Follow your heart and blessing will
You never know when those moments come – but they are in everyone's life. The path provided that doing a turn, and suddenly presented an unexpected opportunity that will change your life forever.
The first such moment came during the winter of 1989. As the holidays approached this year, it seemed that many of my friends and colleagues at the advertising agency where I had worked in interfaith relations, and I found myself feeling of uncertainty about what type of card to send. Then the light went lit … Why not design a card to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah? There was none of this on the market at the time and the need for cards which allows the two religions to be included a welcome message is clear to me. Cleverdesign I came with a star David inextricably linked to the Christmas tree, then I showed my husband, Phil, who I knew immediately that I was special. Then I felt a spark of inspiration, an innate sense that I was creating a vehicle to transport and the two religions. Loved it! the idea of being able to promote a message of tolerance and understanding by something as simple as greeting card.
Being in advertising, I had all the resources I had in my hands and I knew people who could help start a business. The first year I had one of the other artists of the Agency drawing six more illustrations. In our first race which prints 500 cards of each design. Phil threw in the trunk of his Chevy Nova and turned all the stores in Manhattan, sold in packages of twelve. They were sold in within one week, and before we knew we were in the card industry. We called our little team room and managed mixedblessing fromthe our house in Westchester for years to come. This was the beginningof what became a journey into a life work that is full of passion and purposes.
Our first son, Jordan, was born in June 91 and the end of this summer, I was right in my way of "having all ". I worked in advertising – a job I loved – but was now juggle the joys and demands of motherhood with a full-time career and a home business. Phil was just as busy, the practice of law, business administration, and participation in all aspects of parenting our son. We found a wonderful nurse named Wendy, a young British girl who went soft at home all mornings from Monday to Friday to take care of our young son. And although it is difficult to get out for ten hours or more at a time, we manage well. And Then one day I was sitting in work and got a call from Wendy. Herbreathless in emotion, she told me how Jordan had taken his first steps! I kept the pace until he hung up the phone, feel my heart breaking to the realization of what had just lost. As I put the phone in its cradle, I knew that something had to change.
Phil and I began to explore the possibility of moving to an area with lower living costs – which could afford to develop and implement full-time mixedblessing home. Over the years, the idea took root and bloomed in my mind. I do not know how we would start processing or how they profoundly change our lives, but we knew we had to try. In 1994 came, our objective was clear and we were ready to make the change. Atlanta visit Charlottesville, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina. We were attracted by the quality of life in Raleigh, and after a Visit the past weekend, we knew we had to solve our families and our business. And if there was a change of direction even greater – that which guides us to the suburbs a medium sized city south – a big difference in the frequency and size of New York.
We were scared and excited and everything that comes with such a measure, but we were ready. Of course, our families thought we were losing. "What?" he asked. It was very difficult for them to accept, but we knew it was time to go to a different lifestyle. Raleigh was a growth area with a growing influx people, and there was a cultural mix with a taste of university – not to mention the natural beauty and affordability. It would be ideal for lead our small growing business, but all of a much larger home.
Phil In the eight years managing all sales and marketing for businesses. We landed large chain accounts through sales representatives for national distribution. Finally, all livestock collecting and sending cards when it became too overwhelming to manage at home. Besides creating new card designs and get our website set place, also participated in the National Salon of the background. I always remember one show in particular. We showed our cards in New York representative High power sales. It broke our camp and informed us they would in the card business with a focus so narrow. Not sure what that meant for him but for us, things went pretty well. The two of us liked the balance work at home ever, and we are passionate and believed in our maps. Our son Josh came in 1995, and the boys are thriving in their new environment. Jordan started kindergarten shortly after we moved, and a year later, Josh took his first step … We were there for all to see! I think we can say that we "do" very well.
Mixedblessing gave us more than we could have imagined, and USTO bring other experiences, we would never dared to dream. In 1996, Phil and I wrote to blintzes Blitzen, holidays children Blitzen charming story of loss and meet Santa celebrates Hanukkah Bernie, the owner of the deli, and family. Phil has also helped to realize his dream to develop a life of training and practice. Now he meets with clients, helping them find their own work / life balance. We found many obstacles on the road, some advance on us and others that have really surprised us. One of the biggest obstacles for us happened against large companies that have their own channels in the store. Our product has been able to prosper because we are working hard to put a reflective product with a design high overall quality and concept. I know many people who buy our cards, and I want our product to reflect a level of sensitivity to them. We've had our share and critique of both sides of the religious aisle. The extremist Jews believe that we are diluting the faith and the hard-line Christians who are demoralizing for Christmas. But I always come back to why you started this job, and that keeps me strong, despite resistance from others. My mission and unity is to promote the universal theme of peace, tolerance and diversity.
And now I come to another crossroads of class and above an unknown landscape, but exciting. My children are teenagers now, and finally, I need to run to soccer practice, or be there to cook meals and tend to wash. I am asking the same question frequently: "What do you do next, Elise?" The most mixedblessing important to run, apart from the benefits of family life, I'm just an opportunity to creatively express myself and touch people's lives say: "I recognize it's there and I celebrate their differences." I can still do it, but havecontinued get others to assist in operations daily and some marketing and advertising.
I started as an artist, and I found my way back my art more and more these days. Pinto, primarily with pastels, and I love the sensation to begin with a basic concept, sometimes a picture I drew of arecenttravel, and give my life through creative interpretation. I am able to continue my art and I think the opening of my owngallery – creative expression centerwhere can paint and show my work, and others in the community can freely create AndAlso.
This was quite an adventure this day in 1989 when I had my first "Aha!" time – a trip that was full of possibilities, passion, transformation, and especially the opportunity to be present for all the amazing moments in life has to offer. What better way to earn a living!
