How one life and one choice can change the world.
By Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author Cheryl Nordyke
There isn’t a person alive who would not like to think that their life has made a difference in someone else’s life. We all hope to positively impact our friends, families and maybe even our neighbors and co-workers. The truth is that many of us will never know the full extent or the lasting impression that our smallest actions may have on others.
On July 4th, 2008, I was on the bank of the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts along with more than 500,000 people celebrating this country’s birthday. This was also the 35th birthday of the Boston Pop’s Fireworks Spectacular and, performing live at the event, were the Boston Pops and Rascal Flatts. As I sat there and listened to music piped through speakers along the Charles, I could not help but wonder, “What would the Founding Fathers think today if they knew what the signing of the Declaration of Independence had accomplished?” More than 200 years later and this country is so much more than it was on that day when nine out of 13 colonies voted in favor of this new democracy. Then I wondered if anyone thought that the Boston Pop’s Spectacular would become this big of an event when it was first held in 1974, attracting not only a large live audience but also the millions of people who tune in via telecast.
It became very clear to me at that moment how much one ripple, even an action as small as a smile, can continue to grow into a wave of change. Who knows where we would be as a country or what our impact on the world would be if those men had not created the Declaration of Independence. Not only did they craft it, but they willingly signed their names and took action toward creating the life they wanted to live. That act has given us a lifestyle that people from around the world want to experience and be a part of.
The purpose of the first 4th of July concert held on the Charles River was to revitalize the concerts at the Esplanade. Today, it is nationally recognized as an iconic event; Arthur Fiedler’s brainchild has turned into a full-scale production that at least one person from each state in the U.S. attends every year. This Independence Day, the band Rascal Flatts was the featured musical guest. Rascal Flatts started out as three guys doing simply what they love – playing music in bars and clubs. There were times, they said, where there were only two people besides themselves at their gigs. Then in the early 2000s, with the release of two albums, their lives changed forever. They are now multi-platinum recording artists who live their dream everyday and recognize that the life they live is possible because of the fans who support them and their music. The fans, in turn, are impacted through their music and lyrics in ways that the band may never know.
You and I may not play as significant of a role to such a large population of people as those who have become famous. However, it is possible for us to do so if we take action. Each person who has made a strong impression had a dream first and then took steps to realize it. The Founding Fathers decided that we could live in a country with freedom of choice and Rascal Flatts thought that other people would feel something from the music they loved to write and perform. These people started out the same as you and I – with an idea and a dream. The difference is that they took that idea and that dream and made it come to life. We can have the same influence and legacy when we become an agent for change. Be the ripple and stop simply riding the waves created by others.
Today the economy is in the worst shape that it has been in decades. There is an increase in unemployment, gas prices are exorbitant and companies are cutting back. Regardless, there are still people out there reminding us that we can have and become more. Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret,” Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” and books and lectures by Wayne Dyer all strive to inspire us to live the life we choose. There are companies that have started in dorm rooms and are now making millions, and there are more people who are able to work from home and dedicate more time to family and friends. Yet most of us, while inspired by the stories we read about and see on television, are still living today the same as we did the day before and the day before that.
So how did they do it? What is their secret? I don’t know for certain that anyone can answer those questions because each person has a different path and different challenges to overcome in achieving their dreams. The one thing I do know is that they stopped waiting for next big wave to come along; they stopped depending on someone else to make their dreams come true. They became the ripple and started their own wave that in turn, made more waves and inspired others.
How do you become the ripple? For Mark Zuckerberg, the student-genius behind Facebook, it was turning the idea of students wanting to share information with others into an online business. He stayed focused and worked on making his dream a reality. For Burt and John Jacobs, the guys behind the Life is Good t-shirt company, a few obstacles stood in the way of their goals, but they did not give up. They came up with a winning concept – a character named Jake – and before you know it their dreams were reality.
Is there is a risk in making your own ripple? Of course there is a risk. That holds true for all great things in life. Yet, there is also risk in riding others’ success. That risk may not be as great and we may not even notice it, yet, it does exist. We do not have any control over how the owner of the company that employs us may change. The owner may sell the company or decide that cutbacks are needed. Therefore, there is always a risk.
I am no stranger to creating a ripple, and I am sure that there are many others who have started their own ripples whose impact is yet to be seen. When I was taken from riding a wave that I had been quite successful on to crashing off of it, I realized that I never wanted to jump on someone else’s wave again. My friends and I began rewriting our book and looking for something to inspire us and to remind us to be grateful.
Our quest led us to the idea of creating jewelry that we could purchase for ourselves and our friends, employees or loved ones to say, “Thank you. I am grateful.” We knew that there were people who had read, seen or heard something that had inspired them to pursue and realize their dreams. They would want something to remind them to be grateful for what they have and thank the people who have positively impacted their lives. There, right in front of us, was an opportunity to take action.
Teaming with Jessica Fields, a talented, up-and-coming jewelry designer, we created a line of jewelry called Waves of Gratitude™. The collection includes six individual pendants that represent the many different movements of the ocean. By layering these pendants, which may be worn a bracelet or necklace, we have created a unique and fresh style while holding on to the message of gratitude. We also have a pendant called the Branches of Hope to remind us of where we have been and where we can go. The purpose of the line is to create a tangible symbol of the key elements needed to become a ripple in society. It is a reminder to be grateful, acknowledge that we are not alone, and symbolize that we have done great things and can accomplish our current goals.
There are so many teachers available to us and with today’s diverse media outlets we can access them all very easily. By leveraging these resources, we can become the people we were meant to be. Be the ripple. Create a wave of change for yourself, the people immediately surrounding you and perhaps the world.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Power of the Ripple Effect
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Cambridge Expert Natalie A. Remien
Biography
Natalie A. Remien became a Cambridge Who's Who member in September of 2007. Natalie is a senior level associate at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP's Intellectual Property Department. Her practice concentrates on intellectual property, intellectual property litigation and trademarks. She aspires to become known as a brand-name in the trademark prosecution, enforcement and litigation arena within the next five years. Natalie graduated with a JD from DePaul University, College of Law in 1999 and a bachelor of science from the University of Colorado, Boulder (cum laude) in 1996. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, National Association of Women Business Owners and Professional Women's Club of Chicago. Natalie has been admitted to the United States District Court: Northern District of Illinois.
Published Articles
- Does Your Intellectual Property Work as Hard as You Do?
Learn how intellectual property can provide the necessary edge to lock out competition and catapult your business to the next level.
Published on April 22, 2008 by Tech Image
For more expert biographies and articles please return to Cambridge Experts.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Cambridge Experts
Many Cambridge Who's Who members have already attained expert status in their field and have been published by and featured in various sources. Cambridge Experts was created to give these members a place to gather their published articles as a resource for others and identify them as experts within the Cambridge community and beyond. Each expert page includes a photo, short biography and links to articles, podcasts, press releases and more that have showcase the member's unique expertise and skill set.
To take advantage of this exclusive benefit, send an email to exposure@cambridgewhoswho.com today!
Learn about the Cambridge Experts and read their articles and testimonials:
Name | Title | Company Name | Industry | Expertise | Member Since |
Attorney | Bell Boyd & Lloyd | Law | Intellectual Property Law | 09/2007 | |
President | Love Victory | Counseling | Women and Relationships | 03/2005 |
The Best Experts Get Involved
Make the move from entrepreneur to expert by sharing your knowledge with others.
By Cambridge Who's Who Contributing Author and Member, Chi Chi Okezie
As an entrepreneur, your level of industry knowledge and experience can be a prime factor in determining your business success. Your potential clients, vendors and business partners should believe in your abilities as well as the products and services that your company offers. Developing your personal brand can greatly affect how people perceive you and influence their willingness to do business with you. Here are several ways in which you can define yourself as an expert in your field and position yourself and your company for success.
#1: Join an online networking group.
Globalization is becoming increasingly important in almost every industry. Get involved with an online networking group in order to create and expand awareness of your company, products and services. Building an international client base and developing relationships with professionals in other industries and geographical locations will enhance your credibility. It will also improve the appearance of your company or organization as it relates to cultural awareness and diversity.
#2: Write about what you do best.
Whether they will be published in a book, journal, newsletter, e-magazine, website or blog, write and submit articles on your industry or profession as it relates to your skill set and business knowledge. Keep your colleagues, customers and potential clients informed by updating them on recent industry trends and challenges. Offer solutions to problems that they or their companies may face. Help them to make decisions that will improve their business processes and practices.
#3: Teach an online class or teleseminar.
Teaching classes increases your visibility, credibility and professionalism. In particular, offering classes online allows you to reach a wider range of students (and potential clients) and can give you an edge over your competition. If you are more comfortable on the telephone, set up a teleseminar using a conference call service. Once you have selected your preferred method of communication, hold training sessions on your products and services. Lead professional or business development seminars to help others realize success in their endeavors. And offer additional coaching or one-on-one sessions for those who would like to learn more from you. The more value that you offer, the more people who will attend your classes and recommend you to others. Teaching will also strengthen your knowledge and experience in your field, thereby elevating your expert status.
#4: Do interviews with the media.
You can gain exposure and awareness from being interviewed by the media. There are several channels that entrepreneurs can use to soar in their professional and social endeavors. Online magazines, radio, press releases, blogs and newsletter interviews are excellent ways to build your image as an expert in your field. You can include transcripts of your interviews in your corporate media kit. This will build your credibility among your clients, colleagues and business counterparts.
Chi Chi Okezie joined Cambridge Who's Who in June 2007. Using the resources and networking tools available to her via Cambridge Who's Who membership, Chi Chi was able to receive additional exposure for her company on www.cambridgewhoswho.com, including a feature in the Cambridge Business (CamBizTM) Directory, Announcements, Who's Who in the News and Cambridge Events sections. For more information on Chi Chi Okezie and SIMPLEnetworking, LLC, please view her contributing author profile.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Cambridge Who's Who Contributing Author Jo DeMarco
Biography
Jo DeMarco is the president and chief executive officer of Contessa Knows; an online department store for men and women. The store features premium organic skincare products, apparel, jewelry, greeting cards, home accents and more for a sophisticated lifestyle. On the company website, http://www.contessaknows.com/ she showcases her insights, reflections and creative writing through her books, greeting cards, note cards and stationary as well as Contessa's blog page which is not to be missed.
Jo has had several years of experience writing fiction. She has written novels, screenplays and whimsical books that focus on strong women, their roles and their experiences. She has a love for vintage romantic melodramas that, coupled with her passion and talent for writing, provides a platform for her to communicate tales of love, romance and good triumphing over evil. She is also the author of a children’s storybook, “One Little Christmas Tree.”
Her success is due to her strong faith, determination and desire to reach her goals. She views mistakes as an integral part of the learning process and necessary for personal growth and development. Jo studied at the Notre Dame School for Girls in Chicago, Illinois and total quality management under Dr. Donald Rice at Texas A&M University in 1994. She has also completed courses at the American Institute of Banking, American Management Association and Screenwriters Institute of Los Angeles. She is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America West and is the founder and creator of the Louis J. DeMarco Educational Foundation.
Articles by Jo DeMarcoNetworking Starts and Ends with You
Follow these tips to become a successful networker and business professional.
By Contributing Author and Cambridge Who’s Who Member Jo DeMarco
Whether you are part of an organization, have your own business or are contemplating starting one, do not discount the value of networking. Sharing effective business strategies and addressing the roller coaster ride that the economy today keeps us on is vital to your success as a business professional. Here are some fundamentals that have proven essential to me and have contributed to both my personal and professional growth and development.
Know thyself – Create a realistic picture of your strengths and weaknesses. Focusing on your areas of improvement will help you to identify when somebody else is dealing with the same issues. You would be surprised to hear how many people admit to having issues with time management, turning good ideas into reality, working with a team, etc. Having a realistic picture of yourself will allow you to network more effectively, as you will know what you need to learn from others and what advice you can offer someone else.
Know what your ambitions are – Where are you now in your professional life and where do you want to go? What are you striving for? Having the answers to these questions will help you to realize which types of networking environments best suit your needs. For example, if you are currently looking to open your own business, you should search for small business owner groups and workshops through local newspapers, libraries or via the internet. If you are employed by an organization that you would like to progress in, speak to your Human Resources Director and inquire about cross training, management courses, after hours groups, off site conferences, etc. Knowing where you want to go is the first crucial step to getting there.
Listen as well as you speak – We all want to be heard. We also want to find out useful information that will set us on the road to the success that we seek. When you have the opportunity to network, it is often more important for you to ask questions and listen well rather than talking a lot about yourself and stating what your goals and ambitions are. Also, do not be afraid to apply what you have learned from others; obviously it worked for someone else, why not for you too?
Be courteous – Once you have had great conversation and exchanged business cards with another professional, make it a priority to reach out to him/her again. If you have received advice from this person or found that your conversation led to improvement in any way in your personal or professional life, be sure to communicate that to them in your follow up email or phone call. Knowing that they have helped someone will inspire them to keep doing so. It will also keep the door open for future exchanges or references.
Be engaging – Never think that you know it all or do not have room to grow. You can learn something from just about everyone, so keep your eyes and ears open and embrace the people who you meet. You might be surprised to find out what you can learn from the most unusual people and in the most random places. Take the initiative to introduce yourself and spark conversation. Make your dialogue as engaging as possible by asking challenging questions and sharing your own experiences and expertise.
Following these strategies will help you to place yourself in more fruitful networking environments and make the most of them while you are there. Also, taking yourself and your goals into consideration before networking with other professionals will prompt you to ask better questions and listen more attentively to the answers you obtain. Networking starts and ends with you; it is filling in the middle that is the tricky part. Hopefully these tips will help you to fill in the gap and become a successful networker and business professional.
For more information on Jo DeMarco and Contessa Knows please veiw her contributing author profile.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Cambridge Who's Who Networking Events for Members
07/10/2008 - 7/12/2008 The GirlFriend Gathering Women's Conference
West Palm Beach FL - The Girlfriend Gathering is a blend of experiences that empowers the inner-self— where women find support and creative confidence to achieve a more satisfying life.
10/09/08 7th Annual Maryland Hispanic Business Conference
Business matchmaking. Workshops on marketing, sales, financing, legal issues and successful alliances. Onsite registration will start Wednesday Oct 24th at the hotel at 7:00 AM.Monday, March 31, 2008
Cambridge Who's Who Resource Center
The Cambridge Who's Who Resource Center is a place for members to become updated on the latest trends in business, education, healthcare, science and technology, real estate, small business and philanthropy for executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Cambridge Who's Who Resource Center is filled with articles and news offering advice on popular topics such as starting your own business, networking, marketing and making yourself into a valuable contact.
Wh
at’s Coming to the Site:
Please review and utilize our site and if you have any comments or questions regarding the services we offer, please contact us at pr@cambridgewhoswho.com.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Cambridge Who's Who Contributing Author Chi Chi Okezie Publishes Networking Guide
Cambridge Who's Who would like to congratulate member, Chi Chi Okezie, owner and producer of SIMPLEnetworking on publishing her new book, "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities...the new form of success!" Okezie's book is a travel-sized guide filled with networking tips, tactics and techniques. To read an excerpt or to purchase this book please visit http://tinyurl.com/2nesco.
SIMPLEnetworking provides seminars to help students, young professionals and business women to enhance their professional, social and cultural skills. For more information about SIMPLEnetworking visit http://www.snseminars.com or email info@snseminars.com.
Cambridge Who's Who Contributing Writer Chi Chi Okezie's Biography
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Aaron Wilson of Hempstead, N.Y. Receives the Cambridge Who's Who Future Leaders Award
Uniondale, N.Y., July 7, 2007—Cambridge Who's Who Among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs is pleased to announce that Aaron Wilson of Hempstead, N.Y. is the recipient of the Cambridge Who's Who Future Leaders Award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship. The award was presented to Wilson at Uniondale High School’s Senior Awards Ceremony on May 24, 2007.
Cambridge Who's Who issued a call for essays to the senior class of several high schools on Long Island, where the company is headquartered. Students were asked to define leadership, identify people who epitomize leadership and describe leadership qualities that they exhibit. The 250,000 members of Cambridge Who's Who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their industry and occupation, so it is fitting that Cambridge would honor high school seniors who show promise as leaders of their generation.
While many student essays were impressive, Wilson’s stood out to the Cambridge Who's Who Scholarship Committee. Wilson highlighted Oprah Winfrey’s charitable acts as evidence that people from humble beginnings can become leaders, and cited persistence, honesty and intelligence as the key attributes of a leader. Above all, he listed unselfishness as the mark of leadership.
Wilson himself displays several leadership qualities. Among other activities, he chaired the Future Business Leaders of America fundraising committee and served as vice president of the Literary Arts Club. He is an accomplished cellist, composer, and section leader in the school orchestra, and has performed with the New York Virtuosi Chamber Symphony. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and has served as a peer tutor in Spanish, the social sciences and mathematics.
Wilson, who was also recognized in the Who's Who Among American High School Students, says his career goal is to become a marketing executive. As an honorary member of Cambridge Who's Who, he will be featured in the honors edition of the Cambridge Who's Who Registry and will have access to a robust network of business professionals.
As Wilson says, “Leaders are influential people who stand out in a crowd.” By that definition, Aaron Wilson is indeed a fitting recipient of the Cambridge Who's Who Future Leaders Award.
About Cambridge Who's Who Among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs
The mission of Cambridge Who's Who is to provide its members with the recognition, support and credibility needed to advance their careers. The company is committed to delivering the highest quality networking resource for job recruitment, career enhancement and new business development.
View the About Cambridge Who's Who page for more information
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Cambridge Who's Who Supports the American Cancer Society
Cambridge Who's Who, a leading global networking organization for executives and professionals, donates funds to the American Cancer Society.
Islip, NY - June 20, 2007 -- Cambridge Who's Who, a leading global networking organization for executives and professionals makes a special 4th of July donation to the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
InternationalThe American Cancer Society's international mission concentrates on capacity building in developing cancer societies and on collaboration with other cancer-related organizations throughout the world in carrying out shared strategic directions.
Cambridge Who's Who is proud to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on those affected by cancer. Cambridge Who's Who is honored to give the gift of hope by making a 4th of July contribution to the fight against cancer. For someone affected by this disease, it's the best gift you can give.Nearly everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. Cambridge Who's Who is helping the American Cancer Society to continue to make progress against this disease in every community. The ACS works year-round to save lives, help those touched by cancer and empower people to fight back against the disease.
The mission of Cambridge Who's Who is to ensure that
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Cambridge Who's Who eBook
Cambridge Who's Who has published a collection of all the press releases from PRWeb news media distribution.
Features included | |
| | |
 | Customized coverpage -- title, subtitle and cover art. |
| Company profile page. |
| Full press release body with hyperlinks. |
 | Media page -- Media contact info, News Image, and release links. |
| Document Bookmarks of all our headlines. |
| New Sony Reader™ format & compatibility. |
Please view our eBook:
Public URL Standard PDF: http://www.prweb.com/ebook/249757/18214/mediakit.pdf Public Sony Reader Format: http://www.prweb.com/ebook/249757/18214/6/mediakit.pdf
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Cambridge Who's Who Names Polly Bukta Executive of the Year in Government
Des Moines, IA.…April 11, 2007–Polly Bukta, Speaker Pro Tempore, and State Representative for the State of Iowa, has been named Cambridge Who's Who Among Executive & Professional Woman of the Year in Government. While inclusion in Cambridge Who's Who Registry is an honor, only one member in each discipline is named the Cambridge Who's Who Executive of the Year. The Cambridge Who's Who selection committee hand picks these special Who's Who honorees based on their accomplishments, academic achievement, leadership and service.
Bukta has been a Democratic State Representative for the State of
Iowa and the people of the twenty-ninth District since 1997. Bukta’s
standing committee assignments are administration and rules, education, ethics
and transportation. She and the other representatives evaluate, exchange views
and hear from constituents about the merits of bills that are brought to
congress. Bukta and the other representatives then vote on the laws which affect
the lives of Iowa residents.
Bukta received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and French from Mercyhurst College in 1962. She is a member of the American Association of University Women, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Clinton Women's Club, Clinton City Chamber of Commerce and Delta Kappa Gamma. She is the recipient of a JAG Award (2005).
About Cambridge Who's Who
The mission of Cambridge Who's Who is to ensure that Cambridge members receive recognition, support and credibility to advance their careers. Cambridge Who's Who is also committed to delivering the highest quality networking resource for job recruitment, career enhancement and new business development. See who's making news and how Cambridge Who's Who is making a difference at our news blog: http://cambridgewhoswho.blogspot.com/.
Cambridge Who's Who members have exclusive access to the biographical information of more than 200,000 successful executives, professionals and entrepreneurs at http://www.cambridgewhoswho.com/, where they use the database to share information, knowledge and services. Communication via the Cambridge Who's Who Registry travels in two directions, enabling Cambridge Who's Who members to reach out when they have a business need or opportunity as well as receive information on exciting new ventures.
Center is a place for members and non-members to gather information and seek advice on popular topics such as business networking, building your personal brand, starting your own company, marketing your products and services and making yourself into a valuable contact. A content-rich site, the Cambridge Who’s Who Resource Center also gives members an opportunity to establish themselves as leaders in their industries and professions through its contributing author program. 
