As heard on Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON with Heidi Feemster, LIVE every Wed. @ 10:00am & available archival via link at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2013/05/15/tamara-leighs-trend-on-with-heidi-james-perdue-edd

by Tamara Leigh, Host of Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON show LIVE every Wed. at 10:00am (CST) on the Linked Local Network & Founder of Tamara Leigh, LLC, A Communications Expertise Company Follow on twitter @tamaraleighllc

TamaraLeighLLC.com

Heidi Feemster,Co-Host o n Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON featuring Heidi’s Business Minute Follow Heidi @heidifeemster

THIS PAST WEEK on Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON – Engaging Your Audience to TREND ON You!  I dedicated the show with guest James Perdue Ed.D.  - Motivational / Keynote Speaker & Author, successful Teacher and Coach, and a Quadriplegic (blog post on Dr. Perdue & other guest, George Patterson, Insurance Specialist, to follow) to a dear friend of mine whom I’ve known since we were junior high kids running around the same neighborhood in Wonder Years glory.

(I hope he won’t mind my sharing here & I hope all who read this will do so with the good nature & tender heart, as it is intended.)

Today, we (he & I) affectionately refer to him as my “Stalker”, and he’s the one man given the “free pass” to do so, mostly because I literally go right past his house every morning on my run.

In all good humor, we have a “running” joke about the fact that ever since high school, he’s been spell bound by me and well, my boobs. Apparently it doesn’t take much to mesmerize him as they’re small by my way of thinking (or at least after 5 kids).  My “Stalker” keeps trying to get me to flash him as I run by, and since we’re both Packer fans (he’s a season ticket holder), I told him if the Packers made it to the Super Bowl in New Orleans this past year – it would seem the most appropriate place to flash him—and earn some green & gold beads!

PACKER Fan Friends at Christmas Day Game at Lambeau

Thankfully, the Packers dropped the ball there, much to his disappointment.  :(

So then I told him, once I bought new (bigger) boobs, then I would flash him.  (This seemed a sure safe wager since there’s no money in the budget for my vanity.)  Not to be dissuaded, “Stalker” said he would launch a kick-starter campaign for me and as the funds came in for my “improvements” a caricature of my chest could pump up the way many campaigns show a thermometer with mercury rising.  Again, I told him nice try, but no.

Finally, he said he was sure that my boobs were indeed magic – that if he only rubbed them he would be able to get up out of his wheelchair and walk.  After all, I am one of his few friends who remember when he was healthy.  Before Muscular Dystrophy rendered him wheel chair bound.  I told him no fair pulling on my heart strings.  He said it was worth a shot!

All kidding aside, what I have learned from my friend is that outlook is everything.  There have been many times that I’ve felt so stuck in my hometown, just like him, when my own life took a detour down a difficult path.  Our friendship is not based on pity.  (Or at least he tells me he doesn’t feel sorry for me, haha).  I truly admire him for his enthusiasm for sports, his quick (albeit sassy) wit & humor, and his ability to accept that life dealt him circumstances out of his control, and to make the best of it.  I am humbled, & humored, often by my dear “Stalker” friend.

FOR THE REST OF THE STORY, GO TO:  When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned: Part 1: Persevere with Dr. James Perdue & Be Prepared on Insurance Needs with George Patterson & Part 2:  Persevere with Dr. James Perdue & Be Prepared on Insurance Needs with George Patterson, VP at Robertson/Ryan and Insurance Consultant

Heidi Feemster,Co-Host on Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON featuring Heidi’s Business Minute

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL the MOMS!!

INTRO:  As a single-mother of 5 children for the past 13 years with challenges more difficult than the usual divorce (including, but not limited to, homelessness and financial loss of approx. $1 million in assets–spoil alert:  there’s a story there in my upcoming book), the past 2 weeks of shows on my Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON with Heidi Feemster on the Linked Local Network were especially inspiring and candid conversations with a group of amazing women about women, work, motherhood, and the ever-changing work cultures.

PART I:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2013/05/01/tamara-leighs-trend-on-with-heidi-denise-hansard

PART II:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2013/05/08/tamara-leighs-trend-on-with-heidi-amazing-women-moms

Are women rewriting the present for the betterment of our futures while remaining true to our genesis of the past, particularly as mothers?

Where do you find yourself in this evolved home and work culture where roles and careers are no longer strictly gender specific, and the opportunities for women are ever-increasing?

In all this discussion, do we “Lean In” as Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg asserts, or do we emulate more man-like leadership as Marissa Mayer of Yahoo did in reeling in remote workers (an appealing and practical work option to women or men assigned the primary home caretaker task).

OR, do we carve our own path, creating what works for us as individuals, as my Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON guests the past 2 weeks have done:

Denise Hansard, Certified DreamBuilder Coach, Chicago, IL

In PART I, on 5/1/13 of  Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON, Denise Hansard, Dream Builder Coach–Transforming Your Dreams Into Reality, set the stage for the following week, 5/8/12 TREND ON by asking our audience (as she does with any audience when she speaks) to first define what their dreams are and then work through a 4 point process to give life and form to those dreams.  As children, or sometimes world leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and President John F. Kennedy – who had dreams of racial equality and putting a man on the moon, respectively, our dreams are concrete, actual obtainable, goals that often get lost along the way to adulthood.  Denise has devoted her life to helping others find and fulfill their life dream.  For many women/mothers, the dream is as simple as staying asleep long enough to have one.  I know it was mine for a couple decades and counting!   To contact Denise go to:  http://denisehansard.lifemasteryinstitute.com/

Jill Salzman, Founder The Founding Moms, The Founding Kit, Found It: A Field Guide For Mom Entrepreneurs, Chicago,IL

On PART II, Jill Salzman, a life-long entrepreneur, mother of two pre-school children, and Founder of Founding Moms — Helping Moms Get Down to Business — began the organization to bring together other innovative women launching enterprises or careers.  Local chapters of Founding Moms provides resources and support for women and their businesses while understanding that they’re also mothers managing the responsibilities of parenting.  Jill exemplifies the up and coming generation of women who don’t see the need to polarize career and family.   Rather, Jill and Mom Entrepreneurs like her, integrate work in and outside of the home into the whole of who they are.  Why wouldn’t they use their education when they worked hard to earn it, or why wouldn’t they build a cottage-industry when they’re capable of doing so successfully and still maintain their most important job as mom, especially when the internet has made it  more possible to do so?  If you’re interested in joining a local chapter of Founding Moms, or availing yourself to the Founding resources, go to:   http://foundingmoms.com/

Gia Claire, Author of Head First & speaker/trainer on Igniting – Achieving – Living your PERSONAL BEST and Women’s Empowerment,     Chicago, IL

My next TREND ON guest, Gia Claire, Author of “Head First, A Memoir”, Speaker, and Improv Comedian, worked in corporate for a decade plus, with all the demands of a 12 hour day in a 9-5 job that never is!  Gia persevered professionally with great success, in spite of personal hardships of miscarriage, infertility, and divorce.  Whether there was a cause-effect or mutually exclusive relationship for Gia between office and home, Gia defines her “release” from Corporate, for which she is thankful, as a pivotal point that lead to her path now–exactly where she is meant to be.  Gia takes all of her past sales and leadership experiences to deliver honest insight to audiences.  In Gia’s words,  her “gigs are 100% rich in content, part comedy, inspirational… with a healthy dose of spirituality to get un-stuck in life and achieve your personal best.”  Listen in for more on ou TREND ON conversation and check out Gia Claire’s website at:  http://www.giaclaire.com/

Mary Chambers-Pienta, Soul Reintegration/Master Life Coach, Success/ Inspirational Speaker, Denver, CO

“Women work in a world predominantly and historically created by men,” says Mary Chambers-Pienta, CEO/Pres., Soul Reintegration Coach, Success/Inspirational Speaker MonUmental Moments, Inc., Master Life Success Coach, The Secret to Life Coaching and also our guest on TREND ON.  That’s not necessarily the modern man’s fault or cause to be a man-hater.   From cave days forward, men forged a society to function as they did -–to validate their existence in a world of work and one in which labor, hunting and gathering were necessary for survival.  In only very recent history has this changed, although not always across work cultures everywhere.

Even with all these positive changes, often women must still leave money on the table to tend to primary childcare responsibilities, perhaps even more so, with the ever-increasing number of female head of household families, not unlike my own situation.  Ironically, as I was working on writing this blog post this past week, I had the opportunity to listen in on a sales training by a successful male mentor who in his earlier career, would make his last sales presentation on his home bound  journey.  At that point, he told his trainees, he would also then call his wife to let her know he was 20 minutes out from home so she could start dinner.

In the real world of women’s work, women usually don’t have such luxuries.  It’s much more likely that as a women tries to get 20 minutes out from home to work, she is going to get that call to come back for a kid’s lunch, or will  at the end of the long work day have to run into the store to grab something for dinner 20 minutes out on the way home, or will have to put work calls on hold throughout the day to avert some crisis on the home front!  As Jill recommends (and provides resources to do so through Founding Moms), getting organized, scheduled, and getting help (i.e. delegate tasks and be thankful they get done vs. doing it all yourself) are keys to being successful both in both career and family.

Mary Chamber-Pienta added, that “Success is defined in many forms; however, success is about whom you must be in order to create what you want. It takes the willingness to grow.  Creating balance should be a goal in your life, but is based on the individual, meaning there is not one set of rules. It is for the individual to decide what balance is in his or her own environment.”

Since the conversation on TREND ON with Denise, Jill and Gia opened up great dialogue and Mary had much more to offer listeners in teaching new thought processes and providing encouragement focused on well-being, we’re going to have Mary return as a guest in a few weeks on 5/29/13.  Listen LIVE &/or call into the show at: 1323-580-5755 or  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2013/05/29/tamara-leighs-trend-on-with-mary-chambers-jeff-percival  For more on Mary Chambers-Pienta go to : www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-chambers-pienta/39/204/77b

In TRIBUTE to my own Mother (& Father), my Granny (who lived to 102 yrs. old), my Sisters, my Daughters (& Son), & Mother-in-law (in Hawaii) who loved unconditionally through life’s paradox of  Joys and sorrows.

Birthday/Mother’s Day card from my biggest fan—my Mother.

Inside card Inspiration!

Never too old to be loved and encouraged by Mom!

Happy Mom (me) with a rare moment of all 5 kids home

Last week on Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON with Heidi Feemster, we had the fun and good fortune to interview 2 guests back-to-back, Mark Bradford and Darren Fisher (of Darren Fisher Consulting).  In the first half of our program we talked with Only A Glance, creator, Mark Bradford.  After frustration with traditional online dating sites, Mark Bradford took action into his own computer savvy hands, and created his Only A Glance (http://www.onlyaglance.com/start.cfm) site to be different.

Heidi Feemster, TREND ON co-host

In the course of our show conversation, you can find out how to make your online dating experience as painless as possible, learn tips to manage your profiles, learn what not to do with your online presence, and how to effectively communicate in the online dating context.

In 2012, an article by Visual Economics,
(http://visualeconomics.creditloan.com/a-business-of-love-online-dating-by-the-numbers/) projects that dating site revenues are  expected to climb to $1.65 billion or higher, especially with the rapids increase in “love on the go” with mobile dating sites and mobile apps that capitalize on the location-based systems in mobile devices.

Click here to listen to Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON with Mark Bradford: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2013/04/24/tamara-leighs-trend-on-with-heidi-spring-flings-fashion

* The following blog is a humorous look at online dating from one of my previous blog posts.  For more visit :  http://tamaraleighllc.com/ 

MY “UNFORGIVABLE” ONLINE DATING MISTAKE

By Tamara Leigh | Published February 25, 2012 | Posted in children /, family & relationships /, female viewpoints /, perspective /, relationships & dating

My “Unforgivable” Online Dating Mistake

By Tamara Leigh | Published February 25, 2012 | Posted in children /, family & relationships /, female viewpoints /, perspective /, relationships & dating /

Valentine’s Day last week felt like the Superbowl day the week before — I just wanted them both over.  Nobody likes a Packer party like the Cheeseheads– so to have the dream dashed at the NY Giants vs. Green Bay playoffs, the Superbowl felt a lot like having the groom not show up for the wedding.  This year’s Superbowl came and went and I (along with every other Wisconsin sports fan) had already moved on to think Spring and the Brewers 2012 home opener.

Then Valentine’s Day rolled around.

I’m not a Hallmark holiday cynic.  I embrace any occasion to send out love and affirmation to family and friends.  But when there is not that Special Someone… Valentine’s is a reminder that there is not that Special Someone.

Being single at any age is challenging, but especially so for me the past decade when I had my hands full with many things, among them single-parenting 5 children (& not always well).  The right time, right man, me being the right person, were all wrong.

Over in Germany last year, however, one of my dear couple friends had met via the web.  Thinking it would be safe to dip my toes into the online dating pool across the pond, maybe even hopeful, I signed up.  Turned out, also wrong.  If you think dating is work, try doing it in a foreign language! Love not only was lost in translation — it wasn’t worth the effort to go looking for it.

I returned to the U.S. as single as I left.  Then another friend Stateside was also on an online dating site.  Long story short, in a weak moment, I thought I might as well give it a go in English.  It was a short-lived experiment and I’m off now, but here’s what happened in the meantime that struck me as funny– well, I think kinda ironic.

I should say first that I was pleasantly surprised by the seemingly large number of quality people on the site.  Finding who’s out there outside of co-workers, social circles, etc. makes a lot of sense when it comes to dating, but the nature of Internet communication is that it begins in a more artificial way than if you meet someone face to face.  Living in a social media world, it’s easier to actively engage with others beyond normal parameters than one might in person.

Valentine’s seemed hopeful.  There was a connection with a guy who had a lot in common with me, so emails, texts, and phone calls ensued.  He said he had just written a book on forgiveness and was about to embark on a speaking tour.  Having a similar foundation of faith, I also thought this a positive for the overall potential of the relationship.  We planned to have a first meet-up at a coffee shop, but I made a joke, at least I meant it to be “jk (“just kidding“) but instead it turned out to be a deal-breaker. :[

I emailed a response to his book title on forgiveness, “what’d you do that needs forgiving… I won’t end up in a dumpster, will I? lol”  [In my defense, it is important to be a safety girl.]  His response did not join in with the banter, so realizing my insensitivity, I apologized–even called,  so that the sincerity of my remorse could be heard in my tone of voice and we could actually talk it out.

As a professional with a degree in Communications, I of all people should remember that effectively “talking” via emails and texts is like going to a movie blindfolded.  (i.e.  you’ve taken away very important aspects of communication that occurs when face-to-face, including non-verbals and body language.)

Next thing I knew, I had effectively been dumped via email — on Valentines Day!  That‘s harsh–but apparently my [attempt at a] joke was unforgivable (and there’s the irony).

Actually,  it turned out not terribly disappointing, as it is all a part of that wacky world of dating.   As a single (old) girl and mother of daughters, on more than one occasion I’ve reflected that “men are like buses — if the one you’re on doesn’t take you where you want to go, there’s always another one coming.”

So is St. Patrick’s Day… will wish for better luck next month!

http://www.enableher.com/2012/02/tleigh/my-unforgivable-online-dating-mistake

For anyone who follows my Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON show LIVE every Wed. at 10:00am (CST) on the Linked Local Network, they would know that I am a Packer fan.  In a recent Packers Hall of Fame email I received was this quote by the legendary Green Bay Coach Vince Lombardi:

“Individual commitment to a group effort… that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

At the risk of inciting the long-standing Packers-Bears rivalry, I mean only the greatest respect in applying this quote as a summation of my TREND ON guest, Alexandra Eidenberg, a Chicago native and Congressional Candidate for the Illinois 4th District.

Alexandra Eidenberg, Congressional candidate for IL 4th District & Founder, The Insurance People

It is clear from our candid conversation, that Alexandra gets what Lombardi meant and she brings that individual commitment and effort to her team, her company, The Insurance People, her city of Chicago and the IL 4th District, if elected to Congress.

As an individual, Alexandra is intelligent, driven and well-educated with a Masters of Arts Management, Small Business Entrepreneurship (2006 – 2009) and a Bachelor of Arts, Marketing Communications (2001 – 2004) from Columbia College of Chicago (CCC) which was founded by Alexandra’s family in the heart of the city.  CCC has a long tradition of commitment to education, the arts, and a diverse student body.  Given this legacy, Alexandra herself is a proud product of public school education in Chicago.

As a team player, Alexandra is also skilled at being both member and leader.  As a congressional candidate, working professional, and expectant mother of twins (due in May), Alexandra put in place a team for managing her campaign.  She surrounds herself with accomplished people, among them “amazing women” (in Alexandra’s words) to execute the necessary tasks for a successful bid for office.  What is impressive about Alexandra’s team attitude is that she speaks highly of the people in her circle, not just for what they do for her, but with genuine value for who they are and what they’ve accomplished aside from their role in her team.

As team leader of her company, The Insurance People in Albany Park, Alexandra understands what it takes to run a successful business and what it means to be responsible to her employees and clients.  Alexandra committed herself to growing her business, working her way up through the retail ranks, engaging her customers and meeting their needs with insurance services.

Alexandra is also a “team women” leader, ready to increase the number of women represented in Congress.  She served as past  Executive Director of the eWomen Network Chicagoland and eWomenetwork Foundation and is a Society Member of Club Corp.; and a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners.  Alexandra is a welcome next generation of strong women capable of leading and impacting government.

As such, Alexandra’s individual commitment to society is evident as well.  She embodies the up and coming women leaders who are confident, clear thinking, and focused on social issues while also being fiscally conservative.  Those two ideologies are not mutually exclusive and after the 2012 elections, both the Democratic and Republican parties are redefining themselves in such a way.  Alexandra is already there.  She has a gasp of the issues from education, women, healthcare and insurance, to business and the economy.

Although this is Alexandra’s first political run (challenging Luis Gutierrez in the IL 4th District for US Congress), it’s the fulfillment of her childhood aspiration.  Her inexperience is bolstered by energy and vision.  Given the opportunity, if elected, Alexandra just might show her constituents and the rest of us, in Lombardi’s words, how  “to make… a society work, a civilization work.”

For more info &/or contribute to Alexandra’s campaign, check out:

http://www.alexandraeidenberg.com/          http://www.insuranceppl.com/

To listen to Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON with Alexandra Eidenberg:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2013/04/03/tamara-leighs-trend-on-with-heidi-alexandra-eidenberg

Tamara Leigh, LLC – Engaging Your Audience to TREND ON You!  http://tamaraleighllc.com/

Follow me on twitter: @tamaraleighllc

Tamara Leigh, TREND ON Host

Heidi Feemster, Co-Host

Danielle Johnson, TravelWisconsin.com

Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON with Heidi:  Embrace the Winter Wonderland in Wisconsin and Aspen, Colorado with guests Danielle Johnson fromTravel Wisconsin.com & Amanda Charles, Aspen columnist and resident.

Don’t hibernate now that the holidays are done… there’s lots to do to embrace the season and enjoy the beauty of winder wonderlands from Wisconsin to Aspen.  Danielle, our returning guest on TREND ON, from Wisconsin’s Department of Tourism, highlights Wisconsin’s safety with snow reports to festivals and fun from snowshoeing to skiing and more.  In addition to Danielle’s featured events, go to:  http://www.travelwisconsin.com/;  andFollow Danielle on Twitter: DaniELLE_Marie5.   Danielle’s highlights from TravelWisconsin.com:
Stay informed using the Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report:
·    State’s leading tool to track the snow conditions for trails, parks and ski areas throughout the winter season. With 130 snow condition reporters in all 72 counties of the state, there is no other report that is as comprehensive or timely. Reporting is done “virtually live” as the area’s conditions change. Snowmobile clubs are updating as soon as the grooming is done.

·    Mobile version makes the Snow Conditions Report accessible from any smart phone. You can also search for nearby attractions, accommodations, dining or events directly from the Snow Conditions Report. This is great for rounding out your weekend trip.

·    View the report and sign up to receive weekly email updates at travelwisconsin.com

While there might not be a lot of snow in your back yard, that hasn’t slowed down Wisconsin’s downhill skiing and snowboarding areas:
·    There are 445 runs at 30 downhill skiing and snowboarding sites throughout the state and most if not all of them are full speed ahead with the recent snowstorm.
·    Little Switzerland in Slinger, WI, currently has excellent ski conditions and was recently reopened (renovated?) and now features a completely renovated chalet, updated lifts, a state-of-the-art snowmaking system.
·    Granite Peak in Wausau, WI, also has excellent snow conditions and is the state’s largest ski area with a 700 foot drop. Granite peak has two terrain parks open as well, so now is a great time to go out and play on Wisconsin’s ski and snowboard hills.

Snowmobiling
·    Wisconsin has more than 25,000 miles of snowmobile trails criss-crossing the state – that’s enough trails to circle the earth!
·    Trails are currently open around the state, but one hot spot is Eagle River, the Snowmobile Capitol of the World. Eagle River has more than 600 miles of trails and hosts the World Championship Snowmobile Derby, starting this weekend Jan 11 – 20. This year is the 50th anniversary of the derby and they have world class racing lined up as well as other activities.

Snowshoeing
·    A favorite silent sport in Wisconsin and easy to do for any age and skill level. Wisconsin has hundreds of miles of trails waiting to be explored.
·    In southern Wisconsin, Mirror Lake State Park is an excellent place to snowshoe, featuring a beautiful lake and miles of trails.
·    In northern Wisconsin, Winter Park in Minocqua is a hidden gem for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Winter Park features more than 6 miles of snowshoeing, 30 of skiing and even skijoring trails for you and your furry friend. Rent all your equipment right there and while you’re out exploring, be sure to find the Tea House, a charming cabin in the middle of the woods serving hot chocolate, tea and a wood stove fire to warm up a bit before you head back out. It’s really quite a treat!

Events
·    Candlelight Ski/Snowshoe/Hike at Wisconsin state parks every weekend through the end of Feb. These are fantastic events to explore a state park after hours guided by candlelight. Warm up with a bonfire and hot chocolate after. Visit Wisconsin DNR website for information on specific events
·    The Big Chill Wisconsin State Snow Sculpting Competition January 11 – 13 in Racine. After seeing the artists in action, you can vote for your favorite sculptures.

During the winter, there’s just as much fun to be had indoors, as outdoors.

Swim at a Waterpark: Kalahari Resort in the Dells has added three new waterslides to its indoor waterpark and two of the nation’s first-ever Super Loop waterslides last year. The resort also features a state-of-the-art Kid’s Play Zone with 15 children’s slides.

Other options around the state include: Chaos Waterpark in Eau Claire, Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, Tundra Lodge in Green Bay or Waters of Minocqua.

Be sure to visit TravelWisconsin.com to track the snow using our Snow Conditions Report, plan your next trip using the Travel Planner and Events Calendar. We’re mobile! Check out the TravelWisconsin iPhone and Android apps for fun on the go.

For Full Interview, Listen to:

Tamara Leigh’s TREND ON with Heidi:  Embrace the Winter Wonderland in Wisconsin and Aspen, Colorado with guests Danielle Johnson fromTravel Wisconsin.com & Amanda Charles, Aspen columnist and resident.

TREND ON Business with Nick Bauer, Marketer, Connector & Speaker with Milwaukee PC and 3 Tree Marketing.

http://new.linkedlocalnetwork.com/blog/category/trend-on/?doing_wp_cron=1353361626.3175079822540283203125

TAMARA LEIGH’S TREND ON with HEIDI

I like numbers.  I tend to have favorites, or lucky ones, and have a slight aversion to others.  13 is one of those unlucky numbers, but I think 13 may have gotten a bad rap and it’s time to give it a chance for being a great number, a great year.  I’m optimistic, excited, and embracing 2013.
2012 was an amazing past year of investing, learning, and growing in the Linked Local Network and our Trend On radio show as part of LLN’s blogtalkradio line-up.   We’re hitting 2013 running with a finer-honed show format and robust guest schedule.  In sync with the expansion of Linked Local Network, the growing Linked Local subgroups, expansion of Social Media & Integrated Mobile Website services, additional radio shows, partnership of LLN and HOSC (Hands on Suburban Chicago) — we’re poised for a great year.
At Tamara Leigh’s Trend On with Heidi Feemster, we’ll bring our energy, expertise and eclectic backgrounds to what’s relevant with

TRENDS ON:
Featured Guests — ranging from small business owners, start-ups, polished professionals, non-profits, entrepreneurs, entertainers, experts.  We’ll also feature each week:
Technology, social media,  mobile devices, ERP (Enterprising Resource Planning)
Sports (who doesn’t love Sports, Cheeseheads & Packers, Football Fan, avid runner, biker, golfer, tennis player, skier, athlete, spectator)
Fashion, Film, Entertainment, Music
Family, Life, Education

Heidi Feemster

Check out our 1st Show of 2013:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2013/01/02/tamara-leighs-trend-on-with-heidi-2013-live-from-aspenco

We would like to thank each one of our guests from 2012 on Tamara Leigh’s Trend On with Heidi Feemster — thank you for making our launch year with the Linked Local Network a tremendous success!  What a pleasure it was to get to know and give a (humble) shout out from an engaging group!  You honored us with your time, talents & thoughts & we wish you a prosperous 2013!

I would highly recommend if you have any need for the services or skills of any of our past guests — give them a call or contact — or patronize any of their excellent establishments, websites, etc.  They’re accomplished professionals committed to their businesses!

Our Gratitude to (listed chronologically from most recent to past). For a full list with blurbs visit my website:  tamaraleighllc.com:
Steve & Michelle Moore-Modern Day Cay Caped Crusaders ~ GMan Case File
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/12/26/heidi-feemster-tamara-leigh-trend-on-holiday-miracles
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/08/08/trend-on
Steve Moore website:  http://gmancasefile.com/bio.html  & Book: “Special Agent Man: My Life in the FBI as a Terrorist Hunter, Helicopter Pilot, and Certified Sniper” available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Special-Agent-Man-Terrorist-Helicopter/dp/0914090704

Susan Marshall – Author of “Life Be In It” & “How to Grow a Backbone” & Founder of the Backbone Institute and Executive Strategies, LLC
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/12/19/trend-on-susan-marshall
Author “How to Grow a Backbone”
Founder, Backbone Institute, LLC
www.backboneinstitute.com
262-567-5983
“Life. Be in it.” now on Kindle!
“Never grow a wishbone where a backbone ought to be.”
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7G6SOO
To order printed book: http://bit.ly/TkDFXm

Scott Rondeau – Candy Bouquet Sweet Treat Store
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/12/12/trend-on-candy-bouquet
Candy Bouquet~8722 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53226~414-256-0800
A unique specialty Candy Boutique in the heart of downtown Wauwatosa, WI in Greater Milwaukee for holidays, gifts, special occasions, custom orders in store or online orders with delivery anywhere in the world.
http://5800.shopcandybouquet

Therese Nelson – JHilburn Custom Luxury Menswear
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/12/05/trend-on-holiday-fashion-food-fun
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/01/25/trendeon-j-hilburn-mens-clothier-with-tamara-and-heidi
Therese Nelson, Senior Partner at JHilburn provides custom fit, personalized service, and style with quality Italian fabrics at affordable prices in the convenience of their home or office.
therese.nelson@jhilburnpartner.com

Mark Bradford – “Only a Glance” dating website, writer, Our Web Dept.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/11/28/trend-on-only-a-glance
“Only A Glance” single dad Mark Bradford created a refreshing change from traditional online dating sites to reflect the reality of meeting someone in person. As a “Mr. Mom” single-father, Mark Bradford humorously shares the perks and challenges of the reversed role of primary child care-giver.                              mark@bradfordweb.com

Kathy Bornheimer, MST of KB & Associates and Jeff Percival of Percival Enterprises
www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/11/21/trend-on-my-job-makes-me-sick-prescribe-something-quick
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/11/14/trend-on-street-smart-job-search
“My Job Makes Me Sick – Prescribe Something Quick” with authors, trainers, & hr specialists.  Find out how putting the Human back in Resource makes for healthier work for both employee and employer.
http://www.perc-ent.com  http://www.streetsmartjobsearch.com/

Jack Roper – Professional Photographer, Registered Nurse, Private Detective
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/11/07/trend-on
Jack uses photographic artistry and incorporates his past work with law enforcement agencies, psych, cult, and gang cases as well as for healing influence with his artwork displays at local hospitals. Contributor to several books and guest on Oprah and Geraldo.  Jack Roper Photography Productions, LLC, 414-232-5521~ www.jackroper.net   jackroper@sbcglobal.net www.youtube.com/user/jackroperproductions

Anita Krier, CMT, CPT- Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, Wild & Feminine Workshop
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/10/31/trend-on-the-wild-feminine-workshop
The Wild & Feminine-FILLED, MOVED and MOTIVATED Workshop brings women together to create a model of education and wellness.  http://www.trainingsolutionswi.com

Andre Andropolis – LegalShield(SM) — Independent Associate
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/08/29/trend-on-andre-andropolis-of-legalshield
LegalShield provides families, employees and small businesses with affordable access to quality legal services and the Identity Theft Shield.   Andre works with owners and human resources managers in offering the Identity Theft Shield and Legal Service Plans as a voluntary employee benefit. LegalShield is owned by a New York-based private equity group
andrej.legalshield.com  http://greatlegalbenefit.com/aa/

Mervyn Byrd – ProShred Business Development Specialist
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/10/24/trend-on-mervyn-byrd-and-andre-andropolis
Proshred Security, A Document Destruction at your Door Secure Shredding and E-Waste Service Company, provides safe, secure, on & off-site document destruction of sensitive and identifying data and records from Medical/Healthcare Providers, Legal Service Offices, Education/Non-Profit, Business & Financial, Manufacturing & Home Offices and Residential.  http://www.proshred.com/  ~ 1-87-PROSHRED

Don Hallmark – Founder of Impedium Advisors
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/10/17/trend-on-don-hallmark-founder-of-impedium-advisors
Don started Impedium Advisors in 2010 to help companies to recover revenue that they are entitled to but have lost because they are not familiar with changing tax laws or are being overcharged on complex vendor contracts. Impedium Advisors has two offices, one in Madison and one in Appleton. http://impediumadvisors.com/about-us.html

Tony Briggs & Don Battee – The Sapphires Screenwriter & Actor
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/10/10/trend-on-sapphires-with-tony-briggs-and-don-battee
The SAPPHIRES is the  Indie Film from Australian Screenwriter Tony Briggs starring Actor Don Battee. The Sapphires is inspired by the true story of Tony Brigg’s mother, Laurel Robinson, her sister, Lois Peeler, and two other young Aboriginal women, who found opportunity to go from an Australian mission to the main stage of the Vietnam War in 1968 to entertain the troops.  Award winning film at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival where it was picked up by Oscar winning producer, Harvey Weinstein.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ljho1cyEfg  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1673697/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0109092/
http://milwaukee.festivalgenius.com/2012/films/thesapphires0_wayneblair_milwaukee2012

Neda Stevic – Professional Model, Make-up Artist, Actress, & activist organized the CREATE AWARENESS
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/10/03/trend-on-create-awareness-with-neda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJFY9lo3Ny0
“Let’s unite and stand against domestic violence together at the CREATE Awareness Event!” This fundraiser featured LIVE Artists working on paintings/drawings and a Live Auction of the newly created artwork.  100% of proceeds will go to benefit the 3 children left behind by my friend Maggie Litwicki, who was stabbed to death by her boyfriend.  https://www.facebook.com/neda.stevic  https://www.facebook.com/events/462567237121456/
http://www.cafecentraal.com/

Mark Winter – Independent Film maker & owner of Mark Madness Productions
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/09/26/trend-on
Mark is a student at The Art Institute of Wisconsin’s fulfilling multiple roles during the production of The Art Institute’s original web series “Decrypted”.  Mark is currently working towards his BA in Digital Film making to add to his list of creative credentials in Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Sound Design, Script writing for both commercial copy and short films. Mark also graduated from U.S. Army Intelligence School as an Intelligence Analyst..  Mark Madness Productions at: kramsw123@gmail.com

Claudia Howard – Founder Career Role Model Project – CRMP© Project
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/09/19/tamara-leigh-and-heidi-feemster-trend-on-career-role-models
“As women, we all know that every woman has a story. It is my honor to create a platform for women who are willing to share their career story to help others.” Claudia and other Role Models mentor other women going through life transitions “…to create success and live the life you dream when you step up into your potential!”
Career Role Model Portfolio Project. For more info visit: http://www.careerrolemodel.com/index.html

Melissa Witte – Spokesperson for Combat Blindness

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/09/12/trend-on

Melissa is spokesperson & events chair for World Sight Day & Combat Blindness- Madison Local Chapter.
http://www.combatblindness.org/

Jim Rice – Author of the “Giant Cheeseheads – Green Bay Packers & New York Giants Rivalry”
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/09/05/trend-on-giant-cheeseheads-author-jim-rice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSH5tj1A9gk
Educator and Author Jim Rice chronicles the GB Packers & NY Giants history in his book.

Caitlin Steinberg – Adventurer in Alaska
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/08/22/trend-on
Caitlin worked under Girl Scouts of Alaska, teaching summer education programs throughout the southeast Alaskan panhandle.  www.girlscoutsalaska.org

Jesse DePinto – 3D Printing
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/08/15/trend-on
Jesse DePinto cofounder and managing partner of 3D Creations- Milwaukee’s first affordable rapid prototyping service, providing smaller companies with 3D printers, technical support, spare parts & materials. Also providing small batch orders for just in time manufacturing.  www.3DCreationsllc.com

Mark Croft – Singer, Songwriter
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/08/01/trend-on
Mark Croft is an Award-winning Performing Artist from Madison, WI  & opened for the “Night on the Nines” at River Club of Mequon.  www.markcroftmusic.com
http://riverclubofmequon.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/pages/River-Club-Of-Mequon/131500810296532

Danielle Johnson – Travel Wisconsin~Wisconsin Department of Tourism
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/08/01/trend-on
Danielle Johnson is our Trend On recurring guest with highlights for year-round events in Wisconsin.
www.travelwisconsin.com  http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mil/fan_forum/fieldofhonor.jsp
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/ http://www.summerfest.com/
http://www.usga.org/ChampEventSite.aspx?id=2147487117

John Haines –  Director of Marketing & Communications
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/07/25/trend-on-nights-on-the-nines
“Nights on the Nines” Launch Party at the New River Club of Mequon — A Concierge Country Club & Golf Course.
The Nines restaurant is open to the public with its upscale dining, a Gastropub–a state of the art sports bar, and the live music events.  Located on the scenic river in the North Shore of the Greater Milwaukee area, the River Club’s owner, Tom Weickardt, is setting the Trend for a new Country Club experience.
John.Haines@riverclubofmequon.com; 262-242-1400×202;  or visit:  http://riverclubofmequon.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/pages/River-Club-Of-Mequon/131500810296532

Dr. Don Hundt – Founder of the WOW Healing Center
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/07/18/trend-on
Dr. Hundt specializes in Corporate Health & Wellness increasing productivity professionally and personally by understanding true scientific health & his 3 action steps that work.  Eat Well – Move Well – Think well.
www.wowhealingcenter.com

The Worden Family – Family Reunions
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/07/04/trend-on-the-4th-of-july-and-family-reunions
Find out how to strengthen the ties that bind by planning a successful family reunion from a  family whose annual Family Reunion that began on the farmstead back in 1978.  The gathering of 70 spans 4 generations from 90 years old to 9 months.

Belinda Jo Sain-Cronin – Education Expert/Engaging Speaker
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/06/27/trend-on-with-danielle-johnson-and-belinda-jo-sain-cronin
A Distinguished Woman in Education  with over 25 years of progressive and optimistic educational experience.  Mrs. Sain-Cronin was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni 2011 of University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and Teacher of the Year in Kenosha, WI.  She.participated in the WI.charter cadre of Parker Palmer’s COURAGE TO TEACH and Women’s Civic Council awardee.  Belinda holds two Masters degrees in Education and brings an indomitable passion as a leader and African American advocate for positive change.

Michele Kiley, Proprietress & Joshua-Peter Smith, Lead Libations Expert & Mixologist
Justice Snow Bar + Restaurant, Asepn, CO ~  http://www.justicesnows.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/04/25/trend-on
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/06/20/trend-on
JUSTICE prevails in the SNOW town of Aspen, Colorado where Michele Kiley ,Proprietress, serves locals and tourists alike in the new Restaurant & Bar located in the old historic Wheeler Opera House.  Offering patrons “Colorado-inspired” and “ridiculously affordable” food and libations, the Restaurant was named for an Aspen 1880s Justice of the peace named Snow and although the town known is known for skiing and winter vacays, it’s a vibrant destination year round.  Joshua-Peter Smith serves up the Art & Science of the best of Bar Service

Heid Calaway – Owner, BVEN Boutique
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/06/13/trend-on-building-a-boutique-business-with-heidi-calaway
Heidi Calaway, head fashion consultant and fashion designer for BVEN Boutique. Opened in 2003, BVEN is a Style Statement Store for Women with designer lines & vintage pieces like “Stop Staring” and original wearable art accessories located on Milwaukee’s own Brady Street.  http://www.bvenboutique.com/

Maggie Dobson & Sue Schrader – Cedarburg’s Summer Sounds
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/06/13/trend-on-building-a-boutique-business-with-heidi-calaway
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/05/30/trend-on-summer-of-fun
Summer of Fun Kick-off with of Cedarburg, the city with the 5.30.12 Zip Code & Summer Sounds of Cedarburg is a tradition that continued under the leadership of Sue Schrader featuring well known artists like Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Alex Wilson, King Solomon, Five Card Studs, & more.
http://www.summersounds.net/  www.ThinkCedarburgFirst.com

Curtis Gibbs – Business Man
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/06/06/trend-on
Curtis Gibbs, Business Man, Author, Sometime Actor & in his most important role, Father.  Curtis, owner of Gibbs & Associates, shares the wisdom he’s acquired over 34 years in business, consulting, & experience in the Industrial & E-Commerce sectors.

Salvatore C. Caputa – WWII Veteran
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/05/23/trend-on
WWII Veteran Salvatore C. Caputa, “Sam” was one of the young American men called to duty in England just before D-Day June 6, 1944, the turning point in stopping Hilter’s advances across France in the Normandy invasion and an Allied Victory.  The youngest of 4 brothers all in active duty in WWII, at the young age of 18, Salvatore says it was an honor to serve God, Family & Country.  www.cedarburglegion288.org

Rob Bell, CSP – Author, Business Man & NSA Board President of the Wisconsin Chapter
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/05/16/trend-on-national-speakers-association-nsa-with-rob-bell
Author of “Beyond Paper or Plastic – 8 Items or Less to Remarkable Service” and founder of Focus Consulting, LLC. For over 35 years, the WI-NSA provides Development Seminars, Speaker U and networking opportunities.  www.RobSpeaks.com; www.nsaspeaker.org & www.wisconsinspeakers.com

Cecila Albers – “Queen Mother” of “Razzle Dazzle Chix” of the “Red Hat Society” (RHS)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/05/09/trend-on
The RHS is a global society of women supporting and encouraging women of all ages in 5 F’s: Fun, Friendship, Freedom, Fulfillment, and Fitness with the true purpose to change the hearts and lives of women.  Founded in 1997,  RHS has grown  to over 40,000 chapters in the United States and 30 other countries by 2011.
http://www.redhatsociety.com/

James Valona – Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee, WI
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/05/02/trend-on
James Valona & the Annual Iron Horse Hotel The Kentucky Derby Event — “Talk Derby to Me” to benefit “Repairers of the Breach” charity.  The Kentucky Derby is the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports”  the “Run for the Roses” in May at Churchill Downs.  http://www.theironhorsehotel.com/

Jessica Chan – Founder of EnableHer.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/04/04/trend-on-jessica-chan-a-workaholic-in-process
Jessica Chan is a self-taught graphic designer and front-end developer with over 7 years of freelance and professional experience and thrives on starting new ventures from home base in Pacific Heights in San Francisco.
http://www.enableher.com/

Terry Donahue – President of Prudential Absolute Realtors, Oconomowoc, WI
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/03/28/trend-on-terry-donahue-president-of-prudential-absolute-re
Terry Donahue, President and Owner of Prudential ABSOLUTE REALTORS®. Terry’s real estate career began in 1980, with The Oconomowoc Company ( In 2003 the Oconomowoc Company began doing business as Prudential ABSOLUTE REALTORS® ).  www.terrydonahue.com

Kristin Settle – Public Relations Manager of the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/03/14/trend-on-milwaukee-art-mueseum–dont-settle-for-less
Kristin Settle, brings over 10 years media relations experience in press releases, fund-raising, project and budget management, strategic planning and social media outreach to her current position at the MAM & After Dark events.
http://mam.org/

John Leaf – The Nickname Guy
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/03/07/trend-on-john-leaf-and-his-passion-for-nicknames
John Leaf is passionate about nicknames, the intimacy of them, and the stories behind them.
He began the project in the summer of 2008. In the ensuing 3.5 years, he has appeared 3 times on the Milwaukee NBC WTMJ-4 show The Morning Blend, authored 28 nickname related blogs for the onMilwaukee web site, and appeared on the Lake Effect radio program WUWM-89.7 FM with host Bonnie North. www.nicknamestories.com

Rachel Kernan – Deriah Salons of Cedarburg & Mequon
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/02/29/trend-on-rachel-kernan-of-deriah-salon
Named Milwaukee Magazine’s Top Trendsetting Salon – there’s nothing quite like the De Riah experience!
A complete full service salon & spa environment – personalized one on one consultations, the latest trends in hair style, cut & coloring to make you look your very best.  http://www.deriah.com/

Jessica Bell – Founder of My Wine School
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/02/22/trend-on-jessica-bell
Jessica earned degrees in Economics and Spanish from Duke & holds the Diploma in Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and a Viticulture and Vinification Certificate from the American Sommelier Association. She is an accredited Spanish Wine Educator and French Wine Educator.  Jessica is a co-host on the emmy-nominated television program Wisconsin Foodie, a host on Time Warner On Demand Wine Tips, and a regular contributor to the podcast “Life Between the Vines”.
http://www.mywineschool.com/component/zoo/item/jessica-bell

Greg Kuper – Public Image Media & the Casting Call Show reality t.v. Creator
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/02/15/trend-on-greg-kuper-of-public-image-media-reality-t
Greg Kuper, owner of Public Image Media in Madison, WI is a writer and video/film producer.  Co-Scripted Casting Call Script “Broken Home” with Tamara Leigh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K-LHopLtlU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXbtvICYtjE&feature=youtu.be
http://www.facebook.com/LookWhosComingToLunc  http://www.publicimage-media.com/

Mike Boehler – Co-Founder of the Linked Local Network
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/02/08/trend-on-mike-boehler-founder-of-the-linked-local-network
Mike Boehler has over 30 years experience in sales, marketing, management and operations.
Mike is  the co-founder of the Linked Local Network  which has currently grown to over 400,000 social media connections across the globe.  Mike has owned and operated 2 different small businesses: a brokerage and trading company for 9 years at the CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade).

Dr. Michael Carriere – MSOE Asst. Prof. & James Godsil, Sweet Water Organics
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/02/01/trend-on-james-godsil-sweet-water-organics
Dr. Michael Carriere of Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) shares the story of James Gosil, co-founder of Sweet Water Organics, Inc. as part of the MSOE Grohmann Museum’s “Men at Work” exhibit.
http://www.msoe.edu/about_msoe/manatwork/museum.shtml http://sweetwater-organic.com/

Tamara Leigh

Heidi Feemster

AT the risk of:   1) dating myself;  and  2) revealing that “It’s what I don’t know”, I have to say our Guest on last week’s Trend On show, Jesse De Pinto of 3DCreations, llc both inspired and amazed me.

I remember watching reruns of those crazy Jetson’s in their futuristic world of Rosy the Robot and automated gadgets running the home front, as well as visiting Disney World’s Epcot’s Future World — a vision of a someday modern existence of domesticated technology. That Future apparently… is so yesterday.
According to Jesse, “3D printing is not new, so why are people talking about it now?”

Good Question.  Even Better Answers came from Jesse in our conversation (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/08/15/trend-on).

Jesse is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of 3D Creations–a start-up company  in                Milwaukee, Wisconsin.


3D Creations is Milwaukee’s first affordable rapid prototyping service, providing smaller companies with 3D printers, technical support, spare parts & materials.   3DCreations also provides small batch orders for just in time manufacturing.

3D printing can best be described as a machine with the capability of creating actual objects made from layer upon layer of plastic by a computer directive or downloaded image.   It’s a little hard to imagine, but think of how a 2D printer puts ink on paper in layers… the 3D printer functions somewhat that same way, as Jesse explains it, only the end result is an actual 3D object, like jelly shoes, chess pieces, dental implants, or mini-architectural models.   The possibilities apparently are extensive.

Jesse’s enthusiasm for his company and their product–3D Printers the size of microwave ovens for consumer, small business, and education uses, to name a few–is contagious.   Admittedly, Jesse said he could talk about them all day long–& he does so at his store during hours of operation Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 am- 2 pm or by appointment–but our Trend On show was unfortunately limited to a half hour.

In that short span of time, one of the most profound statements Jesse made was how 3D Printing will bring manufacturing back to the U.S.A.!   “It’s the next big wave in consumer electronics. It’s the most disruptive technology in manufacturing since Henry Ford’s assembly line.   It’s the next monumental challenge for copyright,” writes Jesse on the 3DCreations website blog (http://www.3dcreationsllc.com/2012/07/31/what-is-a-3d-printer/).

A second profound potential use of 3D Printing is in the area of actual organ replication and prosthetics — making the Bionic Woman and $6 Million Dollar Man more than fictional throwbacks.   Millennial’s like Jesse know the power of such innovation and how consumerism and personal customization, especially of 3D printing, can be successfully leveraged.   (They’re also too young to remember any of these pop-culture references… oh wait, they have the internet to Google them like I did. )

It’s all very energizing and exciting… &  more than a little Sci-Fi reality.

3D Creations is located in the heart of Milwaukee in the Grand Avenue Mall.

Their Grand Opening is September 4th at 6pm at Innovations in Milwaukee in Grand Avenue Mall located at 161 W. Wisconsin.  For more info check out their website at: www.3DCreationsllc.com

Tamara Leigh

It’s a beautiful morning in Breckenridge, Colorado as I write this blog from a busy Starbucks on the Mainstreet of this quintessential Old West Ski town.  As the sun warms the crisp Rocky Mountain air,  I can’t help but think of a plea my friend Michelle Celestial Easterly Moore posted on Facebook this past week:

Please pray for Jacob Ostreicher. Time is of the essence. He is on a hunger strike. He may not make it.

In the time it takes to make a double shot skinny dirty chai, one action, one prayer on behalf of Jacob could make a difference.  And so, like Michelle, I am the messenger, and hoping to inspire any one and every one who collectively might take part in protecting humanity… who might take a moment to act to help this fellow American.

Who is Jacob Ostreicher?  Who’s Michelle Moore for that matter?

Jacob Ostreicher is an American citizen , businessman, and family man wrongfully, and inhumanely, imprisoned a year ago in Bolivia by the Evo Morales government.

Michelle Moore, and her husband, retired FBI Agent Steve Moore honored me with their valuable time as my guests on Trend On a few weeks ago. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/07/11/trend-on-a-modern-day-caped-crusader-couple

As the Modern Day Caped Crusading Couple, Steve & Michelle Moore became International Super Heroes for their advocacy and intervention in the innocence of American college student Amanda Knox.  Amanda and her then boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted, then acquitted, of murdering her English roommate, Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy.  Michelle, a wife and mother, friend, compassionate human being,– just happened to catch a late night expose on Amanda’s scandal… and had to act.

Or in Michelle’s words, had to get her husband, Steve–the ex-FBI guy, the career anti-terroist agent, the compassionate father of their own daughters Amanda’s age– to act and investigate the unsettling feeling Michelle had that Amanda and Raffaele were innocent.   Steve did so with professional due diligence, and quickly came to the realization and resolve that Amanda and Raffaele were pawns of  a malicious local government. They & their families were suffering, like Jacob, and something had to be done.

Amanda’s case got my attention because I too was a mother of young, world traveling, adult children. I also know that in split seconds, life changes and you or your loved ones can find yourself on the wrong side of oppressive political powers. After traveling abroad myself and working with International families for over a decade, I know, as we talked about on the Trend On show, that as Americans, it’s a dangerous mindset to think we carry our U.S. Constitutional Rights with us where ever we go around the globe. Even when doing everything right, like Jacob Ostreicher, we can be wronged.

In America, if we are not vigilant, our Freedom could be equally precarious. Yet if we collectively act on behalf of one, like Jacob or Amanda, we act for all.

A week after the 4th of July 2012, Michelle and Steve spoke with me to the need for a strong, free America.   As ambassadors for global humanity, regardless of political positions, Michelle and Steve shared what they learned in the process of speaking out against formidable opposition to be a voice for justice then and now.  Steve is currently working with the U.S. State Department, House Foreign Affairs Committee & United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights in the effort to free Jacob Ostreicher.  A bill called “Jacob’s Law” is in the works which includes Steve’s input.

For more on this amazing powerful couple, visit Steve’s website: Gman Case File. Com (http://website.gmancasefile.com);
and check out Steve’s new book:
“Special Agent Man: My Life in the FBI as a Terrorist Hunter, Helicopter Pilot, and Certified Sniper”.
(http://www.amazon.com/Special-Agent-Man-Terrorist-Helicopter/dp/0914090704)

Gmancasefile.com also has info on booking Steve as a Speaker, ordering his book “Special Agent Man”, and more on Steve’s  Consulting,  Expert Commentary in the Media  & Technical Advising in the Entertainment Industry.

Or maybe the more effective method to call on the Crusader is to strike a chord with Michelle… she is a special force behind the Gman.

I’m humbled to have such friends– ironically a friendship which came about through another act of compassion and caring on the part of Michelle. Perhaps it is Steve and Michelle’s own humanity, their personal journeys of struggling with career, marriage, cancer, family and faith, that makes them so well-suited to be both the Saved and the Savers.

Either way, they would say — please Pray, please Act.  You can make a difference.

Information on Jacob Ostreicher and Steve’s advocacy on his behalf can be found on the PRAYING FOR JACOB OSTREICHER facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/240239232759447/

Steve and Michelle are also involved in helping Jason Puracal, another American wrongly convicted and incarcerated in Nicaragua.  More information on Jason’s plight is at: http://freejasonp.com/home/tag/jason-puracal.

Trend On Co-Host Heidi Feemster

Trend On Co-Host Tamara Leigh

Although a Hired Gun is an expression with a connotation of doing some sort of dirty or dubious work, when it comes to ERP, that is, Enterprise Resource Planning, hiring a Big Gun to do objective consulting for your company’s ERP implementation, is worth the investment and more than beats  shooting yourself in the foot by not seeking out the outside opinion and expertise.Considering the scope and cost of an ERP implementation, an unbiased ERP consultant can help you identify your company’s requirements and decide if a particular solution will meet them. This ERP Hired Gun should not be the same individual or company as the ones implementing and providing your ERP — they of course have a vested interest in your ERP system and purchase, therefore objectivity would be more difficult (though not necessarily impossible).

It’s also hard for someone within your organization to take on the objective ERP role. Even if your own people are knowledgeable on ERP, it would still be harder for them to be unbiased and/or not influenced by the company’s bottom line or financial objectives.

So the Hired Gun — the Independent ERP consultant — should be the one who is:

* objective
* knowledgeable about all the solutions on your list
* have experience with ERP in your industry.

SMART & SWEET SUITES!

The other value an Independent ERP Hired Gun can help you with is making your ERP implementation Smarter. ERP packages are sold as suites, but you don’t necessarily have to buy them that way. Instead customize your ERP by creating a Sweet ERP Suite tailored to your company needs — purchase just the modules necessary for an optimal ERP system. The modules are integrated as you deploy them whether that’s in the initial installation or several months down the road.

An independent consultant can give you that valuable information and perspective — which makes it money well spent as part of the ERP process.

Heidi Feemster’s Business Minute as heard on Heidi Feemster and Tamara Leigh TREND ON Steve and Michelle Moore, 7/11/12:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/07/11/trend-on-a-modern-day-caped-crusader-couple

Trend On Co-Host Tamara Leigh

1978 1st Family Reunion

The 4th of July: a snapshot day of “What it is to be an American”. It’s the collective holiday of our independence as a nation founded on freedom. That freedom to live and love is celebrated in summer’s warmth (or record heat as this year) as families and communities across this land of yours and mine gathered for parades, picnics, fireworks and a whole American pie’s worth of traditions.

These family ties that bind are woven into the fabric of our history. The more our society becomes diverse, mobile, disconnected, the greater the need to reinforce the bond between generations.

To mention a Family Reunion as a means to that end evokes mixed reactions. Some people fight with their families as if they were the Hatfields & McCoys. But other close-knit families embrace each other with great affection. The trends of increased web sites such as FamilyReunions.com and Ancestry.com and the popularity of a show like “Who Do You Think You Are?” indicate that there remains an anthropological need as humans to with one hand reach to our past while the other hand stretches forward to grasp the future.

As Pearl S. Buck, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize Winner & Author, said:
The lack of emotional security of our young people is due, I believe, to their isolation from the larger family unit. No two people — No mere father and mother — are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world of kinfolk.”

In this world of “kinfolk“, Reunions are not a new idea to one such family.  The Worden clan has roots firmly planted in Wisconsin and a Family Tree that extends from the Pacific North West in Seattle, Washington to the most Eastern Southern part of the U.S. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These 4 generations of relatives aging from 90 years old to 9 months gather every year  for a weeklong Family Reunion in Wisconsin.  As the guests on TREND ON on the 4th of July this week, family members talked about the “How To’s” of successfully planning and continuing a strong tradition of reunions for over the past 34 years.

When the Family Farmstead of Otis and Sylvia (born in 1876 & 1901 respectively) was sold in 1978, the family gathered for a goodbye. Still getting together today, the descendants of the Patriarch and Matriarch includes 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 3 (+2 on-the-way) great-great grandchildren, plus “out-laws” who have married into the family bringing the total number attending to about 65 members.  Only now, in place of the Family Farm, the Extended Worden Family rents out a camp* that provides a “Relational & Emotional Homestead”.

“It’s important to provide a sense of Place,” says Jamie Worden Crothers, “…it doesn’t matter where or what that place is, but having a common meeting ground, is key for building the foundation for Family Reunions.”
Also important, is diversity and common ground, according to the eldest Cliff Worden. “The variety and difference of what each family member brings to the table whether it’s political, religious, ethnic, educational or occupational — that’s what makes for an interesting and exciting get together.”

“Flexibility and Organization” are the other Key Factors for a smooth and consistent Reunion whether it’s annually, every other year or spread out from 5 to 10 years — or even if  it’s your first.  Designate a contact person in each of the sub-families that is the go-to person for establishing numbers of people attending, coordinating family contributions to meals and clean-up, etc.  Food is a natural opportunity for family team-building and bonding. Delegate is also a good and useful word in Reunion vocabulary.

Social Media, says Vick Styka, one of the lead organizers for the group, has really helped coordinate the Reunion. The Worden’s created a Family Reunion Facebook page and communication via Facebook facilitated designing and ordering Reunion t-shirts as well as other planning details.  Team Worden is good-to-go with t-shirts for “Jersey Day!”

Also taking advantage of the strengths of the different members is key — says Paul Kunde, or “Plans” as his given nickname attests to.  As one of the elder of the younger generation at age 28, Paul has lead planning reunion activities over the years covering everything from Crystal River canoe trips to Olympic games to Golf Outings as well as Capture the Flag, Scrabble Marathons, mean games of Spoons, Geo-Caching & more. The point here too, is that activities– no matter what the level of athletic or physical participation, create common experiences and shared memories that will strengthen the family relationships.

FUN is a crucial element.  Laughter is the best thing to fill your family reunion with — as the Wordens do with long-running practical jokes and good-natured humor.  Family members, all busy with their respective lives throughout the year, look forward to the week together because their common history and childhoods are celebrated and the unconditional love gives every family member a true belonging in the bigger brood.

As a younger voice, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers (SK6ers)* song says, “Roots & Wings” captures what it is to be family:

Give your children Roots & Wings,
Never Fear the Change It Brings,
There’s no reason to be sad,
Be thankful for the time you had.”

(*Camps can be great resources for family rentals for reunion locations or as a place to go to a Family Camp if a Family doesn’t have extended relatives to have reunions with — a “camp family” can provide much the same bonding & memories as a reunion.)

Family Reunions as heard on TREND ON with Tamara Leigh and Heidi Feemster:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/linkedlocalnetwork/2012/07/04/trend-on-the-4th-of-july-and-family-reunion

Trend On Co-Host Heidi Feemster