I sometimes stop to think about where I am and how I got here. It's always part of accountability and living in a state of gratitude to assess the present state of being. For me, it is always about change. In the early days of my career, I was influenced by two strong forces. Apple Computer and Doug Englebart. In my mind, they are both representative of something that was so huge in my awareness as to shape the very person that I was to become.
I was the Marketing Manger and really just plain "make it happen" person for a small (100 employee) training company. I came up through the ranks by working hard. I was a single parent and worked 12 hour days with the exception of Fridays when I went home at 4:00 to get videos and a pizza with my kids. The weekends were mine and I spent that very valuable time with my kids.
While working for this great little company, the VP of Development bought a Lisa Computer. This was Apple's first go at an icon driven desktop. Something that I believe first emerged over at Xerox. Well, however it came about, it did not really take off. It had a hefty price tag. So my VP offered it to me to create my own marketing materials and save money. He taught me how to use the computer and a long love affair began with Apple Computer and their products.
I fell so in love with Apple that I left and took a job as a temp until I could get hired into the Service Training Group which was part of Apple's Training Division. I had a wonderful time there and formed a strong set of values based on "The Apple Values".
The other major influence in my life was from Doug Englebart. I've met Doug and informally been part of a larger group of people interested in Doug's work. David, my husband worked more closely with Doug and helped Doug to build a visual presentation that helped get complex concepts across in reference to Doug's lifelong work. Genius is always hard to have a casual conversation about or to represent simply. Doug's work has been the foundation for most of the products that David and I have built for our clients for the last twenty years. It's all about collaboration.
The third thing that has impacted who I am as a person has been ActiveRain. I would say that by the three years and thousands of hours of my time spent here in the RAIN, I am forever changed. I'm smarter or appear to be. By reading and commenting out in the membership, I learn so many new and exciting trends for technology and how the Consumer is determining the future of real estate. I have been able to build a repository of knowledge-based information for the Consumer on my local market and Communities. Using Hyper Local marketing, my business is dynamic and rich with content the Consumer wants and needs. By building tools to empower the Consumer, my business will continue to generate our future.
Thank you ActiveRain. It's been a beautiful partnership.
I am Jeanean Gendron your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417.
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It is nice to read about your personal influences. I think we learn through every experience--good or bad.
Jeanean, although my background is a bit different, I'd like to say that your final paragraph 'The third thing' is something I whole-heartedly agree with. I'm sure there are tens of thousands who would agree to a certain extent. But like any other opportunity, one has to be face-front, visible and use the system. Blogging from Active Rain is the best!
What a great success story. I truly believe that this community has way more value than just getting business. It is such a great place to learn connect and just feel plugged into the real estate world. Somehow it makes you feel that you are not alone out there.
Jeanean, Active Rain has really helped in many ways...so glad I found it and has also been a great partnership for me as well.
Excellent post. This really is a super post. I've learned a ton, and it's been less than 3 months for me. Thx for sharing.
Jeanean: Excellent Success Story and great information as to what outside forces can do to impact our lives if we just open ourselves and invite the good things in.
This should be a feature. The most important thing that I take away from this post is the reflection on those things that have shaped up. The events and people in our lives are the very things that make us who we are today. And yes, Active Rain has enriched my life as well! Getting to know people such as yourself is the best bonus of all!
Jeanean it is always good to read your posts. It is like talking to ,or in this case, listening to a friend tell a story. Thank you is all I can say
Jeanean you have come so far and have much to be proud of!
That's a neat story Jeanean! I also worked in the computer industry for a number of years. However, I was in the Software Development part of it. I worked at the Research and Development Center of CableData, which became acqired by USCS, and then DST, and ultimately Amdocs. The founder of CableData was a guy by the name of Bob Mathews. Bob died young at 49 years of age. Those at the company that knew him, saw him as a visionary, which he was. He ultimately changed the lives of everyone that worked at that company before his death!
Holly, thanks for the visit and I do agree. Some bad and some good, they all shape us. It's always nicer to remember the good ones.
Vicki, we could not get a better authority on the subject. Yes, it does take a dedicated effort and that is rather my tribute. Through that dedicated effort, I can shape my business for the Consumer in the direction that will be beneficial to their needs in real estate. Knowing the future is never easy but with my work here in AR, we have such an advantage on that level. Always nice to hear from you. Thanks for the stop by!
Lesley, I could not agree more. It also helps you remain focused in delivering the best technology and knowledge-based services to your clients and the Consumer.
Hello Rebecca, thanks for sharing on this post. I am always so grateful for AR and the part it has played in our business development. The land of opportunity truly does exist here. I appreciate your visit!
Hello Debbie, that is amazing that you've only been here 3 months. You are already contributing in such a relevant manner. It just goes to show that as something evolves, the learning curve decreases and people can move at a faster pace. That is so encouraging. I would think you've been here for a very long time. Thanks for the stop by and visit. Always nice to hear from you.
Hello Tish, thanks for the stop by. We all are fortunate to be here and to have this great resource available to us. We must have done something good along the way. Always love hearing from you!
Hello Paula, thanks for coming in on this comment stream. I would so have to agree with you that the people of the membership are by far the richest part of AR. AR and the staff have provided us a wonderful environment for business development and to learn on an individual basis. The bonus by far are the friends we make. I also appreciate our friendship.
Hey Charlie, always enjoy having you visit and give me your opinion. Today is especially a nice day. Thanks for such kind words and they mean so much. Hope you have a great weekend.
Debra, thanks for the stop by and read. Have a great day!
Hello Myrl, we are formed by the relationships in our lives. It is always good to be in the company of people of great stature. We are forever changed and have grown from that exposure and relationship. Cosmic hookups are always meant to be. Thanks for the visit. Always nice to have you stop by.