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Success Stories
Amy Gonet
She'll tell you how easy it is to get into the business; she's proven that it takes a special kind of person to have an instinct for what will work wonders for a customer. Her specialty is finding promotional items that are one of a kind and that will result in the exclamation, "Where did you find this??" Joan is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Industrial Psychology and the proud "dog-mama" of her beautiful black Standard Poodle, Max. How did you first hear about Powerful Presence? Joan: I met Maia at a MWBN networking event after I put all my raffle tickets in the box to win the prize of coaching with her. After going back out to my car, I headed back in the building and met her as we were both coming in the front door. She said hi to me like we'd known each other all our lives. That made it easy for me to tell her that I'd put all my tickets in her box and that I planned on winning. After I won the prize of a coaching session, I told her I wanted to trade it in to attend the Journey to Powerful Presence. I was so glad I did! What made you decide to take the Journey to Powerful Presence class? Joan: I wanted to improve myself and feel more at ease with my journey of life in general. I knew there was something more to life, and when I met Maia I felt that she knew what it was. How would you describe your experience of the class? Joan: It was enlightening and emotional. I learned a lot about myself and traveled though the Journey with some great ladies. It was a surprise for me to realize that we all have the same kinds of problems and that we all need help to get through some of our difficulties. That was a relief, since I had spent so much time before the class thinking that I was the only one who was going through what I was going through. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Joan: My biggest takeaway was the believing that "You bring about what you think about." Although I am still working on this, I learned without a doubt just how powerful my mind is. In addition, I was astounded at how deeply we all created relationships with each other and with Maia over the short 12 weeks of the Journey. What results are you getting in your business (or your life) because of this class? Joan: My biggest accomplishment is that I feel more confident and relaxed. That has helped me in both my business and personal life. Even though I've always found it easy to worry, now I find that I don't worry as much since I finished this class. I've discovered that it gets easier and easier to use the strategies I learned in class to do something else besides worry. What else would you like to say about your experience with the Journey to Powerful Presence? Joan: I'm so happy I met Maia! I think she's great. I truly enjoyed my time in the class and I'm looking forward to taking the Advanced Class this Spring. I recommend The Journey to Powerful Presence to anyone who wants to increase their confidence, or take any skill they have to the next level. I've found that everything I learned is very helpful to use in your everyday life.
How did you first hear about Powerful Presence? Ilona: I had the pleasure of meeting Maia a few years ago and was immediately intrigued with her attitude, charisma and presence. What made you decide to take the Journey to Powerful Presence class? Ilona: Many of my friends and colleagues participated in this class and their results were outstanding. They told me how helpful it was in their personal and business lives. I had to see for myself what all the buzz was about. How would you describe your experience of the class? Ilona: Taking this class was a great experience for me. I learned so much about different distinctions, approaches to situations and strategies. It was a great eye opener and it provided me with so many helpful skills for my business and for my personal life. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Ilona: The biggest takeaway for me was the different ways of seeing and dealing with many different situations. It was especially useful for me to learn that's it's OK to agree to disagree. A major discovery for me was the importance of choosing your battles. What results are you getting in your business (or your life) because of this class? Ilona: Because of this class I have been able to more quickly and easily resolve issues that used to be difficult, in both my business and personal life. Using the strategies I learned in class has eliminated much of my stress and anxiety. What else would you like to say about your experience with the Journey to Powerful Presence? Ilona: It has been a very valuable experience and I can't wait to learn more!
How did you first hear about Powerful Presence? Shelly: I first met Maia at the MWBN holiday luncheon in December 2009, while I was in the midst of frosting a table full of mini chocolate chip gingerbread cupcakes. Over the next few months, I encountered Maia and her Powerful Presence message at several networking events. What made you decide to take the Journey to Powerful Presence class? Shelly: I actually WON my seat at a networking luncheon. You truly do bring about what you think about—I was sending my thoughts all throughout that lunch! Maia got up to draw the winner and asked, "Who's going to win?" and I shouted, "I am!" Lo and behold, I won! I was very excited—I was meant to be in that class. I knew I would someday enroll, it just wasn't in the cards for me financially at the time. Positive thoughts have a powerful impact! How would you describe your experience of the class? Shelly: It was a small and intimate group. It's interesting how there's this flow with the class and the group taking the class. Even though we weren't in the same physical room, we quickly jelled and there was great insight shared during those 12 weeks. My one-on-ones with Maia had a tremendous impact on me as well. I learned so many valuable lessons during that period of time! What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Shelly: "Every obstacle brings a gift" is one of them. Now in the midst of what previously would have been considered an obstacle, I am able to look deeper for the gift it is sure to bring with it. This really helps me to dance with whatever shows up as well. This belief has taken a great amount of stress out of my everyday life, because I remind myself to just keep looking for the gift. What results are you getting in your business (or your life) because of this class? Shelly: I feel that I am more relaxed and less tense about things overall. I find that sharing these beliefs with others on my team has had a positive impact on us all. I spend time reflecting on what I want to bring about and being proactive in both my business and personal life and much less time being reactionary. I find it is far easier to plan and focus on all areas of my life, which increases my satisfaction and confidence as well. What else would you like to say about your experience with the Journey to Powerful Presence? Shelly: I am still working on my "buts" (Maia taught us that when you say "but" in a sentence, you've just cancelled everything you just said before the but...) and I catch myself from time to time. My Journey to Powerful Presence is ongoing. It didn't stop when the 12 weeks were up, I'm still on the journey and will always be on it. I know the knowledge I received is a gift and it's a joy to share it with others.
How did you first hear about Powerful Presence? Amy: Lisa Ryan called and invited me to join the first live class with her. She and I had become friends through another networking group and she thought I'd be interested in the Powerful Presence journey too. I'm so glad she did What made you decide to take the Journey to Powerful Presence class? Amy: Actually, it was a gut feeling. I hadn't met Maia or heard of Powerful Presence before Lisa shared it with me. The opportunity struck me as something that would be very enlightening, useful and fun, and the timing in my life just felt right. So I signed up that day! How would you describe your experience of the class? Amy: Being in the live class was incredible. I got to know several other professional women who were also looking to take themselves to the next level. We learned so much with Maia's guidance and through each other's insights, and we supported one another along the journey. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Amy: I learned that I have what it takes and gained the confidence to move from a self-perceived small fry consultant to The Gonet Group! Also, I truly enjoyed getting to know Maia and the other participants. They are all amazing women. What results are you getting in your business (or your life) because of this class? Amy: In my business, I now look at potential clients and projects and think of possibilities rather than limitations. Big or small, I know that I have what it takes and can go for it—whether that means utilizing my talents, stretching myself and stepping out of my comfort zone, or calling in reinforcements to help. In my life, I use what I learned on my Journey every day as a new mom. I'm constantly dancing with whatever shows up! What else would you like to say about your experience with the Journey to Powerful Presence? Amy: It was, and continues to be, amazing. Every woman should take the Journey. You learn things about yourself that you never knew, begin to open your own doors and accomplish what you set out to, and become part of a very supportive and encouraging community.
What led you to take the Journey to Powerful Presence in January 2010? Chelle: A co-worker of mine had taken the class and loved it. She thought it might be beneficial in terms of building my networking skills. What was your experience in the class? Chelle: I enjoyed my conversations with the other women in the class as we worked through the 12 sessions. I gained insight from their experiences and input. That, together with Maia's approach and coaching, helped me to gain insight into how I could help myself become more self-confident, and more comfortable in building relationships. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Chelle: I completed this class knowing that the 3 Beliefs of Powerful Presence are...believable. It's hard to sum this one up...I have embraced the First Belief that "You bring about what you think about" and I, most definitely, believe the second one, that "(I) have what it takes." Maybe the number one take away would be that I now believe the third belief of Powerful Presence: "Every obstacle presents a gift!" What difference have you noticed in your life because of this class? Chelle: I've noticed that I have more confidence than I did before I started the class. In discovering this power, I have been able to work my way through situations that, in the past, would have thrown me way off course. I am now able to visualize a positive "place" and get there. In doing so, I now have the power to overcome obstacles. What else would you like to say about your experience? Chelle: I would have to say that the Journey was a fabulous experience. My realization of my own power has given me the drive to begin my own business as Fashion Advisor for Lia Sophia jewelry. I have just begun this leg of my journey and cannot wait to unleash the power I have to take this business to great heights!
How did you hear about the Journey to Powerful Presence? Pam: I heard Maia give a presentation at a networking event and knew right away that I would be connecting with her. What she had to say and the passion with which she said it really resonated with me. What was your experience in the teleclass? Pam: I was looking for an opportunity to further my personal and professional growth without attending a canned seminar. I found it! What I especially liked is that Maia provides the building blocks and then gives you space to work them into your own situation. What kind of results did you get in your business or your life after taking this teleclass? Pam: I completed the class in December 2010 and it helped me get focused going into the New Year. I realized that some of the anxiety I've experienced has been due to focusing on the future instead of the present. My theme for this year is "release." I've got notes from the class handouts tacked on the bulletin board over my desk and they really help me when I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. You took the Advanced Teleclass right after completing the Journey. What made you want to take this next step so quickly? Pam: I wanted to keep the momentum going from the original class. Also, it's kind of like eating Hershey's Kisses or potato chips. You can't stop at one. At least I can't. What was your experience in the Advanced teleclass? Pam: This was learning on an even deeper, richer level because we had all been through the basic class and were ready to move forward. In both classes we developed a meaningful, safe bond. We could talk about anything and know that it would stay just among us. And we learned from one another. Someone would interpret a lesson one way and someone would see it in another. Also, our experiences were different each week depending on if that week's lesson pertained to something at our work (office, self-employed), at home (young children, grown children, no children) or in our personal lives. What's different in your life now because you've had this experience? Pam: Taking these two classes has helped me continue to grow, gain confidence and recognize my strengths. In addition, I've met some amazing women!
Welcome, Heather. Will you share with us the reasons that you took this class? Heather: I was down-sized from the corporate world in December, 2010, and I was struggling to find a new career path. I knew that I wanted to improve my public speaking skills for networking and interviewing, so I enrolled in Maia's Power Speak class in February 2011. I was so impressed with my results from the one-day seminar that I jumped at the opportunity to take the 12-week teleclass. What was your experience in the class? Heather: After the first class I had a one-on-one coaching session with Maia where she helped me create my own personal itinerary for the course. It was very powerful for me to see in writing my own map for my Journey to Powerful Presence. It took something that was abstract and made it seem doable. As we went through the program and I started incorporating new beliefs and abilities in my life, it was great to have the opportunity refer back to my itinerary and see how far I had come. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Heather: I had a tendency to have tunnel vision and see everything only from my own personal viewpoint, so understanding how to step back and look at things from different perspectives was huge for me. Before the journey I was looking at my life and just seeing the obstacles in my way. Now I look at obstacles as gifts that bring opportunities and new possibilities. What difference have you noticed in your life because of this class? Heather: My confidence level is much higher and my outlook is much more positive. This has allowed me to take my networking into a whole new level. Through my networking I have created several new connections and career opportunities for myself and this has been extremely satisfying. I know now that my future is full of possibilities. Thanks to My Powerful Presence I know I will be able to handle whatever comes my way with grace, style, and joy.
Linda is an Alum of the September 2010 Journey to Powerful Presence and a Graduate of the Inaugural Live Advanced Class. How did you first hear about Powerful Presence? Linda: Irene Hatziantoniou shared the program with me and said that she attended the class intending to deal with one aspect of her life and came away handling so much more. I wanted some of what she got. What made you decide to take the Advanced Powerful Presence class? Linda: The first class was very enlightening for me. I was so delighted with my results that I signed right up for the Advanced class as soon as it was available. I felt things could only get better. How would you describe your experience of the Advanced class? Linda: After years of wondering, it made me believe that I have what it takes to be successful. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Linda: You bring about what you think about and I have what it takes to make things happen! What results are you getting in your business (or your life) because of this class? Linda: I got really clear about my target market: pregnancy, newborns, babies and children. As soon as I did that, I accomplished my goal of getting crazy-busy with work! I've also increased my confidence in leaps and bounds. I've done things I thought I'd never do and surprised myself with my ability to put myself out there for the sake of my relationships and my business. I've developed better communication skills when dealing with family, customers and colleagues. It's made a huge difference in my relationships. What else would you like to say about your experience with the Journey to Powerful Presence? Linda: Maia taught me that it's OK to say no, showed me how to "dance" when things are not going exactly the way you had hoped they would and helped me to see that it's OK to not be perfect.
Irene Hatziantoniou is the co-owner of North Coast Aesthetic Center in Westlake, Ohio. Irene is an alumnus of the April 2010 teleclass.
Irene: I wanted to be a better speaker. As a business owner, speaking in public is something that I need to do on a regular basis and I've never enjoyed it. I can do it, and it's always been a challenge. I was sure that Maia would be able to help me with that in this class. What was your experience in the class? Irene: I got more than I ever imagined. I had no idea that my biggest challenge to feeling comfortable as a speaker was my feelings. I'm a strong woman but I found out that I had some inner feelings that I never wanted to bring to the surface and deal with. I felt so tense all the time and I didn't realize how much that was affecting my speaking. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Irene: The belief that I have what it takes. I discovered the power of who I am and what I do, so I don't doubt it or take it for granted anymore. I can say that I'm proud of myself. What difference have you noticed in your life because of this class? Irene: Because of what I learned in this class, I smile more. This helps me to be ready for anything that comes up, since now I know I can handle it. I feel much more grounded and centered, no matter what situation I face. Although my family circumstances haven't changed, I have.
Sharon Reilly is a video production specialist in New York City and lives in Martinsville, New Jersey. Sharon is an alumnus of the first teleclass, in September 2009.
Sharon: I believe that “destiny” brought me to Maia's class! Somehow, I got on the email notification list from the Redwood Sisterhood, for a lunchtime webinar, with Maia as the guest. She told a profound story about an elephant that remained in place with only a rope tying it to a wooden stake in the ground. It had been tied with a chain as a baby and believed it couldn't get free. She made the analogy that we have beliefs that keep us chained in place long after we have the physical strength to walk away, just like a grown elephant can pull away from that rope and stake. She also told us that “we are only free to go when we are free to stay.” This told me that I could learn to be more “free” (to be myself) in situations that had previously been rather uncomfortable for me. Soon after Maia offered her first Powerful Presence class, I signed up! What made you decide to take this class? Sharon: Professionally, I was stuck. I needed to step up to the plate, but lacked confidence. I was considering taking a public speaking class to help me become more assertive. I decided to sign up for Maia's class instead because her energy, empathy and insight were amazing to me. I was inspired and signed up for the class without any reservation at all! What was your experience in the class? Sharon: I loved calling in to class each week. It was as if I put on my fuzzy slippers, and pulled my cozy chair around a circle of good friends (even though we'd never met!). It was a special, safe place to grow, to listen, and to receive support and encouragement. What was your biggest takeaway from this class? Sharon: My greatest takeaway is truly knowing that I'm OK and that I can not only enjoy and thrive, but even shine in situations well beyond my comfort zone. That has changed my life profoundly, both personally and professionally. What difference have you noticed in your life because of this class? Sharon: Simply stated, I've noticed that I am more relaxed and “in the moment.” Of course, life is not always “perfect” but I've turned situations I didn't want to be in, into enjoyable and powerful moments—both at work and in my personal life—using many of the concepts I learned during Maia's class. I push myself more, to accomplish things outside my comfort zone. And I also give myself 'permission' to just be and to observe. What more could you ask for!?
What made you decide to take this teleclass? Deb: I think it was the 2-hour coffee I had with Maia! We talked about a lot of things that day, and they all pointed to the strong possibility that Powerful Presence could help me with the challenges I was having with my new business. What was your experience in the teleclass? Deb: Taking my personal journey in the company of a group of women who were charting their own individual paths was fascinating! While we each had a focus unique to our own goals, I appreciated being able to learn from each other—and make contributions to each other. There was a certain “anonymity” in the nature of the teleclass, but that also forced us to expand our awareness and know each other through different “senses.” What was your biggest takeaway from this teleclass? Deb: That my journey had only begun, and now I had an infrastructure on which to build. What made you want to start a live class for your direct sales team? Deb: Right from the beginning, I noticed the congruence between the foundations and training of our company and the fundamentals of Powerful Presence. The difference—which prompted the class—was that Powerful Presence articulated the structure of how to truly put into action the lessons learned in trainings. I wanted to see what impact the class could have for my business partners who were having the same challenges I was. I also wanted to see what it would look like if Powerful Presence were channeled through a group of women all focusing in the same direction. What difference have you noticed in your life because of your involvement with these Journey to Powerful Presence classes? Deb: I have a lot more confidence in my own abilities to create whatever level of success I want. I was successful in another career, and had confidence there in spades! But, this was new territory and I had a lot of self-doubt. I may still get discouraged occasionally, but now I have the strategies to “dance with whatever shows up” and keep moving forward. I'm learning to celebrate each step, and enjoy every experience of the journey. Now when life presents me with the proverbial barn full of manure, I am always looking for the pony!
Jill Banner is a Senior Account Executive at The Fedeli Group, a widely respected insurance brokerage and consulting service organization in Independence, Ohio. Jill is an experienced Risk Manager Expert, specializing in helping companies reduce cost and increase safety in the workplace. She holds certifications in every facet of her work.
Jill: One of my clients introduced me to Maia. She had not taken the class, she just wanted to introduce me. What made you decide to host the first live class? Jill: I get distracted on the phone. Even conference calls are difficult for me. I am visual and like to meet and connect with people. I try to network every chance I get. Even though I really didn't know much about the class, I thought I would at least meet some interesting ladies in the class. What was your experience of taking the class? Jill: The class exceeded my expectations. Maia has a way of wading through all the fluff to help you get down to the real issues. The sharing and the growth of each individual was wonderful to watch. Maia took a very diverse group of women and helped us address all of our needs individually but also as a group. What was your biggest takeaway? Jill: I am in a very high pressure job and juggle several things at once. My biggest take away was to dance with what shows up. I am much more relaxed and have much more joy in my life. I would say that last year was the first year that I actually had balance in my life. What made you want to champion the first Advanced class? Jill: I enjoyed the class and the individuals and it left me wanting more. Maia has a lot to teach and give. I am looking forward to taking it to the next level. What difference have you noticed in your life because of your involvement with these Journey to Powerful Presence classes? Jill: By letting go and dancing with what shows up I have been able to embrace other ideas and options for my life. My creativity has soared. I invented a product that I am taking to market and am launching two new businesses. Even though things are moving at warp speed, my stress level is low and I have more joy and balance than ever. This is definitely due to numerous tools that Maia gave us.
What made you decide to take part in the very first Journey to Powerful Presence? Dawn: I met Maia at a Redwood Sisterhood event she was hosting and felt immediately drawn to her. She had me at "Hello." As hard as I worked to simply get up the nerve to walk into the facility that morning, once I met her I was so glad I had. She instantly made me feel comfortable. Right away I felt that she knew something I needed to know. What was your experience of taking the teleclass? Dawn: I truly enjoyed it. My class was the first one Maia held and it was very diverse. We had a couple of participants who were local—we also had one in New Jersey and two in Northern Virginia. What an eclectic group! I also felt this teleclass provided me with some anonymity that a live class could not. I had no feeling of being embarrassed, since I felt that we would probably never meet one another. That made it easy for me to say whatever I wanted to, with no fear of being judged. Along the way, I discovered that there was never a time when anyone judged anyone about anythingthey said—Maia showed us how to "dance" with whatever came up. That was a new and very enjoyable experience for me. After I completed the class, I had the chance to travel to Northern Virginia. While I was there I made sure to meet Pam Marsters and Patty Hagan, who lived there. We were all very glad that I did. What was your biggest takeaway when you completed the 12 sessions? Dawn: My personal biggest take away from the class was self-confidence. After spending 12 weeks in conversation with everyone on this Journey, I gained a sense of self-importance—the feeling that I have something to contribute that others want to hear. This gave me the confidence to spread my wings and do things I never thought I could. It's been over a year since you completed the teleclass. What difference have you noticed in your life because of your involvement with the Journey to Powerful Presence? Dawn: In the last year, I have found myself taking on new projects that I previously would never have attempted. Three things come easily to mind:
What advice would you give to someone considering this Journey? Dawn: DO IT! You can only gain from the experience of this class. The people you meet may impact you in ways you can only imagine.
How did you find out about the Journey to Powerful Presence? Heather: When I met Maia at a local networking event, I knew right away that she was someone I wanted to know better. We scheduled a coffee for a few days later. During our conversation over coffee, she shared with me about Powerful Presence and I was excited to start my own journey! What prompted you to take the teleclass? Heather: I was truly thrilled to hear that taking the Journey to Powerful Presence was offered as a 12-week teleclass. The fact that I would be participating in a group of women who would be on their own journeys as well sounded like a great way to gain different perspectives, to have multiple sources for asking questions and to make a wonderful group of new friends. What was your experience over the 12 weeks you were in class? Heather: I thoroughly enjoyed my teleclass experience as well as the one-on-one coaching sessions with Maia. Not a day goes by that I don't apply some of the knowledge I've gleaned from my experience to everyday life, both personally and professionally. What results have you gotten by using what you learned? Heather: After having completed the Journey to Powerful Presence teleclass, I have watched my self-confidence—as well as my confidence in others—grow to new heights. I've also watched my sales career flourish, due to using The Gears and The Powerful Presence Principles. I've reached and exceeded the level of sales for which I had originally aspired. Most importantly, I've watched my personal life thrive due to the effective techniques that I've learned from Maia and the input I've received from our class. What else would you like to say about your experience? Heather: I am so thankful to have given myself the gift of taking the Journey to Powerful Presence with Maia and our class. I look forward to taking the Advanced Class in the months to come and also look forward to securing more one-on-one coaching time with Maia.
Sam Scheer is an Alum of both the April 2010 Journey to Powerful Presence and the January 2011 Advanced Class. She is Your American Family Insurance Agent. Sam started with American Family in 2000, rapidly advancing to Profit Leader, which she's been for the last 8 years. She is also the recipient of the J.D. Power Award for Excellence in Customer Service for the last four years in a row.
Sam: I met Maia at MWBN after I was the speaker. We immediately "clicked" and decided to get to know each other better. After that I started attending a lot of the same networking functions that Maia did. I noticed how she "worked" the room. I wanted what she has! What prompted you to take the class? Sam: Initially I did it to help promote Maia's business. I didn't realize how much the class would help me and the feelings of being "stuck" in my 11-year-old business. I was very good at showing everyone else that I was confident and in charge.I just didn't believe it and I was no longer happy. I was getting nowhere with networking and feeling trampled down by a very competitive business. What was your experience over the 12 weeks you were in class? Sam: Amazing! I began the journey very skeptical. During the process, I learned more about myself and what makes me tick than I ever imagined. Maia has an uncanny ability to keep asking the right questions until she gets you to realize what causes you to feel the way you do. I watched everyone in my class grow in ways they didn't know they could. My confidence level soared as I really came to believe that I have what it takes to succeed in my business and my life. What results have you gotten by using what you learned? Sam: In the words of my daughter—"Mom, you are a new person!" I am actually "in the moment" now when I am with business people or my family. Before, I was always thinking ahead and not really connecting. I have taken charge in some verbally abusive family relationships eliminating them from my life.I have more peace and joy in my life. My business has become fun again and is growing.Thanks to Maia, I have the tools to overcome the obstacles as they come my way. What else would you like to share about your experience? Sam: Because of my experience in the first Live class, I am currently enrolled in the first Live Advanced Class. My journey continues with Maia, and through that I continue to grow and have more fun each and every day!
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Joan Donnelly is the owner of It's All Good Promotions. Joan is an alum of the Spring 2011 Live Class.
Joan is unique in the promotional products profession because she grew up learning everything about the business from her parents, who had their own promotional products company in Columbus, Ohio. Everyone in her family was in the business, so she learned things growing up that have made her exceptional at what she does now that she has her own company. 
Ilona Feinstein is the Vice President of Lily Home Care. Ilona is an alum of the January 2011 Teleclass.
Ilona graduated the University of Akron with a degree in Corporate Finance in 2003 and worked for several large corporations in property management accounting. In 2007, she and her mother, Liliya, decided to start a company that reflected their passion for family and care of the elderly. Lily Home Care was the result. As they built their company, Ilona and Liliya they built it on the promise that their company would make a difference in the lives of the people in their community.
Today Lily Home Care is a growing family business that prides itself on providing exceptional, affordable care to seniors with the goal of keeping them healthy, happy and independent in their home and community. 
Shelly Mortensen is a Senior Manager and Independent Chocolatier with DOVE Chocolate Discoveries. Shelly is an alum of the Spring 2010 Teleclass. After working in corporate America for over 20 years, the majority of that time spent in IT leadership roles (which meant being downsized far too many times), Shelly had her fill of working far too much for far too little reward. She set forth to find the product she could passionately sell—and found out that her life was destined to be chocolate-covered. Shelly has been with DOVE Chocolate Discoveries since June 2008, and has become one of the Top 10 leaders in the country—the only one to be at the top of all five selling categories. She specializes in bringing chocolate to all three meals in your day (plus snacks and dessert!). She does Chocolate Tasting Parties, corporate gifting, and fundraising with chocolate.
Amy Gonet is the Principal of the Gonet Group.
With over 12 years of experience in employee training and development, Amy provides the creative learning solutions that help front-line employees, managers and leaders to be successful in their roles. Her completely customized programs and learning tools span all areas of business—from employee orientation, to customer service and selling, to leadership development, to communication, to change management.
Chelle Hammond has nearly thirty years of experience in retail management and sales and in customer service related positions. She finds it very fulfilling to exceed expectations of those she helps.
After many years in retail, Chelle spent several years helping students to realize their own strengths and how they could maximize on those strengths.
Recently, Chelle became a Fashion Jewelry Advisor for Lia Sophia. She looks forward to combining her customer service background with her Powerful Presence experience to build a very successful business. Chelle is also a passionate advocate for helping those families who are affected by Alzheimer's Disease. Chelle is has been married to her wonderful husband, Paul Hammond, for 19 years and has two amazing sons, Andrew (16) and Matthew (14). Chelle lives in Kent, Ohio. 
Pam Ryan is a virtual assistant who owns Virtual Ringmaster, LLC.
She provides administrative assistance to small business owners located throughout the US. In a nutshell, she loves being someone's right-hand person. The work that she does ranges from registering students for in-person events, answering questions about a client's products and programs, sending thank-you's to customers on their yearly anniversary, and a myriad of other things. She frees up clients so they can focus on their priorities.
Some of the more unusual requests that Pam has encountered include obtaining expedited visa appointments for two women traveling to the US from Khartoum, Sudan; handling speeding tickets that a client received while on out of town trips; and ordering pizza for a team of 30 in Tallahassee with about two hours' notice (and the client wasn't familiar with the area so she had to find a restaurant nearby).
Welcome, Irene. Will you share with us the reasons that you took this class?
Welcome, Sharon. You've never met Maia—will you share with us how you discovered this class?
How did you find out about the Journey to Powerful Presence?
How did you find out about the journey to Powerful Presence?