Wow, this month has been a real whirlwind! From the NSA Conference in Orlando, FL to a visit to my Northern adoptive family in Boston and Connecticut. And now a trip to the West Coast just to renew old ties and create new ones! (Yes, my friends are working hard at convincing me to relocate.)

A long weekend on Nantucket was particularly special as I got to visit with dear friend Susan Claasen and her partner Bella since Suz was performing Conversations with Edith Head. I also met Bonnie Roseman, fashion designer extraordinaire, and her delightful husband jazz artist, Tony Messina.

A day in Washington, DC with branding guru Sam Horn. We have uncovered a wonderful metaphor for designing your life that enables me to share my philosophies and methodology with corporate audiences nationwide and eventually audiences internationally.

But in the midst of all of this, I still take time to garden, catch a movie with friends, dinner at a new haunt, and stop and smell the roses. How about you? MG

The conference was loaded with great seminars and break outs. Yes, of course, I got information overload and am just now sorting it out! Lots of terrific opportunities not just at home but speaking abroad and influencing the world at large. Frank Furness explained the ins and outs of speaking internationally and the tremendous benefits in exotic travel and creating a success network globally.

I also got the scoop on self publishing vs. the world of agents and publishers from Greenleaf Book Group. It seems no matter which route you go, the author bears the cost of marketing and is responsible largely for ensuring a book’s success. With competition fierce these days from electronic media, books on CD, and print, the author’s platform is critical to cutting through the clutter and making a voice be heard. It is about having a unique message in a world overwhelmed with imitations. Marilyn Sherman taught us all how to get a front row seat in life, a valuable lesson in motivation magic. I garnered a one day consulting session with renowned branding guru Sam Horn, and have reinvented my message and logo. Changes in the works! Much to do as always. I’ll focus in more detail in my next newsletter.

The Marriott World Center was a very pleasant stay. I managed some 7 movies on the hotel TV, a desperate attempt to catch up! I enjoyed dining Italian fare at their Tuscan bistro, and worked out daily in a well equipped gym. Next time I really will add a trip to Disney World. Epcot is still an unknown!

Travel well and beautifully,

MG

Just returned from a conference with a host of other design professionals from around the country. Learned just a couple of interesting tidbits, reinforced what I already knew, and made some truly wonderful connections. So often being a business owner can feel isolating and this was a great way to reach out and touch, share practice information and swap stories. MG