For nearly three years I have left my home on Thursday mornings at 6a.m to attend a women’s networking group that meets just as the sun is rising.   The Beach Cities Breakfast Club aka BCBC is a diverse group of hard working entrepreneur who hail from the south bay area of Los Angeles.

I have participated in many networking groups where the goal is for “leads” to be given and received by members. Lead generation is considered the “golden egg” for building a business. Many lead groups don’t foster a sense of collaboration or cooperation but offer an environment of being “cut- throat”. Not BCBC as we are a supportive group of women who cheer and champion each other’s successes!

First some background about BCBC

Maria West and Anita Garcia started BCBC nearly 12 years ago. Their warmth and compassion are the backbone of the group. Maria has been a mortgage broker for many years with a dedicated clientele who rave about her meticulous and kit glove service with  Platinum Mortgage.

Anita may be the most senior sales rep for Tupperware! Over 40 years she has sold this housewares staple.  I for one have quadrupled my Tupperware since getting to know Anita.  By the way the children’s toys are timeless! (Who doesn’t love the Shape-O ball or Noah’s Ark!)

It is my pleasure to spotlight many of the women who offer health, wellness, business and financial services to the southern Los Angeles area.

Selling homes with integrity is what makes Michelle Velasco of Keller Williams a success.  Recently, Michelle cleverly used a drone to market a home in the gorgeous waterfront area of San Pedro.  Check out the video she created (and bravo got an offer on the home in record time!)

Anita and Michelle were both guests on my radio program a few years ago. Listen to our interview here.

 

 

Travel, Travel, Travel! A premiere travel agent can be found in Malaga Cove at the Travel Store thanks to Linda Kahn- Ferrell.  Her enthusiasm for traveling to the Pacific islands, such as Fiji or far away places such as Thailand is infectious. One thing I learned from Linda is that having a travel agent during these challenging times can be an insurance policy! An here is my confession- I really would love to have her job!

These women strive everyday to make you feel  healthy!

Did you know that essential oils can be a benefit to your health and wellness. DL Sweet has convinced this skeptic that lavender and peppermint can have a positive  impact on improving health in ways never imagined. Who needs an allergy pill when you can have some peppermint oil do the trick to unclog a snuffy nose!

Talking about health – acupuncture is one of my new favorite ways to keep back pain in check! Again, I was not the person to run to an acupuncturist for a fear of being ‘needled” but-  Jean Morris has me totally convinced that acupuncture can give amazing relief to those in chronic or acute pain and also help with regular wellness regimens.

Aches and pains also are no match for Florence Datin, massage therapist. Florence is the newest addition to BCBC and originally from France. She is quickly making her mark on the group as someone with much expertise and compassion.

Sabrina Quinene is passionate about women being vigilant with breast health. She offers through her chiropractic practice breast thermography.   Learn more about this very important and potentially life saving technology. It is painless and so worthwhile! (The image affixed shows what a unhealthy breast would look like on a thermography result – red areas signal need for more investigation!)

 Debbie D’Aquino wants to help you be healthy and a better you – inside and out!  Her website is charming and this dynamo wears a lot of “hats”.  From teaching meditation, swing dance or being a distributor of Kangen water – I am beginning to think she doesn’t sleep!  Debbie is quite the professional dancer and this video proves it!  ( I told you the women of BCBC are an eclectic group!)

 

Money, Money, Money!

I am not going to even pretend that I understand the complexities of the stock market or the insurance world. That is why I depend on the wisdom of Kelly Markowitz and Lynn Cardarelli.  They are two of the most money wise women I know! Kelly is a ball of energy and Lynn is an insurance agent by day and master knitter by night! (Not to mention that she is a cat aficionado!

About Medicare

And protect your money and family with a good Estate attorney! Heather Miller Law   helps people plan for the inevitable by creating sound wills, estate and trust plans and more.  Heather is uber wise when it comes to the legal system and has an interest in helping with adoptions (coming soon – we hope!)

Helping our furry friends…

Country Hills Animal Clinic (CHAC) in Torrance, California.  I am such a fan of Dr. Jennifer that I bring both of my shepherd mixes to this clinic.  CHAC recently started a great set of techniques to give animals a calmer experience while be examined. FEAR FREE is great! Don’t just trust my recommendations, see their YELP ratings! 

Also, helping animals and their owner is Anne Jones, aka Anne the Pet Nanny! Busy career keeping you at the office late at night? No worries Anne will take care of your pet! Coming soon will be an expansion of her business. Connect with Anne and her pet care services here.

When life gets rough…

It is a privilege to know Janet Dion, Linda Benecke and Tiffany Kane. These remarkable ladies help put back together lives of people who have experienced difficult challenges in life.

Janet is a therapist who specializes in helping people find their true direction.  She recognizes that the first step in helping is to listen. She is an excellent communicator and as a Psychologist,  I am duly impressed with her abilities to help others feel safe and comfortable.  Connect with Janet here.

Tiffany Kane knows that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. She had to learn this lesson the hard way when she became a young widow and a single parent with the unexpected death of her husband.  Tiffany took her emotional turmoil and persevered. She began Widows with Kids  to help others. She also became a best selling author.   Find Tiffany’s trilogy series here.

Linda Benecke knows first-hand how to be a survivor, too! As a past victim of abuse, she wants to educate and empower others via her business Damsel Pro Gal, a subsidiary of the Damsel in Defense franchise.  I truly admire this woman who gives 200% in order to make sure that women (and men) are safe from predators and abusers. Listen to her story during an  interview with Margaret McSweeney of Kitchen Chat TV.

Linda, knowing I was writing a blog about BCBC,  wanted me to share this information in order to help others.

Via Damsel Pro Gal – Bruises of the heart take a lot longer to heal. If your internal flags tell you that you are being abused, you are; regardless of who it is. Abusers love to demean, criticize, direct and control you and find every reason to judge and orchestrate your every move to invalidate you. Rarely will they tell you something positive. If you try to express your feelings, they will see this as a personal affront to them, and attack or reject you for their own inability to see themselves. They interrupt you when you speak because their words are more important; they don’t care to take time to listen to you, nor do they have patience with you; especially if you’re an elder parent or a special needs person. This is not love if someone treats you this way; it’s their guise of ‘loving you’. It is their problem, acted out on you, being abusive and rationalizing their behavior toward you, and blaming you. Sad irony is that their love typically comes as a present, in a box, as a gift, but not one of the heart; patience, compassion, and simply accepting you and loving you for who you are. Sociopathic and narcissistic behavior is prevalent in our society.  I hope their mirrors don’t break as they gaze upon their own imperfect perfection telling themselves how wonderful they are.

Our BCBC group is growing in numbers and presence on social media.  Find us on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and NING!

 It is very hard not find inspiration on Thursday mornings with this group of amazing women! If you are a women entrepreneur in the LA area and interested in learning how to join BCBC please go to MEET UP for information.

Coming soon – part 2 will be a way for you to  meet more service providers and women with creative and talented businesses!