We’re one month into the New Year and new opportunities abound.  You never know what possibilities are heading your way when you answer the phone or make a new connection online or in person.  But the thing is…you need to be aware there is always an opportunity waiting.

Last week, Nancy Kirwin and I hosted our 5^th Wine, Women & Shopping event to celebrate sisterhood and help support My Sisters’ Place.  We had more than 500 women attend to shop, sample wine (and beer this year), enjoy a gourmet dinner, and listen to the healing sounds of drumming by the women of this transitional support centre.

I love this picture.  Yes, that’s me looking into the face – or rather the mouth – of a very tall giraffe.  Out of my comfort zone?  Yes.  Having fun?  Oh yeah!  Talk about up close and personal!

With the departure of my daughter this past month – off to experience life in Australia for the next year – and a son and his family getting ready to move across the country, I have been feeling a little emotional.  Thankfully the members of my InTouch networking group were okay with a few tears when I was asked about my daughter’s trip.

August was another busy month as my husband and I celebrated our 31^st wedding anniversary and then two days later became grandparents for the third time with the birth of Asher Jadon Regier.  It’s been a time of extreme gratitude for the blessings in our lives.

This summer I’m volunteering my time to mentor young entrepreneurs in The Summer Company through our local Small Business Centre.  These teens will all return to high school, college, or university in the Fall but over the summer months they are learning the intricacies of being business owners.

Happy Canada Day!  Happy Independence Day!  Whether you live in Canada or the United States…you’re celebrating this weekend! I’m looking forward to one evening with great friends and another evening with our fabulous family. 

Last week was my dad’s 84^th birthday…it was great to take time out to visit and celebrate his special day. 

I attended the Canadian Franchise Association annual convention in Niagara Falls a few weeks ago.  It was great to get away for a few days and learn from some of the world’s most well-known franchise leaders.

You never know where your networking is going to land you!

It’s a fact…we’re constantly bombarded with change.  The way we communicate.  The way we work. The way we live.  It’s important that we look toward the future, but last week I had a wonderful opportunity to step into the past – my past.

Last week I spent a few days in Tampa, Florida, where I attended a copywriting bootcamp led by some of North America’s top marketers including Ted Nicholas, Bob Bly, Trevor “Toe Cracker” Crook, Matt Furey, and Terry Brock.  In fact,  Bob Bly introduced me to the business of copywriting and showed me how to transition from freelance writer to business owner fifteen years ago. I was thrilled to meet this marketing legend in person.  

What’s your word for 2011?   In June 2010, I asked you to come up with one word that best describes you – the word you want people to think of when they think of you.  The answer reflected your personal brand. 

Wow…November certainly flew by and it’s hard to believe we’re approaching the holiday season.  Our family put up the tree and decorated the house last weekend and my husband and I both commented how it just seemed like last week that we took the decorations down!  Does that mean we’re getting old?  I was exhausted by the time I was half done – so packed up a lot of decorations and donated them to charity. My daughter, Janelle, thought there was too much and she was right…and doing it when I was too tired to keep working made sharing our treasures easier.

As you’re reading this I’m on my way to Las Vegas (don’t you just love technology) with my daughter, Janelle, to attend my coach and mentor Ali Brown’s SHINE event.  I am thrilled to be able to share this opportunity with Janelle where she’ll learn from Ali and her guest speakers, focused sessions to enlighten and inspire, and networking opportunities with some of the world’s leading entrepreneurial women (and yes, they do come from all parts of the world).  Plus, we’re staying at the luxurious Wynn Hotel and taking over one of Vegas’ hottest nightclubs, Tryst, so it won’t be all work. 

I just returned from my Millionaire Protégé Club retreat with my mentors and business coaches, Ali Brown and James Roche, at the beautiful Montelucia Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Talk about luxury!  This is definitely a place to put on my bucket list to go back to for a vacation!  Being surrounded by exceptional people with a common goal to share, help, grow, and create is simply amazing!

It’s hard to believe that summer 2010 is now behind us…and what a fabulous summer it has been.  Not only has the weather been perfect (meaning hot) but for the first time in years I took a two week vacation without any thought about work!  No workshops.  No seminars. No writing.  Believe me it felt strange at first but I returned home feeling rejuvenated and ready for everything that Fall has to offer.  

I just got back from attending Ali Brown’s Coaching Business Intensive in Los Angeles last week where I spent two very full days with my fellow Millionaire Protégé Club members and several coaches from around the globe.  Ali didn’t hold back anything and shared her resources and information from behind the scenes of her successful coaching programs and live events.  It was amazing.  You’ll hear about the new programs I’ll be offering in the weeks ahead so stay tuned. It’s an exciting time!

Happy Birthday, Canada!

July 1st, Canada Day, is the unofficial start to summer in Canada.  This is the day many look forward to changing gears and taking it easy for the next couple of months.  But what happens to your business come September?

I belong to a structured mastermind group that includes amazing movers and shakers in various industries across North American (I’m the only Canadian and we have one person from Finland) so the ideas and insights are plentiful.  At the end of our call last week, we were challenged to come up with one word that we want people to think of when they think of us.  Now that is a true challenge in my mind.

Last Sunday, my husband, Dave, and I renewed our wedding vows at a special Wedding Anniversary ceremony to honour couples married 30 years or more.  Our actual anniversary isn’t until August, but we decided to participate in this group event. 

I love the warm, sunny weather we’ve been having and hope the snow is finally behind us.  I’m not a fan of cold weather, that’s for sure! 

Only one week to go and I’m heading to sunny Marina del Rae with the rest of Ali Brown’s Millionaire Protégé Club members for an energizing and inspirational 3-day retreat. California may never be the same – we’re even having our own Oscar party at the Ritz Carlton Sunday night to get things started at an award winning level.

I’ve talked to several people lately who are feeling the January Blah’s.  They would rather hole up at home – or in their home offices – rather than go out to an organized “meet ‘n greet.”  These past few days, I’ve actually felt the same way (and so has other members of our family, including Riley and Franklin).

To be honest, I’m not sure what happened to 2009 – but it definitely went by in a whirlwind of activity and adventure. And I’m excited to get started with 2010 as I have been working on my business and personal goals for the year ahead. And to help me keep on track and expand, I’m continuing my work with Ali Brown in her Platinum Elite Millionaire Protégé Club with 39 other fabulous entrepreneurs from around the globe – inspiring to say the least! (Check out Ali’s special telecall next week to help you boost business this year – with her 11 Best No Cost to Low Cost Marketing & Business Strategies for 2010.)

It’s hard to believe we’re in December and the holidays are just around the corner. Many talk about the busy season ahead but I’m hoping for a bit of down-time after the hectic pace of November.

I’m excited as I head into one of the busiest months of the year.  In a few days, I’m off to Las Vegas and Ali Brown’s SHINE event.  I am thrilled at the prospect of meeting up with my fellow Millionaire Protégé Club members and schmoozing with the likes of Marlee Matlin (Academy-Award winning actress), Barbara Corcoran (Shark Tank), and Julie Clark (founder of The Baby Einstein Company) during our fabulous VIP party at the world famous nightclub TAO. 

I’m not sure what happened to September but it definitely went by in a flurry of activity. I just got back from a whirlwind retreat with Ali Brown, James Roche, and fellow Millionaire Protégé Club members in beautiful Marina Del Rey.  The energy was high.  Ideas were flowing. And I returned home feeling inspired with possibilities and opportunities.

It’s always a good idea to take time to play…and as summer is winding down this is the perfect time to get out, take your mind off work for a few hours, and enjoy yourself.

This issue is coming out a day early as I’m heading to a lake side cottage in the Muskoka’s for a week long getaway – without a computer or Internet access! What a great way to start the long weekend! The past few weeks have been hectic so I’m looking forward to a bit of downtime.

Happy Birthday Canada!

It’s great to be noticed! And this is just what happened with Networking Today this past month. But of course, being noticed can bring with it a mixed bag of emotions.

Finally, June is here and with it is my favourite time of year, SUMMER. I love being able to simply get up and go without coats and boots and being able to spend time in my tranquil gardens. It’s a great place to sit, listen to the cascading waterfall, and find inspiration for new projects.

Well I’m back in Canada, fully inspired and raring to go from my time spent on the West Coast soaking in the knowledge and talent of so many extraordinary entrepreneurs.

I'm writing today from the beautiful Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach, California...and watching dolfins swim by as the sea lions bark their ongoing songs.  What fun this is!  Over the past two weeks, I've had the distinct pleasure of listening to more than 20 inspiring speakers - from Neale Donald Walsh (12 full hours), David Neagle (4 full days), and Ivanka Trump to Tony Alessandra, Bryan Tracy, and Garret Gunderson.  My favourite inspirational story came from Dan Caro, who at the age of two. suffered third and fourth degree burns to 70% of his body...his message was simple: "A challenge is only as difficult as you want it to be."  What more can I say?  His full story can be found at www.dancaro.com.

At a networking luncheon last week, I spoke about the importance of defining your target market and thought I’d share a few points here. After all, if you don’t know who you are selling to, you will be wasting a lot of time – yours and your prospects.

Surveys show that networking skills are crucial to long term business success. In fact; a well developed network, combined with the relationships nurtured within it, can become your insurance policy for success.

Happy New Year!

November was definitely an exciting time for me as I attended Alexandria Brown’s last Online Success Blueprint Workshop in Los Angeles and met some phenomenal people who are making amazing leaps in their businesses. Spending four days in the company of such inspiring individuals was truly a blessing and will have a huge impact on both Networking Today and Vantage One Writing as I expand in 2009. Stay tuned as I launch new initiatives over the next few months.

It’s hard to believe that summer 2008 is over – and what a summer it has been! For the first time ever, I experienced a glorious, two week getaway from work…and it won’t be the last time.

October really went out with a bang here in London, Ontario – with a surprise snow storm.  We were fortunate.  A large tree in our backyard split in half and crashed to the ground, brushing the side of our home as it fell – without damage.  Now that was quite an experience at four in the morning!  Thank goodness there weren’t any camera crews in our area capturing our chaos as we ran around the snow in pajamas, clearing branches to move our vehicles to safety – and just in time, too.  We’re still in the midst of clean up.

I just returned from a fantastic weekend getaway in Canada’s capitol where I attended my first franchise tradeshow…and what a learning experience it was.

It’s hard to believe that summer 2008 is over – and what a summer it has been! For the first time ever, I experienced a glorious, two week getaway from work…and it won’t be the last time.