Embracing My Journey ~ Living with passion & purpose!

She’s “Jane” of all trades and master of many…..an incredible woman who has taken her talents into many fields successfully.  Today Jane Angelich is here to share her story with us…Welcome Jane!

Living the life of one’s dreams is something many people believe to be a myth….yet; you are living proof that one can achieve this goal…Tell us about the path you traveled to arrive where you are today:
For over 25 years, I have been a business coach, focusing on women-owned businesses, an entrepreneur, a writer and a speaker on the topics of lifestyle and family issues. As one of CNBC’s recognized experts on work-life balance issues, I have appeared on numerous national television and radio programs. I am a contributor to the Wall Street Journal column on “Work and Life” and have written for national trade and general audience magazines. With my high profile as a hard-driving businesswoman and a mom, I have also been the subject of numerous articles including features on me in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, among others.

During my years in the corporate world, I held the positions of Senior Vice President of Human Resources and member of The Gap’s nine-person Executive Committee, in San Francisco and Vice President of Worldwide Human Resources for the investment banking firm, Salomon Brothers, in New York.

After leaving the corporate world at the age of 39, I went on to found, grow and sell several companies and my entrepreneurial successes won numerous “best of” awards. In conjunction with Working Mother magazine, I created the WorkLife University and spoke to corporate executives throughout the United States promoting balance in the lives of working women.

I am currently the CEO of Bright IP Concepts, the parent company for the recently released pet product, the supercollar®, www.supercollar.com. The supercollar®, the only patented dog collar with a built-in retractable leash, won two “best of” awards for innovation and best product of the year in 2008 by StartupNation and the Stevie Awards for Women-Owned Businesses. In addition, I wrote a business case study about the supercollar® for George Washington University School of Business, which houses the largest women’s business case library in the world. It was recently selected as one of a dozen of the most popular case studies in the library and will be featured as a learning tool for women throughout the world.

In addition to holding executive positions at major corporations, founding and running my own companies, writing a book and raising my children, I have been a keynote speaker and expert panelist at events promoting family issues. I have worked extensively developing and leading conferences on how women can successfully balance both a family and a busy work life.

For over five years, I have been a volunteer for Guide Dogs for the Blind. In 2008, I became a volunteer mentor for Mentiium Corporation, a global leader in corporate mentoring models. Menttium offers comprehensive mentoring solutions that support the development and advancement of key talent in the workplace.

I am the mother of two sons, ages 33 and 26 and a newly minted grandmother. My second book, What’s a Mother (In-Law) to Do? 5 Essential Steps to Building a Loving Relationship with Your Son’s New Wife, was released by Simon & Schuster in June, 2009, www.inlawexpert.com. I am also the In-Law Relationship columnist for San Francisco Examiner.com.  I live with my husband, a volunteer firefighter, and our two Guide Dogs for the Blind Labrador retrievers in Marin County, California.

What kept you moving forward on the days things were not going exactly the way you were hoping they would?
I move forward by knowing that the next day offers a new opportunity to have it go the way I want. I do not believe that you cannot achieve your dreams. I believe that you have to sometimes redirect your methods to get to the place you want to go.

What piece of advice would you give to someone who has decided they would like to live in a world of their own creation?
As a business coach, I have each client provide me with a list of everything they want for the rest of their lives, regardless of the money, education, or skills needed to achieve the list. Some write the list for me and others, who are usually the more creative personalities, provide me with a visual, such as a collage. From there, we can pick the things to start the process that make sense both financially and based upon abilities. Over time, the list/collage can be achieved, one item at a time.
It works…but you have to start by defining and documenting your dreams.

What special things do you do for yourself daily to maintain your momentum and energy levels?
I always find time for myself. It differs every day, but I enjoy reading, writing and spending time with my family and my dogs. So there is a daily combination of all of these “loves” that keeps my energy levels up there.

If you could spend 3 days on a deserted island with two people of your choosing, who would they be and why?
I would spend it with my husband and sister. After 18 years together, seeing my husband every morning when I wake is still as wonderful as it was when I met him. My sister and I are extremely close, and if I want to spend three days laughing, she’s the one to make it happen.

Who has inspired you and what is it about them that you found inspirational?
My dad. He is a high-schooled educated successful entrepreneur, wonderful father and husband, and my role model throughout my life. At 84 years old, he still is a super star.

What do you see in your future?
I see the enjoyment I experience with my family and friends, time with my new grandson, and success with my business and personal goals. If it isn’t satisfying, life is too short to waste on doing things that don’t make me happy and afford me the opportunity to make others feel that way, too.

Where is your favorite place in the world to spend time, what is special to you about this location?
Maui. The sheer beauty of this island coupled with the many wonderful memories I have from past trips pulls me back there almost every year.

What / who are you most thankful for and why?
My family. They, including my parents, my sister, my husband, my sons and my daughter-in-law, are my biggest supporters and are there when things get difficult.

What is your favorite way to contribute or give back?
I am a volunteer for both Guide Dogs for the Blind and for Menttiuum, an organization that permits me to mentor. I also speak, pro bono, to hundreds of women each year, one-on-one, to help them find the best in themselves, both personally and professionally.

Please share the top three things you feel people would benefit from doing if they truly desire to create the life of their dreams?
Write them down so you remember what is important to you as life can get in the way.

Tell others about your dreams so you become accountable to someone else who encourages you to pursue those desires.
Pat yourself on the back for everything you do well, big or small. Shameless self-promotion is a good thing! Others need to know that you did a good job, even if, sometimes, you have to tell them.

Thank you for Jane for taking the time to share your story with our readers. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes, visit Jane’s sites at: http://www.supercollar.com  http://www.inlawexpert.com  and http://www.bayareabusinesscoach and connect with her today!

Be healthy, be focused and be the best you that you can possibly be!

In gratitude,
Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald

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Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald has been a network marketer and connector since 1990. She is a published author, her passion is writing and she spends much of her free time meditating and connecting with like minded individuals.  Caryn walked away from Corporate America in 2003, she continues to achieve the goals she sets for herself and has created the life of her dreams.  Today, Caryn assists others in creating the lifestyles they desire through network marketing, privately owned businesses and spiritual lifestyle coaching. Ready to move forward in your life?
Connect with Caryn at: http://www.carynfitzgerald.com/contact.htm
Or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/carynfitzgerald

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 5:00 am and is filed under Caryn's writing, Living the life of my dreams. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.