I don't know what tomorrow holds, so today I'll eat bread!
By Digital Di, Callan Group Communications
What a wonderful #Thanksgiving2014 I had. Two days of spending precious time with friends I consider family. #MarkPullin, executive chef for #31SupperClub cooked for a crew Wednesday and my old Buy Me Love Benefits partner had me spend Turkey Day with his amazingly loud, beautiful family in Tampa. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It was the only holiday our family celebrated other than birthdays which I don't consider a holiday so of course it's my favorite. It's the holiday of thanks, gratitude and good food. I love that!
Today we were discussing the delicious dinner and how eating fresh food with no can openers and made with love made such a difference. Speaking of fresh...the rolls...um, yeah! No Pillsbury rolls up in here..nope! Straight fresh bread made by #therealchefmark. Yummy! He didn't make enough! He mentioned when he caters he usually has a ton of left overs. I can't believe people have bought into this whole "bread is bad for you" thing. Have your bread and eat it, too, I say! Who knows what tomorrow brings, eat bread today!
Ask and ye shall receive
Ask and ye shall receive
Welcome, Brittny Machel Lowe
It hit me one night while I was talking with Chef. You know, Mark Pullin, the executive Chef of 31 Supper Club. We were talking about our aspirations and it was like a slap in the face. I had to find a way to free up time to start writing my book, The Legacy. I decided right there and then that I was going to find the perfect marketing associate who was motivated, a self-starter and a natural born entrepreneur…no big deal, right? Yeah, not so easy but I put pen to paper, created a job description and let it go into the social universe. No responses. Not one. Although one of the people I was considering “liked” my post. She didn’t PM me but she liked the post. Making progress? Not quite.
A few weeks later, I’m dining at Grind Gastropub with one of my favorite mentors, Debbie Allen, who flat out said I have to offer an internship option before opening up an opportunity for full employment. She said that would show a truly determined candidate who would see true benefit in Callan Group Communications. I agreed although felt frustrated as I couldn’t even get a candidate who I was going to pay let alone one who would donate their time. Then our server, Brittny Machel Lowe came up to take another drink order. She was the one who I had my eye on. We chatted her up and before I knew it Debbie was encouraging her to intern for me. Brittny seemed interested and explained her aspirations of starting a non-profit to help families of incarcerated men and women. She was already an entrepreneur with her own apparel company, Twin Flame. She was perfect. I explained to her what the job would look like and asked that if she was serious that she should reach out to me the following morning. The voicemail is still saved on my phone. Her enthusiasm resonated through the message. She began interning and was promoted to marketing associate as of today, November 10.
With her support, I can not only grow the company helping businesses to grow theirs through marketing initiatives but I can follow my dream of writing a novel. It’s an amazing thing, this universe. It’s a crazy feeling when you realize that if you simply ask for what you want you receive it. I’ve practiced this “secret” for most of my life but more lately. It works. It really works. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to invite Brittny into our family. As we teach her, she’ll teach us and together we can create amazing work in our community.
Cheers to those who believe in themselves.
Cheers to those who take risks.
Cheers to the ones that see opportunity.
Cheers to the ones that have gratitude.
Cheers to Brittny Machel Lowe.
With gratitude,
Welcome, Brittny Machel Lowe
It hit me one night while I was talking with Chef. You know, Mark Pullin, the executive Chef of 31 Supper Club. We were talking about our aspirations and it was like a slap in the face. I had to find a way to free up time to start writing my book, The Legacy. I decided right there and then that I was going to find the perfect marketing associate who was motivated, a self-starter and a natural born entrepreneur…no big deal, right? Yeah, not so easy but I put pen to paper, created a job description and let it go into the social universe. No responses. Not one. Although one of the people I was considering “liked” my post. She didn’t PM me but she liked the post. Making progress? Not quite.
A few weeks later, I’m dining at Grind Gastropub with one of my favorite mentors, Debbie Allen, who flat out said I have to offer an internship option before opening up an opportunity for full employment. She said that would show a truly determined candidate who would see true benefit in Callan Group Communications. I agreed although felt frustrated as I couldn’t even get a candidate who I was going to pay let alone one who would donate their time. Then our server, Brittny Machel Lowe came up to take another drink order. She was the one who I had my eye on. We chatted her up and before I knew it Debbie was encouraging her to intern for me. Brittny seemed interested and explained her aspirations of starting a non-profit to help families of incarcerated men and women. She was already an entrepreneur with her own apparel company, Twin Flame. She was perfect. I explained to her what the job would look like and asked that if she was serious that she should reach out to me the following morning. The voicemail is still saved on my phone. Her enthusiasm resonated through the message. She began interning and was promoted to marketing associate as of today, November 10.
With her support, I can not only grow the company helping businesses to grow theirs through marketing initiatives but I can follow my dream of writing a novel. It’s an amazing thing, this universe. It’s a crazy feeling when you realize that if you simply ask for what you want you receive it. I’ve practiced this “secret” for most of my life but more lately. It works. It really works. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to invite Brittny into our family. As we teach her, she’ll teach us and together we can create amazing work in our community.
Cheers to those who believe in themselves.
Cheers to those who take risks.
Cheers to the ones that see opportunity.
Cheers to the ones that have gratitude.
Cheers to Brittny Machel Lowe.
With gratitude,
Diane Michael
Political Season in Volusia County has Arrived!
Are you helping a friend with their political campaign?
Are you helping a friend with their political campaign?
Are you running for office?
This package provides a multi-media strategy that
directly targets your constituents providing you with "all bases
covered".
We haven't seen a program quite like this before...contact
Diane directly by clicking here or call me at 386-538-1083.
You're beginning to get sleepy, very very sleepy!
By Diane Michael, Communications Director at The Callan
Group
So I haven't been sleeping lately. I go to bed and lay
there uncomfortable with thousands of thoughts going through my brain. Tossing
and turning for the third night in a row I decided to write about it.
My Reiki Massage Therapist said that if you can't sleep it's
because you're in someone's dream. Even though that's a nice thought - not
buying it!
So I Googled "what does it mean to not sleep"
and choose the fifth selection from the top which greeted me with a ton
of...don't drink coffee, don't watch TV, don't drink alcoholic beverages, don't
smoke, don't do anything that sounds fun to me! Not buying this one either.
Sixth selection down are common sleep myths. Ok, graphic of a pretty
girl sleeping at top - I'm intrigued!
I'm on myth two and I see "don't text in
bed"...well how am I suppose to finish this article without typing away on
my phone? As I continue I realize there's a bunch of blabber on the internet!
Geez!
As far back as I can remember I didn't want to go to bed
early and I would lay there daydreaming about the following day. Some things
never change, they say, but do they?
Can we reprogram our minds?
Of course we can. Just because we've always done something one way doesn't mean we can't adapt and improvise to change based on our needs!
So why can't I change my awful sleeping pattern and why
have I been restless for the past three nights straight and still not tired?
I can change the way I look at sleep. That may help!
Yeah, I'll get right on that!
I can stop writing articles in bed. Yeah, probably won't
be doing that!
I can write down all the things I want to accomplish
tomorrow before I go to bed. Check!
I can get up earlier to help my body shut off earlier.
Doesn't sound fun but we're making progress!
I can focus more on my breathing.
I'm starting to feel sleepy...very, very sleepy!
Good night, cuties!
My Two Cents
It’s Okay to Give 1% and Remember to Breathe!
Diane Michael, Communications Director for The Callan Group
It’s Okay to Give 1% and Remember to Breathe!
Diane Michael, Communications Director for The Callan Group
I recently got back from Costa Rica where I earned my yoga teacher certification. After being out of the country for a month it only took 24 hours for me to come down with a nasty virus. I wasn't able to practice until this past week. While I was in multiple poses, my talented strong teacher, Robin, said two statements that stuck with me that I want to share.
1.) Sometimes you give 1% and sometimes you
give 100%
What a concept! I loved hearing this while in downward dog because during my training in Costa I decided I wanted to start writing more about how I believe the practices in yoga go hand in hand with practices in business. So this statement was a perfect way to kick off my new focus.
As a business owner, you only report to yourself and your clients.
You set your own goals, schedule, budgets, etc. You have the ability to negotiate, to reschedule, to show up and to not show up. It can be a very dangerous position to hold but most entrepreneurs love it. What Robin said rang so true to me in business and on the mat because there are times where you simply don't give 100%. You don't even give 50%. You give 1% - but you showed up! You decided to do something. Every little bit counts!
There are definitely days when you give 100%.
Those days can be equally rewarding and exhausting. In yoga, I find myself in the same situation. I feel so great that I simply showed up - even if I gave only 1%. And those days that I give 100% and can do a headstand into crow while sucking my tummy towards my back, I am truly a rock star.
The cool thing that really resonated with me when Robin made this statement was that it's all good!
You don't always have to operate at 100% in life, in business or in the yoga studio. Seriously! We don't have to book our schedules out on a daily basis. We don't have to run around from appointment to appointment. I find myself some days rushing to get to yoga - cutting people off only to run to the back to get my coveted spot to end up with one minute to spare in child's pose. Why? Why am I trying to do too much at one time? This is not healthy for me and I don't recommend it.
We've been told since we were kids to give it our 100% which I believe has really messed us up.
It's ok to give your 1%. You're showing up. And when you continue to show up day after day -small accomplishments turn into big ones just as practicing yoga regularly will change your body, soul and mind little by little.
Nothing has to happen overnight.
And if you were like me in my younger days, when you don't give 100% at least don't beat yourself up for it. Focus on what you did accomplish, what you are happy about, what you are thankful for and how you showed up.
What a concept! I loved hearing this while in downward dog because during my training in Costa I decided I wanted to start writing more about how I believe the practices in yoga go hand in hand with practices in business. So this statement was a perfect way to kick off my new focus.
As a business owner, you only report to yourself and your clients.
You set your own goals, schedule, budgets, etc. You have the ability to negotiate, to reschedule, to show up and to not show up. It can be a very dangerous position to hold but most entrepreneurs love it. What Robin said rang so true to me in business and on the mat because there are times where you simply don't give 100%. You don't even give 50%. You give 1% - but you showed up! You decided to do something. Every little bit counts!
There are definitely days when you give 100%.
Those days can be equally rewarding and exhausting. In yoga, I find myself in the same situation. I feel so great that I simply showed up - even if I gave only 1%. And those days that I give 100% and can do a headstand into crow while sucking my tummy towards my back, I am truly a rock star.
The cool thing that really resonated with me when Robin made this statement was that it's all good!
You don't always have to operate at 100% in life, in business or in the yoga studio. Seriously! We don't have to book our schedules out on a daily basis. We don't have to run around from appointment to appointment. I find myself some days rushing to get to yoga - cutting people off only to run to the back to get my coveted spot to end up with one minute to spare in child's pose. Why? Why am I trying to do too much at one time? This is not healthy for me and I don't recommend it.
We've been told since we were kids to give it our 100% which I believe has really messed us up.
It's ok to give your 1%. You're showing up. And when you continue to show up day after day -small accomplishments turn into big ones just as practicing yoga regularly will change your body, soul and mind little by little.
Nothing has to happen overnight.
And if you were like me in my younger days, when you don't give 100% at least don't beat yourself up for it. Focus on what you did accomplish, what you are happy about, what you are thankful for and how you showed up.
The next thing Robin said...
2.) Remember to breathe - it will help you
when you're in a tough pose which will teach you how to get through a tough
time in your life
For anyone that has ever had to publically speak, you know that taking deep belly breaths can be the difference between a well composed speech and passing out.
Yoga is all about the breath.
Deep Dark Vader breaths through the nose and out the nose. We all have lifted a large conch shell to our ears and heard the sounds of the sea...that's what I want my breath to sound like. This goes a long way in business and in life, too. Breathing deeply slows down your heart rate which comes in really handy when you're in a stressful meeting, uncomfortable setting or pitching a prospective client.
When Robin reminds us to breathe in our poses it always reminds me how I have the opportunity to breathe through the difficult times in my business.
In my younger years, I was quick to react and didn't give myself time to breathe, relax, sit back and compose myself and my responses. Breathing obviously happens naturally but breathing deeply and intentionally takes focus and practice. As we learn how to breathe in our poses on our mats we also learn that taking that breath out of the studio will help us conquer more than we can imagine in weekly business settings and definitely in life in general.
For anyone that has ever had to publically speak, you know that taking deep belly breaths can be the difference between a well composed speech and passing out.
Yoga is all about the breath.
Deep Dark Vader breaths through the nose and out the nose. We all have lifted a large conch shell to our ears and heard the sounds of the sea...that's what I want my breath to sound like. This goes a long way in business and in life, too. Breathing deeply slows down your heart rate which comes in really handy when you're in a stressful meeting, uncomfortable setting or pitching a prospective client.
When Robin reminds us to breathe in our poses it always reminds me how I have the opportunity to breathe through the difficult times in my business.
In my younger years, I was quick to react and didn't give myself time to breathe, relax, sit back and compose myself and my responses. Breathing obviously happens naturally but breathing deeply and intentionally takes focus and practice. As we learn how to breathe in our poses on our mats we also learn that taking that breath out of the studio will help us conquer more than we can imagine in weekly business settings and definitely in life in general.
Thank you, Robin, for your words...they carry
outside the studio!
Diane Michael, Communications Director for The Callan Group is combining marketing strategies and life lessons learned on her mat. Diane is blending her yoga practice with her entrepreneurial skills to motivate and empower others. It's all about how balance can build a better life!
GOOLGE+ & INSTAGRAM - Our New BFF's
By Diane Michael, Communications Director for The Callan Group located in the Daytona Beach area
The Callan Group is now offering a wide variety of communication services. Since our beginnings in 2008 our clients have requested that we take on more than just email newsletters.
By Diane Michael, Communications Director for The Callan Group located in the Daytona Beach area
The Callan Group is now offering a wide variety of communication services. Since our beginnings in 2008 our clients have requested that we take on more than just email newsletters.
For the first five years we wanted to dedicate
our full attention into being the best email service provider possible.
Since our email newsletters create not only
retention but new business, expanding into the social media market was a smooth
transition.
Our ghost writers are already writing creative content for clients so expanding that message into other mediums makes perfect sense and we are already seeing a significant response from clients.
Our ghost writers are already writing creative content for clients so expanding that message into other mediums makes perfect sense and we are already seeing a significant response from clients.
We can handle your presence on Facebook and
Twitter which is necessary for every business.
It's also necessary to keep these fresh and updated!
It's also necessary to keep these fresh and updated!
What we do that we feel is a bit different in
those sites...
We create info graphics that typically get more
likes.
We change our client’s banners and profile pics
monthly.
We create posts needed for the client - some
industries like restaurants and retail need more posts than others. We identify
what would be best for the client.
Remember, Entrepreneur Magazine announced that only 6% of posts are being read!
Think about that as a business who posts 3 times a week.
Remember, Entrepreneur Magazine announced that only 6% of posts are being read!
Think about that as a business who posts 3 times a week.
We come up with creative campaigns to encourage
more likes, shares and comments.
But we are REALLY INTO GOOGLE+ and INSTAGRAM!
These are the social media sites we are
promoting, promoting, promoting! (See our sketch and vLog below!)
Google+ may not have many of your peeps
involved YET but it's helping your organic rankings on Google better than any
other social site!
So what does that mean???
It means if you're not on Google+ and posting
at the minimum of once a month and you are a business - YOU ARE WRONG!
I can list all the benefits of Google+ but if
you don't take my word for it, Google "how does Google+ benefit my
business" and get informed!
Loving me some Instagram!
So not only can you be super creative with a
few click click clicks, you can also post videos and be found by people all
over!
I'm seeing more and more national businesses
focus on Instagram by posting their promotions on an almost daily basis! It’s
fun, interactive and can lead to new business, conversations and a more unique
creative presence online!
So where are you going to find the time to keep
up with all this?
Things that make you go hmmmm!!!
Things that make you go hmmmm!!!
The Callan Group is a team of creative ghost
writers who will embrace your marketing plan, create new concepts to attract
business AND keep you in front of your clients on a regular basis resulting in
retention!
We become an extension of your marketing team
with a passionate focus on your goals!Learn how we can help today! Contact Diane at 386-538-1083!
Publix – Where Shopping is a Pleasure
Publix – Where Shopping is a
Pleasure
Written By: Julie O'Flaherty - Creative Writer for The Callan Group
Written By: Julie O'Flaherty - Creative Writer for The Callan Group
The chances are, if you live in the South you probably do your grocery shopping at Publix. I do, along with 100,000’s of other Floridians, and the reasons why are plentiful.
There’s something to be said about a chain grocery store that you can walk into anytime, any location and know that you will be welcomed by a smiling face, a cheery greeting (in my own store they even remember my name!), gleaming, clean displays and what we all want when we go grocery shopping….the best, freshest produce, well stocked shelves and an ever increasing selection of new products. On that note, have you noticed all the new organic products available in your local Publix store? The Publix GreenWise Market Selection consists of foods and products that are either all natural or organic. Look out for the GreenWise displays in your local store; they showcase new food and household products regularly.
My first stop at Publix is flowers, a little indulgent maybe, but with such vibrant selections and so many seasonal choices they do make it difficult to resist spoiling yourself, or a loved one. For just a few dollars I can mix and match my favorite flowers into a simple, beautiful arrangement. During the holiday season this is where I get everything I need for my holiday table displays, all under one roof and at a great price too. If you haven’t taken the time to browse the plants and flowers at your local store, take a few minutes next time. You might be surprised at what you can create!
Note, the whole time I’m
looking at the flowers my nose is following the bakery. On a good day I’m able
to walk right past the glass case display of chocolate dipped strawberries and
boston crème filled doughnuts. I do not walk past the freshly baked bread
however, that’s impossible.
Of course, no trip to Publix is complete without a trip to the Deli. Showcasing Boars Head meats and cheeses it’s a veritable smorgasbord for the carnivore sandwich maker in you! And if sliced to perfection meats and cheese are not on your shopping list, maybe you are a chicken lover? Great news for you! There’s always a choice of mouthwatering rotisserie chickens available for that last minute dinner or for those of us abandoning our diets, there’s the double hand breaded fried chicken. It may just be the best fried chicken this side of the Mississippi.
I’m certain one of the common reasons we all love our local Publix, is the staff. It seems to me that they are all happy in their work, which quite honestly you just don’t see every day. Their smiles are not surprising either. As the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States, Publix is right up there when it comes to employee satisfaction, boasting the serious accolade of being one of FORTUNE’s “100 best companies to work for” for the last 16 years, amongst many others. Not too shabby. Also impressive, is the fact that in Florida alone Publix Supermarkets employ over 110,000 people in their 755 stores.
As for playing a part in the community, Publix have continued in the spirit of their founder, George Jenkins, whom founded Publix with the spirit of giving in mind. In addition to giving to 1000’s of local projects Publix annually supports five organizations in company wide campaigns: Special Olympics, March of Dimes, Children's Miracle Network,United Way and Food for All.
Do you know what else I admire Publix for? They never gave in to the loyalty card program fad. I really dislike having to fumble to locate a dog eared piece of plastic on my keychain to get the same deal at a competitor’s supermarket that I would get at Publix without said dog eared piece of plastic. So, thank you dear Publix for keeping your prices such that we don’t need to carry a loyalty card. I for one don’t need a card to be loyal. I will however continue to enjoy the buy one, get one promotions , the weekly deals and the everyday value of Publix.
Thank you George Jenkins for your legacy, the ethic on which Publix Supermarkets was born lives on today.
My first week as the Director of Business Development for the Callan Group
My
first week as the Director of Business Development for the Callan Group
By: Jamie Bartholomew
Marathons
are not my thing. In fact, I don't run at all--let alone run MARATHONS.
However, here I found myself, starting my journey with the Callan Group as
their new Director of Business Development, running a MARATHON! We started
the week off on a Friday, (which is a great and terrible idea all wrapped in to
one), meeting with DME in Daytona Beach. We discussed new and exciting business
opportunities for us to venture in to for the coming year. Together, I know we
can make it truly successful for all of us!!
And
thus, the weekend arrives and quickly ends, with Monday culminating with my
"official" training. I happen to have a wonderful trainer and coach
for my "Marathon", Diane Michael. Diane and I share something in
common: one of our first jobs out of school was with the American Cancer
Society. It is literally the best training that any young professional
could have. You are expected to do a little bit everything: recruit new
business, market and handle all public relations for your event and
manage/set up an event that is expected to run for at least 18 hours, sun
up to sun down. Needless to say--it is a daunting task, and quite honestly, it
is it's own marathon of sorts. When we worked for ACS, we were both up to
this task and excelled at it!! We met a ton of awesome and inspiring people and
learned so much, while giving back to a passionate cause.
Fast
forward to today: I am a working mom of a bubbly and energetic 4 year old boy,
I am new to the community (I hail from Gainesville, FL) and I am not sure
WHAT to expect with my new position. But let me tell you--so far, working for
the Callan Group has been a total treat! Within the span of one week, I have
met many fabulous, wonderful and successful people. Many of them own a small
business, which is something that I am personally accustomed
to (my father and my husband are small business owners). I feel
passionate about helping small businesses market to the ever expanding
community, doing whatever it takes to let everyone know in the community that
we are here and ready to help you!
To contact Jamie email her or call 352-318-7799.
To contact Jamie email her or call 352-318-7799.
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