So Much Gratitude to Give

While Nov. 1 is National Gratitude Day, we should live with this principle daily. Gratitude is about focusing on the good. It’s about pausing and slowing down to notice and appreciate things we often take for granted.

Living a life of gratitude has many benefits: 

• increased happiness
• more satisfaction with life
• better physical health
• less fatigue
• better sleep 
• being less materialistic

It can even lower levels of cellular inflammation and strengthen relationships.

According to female wellness publication She Defined, “Gratitude on the deepest level is a reflection, acknowledgement, and acceptance of our worth — to God or other people. When we choose gratitude, we accept ourselves as worthy and give ourselves permission to be loved.”

As I reflect on my journey as the publisher of EverythingBrevard.com, I see all the people who have had a transformational impact on my personal success and in bringing my vision to life.  It’s humbling to think that this all started on a yellow notepad for a college homework assignment back in fall 2005. 

Early on in my sales career, I realized that selling was nothing more than the transfer of enthusiasm, and when your vision is clear, strong, and purposeful, the right people will appear in your life to support that dream.

For example, if Shannon Procise from Business Acceleration Network and Christina Stuart from Christina Stuart Photography hadn’t invited me to the Media Magic event that Shannon was hosting, I most likely never would have met our managing editor, Lee Nessel. Both Shannon and Christina were doing what they loved most, and because of that experience, Lee and I connected, and the rest is history. They knew we needed to meet, and for that, I am eternally grateful. 

I first met EverythingBrevard Art Director Caley Curchy when she worked for my former husband. Then we became friends when her husband and my stepson worked together. Later, she worked for a marketplace competitor and then decided to branch out on her own. We reconnected and recently celebrated 10 years of working together. Building brands, magazine design, collaboration and getting the job done are her jam. 

At our Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting in May 2011, just 60 days after launching our website, I met Bobbi Whitmore from Bobbi’s at Parkside. Bobbi has been a client and dear friend ever since. We’ve even had the honor of working with Bobbi on her branding and business strategy over the years. She uses her many talents to empower women to look and feel their best in all that they do. 

I also met Jeanna Merrifield through the Chamber of Commerce, and she, too, has been a champion of everything EverythingBrevard does since the day we met. She believes in the power of community and that together, we are a stronger force. If you know Jeanna, you know she is involved not just in her business, Wild Ocean Market, but in the community, as well. She is the best at making time for others and the causes they support. 

Palm Shores Bistro owner Jeff Kaplan has been a client for over 27 years. His enthusiasm and tenacity to grow, build and connect with our community is contagious and inspiring. He is king of the pivot. Unstoppable. Jeff has trusted us with his branding, business strategy,r and advertising and marketing. We have watched our children grow up together! His friendship and desire to give back to our community and see people flourish is priceless. If it’s in his power, he does it.  

I met Jeanne Whitman from Achieve Beautiful Skin at a Business Network International (BNI) breakfast meeting in 2012, shortly after she opened her business. Jeanne has been a client since the day we met, and she continues to grow her team, her brand, and the services she offers. Jeanne started a nonprofit and is on a mission to stop human trafficking. 

It has been a true honor to work with Jeanne the last decade. From graphic design and brand development to business strategy and community connections, it has been incredible to watch this woman thrive. To be trusted in this capacity from an individual is such an honor.  

I could go on for days about the impact and influences that have made a difference in my life and my business. There are so many. I am grateful to my team, our families, our community partners, clients, friends, followers, readers, and all those who have helped us have the BEST year ever. 

It’s our job — but more importantly our fulfilling pleasure — to give you a voice, share your stories with positivity, and collectively influence change.

Gratitude Extended

Along with the remarkable stories we have profiled in this issue, I would like to thank these Brevard businesses and superstars for excelling every day. Together we’ve been able to give people a voice, share inspiring and educational stories, and be influencers of positive change in our community and the lives of our readers.  

Want to join our amazing growing community? Interested in being a part of something bigger? 

Connect with me at info@everythingbrevard.com

 

Clients:

Addition Financial

Apis Cor

At Your Service Bookkeeping

ASAP Pest Solutions

BK Adventures

Black Lab Financial Services

Blood Runner Mobile

Brevard Adult & Community Education

Brevard Home & Garden Expo

BRG Air Systems

Buena Vida Estates

Cancer Care Brevard

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation

Clevens Face and Body Specialists

Cloud 9 Real Estate Group
Club Esteem

Dermatology + Plastic Surgery

DRS Insurance Group

Eastern Florida State College

Economic Development Commission Florida’s Space Coast

Florida Fields to Forks

Florida Native Roofing

Green Leaf Home Inspections

Grimaldi Candies

Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce

Holistic Primary Care of Brevard

J & M Trucking and Tractor Service

Jacqueline’s Bakery

K2 Living Well

K9 Kampus

Keep it Local Brevard

L.H. Tanner Construction 

Lori Burke Hypnotherapy

Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts

Melbourne Mainstreet

Miniopolis

My Facial Girl

No Limits Fitness

Palm Bay Pharmacy

Paula Zima Remax Elite

Radiantly Healthy Drip Lounge

Richard’s Paint

Rocket Healthcare

Salon Madeleine

Serene Harbor

Space Coast Jazz

Space Coast Trimlight

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care

Tank Wizards

The Children’s Hunger Project

The Coastal Life Team

The Nate Jomaa Mortgage Team

The Seaside Succulent

The Viera Company

Tres Vision Group

Twin Rivers Local Vintage

Ways for Life

weVENTURE

Zonta Club of Melbourne

Thought Leaders

Christie Adams

Kim Agee

Michael Ayers

Eleanor Baker

Sharita Bent

Lori Burke

Kevin Chancellor

Beverly DeMeyer

Dr. Ross Clevens

Sharon Dubois

Melinda Gerding

Meaghan Happel 

Maggie Hickson

Tori Huss

Kristina Kitsopoulos

Darcy Manning

Akira Monma

Michelle Mulak

Kellyn Nobregas

Nancy Peltonen

Kathryn Rudloff

Rod Stewart

Carrie Sullivan

Linda Weatherman

Mike Williams

Marlene Winsten

Kristin Woodling

Staff and Writers:

Sean Blake

Stefanie Chrisman

Caley Curchy

Karyn Cole

Jason Hook

KyAlea Monma

Michelle Mulak

Kaylee Nagata

Lee Nessel

Brant Parsons

Taylor & Chris Sanders

Maria Sonnenberg