, right? I write not just thinking about – it’s easy to go to bed and think oh, that went well or that was good. But writing it down and, in some cases, noting how that happened? When I write how I made that happen, I’m surprised to learn that I planted a seed a few days, weeks, or months ago, and the outcome started growing. The result is incredible, and I am grateful. The acknowledgment of that outcome is in my writing at night.
I write the three things I’m grateful for during the day. The results are fascinating.
1. Most importantly, I get a good night’s sleep. I haven’t stuffed my mind with useless trivia or negative thinking.
2. It helps me reflect on the things or circumstances I created to support that good part of the day and how I can repeat them.
Working for me #2 – Website Building
I am learning how to build my website again. Paul taught me in 2010 to develop my website from scratch. It served me well for many years. The new one is one in WordPress but with Elegant Themes and DIVI. I love it! I love working on it and figuring out the puzzle. Yes, it would be faster and easier if I hired someone to do that for me. But I’m not in a rush, and yet I am in a hurry. The joy of working on it outweighs the time it takes.
1. Learning Divi
2. Researching the best templates and methods of communication
Working for me #3 – Envisioning Possibilities
I have chosen a new set of words to define the purpose-driven vision workshop I’ve been doing for years. Although, many people find the terms interesting and exciting to follow, I was bored with the words.
I believe the concept is strong and still stands, but PDVB? Even the acronym looked stoggy.
Advanta Strategies is over 20 years old and it is my main business, this year I added a spark to it.
1. I purchased a new URL
2. Using Divi – created a website for people to sign up. www.envisioningpossibilities.com
Knives
Seems the culture for using a knife started atleast two and half million years ago and were made from a variety of metals i.e. copper, brass, iron, steel and ceramics. Their uses included hunting, carving and eating. Knives were a tool as much as a...
Napkin
Napkins Whose napkin is it anyway? Is my napkin on the right of the place setting or on the left? According to Emily Post ( http://emilypost.com/advice/informal-place-setting/), this is where the napkins can be found. "Napkin: The napkin is folded or put in a napkin...
Presumption
Etiquette requires the presumption of good until the contrary is proved.” ― Emily Post, Emily Post On Etiquette
No work
What is more perfect on Labor Day than no work? No washing and drying of too many dishes and silverware Fancy napkins or not Making it pretty too! Seems the best way to make it pretty and no work is to use paper everything. Paper plates are a good starting place. But...
Wow! You’ve accomplished so much! It is inspiring. It gives me hope that I can reach my greatest potential.