There's a satisfying story, originally created by Russell Conwell, called Acres of Diamonds about a landowner (long story very short) who traveled the world searching for diamonds to create wealth, only to return home broke and broken. Home again, he discovered...
It all started nearly two decades ago when I was selected to be a judge at the Westchester Craft Fair. This was nearing the end of my arts career, so we're talking early 2000's. As I walked the show, and this was one of the truly inspiring exhibits, I fell in love...
I'm changing banks and was at the new branch office this morning for 90 minutes to open my accounts. Standard. I had allotted plenty of time for this activity. My Financial Services Rep dialed HQ's to get further information. The recorded message that came over the...
On every application form I send to prospects I ask, Is there one skill or ability you'd like to develop that would take you to the next level? Over 80% of the responses I receive include 'more confidence' which surprises me. The women who choose to work with me...
A common challenge my clients face, and I do too, is getting the attention of the public for a webinar, an in-person event or to enroll in ongoing workshops. Not that it was ever easy, but there are more shiny objects calling for our attention today than ever. I...
Two weeks ago I'd never heard of Gad Elmaleh (had you?), and now he's a hero of mine. I was introduced to him by Ira Glass, host of This American Life, when his story was in re-run during the holidays originally broadcast in November 2016. I would have missed it...
One of the most successful businessmen I know shared his secrets with a mastermind group I ran several years ago. He is married to an entrepreneurial friend of mine and had, in their courtship, helped her grow her design business exponentially. I invited him to...
For months in 2008, my mastermind group encouraged me to start a blog. Let me set the context here in a time where blogs are now everywhere. It would be the equivalent of my saying to you, my audience in 2017, that you should start posting on snapchat. You've heard...
You know how hard it is to find an employee or even a subcontractor? It's like dating. You want to be sure it's a good fit, but who wants to spend the time required to make that happen? Or, you need to let go of a working relationship that's not working. How do you...
Although it released on Wednesday, November 22, my podcast interview with the wonderful Elaine Benoit should not be missed in the pre and post-Thanksgiving busy-ness. She conducts a meaningful dialogue which I hope you'll listen to. It was a total pleasure being...
I attended The Heart of Kripalu weekend in the Berkshires last Friday through Sunday and was fortunate to have Sam Chase, Stephen Cope and Maria Sirois share their wisdom. Kripalu has created a program called RISE that helps frontline employees reduce stress and...
Poof! I have a new website: https://janepollak.com I hope you visit it soon (and often) and that you enjoy the design and content. I also hope, and anticipate, that it appears to have been accomplished effortlessly. Like the Bolshoi dancers gliding across the...
I snuck out of work early last Wednesday to attend a special showing of Jesus Hopped the A Train, a play by Stephen Adly Guirgis, sponsored by TDF (Theatre Development Fund). I was invited by my good friend Holly Cohen who is a Trustee with the organization. This...
About once a year I like to express my appreciation to the amazing women I work with. I sent out a personal invitation in September, via snail mail with a real stamp on it, to let my clients know how much I value them. Last Friday several dozen assembled for a...
I get so much out of attending the Entrepreneurial Women's Club (EWC) in Stamford, CT that I don't even mind the commute from NYC that I make once a month. The October lunch was an great example of why I choose to attend. I was picked up at the train station by the...
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