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  Zef Zan - LIVE Broadcast & Virtual Events Producer, Consultant | International Speaker

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CREATIVE CHAT CAFE - How to thrive through change and reinvention of yourself. 

5/6/2015

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This May, in celebration of Mother's Day, Creative Chat Cafe celebrates and shares stories and journeys of successful women and mompreneurs. In this episode, We feature two women in business who have thrived through change and self reinvention. 

Rosann Levy is an entrepreneur and the President of The Roart Group. She has more than 25 years of experience in helping business owners achieve their desired success. Her award winning memoir, It’s Never Too Late To Dance, Life’s Journey to Empowerment, Success & Change was published in August, 2009.  Based on the qualities admired by the judges of The Delaware Press Association about Rosann’s memoir, they awarded her a non-fiction award. She was honored with this prestigious award from the Connecticut Press Club on May 6, 2010.

Meena Singh is the Executive Director and Founder of In Awe Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps people affected by abuse, addiction, or anger rebuild lives through recovery coaching and counselling. She was awarded “Woman of Outstanding Leadership in Personal Development” by The International Women’s Leadership Association, New York, NY in May 2013.

Some key points of discussions in this episode ...

  • The importance of recognizing change and how to cope and manage it.
  • What's key in "reinventing" yourself and making sure you achieve the success you want.
  • How to optimize key moments in life to thrive in business.
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Save time and skip ahead to the information that is important to you using the video's table of contents (TOC) in the video description on YouTube!   

Table of Contents (click on the minute timeline for the specific content):   
Table of Contents shortcut:
00:34 - Greetings and introductions.
02:19 - Rosann Levy of The Roart Group
05:40 - Memoir: "It's Never Too Late To Dance" - a journey through self reinvention.
06:42 - What are we waiting for? 
11:06 - How to embrace change that would help lead to reinvention of self.
12:21 - Set your intentions and believe! 
14:42 - Life is a journey, what's going to make you feel happy? 
15:27 - How to build relationships that help you thrive through change. 
17:52 - How to build relationships that will support you. 
20:08 - Show reminder - what's in this show. 
21:37 - Meena Singh of In Awe Foundation
29:00 - Changing lives through dancing. 
33:01 - Taking action and building a happy community. 
37:46 - Live your dreams!
40:07 - Become a great student and listen. 
43:44 - Keep on dancing!
45:44 - Taking action through inspired actions leads to change. 
48:40 - Happy Mother's Day - a tribute to our moms!
57:17 - Contact information.
1:00:22 - Pardon our tech challenge.

The Conversation:                                                                                                      Your Hosts:

SONDRA: Joining us today is Rosann Levy. She is an entrepreneur and the President of The Roart Group. She has more than 25 years of experience in helping business owners achieve their desired success. Her award winning memoir, “It’s Never Too Late To Dance, Life’s Journey to Empowerment, Success & Change” was published in August, 2009.

ROSANN: Thank you, I’m happy to be here. I have learned so much over the past few months watching your show. I have known Zef for a number of years and she is just a dear. 

I am an entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in helping business owners achieve their desired success. I have a passion for helping small business owners achieve their goals and desired success.  My mission is to help small business owners become better leaders, make better decisions and enhance their quality of life both in business and personally.

ZEF: It is a really wonderful and inspirational story of your life journey. One of the reasons we were so excited to have you here is because in the month of May it is the month of Mother’s Day celebrations on Creative Chat Café. We are featuring women entrepreneurs and mompreneurs and in this episode we are specifically talking about "How to Thrive Through Change and Reinvention of Yourself."
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ROSANN: My entrepreneurial journey started in college when I took a summer job with Hilton Hotels that led me to a career in the travel industry.  After taking a hiatus to raise my kids I longed to get back to work and joined my husband when he started his accounting consulting business in NYC. I applied the skills I had learned working in tourism, joined the chamber of commerce and networked with business owners that led to a steady flow of new business. My networking strategies worked so well that we were able to sell our business in 12 years – Following the sale of our company we opened a Soho Dance in the heart of NYC which enabled me to continue networking, and building new relationships – after 20 years in NYC and time for a change, we moved to Connecticut.

Upon moving to Connecticut my husband and I opened The Roart Group, a strategic advisory firm which allows me to continue to help small business owners attain greater success, profitability and fulfill their dreams.  The Roart Group is driven by our core values and are determined to find innovative ways that address the wants and needs of all our clients.  We are proactive in our approach and offer meaningful experiences that feed the human spirit.  

SONDRA: Why did you write your memoir, "It's Never Too Late To Dance?" 

ROSANN: My story is a humanistic inspirational journey of my life. At first I was writing it as a legacy for my children and my grandchildren, but when I opened a Latin ballroom studio in my “golden years” I realized I had a message to share and wanted to tell people of all ages and all skills they can reinvent at any stage at any age of life and truly live their passions & dreams. Dance is my metaphor for life and whatever your passion I tell all to keep on dancin!

MEET ZEF HERE
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SONDRA FIRESTEIN
 www.PursuitOfSeattle.com 
"Sondra is the founder of
   PursuitofSeattle.com, which 
  offers concierge, lifestyle   
management, and personal
   assistance services. I work hard
    so I can play harder. When I'm
    not helping others find balance in
   their lives, you can find me
    eating delicious food,
   paddleboarding, or dancing like
   nobody is watching."

Our Guests:

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ROSANN LEVY
www.TheRoartGroup.com
Rosann is an  entrepreneur and 
President of The Roart Group.
 She has more than 25 years 
of experience in helping 
business owners achieve their 
desired success. Her award 
winning memoir, It’s Never Too
 Late To Dance, Life’s Journey to Empowerment, Success & 
Change was published in 2009.  
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MEENA SINGH
www.InAweFoundation.org
Meena Singh is the Executive Director
 and Founder of In Awe Foundation, 
a non-profit organization that 
helps people affected by abuse, 
addiction, or anger rebuild lives 
through recovery, coaching, and 
counselling. She was awarded
 “Woman of Outstanding Leadership
 in Personal Development” 
by The International Women’s 
Leadership Association, 
New York, NY in May 2013.
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SONDRA: How do you meet new people that turn into new friendships and new business opportunities that thrive?

ROSANN: I believe in helping others and build relationships that always lead to new opportunities for success in business and personally.  I am the ultimate networker and actively involved in many organizations. My objective is to get to know as many people as I can and make appointments to meet for lunch or coffee and get to know them - their likes, dislikes, hobbies, details about their business and life.  These relationships ultimately turn into good friendships in which we can support one another.  Without realizing it, I am networking 24/7.

ZEF: In your own personal journey, do you feel that many people resist change?

ROSANN: I do feel that many people resist change, and I think they are controlled by the unknown. They don’t want to leave the comforts of their lived. But the only way to grow and learn is to take risks and embrace your fears. We all have different areas of expertise, of what we are good at. It could be a hobby or a business, or even a socialist. But whatever it is take the chance. What is the worst thing that can happen if you make the change?  I know we learn from this yes, but even if it’s a mistake but then sometimes it really works out for the better and takes us to the next adventure. I like this and I really think life is full of adventures. I mean I’ve done so many things that are adventurous. Like, as I’m saying this I’m actually looking up at the pictures on my wall of when I went zip lining. I mean, for all those people who live in that fear, you know this is not a dress rehearsal, this is our lives. 

ZEF: This reminds me, just yesterday I was at a networking event about the power of positive thinking and one of the things the speaker said really stuck with me. She said “When we say we will ‘try’ to do something, we are actually just setting ourselves up for failure. Just do it. Like Nike says “Just do it.”

ROSANN: So many people live as a victim and they have this dark cloud over their heads and they’re afraid to move. It is the fear that holds you back. There is this dark energy, but it is so empowering if you just take that step and test the water.

SONDRA: My friend works for Facebook, and you know, she does not love the job and she would really love to be a blogger…but she makes six figures right now so. In starting the blog she would have to take a huge pay cut, but it would be something that she is genuinely passionate about. But she said “Well, I would lose so much money” and I said “What’s the worst case scenario? Would you have to move back with your mom and dad, is that really so bad?” And she said “Yeah, I guess I will stay with Facebook because it’s safe.” 

ZEF:  Well, because safe is always easier. It’s what you know. 

ROSANN: Again, it’s about not leaving your comfort zone. People are conflicted. They are in their comfort zone but they are really not happy. Life is a journey that we all have to go on, and we all have to deal with the obstacles in front of us. I feel so strongly about this, it is one of the reasons I wrote the book. It’s all there. I want to say one thing that is interesting about my husband. He has a mantra within the blog that it’s not about the money. In this particular time we were at a memorial service and he said it really isn’t about the money. What do you want in your life?

ZEF: Yeah in our business it's not all about the money. Right Rosann? It’s about the networking and relationships you make.

Paying It Forward & Making A Difference ...

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SONDRA: Right, it’s all about what you want in your life. And now, we have another guest. Meena Singh is the Executive Director and Founder of In Awe Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps people affected by abuse, addiction, or anger rebuild lives through recovery coaching and counselling. She was awarded “Woman of Outstanding Leadership in Personal Development” by The International Women’s Leadership Association, New York, NY in May 2013. Welcome, Meena. Tell us about yourself. 

MEENA: The In Awe Foundation provides recovery coaching, in such a way that it compliments the counseling. The main reason I started this foundation is my own life story. I never really wanted for anyone else to feel what I felt. But you have to move through and forward with those feelings. It is unfortunate that we have to be called a victim, because we do not even realize that word. We believe that everyone can be empowered. It’s not just coaching, it’s a process about engagement, encouragement, and then comes the empowerment. 
ZEF: You know there’s always a story behind every great idea, and you have a story of your own. I love the fact that you’ve taken something negative and made something so positive. So that in itself is Kudos to you. 

SONDRA: So the story that led to you starting the foundation. Tell us about that, Meena.

MEENA: The funny thing is that this never came to my mind until you ladies came up with this idea and that you are not only honoring women, but Mother’s Day as well. My mom and I were talking about 18 years ago about these “battered people’s shelters” that I would be opening, but then we changed it. My husband had this idea about six years ago to have some coaching centers. So now everyone knows me as the women who wants to open coaching centers. My mom was my inspiration because she used to come into my room and tell me to remember what I went through. To use that focus, and she said “I believe that you are true to your cause” and my fear automatically lifted. My story in short is that in 2009 I was laid off and I was distraught and crying but, you know God has a plan, because the next day I found my dream. 

ZEF: Talking about change and reinvention of yourself, I want to ask each one of you ladies. What was your A-Ha moment?

ROSANN: I’ve had many A-Ha moments – that led to change - It’s hard to pinpoint one – I love challenges, I thrive on change and I love new adventures. I built 3 successful businesses in NYC, and continue my passion for helping others in Ct. 
A-Ha moments that led to reinvention:
•        Taking Salsa dance lessons as a result of a trip to Cuba – This led us to opening a Latin ballroom studio in NYC
•        Attending a networking meeting soon after our move to Ct. that led us to opening the Roart Group and continue our passion to help small businesses grow.      

ZEF: What about you, Sondra? What was your A-Ha moment? 

SONDRA: I've only been in business 14 months. When I started I wanted to help everyone. I knew I could help anyone with my personal concierge business.  I want everyone to know that every action they take has an impact on their happiness. And I want people to  choose happiness. What I want is to build a community of people helping other people. and now I am able to say to people "The reason I'm doing this for you is to make you happy. It is not to help you work more. I want you to take this time to grab the reigns in your life and choose opportunities that are going to be enriching to you. Not just to spend your money on new TVs or go on vacation." What I found is that a lot of people are just out of touch with what makes them happy. This is troubling to me, especially when I talk to young people, and they just feel that happiness can wait. I just want to make people realize is that "Life starts now. "

ZEF: That's super awesome. That is in itself self-reinvention. Kudos to you. What about you, Meena? What was your A-Ha moment?

MEENA: There are so many..how do I choose one? It was when I was at the Tony Robbins event in 2013 and I did the Firewalk.  I  envisioned all the people I could help, I had tears in my eyes and 5000 people in New Jersey listening and we were all shakin' and groovin' and the ability he has..he is also my mentor. But the A-Ha moment was when I was walking on the 1200 degree coals I realized I was already living my dream. Working with board members, working with clients, coaching, and being with the man of my dreams too. And when I graduated from coaching school in 2010, that was when my life began.
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Tony Robbins Firewalk

ZEF: One thing we all go through is change. And my A-Ha moment was at my past business I was going to meetings and conferences. And I was getting bored but my mentor said "Just listen, and you may find out something that will change your life." And she was right, I became a student, and I was a great student because I was like a sponge-soaking up information.  

ROSANN: You know, my metaphor for life is Dance. And whatever your passion is, just dance and keep on dancing. 

SONDRA: How are you helping your customers now that your business has shifted?

MEENA: Thank you. I was just thinking about reinvention. That is what life is all about. And it is through actions that real change begins.  We talk about this on our radio show. It's called "Speak up and Step Out" on Tuesdays from 1:00 PM eastern time. And I'm always saying "Just Do It." I mean I got that from Nike, but it fits. It is all about facing your fears. Let's Shake N Bake! 

ZEF: So ladies, this Sunday is Mother’s Day and we want to take this opportunity to wish all our audience out there who is watching the show today a Happy Mother’s Day! 
Yes, it may be a few days early but we want to make sure that we thank all of you awesome mothers and mompreneurs out there who are superwomen - managing business and life - juggling the act everyday!
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ZEF: If you could say one thing about your mom that relates to our topic today, what would it be?

SONDRA: She is the first to admit that we are all works in progress. She has always dealt with temper issues.  She introduced me to meditation and self-evaluation. She also said you need to deal with your issues head on instead of pushing them aside just because they hurt. Deal with them, deal with the pain, and move on.  I love my mom. 

ROSANN: My mom has been gone since 1981 and I miss her. She was my mentor. I am who I am today because of her. And my daughter, she got me into yoga and meditation. She is awesome. 

ZEF: My mom and I did the same thing. We used to butt heads all the time. My mom is gone but I got all my strength from her. I learned from her.  She raised us by herself.  She said "We are not defined by what happens to us. We are defined by how we respond to it."

MEENA: My mom is truly an inspiration. She has such great morals and she helped me through all my trials, my addiction and being in an abusive marriage. One word for her I think is flexible.

SONDRA: My mom was flexible too. And I want to add muteability too. The ability to mutate. 

ZEF: Thanks Sondra. And thanks everyone! It's been a great show, but it's that time again. We have to go, but we will see you next week. Same time-same place! 

Our Hashtags:


#CreativeChatCafe 
#BusinessTalkShowHangouts
#CCCTime2Hangout  
 
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Join our social networks and communities and get engaged in more post-show conversations!  





Thoughts and Tips:



ZEF: I couldn't see how it would change me, and then I realized I had to change my life and sit down and listen, and reinvent myself. We have to make choices, and I was smart enough to sit at those conferences and listen. 
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ROSANN: Get out there and take a walk on the beach, look at the water, or go to a dog park and just watch the dogs play. Whether we are in our golden years or not, you just have to go out there and get your feet wet. Because it is through those actions that we conquer our fears. Then we are able to move forward with change and reinvent ourselves. 



MEENA: Our mission is a three stage process. Really the first step is not just about prevention, it’s about integrating the coping skills, and then it’s about  transformation provided by the coaching. 
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SONDRA: I figured out that I was giving people fish, but I wasn't teaching them to fish. So I started a women's networking group. Whether you are just starting out in an entry level position or a CEO in a Fortune 500 company, you are always going to have challenges. I was looking for ways to market my business and I decided to mix my business with my other personal groups. And now I am teaching people to fish.

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