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Marilyn Sprague-Smith, M.Ed., is an award-winning consultant, trainer, author, professional speaker, and certified laughter leader. Through her consulting and training firm Miracles & Magic, she partners with individuals and organizations seeking a catalyst for long-term positive change. She is one of only six people in the world authorized by The World Laughter Tour to deliver laughter leader certification training. As a frequent guest on National Public Radio’s WFDD 88.5 FM Real People. Real Stories. www.wfdd.org, she shares true stories about the magic of laughter and the sparkle it brings to relationships.

She leads Uplifting Spirit Laughter Club at Unity in Greensboro on the second Friday night of each month. It’s free and open to the public. To find out more about laughter clubs, or to bring her healing laughter programs to your next event, or to register for certified laughter leader training in the Triad, visit www.miraclesmagicinc.com       www.worldlaughtertour.com

marilyn@miraclesmagicinc.com

Royal Spirit Alive

C'mon, Let's Laugh Articles

Feature Stories
 
Marina D. Crosby is President of 2Americas Corp. 2Americas' Mission is to provide Business Consulting and Training Services to measurably help clients increase their revenues by making cultural differences work for them. 2Americas changes the focus of diversity from Tolerance to Productivity and works with the client to keep productivity at a maximum. The company has a solid network of fully bilingual seasoned Hispanic Professionals who have decades of experience working in successful multicultural business environments, both in Latin America and in the US.

Marina D. Crosby, President
2Americas Corp.
(919) 319-9243
1 866 333 7763
1647 Kildonan Pl.
Cary, NC 27511
MCrosby@2Americas.com
www.2Americas.com

 
 

Martha Kaley is a breast cancer survivor and founder of Friends For An Earlier Breast Cancer Test.

After surgery thirteen years ago to have a benign mass removed from the base of her breast, Martha’s doctor revealed that as he was closing her up, he “just decided” to have a look around. Shockingly, he happened to find a malignancy pressed against the chest wall. It was the same density as breast tissue, so it did not show up on her mammogram (in December – and here it was, only March!) and it was too deep to be felt. The malignancy was removed.

Following this diagnosis of breast cancer, Martha was horrified to learn that the tumor the surgeon found in her breast most likely had been growing for years and could have been totally missed until it was too late. As a result, Martha founded the non-profit organization Friends For An Earlier Breast Cancer Test, the nation’s only non-profit dedicated solely to funding research to find an earlier biological test for breast cancer.

Martha resides in Greensboro, NC with her husband Jim. She is expecting her first grandchild - a granddaughter - in October, which makes her even more passionate about the need to find an earlier detection test for breast cancer.

Martha enjoys fly fishing, gourmet cooking and wine and playing with her granddogs, Chumley and Sutton. Learn more about Martha Kaley and Friends at www.earlier.org.
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Martin Brossman has 20 years of professional experience, 7 years with IBM and 13 years developing and operating small businesses. Mr. Brossman has successfully integrated his background in science and technology with extensive personal development training.

Martin holds a BA in Math/ Computer Science from St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, NC. At IBM he received the "IBM Means Service" award, the top award given for customer service. In 2000 he was honored with the NC Governor's Volunteer of the Year Award. Martin holds certification as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner from Spectrum of North Carolina, and is certified as a Team Builder by Don Carr and Associates. He has completed Landmark Education's FORUM, Communication, and Curriculum for Living Courses, an intensive training program to develop intrapersonal skills. He has a ranking belt in Aikido and is a trained body worker and reflexologist.
He has published articles about conflict management, men's issues, meditation, humor and harmony, and computers and society. He has also taught personal computer classes at Wake and Durham Technical Colleges. His personal interests include social issues, camping, hiking, meditation, travel, Amateur Radio (KI4CFS), close-up magic, personal development, learning the electric Bass guitar, and humor. 

(919) 847-4757 Martin@CoachingSupport.com web
www.toinquire.com/women

 
 

Mary Cantando is a nationally recognized expert on the growth of women-owned businesses. As a member of the National Speakers’ Association, she speaks to women who want to grow their businesses, as well as to corporations who want to better understand the fast growing market of women business owners. Her new book, THE WOMAN’S ADVANTAGE: 20 Women Show You What it Takes to Grow Your Business, is available at all major bookstores and through Amazon.com. Check it out at www.womansadvantage.biz

CANTANDO & ASSOCIATES, LLC
1013 Erin's Way
Raleigh, NC 27614
919-841-0401
919-841-0901 (fax)

Mary@WomanBusinessOwner.com
www.WomanBusinessOwner.com
     
 

 

Winning Ideas from
Winning Women with:

 

Mary Kurek
Networking & Marketing Coach
Professional Networker
Author of The Ideal Network System: Change Your Address Book - Change Your Life
 For details, testimonials and to sign up to pre-order the book, visit:
www.marykurek.com
(252) 726-7148 Home/Answer
(252) 646-6300 Cell
P.O. Box 1962
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
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Mary Elizabeth Murphy is Managing Director of S.T.A.R. Resources, a performance management consulting and education firm that specializes in creating environments in which people want to work. She is an expert at helping individuals and organizations to earn more, produce more and achieve more.

704-535-5610
info@starresources.biz
www.starresources.biz

 
Maureen Killoran is a life coach and Unitarian Universalist minister who has performed over 400 weddings & services of union. As a life coach, Maureen is passionate about helping people use their strengths to create lives of meaning and creativity. Maureen shares the joy of strengths-based living through keynotes, workshops, and personal and group coaching. Her publications include an e-book entitled “Spirit Tickling: A Workbook for Curious Souls.” Her free monthly e-zine, "Seeds of Change" has an international circulation of over 1000.

As a wedding minister, Maureen works with each couple to create a unique ceremony that reflects their values, beliefs and vision. Her strong interfaith background has led her into some interesting wedding situations. Maureen has conducted creative wedding ceremonies in large churches with over 700 guests and blessed the quiet sacredness of a midnight marriage ritual with only the couple and witnesses present. She's concelebrated with a rabbi under a chuppah, traveled to the remote location where the bride's parents first met, rejoiced to unite a couple who were "given away" by their grandchildren, and appreciated the beauty and mystery of the Hindu yogi who performed his part of the ceremony sitting on a bed of nails.

With graduate training in Life Coaching and positive psychology, Masters degrees in family sociology and divinity, and a Doctorate in systems thinking, Maureen brings a breadth of experience and positive energy to her intuitively-grounded practice and wedding ministry. You can learn more about Maureen Killoran at www.spiritquestcoaching.com and www.spiritquest.ws

SpiritQuest Coaching
Hendersonville, NC
828 697 2872

maureen@spiritquestcoaching.com
www.spiritquestcoaching.com

 
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Megan M. Raspa, MPH, joined The Well Project team as Project Manager in early 2003. She received a Master of Public Health degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Megan’s interest and expertise in women’s health is evident from her previous experiences working in HIV prevention and risk reduction education, adolescent and women’s health behavior research, and conducting qualitative research on women’s health experiences. She is delighted to be a part of such a talented team working to make a difference in the lives of HIV+ women.

mraspa@thewellproject.org

 
 

Melissa Andron and her husband Lee own Realm Design Studio. They are “designers of real and virtual environments.” Lee handles the virtual environments with web site design and programming for single-person firms to Fortune 500 companies. Melissa handles the real environments with interior design for homes, offices, churches, and medical practices.

Melissa’s passion (besides her puppies, Samson and Loki!) is the design of healing environments. She loves to create environments that nourish our spirits by addressing various aspects of design including not only space planning and color, but also art, music, aromas, textures, and other elements that directly affect all of our senses.

Realm Design Studio
Phone 919-836-0303 info@realmdesignstudio.com
www.realmdesignstudio.com

 

 

 

 
 

Melissa Stanz is a freelance writer and marketing communications professional with nearly 30 years of experience. She has managed corporate and marketing communications for Fortune 500 companies, a publishing company, and a private college. In 2000, she started her own freelance writing and marketing communications business from Asheville, NC. She serves a variety of corporate and individual clients, and writes feature stories for a number of regional magazines. She especially loves to write stories about strong, interesting, giving women.

Melissa Stanz
828.254.1203
melissastanz@bellsouth.net
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Myelitia Melton, the Diversity Diva, is a linguist, educator, working broadcaster and the author of over 30 books and CDs in the SpeakEasy Spanish series. She travels across the country lecturing on cultural diversity and language acquisition. Myelita is also a member of the National Speaker's Association.

SpeakEasy Communications, Inc.
116 Sea Trail Dr.
Mooresville, NC 28117-8493
Tel: 704.662.9424
Fax: 704.664.0265
Cell: 704.516.5945

myelita@speakeasyspanish.com
www.speakeasyspanish.com

 
 

Michelle Yanik is Co-owner of Smart Moms, an alternative staffing company in Cary, NC. Small to midsized companies that staff flexible, part-time positions come to Smart Moms for skilled candidates. Qualified stay-at-home moms seeking legitimate work from home and in-office jobs turn to Smart Moms for opportunities. The company’s objective is to help organizations meet their goals while helping moms achieve work/life balance.

michelle@smart-moms.net
919-363-7079
www.smart-moms.net
 

Nancy Bono, Senior Vice President Cross + Associates, is a marketing professional with over 15 years experience in media, marketing and account services. Nancy leads the account service team at Cross + Associates. Her attention to detail as well as her background in client service and media has positioned her as a valuable client liaison. In addition to her account service strength, Nancy has spearheaded the new business developments for C+A. While paying attention to the expertise of her core team, she has paved the way for new media. Under her watch, C+A has been recognized nationally for their successful media campaigns in the area of education.

Prior to joining Cross + Associates in 2001, Nancy was Vice President of a Raleigh media buying service for five years. During that stint, she supervised a staff of twelve and managed all details for six million dollars annually in regional and national billings. She has a wide variety of retail experience and has worked most major markets in the United States. Her expertise has led to successful dealings with national chains like Terminix and Jiffy Lube. In addition to her professional career, Nancy spends some of her free time as a writer. Nancy is involved is American Women in Radio and Television and the Triangle Interactive Marketing Association. She is a graduate of the University of Scranton with a B. A. in Interdisciplinary Studies.

 

A native of northern Virginia, Natasha Marinoff Rider graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in Communications from Lynchburg College in Virginia. In 2002, she received her Master's degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She currently serves as the Public Relations Manager for The Mint Museums in Charlotte, NC.

Natasha Rider
Public Relations Manager
The Mint Museums
2730 Randolph Road
Charlotte, NC 28207
(704) 337-2009 - phone
(704) 337-2010 - fax
nrider@mintmuseum.org
www.mintmuseum.org

 

Odetta Taylor is the owner of Alternate Office Solutions, an office support service that has been in business for 9 years in the Triangle providing a variety of administrative services to companies both large and small.

info@aos4u.com
www.aos4u.com
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Olalah Njenga, senior marketing writer/consultant for Make It Write LLC, helps small business owners and solo professionals get measurable results from their marketing efforts. 

Make It Write LLC
P.O.Box 1122
Morrisville NC 27560
919.481.2029

solutions@makeitwrite.com
www.makeitwrite.com

 
 

Patricia Frank writes from Beaufort, NC on business and non-business topics for organizations, magazines, newspapers, the web—and books. Nobody’s Mother. Life Without Kids may be ordered directly from Patricia. Cost is $20.95 in check or money order, which includes shipping at media rate. If you’d like a copy for your own or a friend, please contact the blissful author at Patwrites4u@yahoo.com for ordering address.

Contact Pat at (252) 728-1668 or e-mail: Pat@MarketLady.com.

 
A resident of Raleigh, North Carolina, Paula Monahan is a past President of the American Marketing Association, Triangle Chapter. With over fifteen years of experience in sales and marketing, Paula is putting all of her learned skills and talents to good use in this online publication for women. As a way of reaching out and connecting with women from a variety of backgrounds, her goal is to create a networked community of online women readers who value inspiring, insightful and empowering content.  


Paula Monahan, Publisher
NC Journal for Women
 paulamonahan@earthlink.net   
 

Philip S. Morse is a professor emeritus at the State University of New York at Fredonia and am the co-founder of the annual Survivors of Suicide Conference in the triangle area of North Carolina and also the founder of the Triangle Consortium for Suicide Prevention (TCSP) www.trianglesuicideprevention.org. I live in Fearrington Village with my wife Judith.

 
 

ReNee Troy-Mebane is the President of Blueprints for Successful Events, a Matthews-based event planning firm. For more information, please visit www.blueprintsforevents.com. You can also reach ReNee at 704-321-0788.

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Richard Averitt, Chief Operating Officer, The Well ProjectRichard joined The Well Project in early 2002 to help his sister, Dawn, evolve the vision of TWP into a sustainable public service organization. He now acts as Chief Operating Officer for The Well Project, and is responsible for the organization’s strategic and fiscal wellbeing. Richard has been creating and managing businesses for 10 years as either a partner or proprietor in various industries. He is delighted to apply his business knowledge towards a cause that will benefit real people, in very real ways, in their everyday lives.
 

Sarah C. Nielsen manages the Sister to Sister account for the Catevo Group's Charlotte office.

snielsen@catevo.com

http://www.catevo.com
866.750.5411 toll free
704.442.9100 office

The Catevo Group- Catalysts for Business Evolution

 

Sarah M. Place, MBA
President & CEO
Place Trade Financial, Inc.

Sarah M. Place, MBA, has over seventeen years experience in the financial services industry. In addition to gaining valuable knowledge as an International Mutual Fund Accountant for a major global asset management firm in Boston, her experience includes working with individuals and with businesses in a variety of investment planning areas. While she has vast experience working with stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles, her primary areas of focus include fixed income and 401(k)s.

 

 

Sarah is active in The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, including Leadership Raleigh (21); she is a member of the Louisa St. Clair Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and she has been involved in several different charities and local activities.

About Place Trade Financial, Inc.
Place Trade Financial, Inc. (Member NASD, SIPC) is a full service, discount brokerage firm based in Lillington, North Carolina, with a branch office in Raleigh, NC as well. Place Trade appeals to clients with various investment needs, by offering a range of products and services – including stocks, options, mutual funds, extensive fixed income securities, online trading, and no-fee IRAs. Additional services include Wealth Management, college and retirement planning, 401(k) rollovers and business retirement plans. Place Trade Financial, Inc. is also an active member of the Securities Industry Association (SIA). Web address: www.placetrade.com

For questions or comments, Sarah may be contacted at (919)719-7200 or via email at sarah@placetrade.com.

 

Sharon Hill is one of the top Etiquette Trainers in the United States. She teaches and motivates diverse audiences as both an educator and an entertainer. Her high-energy, interactive seminars train employees to refine their personal and professional skills, allowing them to make lasting decisions.

Hill has partnered with Fortune 500 companies and organizations, such as IBM, the National Guard and North Carolina Universities to design and implement organizational behavior programs that give their employees the competitive edge. Additionally, Hill teaches seminars on American Business Etiquette, Effective Speaking Techniques, Preparing Executive Resumés, Preparing Diverse Student for Corporate America and much more.

For more information about Sharon Hill International, visit www.sharonhillinternational.com.

 

Sheila Robinson is the owner of Robinson & Associates Communications, LLC a marketing consulting agency. She is also the founder and publisher of North Carolina Career Network Magazine a publication that provides ideas, solutions and resources to business professionals. She is recognized in her industry as a leader and is committed to creating editorial and networking opportunities to help individuals achieve their career and business goals in her beloved state, North Carolina.

Sheila Robinson
Publisher
North Carolina Career Network Magazine
tel (336) 451-4289
 www.careernetworkmag.com
 

Small Business Consultant, Sherese Duncan “the Lady of Profitable Solutions,” is President and CEO of Efficio, Inc. a small business education and consulting firm. For more information about Duncan and her company, go to www.efficio.biz or if you have a burning business question that needs to be answered email asksherese@efficio.biz.

 

Captain Sherrell Murray is the Education Services Officer for the North Carolina National Guard. The Education Services program seeks to help Soldiers and Airmen continue their cilivian educational goals via counseling, testing, and financial assistance.
Captain Murray is currently on deployment in Kuwait.

sherrell.murray@us.army.mil

 

Sherry Essig works with professional women – corporate executives, business owners and service professionals - to create business results and make lasting changes on the things in life that matter to them. Through her experience in marketing, strategy, finance and business management, and as a certified coach and CPA, Sherry offers a unique blend of analytics and intuition. As co-founder of Priority Ventures Group in 1994 and creator of the Bring Your Business To Life program, she has helped hundreds of people get the most out of their businesses and their lives.

Sherry Essig, PCC
Priority Ventures Group
Raleigh, NC
(919) 834-6960
sessig@priorityventures.com
www.PriorityVenturesGroup.com

 
Sheyenne Kreamer
Since 1999, Bottom-Line Recruiting & Consulting Associates, Inc. has provided technology and people solutions to North Carolina companies through the placement of talented hardware, software, manufacturing and management professionals into direct-hire positions. Now, with the creation of the Triangle Solutions Alliance, we are continuing our mission of creating continuous improvements in our clients’ technology, processes, people and profits, without the employee overhead.

919-266-0954
sheyennek@yahoo.com
www.solutions-nc.com

 
 

Sondra Artis is a nationally award-winning journalist with the North Carolina News Network. She is the founder and president of Artis Media Group, a communications and public relations firm. Artis is a 2004 German Marshall Fund Fellow, supporting her interest in international travel and study.