Comments on: Escapees http://www.escapee925.com Are you an escapee from the nine to five? Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:01:30 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Andrea Lyons http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Andrea Lyons Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:37:55 +0000 http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/#comment-55 Trapped and capable of more. About 5 years ago, I was hired (directly out of college) to do supply chain management (logistics) at Fortune10 company, which turned out to be a fancy way for saying customer phone representative. After 1.5 years, and only 25 years old, I was "double promoted" and quickly become responsible for supplier relationships and global procurement at this company. Whereas it may sound impressive on paper, I WAS BORED OUT OF MY GOURD! I negotiated million dollar contracts for, get this, manufacturing equipment. As an aside, I liken my personality to a Jack Russell Terrier. If I'm not being intellectually stimulated, I can become destructive. Or, in this case, non productive. The bright spot in my job is that I was responsible for planning events for the suppliers that I managed. While planning, I was truly happy! I enjoyed it so much. It allowed me to be creative. It was an outlet. After my first event, I thought to myself “people could pay me to do this”. So, I took a certificate program at the University of Virginia to learn more about event planning and started my own company in 2007 while still working my full time job. I quickly became overwhelmed and started praying every day that if I could get at least 6 months that I wouldn't have to worry about my mortgage, I would go full throttle on my business. Well, my prayers were answered in Nov. 2008 and as of Feb. 28th 2009, I am now full time All About Presentation (twitter.com/VAeventplanner) and I have never been happier. Now my mission in life, other than running this business, is to encourage other people to follow their passions. Andrea Lyons Event Planner / President All About Presentation 804-381-4002, ext. 301 www.allaboutpresentation.com -------------------------------------- All About Presentation twitter.com/VAeventplanner youtube.com/AllAboutPresentation allaboutpresentation.blogspot.com allaboutpresentation.com/newsletter Trapped and capable of more.
About 5 years ago, I was hired (directly out of college) to do supply chain management (logistics) at Fortune10 company, which turned out to be a fancy way for saying customer phone representative. After 1.5 years, and only 25 years old, I was “double promoted” and quickly become responsible for supplier relationships and global procurement at this company.
Whereas it may sound impressive on paper, I WAS BORED OUT OF MY GOURD! I negotiated million dollar contracts for, get this, manufacturing equipment. As an aside, I liken my personality to a Jack Russell Terrier. If I’m not being intellectually stimulated, I can become destructive. Or, in this case, non productive.
The bright spot in my job is that I was responsible for planning events for the suppliers that I managed. While planning, I was truly happy! I enjoyed it so much. It allowed me to be creative. It was an outlet. After my first event, I thought to myself “people could pay me to do this”. So, I took a certificate program at the University of Virginia to learn more about event planning and started my own company in 2007 while still working my full time job. I quickly became overwhelmed and started praying every day that if I could get at least 6 months that I wouldn’t have to worry about my mortgage, I would go full throttle on my business.
Well, my prayers were answered in Nov. 2008 and as of Feb. 28th 2009, I am now full time All About Presentation (twitter.com/VAeventplanner) and I have never been happier. Now my mission in life, other than running this business, is to encourage other people to follow their passions.
Andrea Lyons
Event Planner / President
All About Presentation
804-381-4002, ext. 301
http://www.allaboutpresentation.com
————————————–
All About Presentation
twitter.com/VAeventplanner
youtube.com/AllAboutPresentation
allaboutpresentation.blogspot.com
allaboutpresentation.com/newsletter

]]> By: Beverly Solomon http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Beverly Solomon Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:36:36 +0000 http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/#comment-54 My name is Beverly Solomon and I live and work with my husband Pablo Solomon, an internationally recognized artist on our historic 1856 ranch north of Austin, Texas. Before acting as Pablo's full time muse and business manager, I was a model and then in sales and marketing for Diane von Furstenberg, Revlon and Ralph Lauren. You can see me at www.beverlysolomon.com My story-- To most people, working as an account executive for some of the world's top fashion designers after having been a model, sounds like a glamorous career--and it was. However, what they do not understand is that behind the glamour is hard work, deadlines, endless business travel away from home, dealing with less than pleasant people, and always trying to stay ahead of the competition. Try hiring and supervising 50 models for 6 different shows in one day. Not to mention fighting it out with the competition for sales into the more prestigious department stores. So after years of this exciting but nerve racking business, my husband and I decided to sell everything we had in the city and move to our present historic 1856 ranch in the Texas Hill Country north of Austin, TX. My husband pablo solomon is known around the world for his drawings and sculptures of dancers. We decided that with my sales and marketing experience that I could better handle his work than the various art promoters who could care less about him. It was a leap of faith. Although there were times that were challenging to say the least, we never looked back and never lost our vision. Pablo has been featured in books, magazines, newspapers, TV, radio and HBO even did a short film about him. We are living the good life on our terms. Not only are we reaping the rewards of a successful art business but have the time to pursue our interests in conservation. Our ranch is not only a state historic site and an official Texas Wildscape, but was nominated for the highest award in Texas for environmental restoration and preservation. My name is Beverly Solomon and I live and work with my husband Pablo Solomon, an internationally recognized artist on our historic 1856 ranch north of Austin, Texas. Before acting as Pablo’s full time muse and business manager, I was a model and then in sales and marketing for Diane von Furstenberg, Revlon and Ralph Lauren. You can see me at http://www.beverlysolomon.com
My story–
To most people, working as an account executive for some of the world’s top fashion designers after having been a model, sounds like a glamorous career–and it was. However, what they do not understand is that behind the glamour is hard work, deadlines, endless business travel away from home, dealing with less than pleasant people, and always trying to stay ahead of the competition. Try hiring and supervising 50 models for 6 different shows in one day. Not to mention fighting it out with the competition for sales into the more prestigious department stores.
So after years of this exciting but nerve racking business, my husband and I decided to sell everything we had in the city and move to our present historic 1856 ranch in the Texas Hill Country north of Austin, TX. My husband pablo solomon is known around the world for his drawings and sculptures of dancers. We decided that with my sales and marketing experience that I could better handle his work than the various art promoters who could care less about him. It was a leap of faith. Although there were times that were challenging to say the least, we never looked back and never lost our vision. Pablo has been featured in books, magazines, newspapers, TV, radio and HBO even did a short film about him. We are living the good life on our terms.
Not only are we reaping the rewards of a successful art business but have the time to pursue our interests in conservation. Our ranch is not only a state historic site and an official Texas Wildscape, but was nominated for the highest award in Texas for environmental restoration and preservation.

]]> By: Janet Groene http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Janet Groene Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:32:57 +0000 http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/#comment-53 My husband Gordon was a 38-year-old professional pilot and I was a 31-year-old freelance writer when we sold everything, bought 29-foot sailboat, and went to sea with the plan to go back to "real life" when our meager savings were gone. To our surprise, we found we could make a living with my writing and Gordon's photography. After two years on the boat we added a 21-foot diesel motorhome for land travel. For 10 years we traveled, happily homeless. Many books and thousands of magazine articles later, we are settled down now in Florida. The boat is sold but we still have the RV. Gordon's health keeps him at home now but I often travel alone and still work full-time as a professional, freelance travelwriter, columnist and author. Janet Groene, http://www.SoloWomanRV.blogspot.com. My husband Gordon was a 38-year-old professional pilot and I was a 31-year-old freelance writer when we sold everything, bought 29-foot sailboat, and went to sea with the plan to go back to “real life” when our meager savings were gone. To our surprise, we found we could make a living with my writing and Gordon’s photography. After two years on the boat we added a 21-foot diesel motorhome for land travel. For 10 years we traveled, happily homeless. Many books and thousands of magazine articles later, we are settled down now in Florida. The boat is sold but we still have the RV. Gordon’s health keeps him at home now but I often travel alone and still work full-time as a professional, freelance travelwriter, columnist and author. Janet Groene, http://www.SoloWomanRV.blogspot.com.

]]> By: Janet Huey http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/comment-page-1/#comment-52 Janet Huey Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:31:55 +0000 http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/#comment-52 In 1995 I was downsized from a job I really loved; I was over 40 and computer illiterate and in shock. I ended up starting a microbusiness buying and selling used pet supplies. Twelve years later I appear to still be the only one of its kind in the US. I work 7 days a week, do not ship, do not take credit cards or Pay Pal and can't imagine doing any other job. Pet Stuff Resale now buys sells and trades new and used pet items. Everything used is disinfected. I do tons of education for prospective pet owners and save them money at the same time, I was green before it was really popular, recycling all of the metal parts I cannot use and repairing many items to resell. I have done rescue for 23 years so tie in business with the dogs and cats I save. My blog covers both at petstuffresale.blogspot.com. My website is petstuffresale.com. 90% of my business is referral from shelters, vet clinics, groomers and trainers. I love my job! Janet Huey In 1995 I was downsized from a job I really loved; I was over 40 and computer illiterate and in shock. I ended
up starting a microbusiness buying and selling used pet supplies. Twelve years later I appear to still be the
only one of its kind in the US.

I work 7 days a week, do not ship, do not take credit cards or Pay Pal and can’t imagine doing any other
job. Pet Stuff Resale now buys sells and trades new and used pet items. Everything used is disinfected.
I do tons of education for prospective pet owners and save them money at the same time, I was green before
it was really popular, recycling all of the metal parts I cannot use and repairing many items to resell.

I have done rescue for 23 years so tie in business with the dogs and cats I save. My blog covers both at
petstuffresale.blogspot.com. My website is petstuffresale.com. 90% of my business is referral from shelters,
vet clinics, groomers and trainers.

I love my job!

Janet Huey

]]> By: Charles Nault http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Charles Nault Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:30:36 +0000 http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/#comment-51 After starting a high-tech company in a spare bedroom in my house and building it up over 20 years to where it runs itself, I took a full time volunteer position as Executive Director at an inner-city mission and handed over the reins of my company to my second in command. I had been missions director at my church and took many trips to third-world countries, including Sri-Lanka after the Tsunami, and thought that I would eventually end up in full time missions work overseas. Then I visited the coffee house that is part of the mission and realized that there are some hurting people right under our noses, who need people who have their stuff together to come along side them and help them do the same. I’ve been working with hard core addicts, and people who were just raised in horrible conditions and running a daily recovery fellowship. We’ve also established a mall with various shops, a café, and a beauty salon. Clients earn points to shop in the mall by attending various LifeSkills classes on everything from conflict resolution to basic finances, to job hunting skills. My company is Atrion Networking (Atrion.net) and the mission is called the Artic Mission (thearticmission.org). Although I am totally hands-off from the day to day operation of the company I did recently publish a book (riskfreetechnology.com) on technology that I hope will help the company. That’s my story in a nutshell. I am no longer 9 to 5, but dealing with people’s lives can sometimes make this a 24/7/365 job…. After starting a high-tech company in a spare bedroom in my house and building it up over 20 years to where it runs itself, I took a full time volunteer position as Executive Director at an inner-city mission and handed over the reins of my company to my second in command. I had been missions director at my church and took many trips to third-world countries, including Sri-Lanka after the Tsunami, and thought that I would eventually end up in full time missions work overseas. Then I visited the coffee house that is part of the mission and realized that there are some hurting people right under our noses, who need people who have their stuff together to come along side them and help them do the same. I’ve been working with hard core addicts, and people who were just raised in horrible conditions and running a daily recovery fellowship. We’ve also established a mall with various shops, a café, and a beauty salon. Clients earn points to shop in the mall by attending various LifeSkills classes on everything from conflict resolution to basic finances, to job hunting skills.

My company is Atrion Networking (Atrion.net) and the mission is called the Artic Mission (thearticmission.org). Although I am totally hands-off from the day to day operation of the company I did recently publish a book (riskfreetechnology.com) on technology that I hope will help the company.

That’s my story in a nutshell. I am no longer 9 to 5, but dealing with people’s lives can sometimes make this a 24/7/365 job….

]]> By: Dan Nelson http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Dan Nelson Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:29:25 +0000 http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/#comment-50 My name is Dan Nelson and I live in the UK. I used to work as a computer consultant in London until the 'credit crunch' hit and left me without work. I decided to create 2 completely different products that would make the most of my creative skills, products that I would have fun creating and that would be a technical challenge. The first product was a '6 player interactive horse racing game' called 'BATAK Jockeys' (http://batak.com/batakjockeys.htm) The second product was a home brewing 'how to' DVD (www.hardcorebrewing.com). Both of these products are doing really well and have provided me with a very high income and a fantastic lifestyle. I currently have no plans to return to the 'rat race' and cannot believe I didn't start working for myself much sooner. My advice to anyone wanting to break free from their 9-5 job...just go for it. There's a good chance you will never look back! My name is Dan Nelson and I live in the UK.
I used to work as a computer consultant
in London until the ‘credit crunch’ hit and
left me without work.

I decided to create 2 completely different products that
would make the most of my creative skills, products
that I would have fun creating and that would be a
technical challenge.

The first product was a ’6 player interactive horse racing game’
called ‘BATAK Jockeys’ (http://batak.com/batakjockeys.htm)
The second product was a home brewing ‘how to’ DVD
(www.hardcorebrewing.com). Both of these products are doing
really well and have provided me with a very high income
and a fantastic lifestyle.

I currently have no plans to return to the ‘rat race’ and cannot
believe I didn’t start working for myself much sooner. My advice
to anyone wanting to break free from their 9-5 job…just go for it. There’s a good chance you will never look back!

]]> By: Stacey Kannenberg http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Stacey Kannenberg Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:27:52 +0000 http://www.escapee925.com/escapees/#comment-49 I left corporate America to become a stay-at-home mom with the idea of always starting my own business from home. I was struggling to find my passion and had my “aha moment” during a series of Oprah Shows. She moved me off the sofa 5 years ago to become an author, publisher, consultant, blogger, speaker, motivator, keynote, spokesmom and Mom CEO who runs 4 companies from home, around my family schedule. My books include: Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten!, The Spanish/English Edition iA Prepararse Para Kindergarten! & Let’s Get Ready For First Grade! I have sold over 60,000 books, been reviewed by over 700 mom bloggers, with a national platform as a top 50 Children’s Publisher in 2009 -- all on a shoestring budget! My books are used inside homes, preschools, head start programs, libraries and inside over 400 school districts, nationwide. My books are impacting education and I have become a favorite presenter at early learning and educational conferences for parents, kids and teachers. I created a national platform as the “Get Ready To Learn Mom” so my blog is all about “Let’s Get Ready” topics on education, parenting, product and book reviews, publishing and Mom Entrepreneurship. To support my publishing business, I do consulting work for brands, start ups, entrepreneurs and share all of my tips for starting a business on a limited budget. My favorite topics include branding, word-of-mouth, viral and grassroots marketing, social media and networking! My title at Mom Central Consulting is Chief Connecting Officer because I am the queen of networking, active on 40+ networking sites! I have done hundreds of radio shows, been featured in over 30 magazines, 25 newspapers and over 30 television segments. I have helped many develop a strong media presence and often write segments when they are appearing on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends and MSNBC. I have also helped hundreds of people become published authors as well. I came full circle in January, when it was me on a TMJ4’s Milwaukee’s Morning Blend doing a segment on “Finding and Following your Passion” with the goal of inspiring someone else to move off the sofa and start their own business! Smiles – Stacey Stacey Kannenberg “Get Ready To Learn Mom” Cedar Valley Publishing, Mom Central Consulting & Mother Talk Proud to have sold over 60,000 copies! Award Winning Author of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! Let’s Get Ready For First Grade! Now available: Spanish/English Edition of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! iA Prepararse Para Kindergarten! www.cedarvalleypublishing.com www.cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog www.twitter.com/StaceyKann http://www.facebook.com/stacey.kannenberg http://www.facebook.com/people/Stacey-Kannenberg http://elementaryeducationnews.com/ Author, Publisher, Consultant, Speaker, Motivator, Blogger, Keynote, Spokesmom & Mom CEO 920-994-9906 I left corporate America to become a stay-at-home mom with the idea of always starting my own business from home. I was struggling to find my passion and had my “aha moment” during a series of Oprah Shows. She moved me off the sofa 5 years ago to become an author, publisher, consultant, blogger, speaker, motivator, keynote, spokesmom and Mom CEO who runs 4 companies from home, around my family schedule. My books include: Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten!, The Spanish/English Edition iA Prepararse Para Kindergarten! & Let’s Get Ready For First Grade! I have sold over 60,000 books, been reviewed by over 700 mom bloggers, with a national platform as a top 50 Children’s Publisher in 2009 — all on a shoestring budget! My books are used inside homes, preschools, head start programs, libraries and inside over 400 school districts, nationwide. My books are impacting education and I have become a favorite presenter at early learning and educational conferences for parents, kids and teachers. I created a national platform as the “Get Ready To Learn Mom” so my blog is all about “Let’s Get Ready” topics on education, parenting, product and book reviews, publishing and Mom Entrepreneurship.

To support my publishing business, I do consulting work for brands, start ups, entrepreneurs and share all of my tips for starting a business on a limited budget. My favorite topics include branding, word-of-mouth, viral and grassroots marketing, social media and networking! My title at Mom Central Consulting is Chief Connecting Officer because I am the queen of networking, active on 40+ networking sites! I have done hundreds of radio shows, been featured in over 30 magazines, 25 newspapers and over 30 television segments. I have helped many develop a strong media presence and often write segments when they are appearing on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends and MSNBC. I have also helped hundreds of people become published authors as well. I came full circle in January, when it was me on a TMJ4’s Milwaukee’s Morning Blend doing a segment on “Finding and Following your Passion” with the goal of inspiring someone else to move off the sofa and start their own business!

Smiles – Stacey
Stacey Kannenberg
“Get Ready To Learn Mom”

Cedar Valley Publishing, Mom Central Consulting & Mother Talk

Proud to have sold over 60,000 copies!
Award Winning Author of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! Let’s Get Ready For First Grade!
Now available: Spanish/English Edition of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! iA Prepararse Para Kindergarten!

http://www.cedarvalleypublishing.com
http://www.cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog
http://www.twitter.com/StaceyKann
http://www.facebook.com/stacey.kannenberg
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stacey-Kannenberg
http://elementaryeducationnews.com/

Author, Publisher, Consultant, Speaker, Motivator, Blogger, Keynote, Spokesmom & Mom CEO

920-994-9906

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