tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67723562883999828732024-03-19T05:36:19.763-07:00Ideas. Words. ResultsTurning your big dreams into manageable realities since 2010. JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-45654241704486283952014-11-30T23:57:00.000-08:002015-01-16T09:17:18.183-08:00Little girl with autism is turned away from Santa because of pit bull service dog<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FOR
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Orange County Grinch disguised as
Santa attempts to ruin Christmas </span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Little girl with autism is turned away from Santa because of pit bull
service dog</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Mission
Viejo, California, US November 30, 2014<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XG2fRnIHYQ8/VHwdU52OUCI/AAAAAAAAmLY/ur3JW3JCZMM/s1600/pupcake%2Bthe%2Bservice%2Bdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XG2fRnIHYQ8/VHwdU52OUCI/AAAAAAAAmLY/ur3JW3JCZMM/s1600/pupcake%2Bthe%2Bservice%2Bdog.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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A little girl with autism waited patiently in line today
to meet Santa; not to ask Santa for anything but to ask Santa what he wanted
himself for Christmas.<br />
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Autism is accompanied by many sensory issues, included self-harm behaviors and
feeling overwhelmed at times by lights, sounds, especially when waiting; Pup-cake
the service dog’s job is to intervene in those moments. <br />
<br />
A family should be celebrating tonight the accomplishment of a child who waited
over thirty minutes today at The Shops in Mission Viejo to meet Santa. To her
dismay, Santa was afraid of her service dog, a sweet pit bull with as patient a
disposition as Abcde, only to be turned away due to what we can only assume is
the influence of BSL (breed specific legislation). After the Santos family
offered to remove the dog from the area, the building, Santa still refused to
see the child; sending her away heartbroken leaving a family to comfort a child
instead of celebrating her accomplishments. <br />
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The family is dealing with the law-breaking Santa imposter and his Elf
assistant, and has contacted Simon Property Group and management at The Shops
at Mission Viejo; their goal is primarily and always to educate and inform
those ignorant of the American Disabilities Act to ensure there are no more
victims. <br />
<br />
<b>Tonight, in the hopes of reigniting the
holiday spirit in a crushed child, I ask one favor. </b><br />
<br />
Please get out your best Elf costumes, your Santa hats, your beards, your
jingle bells and reindeers and bring on the holiday cheer! Let’s rally together and show Abcde that the
REAL Santa, in fact, LOVES her <i>and</i>
her dog. Then she can consume these videos in her time in her own home.<br />
<br />
Please share your videos using #savePupcakesChristmas and share to your social
media. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook – we’ll find them! Yes, Abcde, there really is a Santa Claus…
and he LOVES Pup-cake.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">The Santos
family is declining all interviews at this time.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br />
If you would like more information, please contact Julie Miller at </span></i><a href="mailto:info@ladyluckllc.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">info@ladyluckllc.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">. <i><br />
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Julie Marie Miller<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><b>Media Relations<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><b>Pup-cake the Service Dog<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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@pupcaketheservicedog</b>
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comMission Viejo, CA, USA33.6000232 -117.6719952999999933.3884227 -117.99471879999999 33.811623700000005 -117.3492718tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-47626442356091829212013-10-28T13:57:00.004-07:002015-01-16T09:17:49.352-08:00OCTOBER IS AWARENESS MONTH: "He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened."~Lao Tzu <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5lZqUZvOx0/Um7D8c24toI/AAAAAAAAP3g/a1wtXJeuEFQ/s1600/kristen+glitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5lZqUZvOx0/Um7D8c24toI/AAAAAAAAP3g/a1wtXJeuEFQ/s200/kristen+glitter.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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Riiiight...? Uh no. Life would be so much simpler if memes like this were true. Memes provide temporary relief through lightheartedness or sarcasm or humor. We all love 'em... well most of us do.<br />
<br />
The month of October is a month of <b>AWARENESS</b> that covers many themes:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!</li>
<li>October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month</li>
<li>October is National Information Literacy Awareness Month</li>
<li>Breast Cancer Awareness Month</li>
<li>National Apple Month</li>
<li>National Physical Therapy Month</li>
<li>Eye Safety and Injury Prevention Month</li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2013 as National Domestic Violence</span></li>
</ul>
And the one I endlessly promote, <b>Pit Bull Awareness Month</b>.<br />
<br />
Are we feeling AWARE yet? This doesn't even include the awareness weeks or days that also take place during the month of October. I probably even missed a few. I definitely have a theme going this month and it's been across the board - professionally, personally, even romantically - which brought me to the questions about awareness:<br />
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<b><i>Are you about to RUIN it for everyone else?</i></b><br />
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OR</div>
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<b><i>Will your actions make it BETTER for everyone else?</i></b><br />
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Does "everyone else" even matter to you? In my mind, they do and call it non-youthful wisdoem but with time and experience comes clarity and with wisdom comes compassion as I wholeheartedly ascribe to this quote by Robert Baden-Powell:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"Leave this world a little better than you found it."</i></b></span><br />
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So although I would like to announce and promote a national campaign called "<b>Quit Ruining it for Everyone Else Awareness Month</b>," (week or day), let's just discuss it here. I could elaborate with anecdotal instances and experiences as examples of what I am speaking to, but I think we can all muster up our own examples along with feelings of being slighted, ignored, overlooked, unheard or blatantly being disregarded that leave you feeling frustrated or lashing out. The bottom line is that as humans we seek fairness; that things need to just, equitable, honest, upright, honorable, trustworthy. So let me pause and ask that instead of pointing fingers at your colleagues, your co-workers, your volunteers or your family members, I am going to ask that you instead reflect inward. It's a difficult concept to truly grasp and put into place, but consider the only person whom you have control over and sit with this for a moment;<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Only YOU are responsible for YOUR choices.</span></b></div>
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Choices have consequences not only for the choice-makers but those who are affected by those choices. I have learned, sometimes painfully, sometimes at the expense of my own ego, to<br />
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STOP.</div>
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THINK.</div>
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(usually) BREATHE.</div>
Then ACT (or not) upon the answers I've gained through posing those questions above to myself.<br />
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Once you gain clarity (and <i>IMAGINE</i> if everyone else gained the same type of clarity) how much easier our business and personal dealings would become? <br />
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We can all try to be a little more AWARE, right?<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff9e7; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">#smallbusiness #charity #nonprofit #success #patience, #smallbusiness #consulting #networking #entrepreneurs #choices #</span><span style="color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">awareness</span></div>
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-37835094995926165162013-09-19T10:53:00.003-07:002015-01-16T09:13:50.483-08:00"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In response to commentary on this thread on the <a href="http://lakeelsinore-wildomar.patch.com/groups/pets-and-animals/p/toms-farms-accused-of-discrimination-against-pit-bull-service-dog" target="_blank">LakeElsinore-Wildomar Patch</a><br />
<br />
Your attempts to get under my skin have succeeded: <i><b>"to use a disabled child as a prop in a PR stunt is truly a new low for pit bull promoters"</b></i> and <i style="font-weight: bold;">"at the expense of both the child and the pit bull."</i><br />
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In follow up to the originally posted article, I sent a request to Toni McAllister, Editor, providing and requesting corrected links be added to the article; she opted to remove links altogether instead.<br />
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<b>Here's my reply:</b><br />
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I have a very visible and <a href="http://shortywood.com/julie" target="_blank">public bio</a> (in PR we call it research and fact-finding): "Julie founded and served as president of a nationally recognized all breed, all age, all size animal rescue. Her foresight when requesting non-profit status created several sub-divisions of her corporation; a program designed to raise Pit Bull puppies as therapy dogs for children with autism (BullNannies); a program to place senior dogs with retired individuals at reduced adoption fees, if any (Rescue Retirement); an online auction site (Bow Wow Bid Now); a retail store (Bones & Scones featuring Beauregard Stubbs' products - a collaboration with her business partner) that created a profit center to fund the non-profit activities."<br />
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I closed my doors and dissolved ^^^said rescue on December 8, 2009 in order to focus on my children (whom all have autism spectrum disorders, by the way) concurrent with a divorce. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BullNannies" target="_blank">BullNannies</a> is the only PROGRAM - not company, not corporation, not business - that remained because it was near and dear to my heart; you could refer to it as an "activity" or a "labor of love" or "volunteering" or "fostering." I have never charged for the service, because it's simply my pleasure. I've raised dozens of pit bulls to be SOCIAL in order to assess and prepare them to become therapy dogs; their service dog training occurs after they leave my care. Some go on to become service dogs, some do not. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog" target="_blank">Pup-cake</a> for Rock Da Mullet, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Official-Fan-Page-of-Sebastian-Saraceno/250798841817" target="_blank">Sebastian Saraceno</a>'s DaVinci and several others have earned this classification by the appropriate and necessary means (and expense) through the proper channels. We have only rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed about 600ish dogs over the past ten years, however I was hired by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShortyRossiFanPage" target="_blank">Mr. Rossi</a> for my business consulting skills. I have never claimed to be a dog trainer; nowhere in my bio, my site, my history have I, will I, or do I claim to be a dog trainer; I do, however, hire them on occasion. <br />
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During my nonprofit all breed, all age, all size animal rescue days (back in the day when most "all breed rescues" excluded bully breeds "for insurance reasons") I worked as a volunteer, alongside the other 30+ volunteers; i.e. no one at our corporation took salaries although that is legally permitted. I was the primary fundraiser and learned, after its closure, that this particular skill could be used to help others without having to care-take dozens of dogs daily. I moved out of dog-raising and care-taking and moved over to public relations, marketing and professional fundraising for others. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://shortyscharities.org/" target="_blank">Shorty's Charities Inc </a>is a registered 501(c)(3) charity in the state of California (the IRS spelled it wrong "Shorty's Charieties" and our attorney is working on fixing that, so our hope is that GuideStar will be corrected soon as well). Shorty Rossi has been my client for nearly four years.<br />
<br />
The only thing we gain from this is doing what Shorty's Charities was created to do; <b><i>Creating a strong voice against stereotyping and stigma. We do not seek your pity and don’t appreciate your prejudice. We are here to help one discrimination case at a time through education, enlightenment and fight, if necessary, for the underdogs of the world.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b>I do not work for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, nor Pit Boss; my client does. I do work for Shorty's Charities, as I am the co-founder and serve currently in the corporate officer position of Secretary. As a PR rep and independent contractor, I have the ability and right to donate my skill-set to whomever I deem worthwhile of my time.<br />
<br />
<i>Julie Miller-Hernandez</i><br />
Mother. Writer. Ally.<br />
www.ladyluckpr.com<br />
facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting<br />
@JulieforShortys<br />
<br />
Aaaaaand...<br />
Founder of BullNannies, a Labor of Love <br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To show support for my personal friends and family subjected to this set of circumstances, please like<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;">www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog</a><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://shortyscharities.org/press" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Downloadable versions </a>of our press release on behalf of our client, Shorty's Charities<br />
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To donate to Shorty's Charities, visit </span><a href="http://shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;">www.shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them</a></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller-Hernandez, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllccom/" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img alt=" Julie Marie Miller Lady Luck Consulting LLC" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a> </span><br />
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-30171219304433570642013-09-18T21:04:00.003-07:002015-01-16T09:14:29.018-08:00A stiff apology is a second insult... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt. Gilbert K. Chesterton<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
It's been a whirlwind the past 48 hours, fielding messages, phone calls and writing up additional statements for the family that was wronged as we patiently wait for the right. The right that may never come.<br />
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Nonetheless, the staff at Lady Luck Consulting doesn't mind late nights, early mornings and busy days because if you <i>"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."</i> - Confucius<br />
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The hardest part of putting yourself out there, even when it is to right a wrong, you take risks, low blows and hard punches. All in a day's work. Nothing can deter you from something you wholeheartedly believe in. With this I bring you, press release number two this week from Shorty's Charities:<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Tom’s Farms responds to accusations of discrimination
against autistic child’s pit bull service dog</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"> <br />
</span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Shorty Rossi says this is not good
enough. All the Santos family asked for was for an apology and to educate,
enlighten and inform this business establishment of their discriminatory
practices</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Corona, California, US September 18, 2013<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You have yet to make a public apology to the parents,
child and, YES, even to the service animal. While you state you have
changed the policy (without stating said changes) please understand that a
policy and a law have nothing to do with each other therefore your said changes
are irrelevant. “<i>Clarify(</i></span></span><span class="spellingerror"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ing)</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> (y)our
policies and </span></i></span><span class="spellingerror"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">provid</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(</span></i></span><span class="spellingerror"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ing)</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> specific training to (y)our staff</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">” have nothing to do with the fact
that you are not above the law. Mr. Santos came to you over 45 days ago
to let you know about how a manager treated his mentally handicap daughter and
her service animal with absolutely no response from your company, your
managers, your owners nor your staff. The Santos family came to you on a
friendly basis (we have well documented communication) to help you understand
what you chose to put his daughter through. The Santos family even offered to
assist with training your employee during that time (we have well documented
communication) yet your business establishment chose to ignore the offer. So
alas, we do not see anything that has changed for the better as of today, 46
days later, however we look forward to seeing something soon. </span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Statement from the Santos family:</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="margin-left: .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“It has come to the attention of the Santos family that as
of late, Tom’s Farms has been provided with an abundance of information in
regards to the laws that pertain to the disabled and their Service Animals. We
understand that there are many laws/rules/regulations that may be hard to
understand and implement. We fully understand that we cannot force you to
want to be better or to do better. That is a choice; one that is on the
shoulders of your business needs to make for itself. However, always
remember that our previous offer to work alongside you in regards to the PROPER
employee training on such sensitive topics will always be available to
you. While visiting Tom’s Farms is not something we plan on doing any
time soon for obvious reasons, please know that we will do so if it means that
we will be helping you train your employees so that we are the ONLY family to
every go through such discrimination and humiliation.</span></i></span><span class="eop"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Here is to an open mind and a patient heart.</span></i></span><span class="eop"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Signed,</span></i></span><span class="eop"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Santos Family, also known as Pup-Cake’s leash racks”</span></i></span><span class="eop"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In summary, Shorty Rossi advised the Santos family that
“in the future, just call the police,” since according to California Code -
Section 54.1(a)(1) Access to public conveyances, places of public
accommodation, amusement or resort, and housing accommodations</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<br />
</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="normaltextrun"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Individuals with disabilities shall be entitled to full
and equal access, as other members of the general public, to accommodations,
advantages, facilities, medical facilities, including … places of public
accommodation, amusement, or resort, and other places to which the general
public is invited, subject only to the conditions and limitations established
by law, or state or federal regulation, and applicable alike to all persons.</span></i></span></blockquote>
<br />
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Shorty’s
Charities has been assured, since the beginning of its involvement with </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Pup-Cake the Service dog</span></a><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and the Santos family, that they have not once threatened
to file a lawsuit against nor have they sought money from Tom’s Farms. They
have consistently sought to educate, enlighten and inform Tom’s Farms’ in
regards to service dog treatment and requested an apology from the staff that
subjected their daughter to unnecessary distress. The Santos family sees no
other choice, at this time, than to contact the California Department of
Justice and file a complaint. All because the human element was removed
for public relations’ statements; all because they wanted to hear <i>“I’m sorry. How can we make this better for
everyone?”<br /><br /><br />
</i></span></span></div>
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<i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6C8Klh-PvsU/Ujp26VLtBRI/AAAAAAAAM8Y/JRiQoTqRzLA/s1600/keep+calm+and+educate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6C8Klh-PvsU/Ujp26VLtBRI/AAAAAAAAM8Y/JRiQoTqRzLA/s1600/keep+calm+and+educate.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">END</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">###</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
<br />
</span><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">If you would like more information or to
schedule an interview, please call Julie Hernandez at 818.850.2310 or email </span></i><a href="mailto:julie@shortyscharities.org"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">julie@shortyscharities.org</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><br />
<br />
Julie Marie Miller-Hernandez<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Director of
Marketing & Public Relations<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Secretary, Shorty's
Charities Inc., a nonprofit corporation<br />
www.shortyscharities.org<br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b></b></i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Seems simple enough, doesn't it?</b></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To show support for my personal friends and family subjected to this set of circumstances, please like<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;">www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog</a><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://shortyscharities.org/press" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Downloadable versions </a>of our press release on behalf of our client, Shorty's Charities<br /><br />To donate to Shorty's Charities, visit </span><a href="http://shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;">www.shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them</a></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller-Hernandez, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img alt=" Julie Marie Miller Lady Luck Consulting LLC" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">To continue to receive updates, please "like" us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">#smallbusiness</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> #charity #nonprofit #success #patience #shortyrossi #pitboss #autism #advocacy #discrimination #servicedog #pitbull</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
</div>
JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-42946405739006258562013-09-16T11:22:00.000-07:002015-01-16T09:20:37.941-08:00I don't always write stories that go viral, but when I do they're about autism and pit bulls.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQcf2CwOx38/UjdKyOwvlKI/AAAAAAAAM7c/ytCKi6aDBOU/s1600/neverunderstimate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQcf2CwOx38/UjdKyOwvlKI/AAAAAAAAM7c/ytCKi6aDBOU/s1600/neverunderstimate.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tom’s
Farms faces backlash from discrimination against autism service dog</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shorty Rossi, of Animal
Planet’s Pit Boss and non-profit, Shorty’s Charities, requests a formal apology
to family of autistic daughter whose service dog was asked to “leave the
premises”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Corona, California, US September 16, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It started off as any other day in
the life of a parent raising a child with autism. This particular woman, wife to </span><span class="null"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">guerrilla
marketing strategist </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">adviser</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and a weblebrity, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rockdamullet"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rock da Mullet</span></a><span class="null"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and mother to two, works daily as her daughter’s
guardian, protector, therapist, diligent parent, and simply wants to go about
her day without apologizing for a developmental disability that affects one (1)
out of 88 children.
Autism Spectrum Disorders are only as disabling as the limits set upon
them by society. Compound this by their
chosen trained and certified service dog being the most discriminated against
breed of dog in America; the pit bull terrier.
As Mrs. Ed Santos states, more often than a mother with a child who
requires having a service animal should have to</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">: <i>"This is a service animal. It is
allowed anywhere my daughter goes as she needs it…<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
an animal becomes an animal of service the breed is no longer recognized,
rather the service they provide. So this is not a pit bull this is an autism
service dog."<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tom’s
Farms’ website states:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">“Today, the property … include(s) a
variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions for <b>family entertainment</b>. Staying true to Tom's original
core values,… <b>visitors are
always welcome.</b> Tom wouldn't like it any other way.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But Tom would
not come when requested as his staff subjected the Santos family when they were
repeatedly asked to step outside. These
visitors in August, 2013, were not welcome; in fact, they were asked,
repeatedly, to leave. The following is a
recounting of the day, in their own words:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is my 2nd post to </span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tomsfarms"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tom's Farms FB page.</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I am still waiting for a reply from anyone from Tom's Farms regarding
this matter:<br />
<br />
“This correspondence is a follow up in regards to an injustice that took place
in the sweet shop on Saturday August 3rd. While my family and I were shopping
we were approached by a woman who stated she was the assistant manager and told
(not asked) us to leave. When I inquired as to why, she stated that dogs were
not allowed in the store. We informed her that the vested dog was a service
animal, offered appropriate identification for the service animal and offered
to answer any <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">questions she may have had. Due to my willingness to
clear up any lack of understanding that she may have had, I am at a loss as to
why she then decided to call security on us all while yelling at my family and
repeating "leave".<br />
<br />
“I cannot even begin to express to you how hard it is for a mentally handicap
child to be aggressively cornered in the way we were, you see, not only is my
daughter mentally handicap she has various other issues as well. Issues that we
tried to explain to the assistant manager, however I assumed she could not hear
us over her yelling. I would like to assume that any employee of Tom's Farms
would have the basic understanding that if a person has the need for a service
animal their lives are hard enough already without being placed in position to
feel as if they are less than anybody else.<br />
<br />
“We try our best to provide our daughter with the independent freedom she
deserves all while not bothering the world around us and the situation that I
speak off took that opportunity away from her. While I could continue with
"he said she said" I am choosing a different path in regards to this
scenario. There are an excessive amount of laws that pertain to service animals
and the disabled. It is painfully apparent that Tom's Farms is not aware of
them and I would like to assist with rectifying that.<br />
<br />
“So at this time I come to you and offer my assistance in regards to the proper
training of ALL employees. I can assist you in the training of service animal
identification as well as sensitivity training to ensure that my family is the
only family that is discriminated against on your property. I sincerely hope
you take the above situation seriously and strive to not only set but reach a
new standard of equality not only for your patrons but for your employees as
well. I look forward to hearing from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shorty Rossi faces similar discrimination throughout
his travels on the Shorty Rossi and Hercules’ tours. One of his primary goals
with </span><a href="http://shortyscharities.org/about-us"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shorty’s
Charities Inc.,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> a newly approved 501(c)(3) charity in the
state of California, is to keep pit bulls in their homes where they belong, as
well as to educate, enlighten and inform individuals, and companies, about
responsible Bully Breed Guardianship.<br />
<br />
Tom’s Farms owes the Santos family a public apology and to be informed enough
to improve their business’ practices in regards to service dog rights. We are
simply asking for the opportunity to enlighten them, because discrimination
bites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>If you would like more information or to
schedule an interview, please call Julie Hernandez at 818.850.2310 or email </i></span><a href="mailto:julie@shortyscharities.org"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">julie@shortyscharities.org</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><br />
<br />
Julie Marie Miller-Hernandez<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Director of
Marketing & Public Relations<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Secretary, Shorty's
Charities Inc., a nonprofit corporation<br />
www.shortyscharities.org<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To show support for my personal friends and family subjected to this set of circumstances, please like<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog">www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog</a><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://shortyscharities.org/press" target="_blank">Downloadable versions </a>of our press release on behalf of our client, Shorty's Charities<br /><br />To donate to Shorty's Charities, visit </span><a href="http://shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them">www.shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them</a></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img alt=" Julie Marie Miller Lady Luck Consulting LLC" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">To continue to receive updates, please "like" us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">#smallbusiness</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> #charity #nonprofit #success #patience #shortyrossi #pitboss #autism #advocacy #discrimination #servicedog #pitbull</span></span></span></span></div>
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-55302154343195384192013-09-10T09:23:00.002-07:002015-01-16T09:13:06.073-08:00"It is difficult to be patient but to waste the rewards for patience is worse." ~ Abu Bakr <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here at <a href="http://www.ladyluckpr.com/" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting </a>we write press releases regularly. We write website content, we write slogans, marketing campaigns... you name it, we write.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnbU36ISsGE/Ui9H6rRg2JI/AAAAAAAAM64/8FtYds19384/s1600/slogan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnbU36ISsGE/Ui9H6rRg2JI/AAAAAAAAM64/8FtYds19384/s1600/slogan.jpg" /></a></div>
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Slogans are something that are intended to be catchy yet I usually end up attaching great meaning behind my short, three to five word quips. I wrote one three years, seven months ago after speaking with a gentleman who had faced discrimination his entire life, compounded by self-inflicted struggles leading to him becoming a felon and, on top of it, he decides to add a service dog to his life for his back problems; he couldn't pick a Golden Retriever, but went with a bully breed. More discrimination. It didn't take long to have this short slogan pop into my head "Because Discrimination Bites." He loved it. Seemingly everyone did but I wonder if people let it sink in? I wonder if they understand the depth of emotional turmoil this man has gone through in his life that lead me to come up with this after hearing his story for the first time?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IOxsvO1AQg/Ui9HDmHtumI/AAAAAAAAM6w/NC6GSfuFEIU/s1600/shortyscharitieslogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IOxsvO1AQg/Ui9HDmHtumI/AAAAAAAAM6w/NC6GSfuFEIU/s1600/shortyscharitieslogo.jpg" /></a>It doesn't matter. It stuck.<br />
<br />
I try to celebrate even the smallest of victories with my small business - a story going viral, the media contacting me to ask "what's up? got any good story leads?" - but when something this profound happens, it isn't just a moment to celebrate it is a genuine victory, it's a moment to pause and be thankful for the future of the cause with which you've fallen deeply in love.<br />
<br />
So with this I offer the following press release that I have written an hundred times in my head over the past three years, seven months:<br />
<br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Shorty Rossi, Pit Boss, receives designation as nonprofit</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shorty’s Charities Inc.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Los Angeles,
California, US September 6, 2013<br />
<br />
Since 2010, you've known Luigi Francis Shorty Rossi as the Pit Boss on
Discovery Channel's Animal Planet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shorty Rossi
has subsequently become the national spokesperson and unwavering ally for bully
breeds and a voice against breed specific legislation. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It's been
three (long) years in seeking this designation and recognition but we moved
forward with our pursuit to help injured, homeless and abandoned bully breeds
in our efforts to provide financial, physical and monetary support to the smaller,
local pit bull rescues across the nation. We have not wavered from this goal,
holding true to our mission statement:<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>"Creating
a strong voice against stereotyping and stigma. We do not seek your pity and
don't appreciate your prejudice. We are here to help one discrimination case at
a time through education, enlightenment and to fight, if necessary, for the
underdogs of the world."</i><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is with
great anticipation and pride that I am pleased to announce, as of September 4th
2013, Shorty's Charities Inc has been approved and is now recognized as a
501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At this
time, I'd like to take the opportunity to formally introduce to you, Shorty
Rossi the philanthropist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">If
you'd like more information or to schedule an interview with one of our
corporate officers, please call Julie Hernandez at 818.850.2310 or email </span></i><a href="mailto:julie@shortyscharities.org"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">julie@shortyscharities.org</span></i></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
<br /><br />Julie Marie Miller-Hernandez</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Director of Marketing & Public Relations</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Secretary, Shorty's Charities Inc., a nonprofit
corporation</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVgeNPz70tc/Ui9G1X7P9gI/AAAAAAAAM6o/y-RrCPLsTN0/s1600/patience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVgeNPz70tc/Ui9G1X7P9gI/AAAAAAAAM6o/y-RrCPLsTN0/s1600/patience.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /><br /><br /></span></i><span style="background-color: #7f6f3f; color: #3f2f00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #3f2f00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img alt=" Julie Marie Miller Lady Luck Consulting" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a> </span><br />
<br style="background-color: #7f6f3f; color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;" />
<span style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #3f2f00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold;">To continue to receive updates, please "like" us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #7f6f3f; color: #3f2f00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; font-size: xx-small;">#smallbusiness</span><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> #charity #nonprofit #success #patience #shortyrossi #pitboss</span></span></span></div>
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-30290311044082641562013-08-15T09:24:00.002-07:002015-01-16T09:21:31.904-08:00The hands that help are holier than the lips that pray. ~ Robert Green Ingersoll<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If one is sincere about wanting to help (and most of us are when we do), it makes more sense to offer specific help rather than just to make a general offer.<br />
<br />
We've all heard it. <br />
We've all said it.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"Let me know if you need anything."</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XcJBgkOz-d0/UgxkvACJB0I/AAAAAAAAL4c/MRnawPaJd7s/s1600/Vague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XcJBgkOz-d0/UgxkvACJB0I/AAAAAAAAL4c/MRnawPaJd7s/s1600/Vague.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a>In personal matters this can make you feel even more overwhelmed than the reason (or look on your face) that prompted the person to make this offer. People don't normally say this randomly, it's usually prompted by a rant, venting session or an obvious need for assistance. "Letting someone know if you need anything" requires more work to already burdened mood; then you have come up with a list (whether written or mental) of the things that need to get done so you can <i>FIND</i> something in order to <i>TELL </i>someone what they <i>CAN </i>do to help. When your head is already spinning, the last thing you want to do is analyze what someone who's offered help can do to decrease your load, so most of usually say <br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> "Thanks, but I'm..."</span></i><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGsgxXp-Wec/UgxsTeKJoQI/AAAAAAAAL5A/0cmB8kP0tB0/s1600/imfine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGsgxXp-Wec/UgxsTeKJoQI/AAAAAAAAL5A/0cmB8kP0tB0/s1600/imfine.jpg" height="114" width="200" /></a><i><br /></i><br />
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<i><br /></i>
In business, it's downright frustrating especially if you're a Type A, let's get this sh*t done (like yours truly). I'm going to return to using personal life examples in an attempt to make my point as most of us can relate to those best.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gkXwIAQU5Y/UgxlQxQOuwI/AAAAAAAAL4s/vS87g2PW3qI/s1600/keep-calm-and-ask-for-help-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gkXwIAQU5Y/UgxlQxQOuwI/AAAAAAAAL4s/vS87g2PW3qI/s1600/keep-calm-and-ask-for-help-5.png" height="200" width="170" /></a>If you've joined a committee, whether it be a sports team, moms group or PTA, you know the circles those quick meetings can potentially spin into, fast, and you end the session wondering if anything was truly accomplished. I hate that feeling because you showed up to help and left a little more confused than when you arrived for volunteer duty.<br />
<br />
When working within a volunteer organization, your business dealings, hell even friendships it is extremely helpful to be <b><u>very</u></b> specific.<br />
<br />
If you genuinely have help to offer try...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"Let me pick up the ice cream cake on the way to the party. </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Will you make sure to pay for it before I arrive?" </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
You have offered help with a specific task you're aware needs fulfilling, you've set a boundary for your offer and explained that you're not in a position to foot the bill. Plus you're driving right by Baskin Robbins on your way up to the party AND have offered relief by eliminating one less, time sensitive task for the hostess.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"I've got fifty extra bucks in my wallet, hand me your grocery list. </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>I'll be back in 20 minutes."</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
You went by your buddy's house who's down in the dumps over his recent divorce. You see empty containers of Cup O' Soup on the counter and spoiled milk in the fridge. You've got a little time and money to spare to help a friend out, especially knowing it's his weekend with his kids. Don't ask. Just tell, then do. Done.</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"I'm going to be at the (_______) at 2 pm anyway, I'll pick up your kids today. </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Should I drop them off at your house or...?"</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
You notice the kids of the mom, who recently had to return to full time job, always being the last ones to be picked up from school. You know times are tough and you're there every day, on time, to pick up your two in the car you own that seats eight. I'm not suggesting you become a free bus service or offer free day care, but if you know you're helping out someone during a rough transition, don't offer vague help (<i>"Sorry things are so rough, let me know if you need anything!"</i>), instead offer minor, specific relief. Now if mom shows up with the smell of cocktails on her breath about four hours later, don't make this offer twice, but you <i>may</i> want to speak to the school counselor.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you're the person in need (or in charge) state clearly:<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"I need three people to set up the snack booth at the football game on Friday nights, two to set up one to tear down. There are two two-hour shifts at the home games. Please check the (sport's) calendar and sign up for one or both shifts."</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
I love being on the receiving end of requests like these and, quite frankly, I reply more quickly than I would to a request for volunteers with only a date mentioned for fear I may have volunteered all of my Friday nights away (again).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"ABC Corp donated (______) last year to (your group) and you, Johnny, work right next door. Could you please go by on Tuesday and confirm that we can count on them again this year?"</b></i></div>
<br />
One simple, convenient task instead of a long list that every looks at and passes on to the person sitting next to them with a shoulder shrug.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now let's do an example at work:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"Board members are coming in Tuesday. Order lunch for ten under $150. Delivered by noon to east conference room. Put it on (corporate officer)'s expense account." </b></i></div>
<br />
I can't begin to tell you how many execs say "order a nice lunch" without any of the details, leaving you to wonder if it's too elaborate, too expensive, too cheap or even enough food.<br />
<br />
It's pretty simple yet we all fall victim to this trap with our I'd-LOVE-to-helps and our let-me-know-if-you-need-anythings.<br />
<br />
The moral of this story is BE SPECIFIC.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"No problem can be solved until it is </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>reduced to some simple form."</b> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">~John Pierpont Morgan</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R57zNHUYJJc/UgxlO1pBQNI/AAAAAAAAL4k/1FjydBJMIXA/s1600/findaneed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R57zNHUYJJc/UgxlO1pBQNI/AAAAAAAAL4k/1FjydBJMIXA/s1600/findaneed.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #7f6f3f; color: #3f2f00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #7f6f3f; color: #3f2f00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more" style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #7f7f7f; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; text-decoration: none;"></a><br style="background-color: #ffeebe; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;" /></span><span style="background-color: #7f6f3f; color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;"></span><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #3f2f00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a> </span><br />
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-89452080962533743052013-07-27T09:00:00.000-07:002015-01-16T09:16:49.244-08:00 "Give people the opportunity to be kind, they will be." ~Julie Miller-Hernandez<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I occasionally quote myself, yes: Give people the opportunity to be kind, they will be.<br />
<i><br />
</i> <span class="hw" style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">volunteerism</span><span style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">noun</i><br />
<div style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;">
(Sociology) the principle of donating time and energy for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward</div>
</div>
<br />
<span class="hw" style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">charitable</span><span style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">adjective</i><br />
<div style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;">
<b>- </b>generous in giving to the needy</div>
<div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;">
<b>- </b>kind or lenient in one's attitude towards others</div>
</div>
<br />
<span class="hw" style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">benevolent </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">adjective</i><br />
<div style="background-color: font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;">
intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly</div>
</div>
<i><br />
</i> If I had to write down in order, my favorite type of work it would go something like this:<br />
1. Writing <i>(which I don't find nearly enough time to do lately)</i><br />
2. <a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/2013/05/crowdfundingcheatsheet.html" target="_blank">Fundraising</a><br />
3. Public Speaking <i>(I've never really been called "shy")</i><br />
4. Product procurement <i>(Research and development really - ask me everything you ever wanted to know about bobblehead production... go ahead)</i><br />
5. Public Relations <i>(They always told me "sit down and be quiet, Julie" - it just never sunk in)</i><br />
6. Marketing <i>(The artistic gene passed through me to my children, nieces and nephews, but the creativity gene did not)</i><br />
7. Reputation Management <i>(Don't you be talkin' 'bout my friend like that!)</i><br />
8. Social Media Management <i>(Where there's a will, there's a PROPER way)</i><br />
<br />
For those of you who know me, this might surprise you, maybe not. Some of you might be thinking "I really could care less what you enjoy doing, Julie, did you finish that project's first draft yet?" I have had the opportunity of doing nearly all of the above on a regular basis since I began my business several years ago; on a much busier scale over the past year which I am very grateful for. I had the pleasure earlier this year of watching my daughter perform in <i><b>Annie Get Your Gun</b></i> which, ironically or maybe interestingly, has a song that relates to this blog: "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly."<br />
<br />
I also recently read an article about up and coming professions as well as professions on the outs which I found interesting considering I have a few good friends out of work right now whom have had to rediscover themselves; one has taken free workshops through the county as a resource to become gainfully employed again. In our mid-forties we are competing with young, ambitious, freshly and highly educated candidates vying for the same employment opportunities, having either come out of a four-year college or with a masters degree in hand; although nothing guarantees you a six figure job. I have friends using government programs to pay their mortgages right now. Times are tough. I was thankful to see my line of work on the "up and coming" list of the article.<br />
<br />
Business consulting comes naturally to me, especially in the non-profit sector, yet I hesitate to call myself a "business consultant" because I'm not confident nor arrogant enough not to know that there aren't brilliant minds out there and firms that are full of them. I love to brainstorm and I do have enough experience in enough areas to know a few things about a few things, so if you give me a moment of your time you might also have the opportunity of being entertained by someone who can rattle of marketing strategies and business concepts without pausing to take a breath. <br />
<br />
So I thought about it and decided to blog about what it is that I actually do on a daily basis in the thoughts that some of you might be seeking a new line of work; like my friend who made pretty good money, had benefits, 401k, a desk with a nice view, regular hours and is now researching the best resources for someone who's near poverty and hanging on by a desperate thread to their home. This brings me to my original point: VOLUNTEERING.<br />
<br />
My son asked me a question at the dinner table the other night; that conversation went a little something like this:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Mom, why do you volunteer so much? Maybe you could get a job-job and make more money."</i></div>
<i><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><i>"because I think I must have been a serial killer in a past life and I'm trying to straighten out my karma." </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">All joking aside, I have raised my kids in a charitable home where we, as a family, have actively volunteered since before they could walk. My kids have been raised to give of their time, their energy, their talents and their earnings. In fact, it began when they were little-littles as I have required, among the members of our family, that we donate to charity, at minimum, twice a year: right before our birthdays and right before Christmas. Because there is someone who always has less than we do. I have been known to say "You want to fix a bought of depression? Think of someone else, besides yourself." My suggestions frequently include serving breakfast to homeless neighbors at your local food pantry, going over to the local animal shelter to walk dogs that may not see another day of sunshine, give up one Saturday to volunteer for your local community beautification project and rake some leaves to feel a healthy release of endorphins from a little extra physical activity. Good for your body, good for your soul.</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">To be charitable is a way of life that has worked well for me. Not only as an example for my children, their friends and the next generation, but as a way of life that I've transformed, inadvertently, into a career. I love chatting about fund raising; I enjoy learning of the stories of so many who have less yet deserve so much more. And I wholeheartedly believe in the theory of raising funds five dollars at a time. Who among us cannot afford to skip their Starbuck's one morning? Who cannot afford to pack a sack lunch instead of drive-thru on Wednesdays? Who cannot afford to spare what we can usually find at the bottom of our purse or stuffed into the dark depths of our sofa cushions? Who on earth cannot spare five dollars? Five dollars multiplied by one hundred... times 1000. You can do the math.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">What I have experienced throughout my years of charitable contributions and volunteer man-(*ahem* WOMAN)-hours is that I have yet <i>not</i> to gain one at least one of the following:</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">1. a new skill</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">2. a new contact</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">3. a new client</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">3. a new friend</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">4. self esteem</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcvKemCCJUA/UfNs2WyxhXI/AAAAAAAAJ8M/Uy5NMEYPvhI/s1600/3632_416545515130981_540574521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcvKemCCJUA/UfNs2WyxhXI/AAAAAAAAJ8M/Uy5NMEYPvhI/s1600/3632_416545515130981_540574521_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Little do you know, that next job offer you're so desperately seeking may come from the time you spent volunteering at your favorite organization.<br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Give more, whine less.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #3f2f00; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" target="_blank"><b>Lady Luck Consulting</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more" style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #7f7f7f; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px; text-decoration: none;"></a><br style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #3f2f00; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;" /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #3f2f00; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">#marketing, #smallbusiness</span></span><span style="background-color: #ffeebe; color: #3f2f00; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> #socialnetworking #crowdfunding #nonprofit #fundraise #crowd-funding #socialmedia #funding #charity #volunteer #volunteerism #donate</span></span></span></span></div>
JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-73900882089495790912013-05-06T10:56:00.002-07:002015-01-16T09:11:54.531-08:00The most thorough list of crowd-funding sources you will find online<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I wrote this article about three years ago and thought it would be a good time to update it with all the changes in social media and available options for crowd funding. Especially with the demise of ChipIn; I was as saddened and frustrated as anyone at the loss of the funding site that I have used for many, many years. <br />
<br />
I provide my clients with a full analysis of how they're currently appearing online, as well as a synopsis with my ideas on how to create more opportunities to network and fund-raise. Since fundraising questions are so frequently asked, I'm providing a cheat sheet today on the subject of crowd-funding. I have tons of advice, opinions and strategies for fundraising, but that's not the point of the information I'm trying to provide today and is, quite honestly, reserved for my clients.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the basics for a campaign:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The team: don't leave home without it</span></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB2HbhSlZwY/UYforJisLEI/AAAAAAAAGEE/scIHHaYUPTc/s1600/teamwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB2HbhSlZwY/UYforJisLEI/AAAAAAAAGEE/scIHHaYUPTc/s1600/teamwork.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>
<li>Are you a nonprofit charity needing ongoing donations, or urgent funding? </li>
<li>Are you an individual who's down on their luck (or know someone else who could use a helping hand)?</li>
<li>Are you an inventor with an incredible idea for a product and don't have the funds to launch it?</li>
<li>Are you an entrepreneur who needs a kick start on your brilliant business plan for a chain of retail stores?</li>
<li>Are you a starving artist?</li>
</ul>
No one should launch a fundraising project on their own. There needs to be someone spearheading the campaign, of course, to provide direction but a team is essential for its ultimate success. So think about it and go out and search for other<b> <a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/2013/05/Facebookingforthegreatergood.html" target="_blank">like-minded supporters</a></b> who will agree to be part of your fundraising team. You're going to need them.<br />
<b><br />
</b> <b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The soft launch: who are your friends really?</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5qbGBifvrCo/UYfphXFIs-I/AAAAAAAAGEc/72UXd-y3PCQ/s1600/certain-number.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5qbGBifvrCo/UYfphXFIs-I/AAAAAAAAGEc/72UXd-y3PCQ/s1600/certain-number.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
<b><br />
</b> 48-72 hours prior to launching a campaign you should secure a base network of individuals who have supported you in the past. Not necessarily people who've forked over money to you before, but genuinely supportive people who believe in you and have offered help. Engage those folks with the exclusivity of being a key player involving the official launch of your campaign. Express your need for them; be humble, be honest, be frank. Ask them to commit ("pinky promise") that they'll be there for you from step one to final funding. This group should include anyone from family members, to friends, to colleagues to previous donors/contributors. You might have a great-uncle Frank who's got more money that he knows what to do with and will give you funds just for asking. Well take that leap and ask, but take it one step further and insist that he not hand you cash, but help to launch your campaign. Most of the crowd-funding sites have a thermometer or status bar showing the current contributions. It's not recommended that you officially launch a campaign that says "$0" - even if YOU have to fund it yourself (Rob Peter to pay Paul with your own bank accounts), do so.<br />
<br />
Asking twenty close friends to give you five to ten dollars should not be a burden on anyone.<br />
<b><br />
</b> <b><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: large;">The official launch:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> engagement</span> </span></b><br />
Adding the "<a href="http://sharethis.com/" target="_blank">share this</a>" app should be a offered on all funding campaigns. Utilize fan gates. Tagging and cross-promoting are key features of social media. On Twitter all posts should include RT to encourage followers to "retweet" all posts. Give your followers on Pinterest something interesting to repin; a clever, moving or funny image.<br />
<br />
Maximize your SEO, metatags and hashtags because these are as important as the aesthetic qualities of your fundraising campaign. It can have beautiful graphics, a fabulous video and tons of emotion-evoking photos but if no one's finding it, well... Accounts should all be linked so one posting can create a feed that posts across all social networks. Post frequent updates of progress. <br />
<br />
There are many sites to utilize in promoting, if time and ambition permits! And it should, if you're serious about fundraising.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-csJwvCGsbW8/UYfp15xdVsI/AAAAAAAAGEk/8h-tUtRJYg0/s1600/VectorSocialMediaIcons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-csJwvCGsbW8/UYfp15xdVsI/AAAAAAAAGEk/8h-tUtRJYg0/s1600/VectorSocialMediaIcons.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a>YouTube, Yelp, bookoo, craigslist, meetup.com, brownbook.net, GooglePlus, LinkedIn, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, postad.us, classifiedsforfree.com, flickr.com, photobucket, tinypic, backpage.com, kijiji.com, olx.com, epage.com, adpost.com, ClassifiedAds.com, classifieds.myspace.com, ClassifiedsForFree.com, domesticsale.com, ezilon.com, FreeAdvertisingForum.com, hoobly.com, isell.com, itsmymarket.com, loot.com, oodle.com, thefreeadforum.com, usfreeads.com, Penny Saver, vflyer.com, livesimon.com, ad4free.net, beatyourprice.com, porkypost.com, theadsbook.com, ads2promote.com, postadsonnet.com and last but not least, begslist.org</blockquote>
<b style="font-style: italic;">Is she nuts? </b>You're thinking "These sites provide opportunities for posting ads for services and, uhhh, yard sales." Yes, yes they are. Each of these sites also allow you to post "events" - you're having an event, aren't you?<br />
<br />
Features available on <u>all</u> of the social networks, including your email hosting services as well - yahoo, gmail, hotmail and such - permit you to post updates - use them!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The process</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvkKau4DJ6E/UYforXqSbzI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/UgDi68D_HSE/s1600/thanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvkKau4DJ6E/UYforXqSbzI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/UgDi68D_HSE/s1600/thanks.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a>This should seem obvious but from personal experience I can't leave it without saying. Say PLEASE and THANK YOU every step of the way. I receive an annual inheritance with which I take about 10% each year and donate to one or several groups. I will be blunt here (what else do you expect from me?) and tell you, those organizations that do not send a simple "thank you" do not see donations from me twice.<br />
<br />
You can do shout outs, public acknowledgements, hand-written notes, gifts, perks, or special privileges. Whatever you can afford and whatever you deem appropriate.<br />
<br />
It's simple manners, folks.<br />
<br />
The key is here PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE! Try not to <a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/2013/04/post-sexually-explicit-status-updates.html" target="_blank">offend your personal friends</a> although my close friends understand my passions and interests and are not bothered by the promotion of something I feel strongly about. Have a game plan together not to spam your own nor your friends' profiles.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The finish line</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2Ksuyoq5hg/UYfqjb43OHI/AAAAAAAAGEs/jvnzslRadU8/s1600/2970-i-dont-stop-when-im-tired-i-stop-when-im-done_380x280_width.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2Ksuyoq5hg/UYfqjb43OHI/AAAAAAAAGEs/jvnzslRadU8/s1600/2970-i-dont-stop-when-im-tired-i-stop-when-im-done_380x280_width.png" height="200" width="150" /></a>This should probably be number one, but before you even begin your campaign, determine your real need for funds, include the fees and costs of the campaign. Nothing is free and the last thing you need is to reach your $10,000 goal to find out you owe $2,000 in expenses.<br />
<br />
With pledge based campaigns that are "all or nothing" you might fall short of your goal. What if you're only $1,000 away from reaching it? Secure a contributor before you begin who will give you that last bit to reach your stated goal. Borrow it if you have to, but don't let all those pledges fall by the wayside, unless you pre-determine that you will absolutely not proceed with your project unless you are able to raise every last cent.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Now that I've covered the basics for a campaign, choose your hosting site</span></b><br />
<br />
I usually hear (or see) the question: which is better Kickstarter or IndieGoGo? I'm here to inform you that you have a plethora of choices for your crowd-funding hosting site and to also inform you that it doesn't really matter (except for the comparison of fees and key features, i.e. "all or nothing" or "I need every penny I can get and I need it NOW"). What really matters are the <span style="color: #e69138;">"<b>Thes</b>"</span> above and how you utilize them throughout your campaign.<br />
<br />
I have found nearly seventy crowd-funding sites for you and compiled the list below, organized... well sorta. I have researched many, if not most of these, in order to make recommendations to my clients and advise which one might work best for their fundraising purposes and financial needs. I could go through and give you my notes on the costs-benefits of each, but that information is going to be retained for <a href="http://www.ladyluckpr.com/" target="_blank"><b>my paying clients</b></a>. Fair enough, right? I do have three kids to feed.<br />
<br />
So here's a semi-organized list of the crowd-funding sites available:<br />
<b><br />
<u> Anyone and Everyone</u></b><br />
A pledge based fundraising site states your goal for funding clearly. You're being forthcoming about the financial needs of your project. There are several types of sites which varying terms and conditions, included fees and how your money will reach you.<br />
<br />
The following are "all or nothings," meaning you raise the entire amount or it doesn't fund at all.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>crowdtilt.com</li>
<li>kickstarter</li>
<li>startsomegood.com</li>
<li>peoplefund.it</li>
<li>pozible.com </li>
<li>pledgemusic.com</li>
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</ul>
These are pledge based but if you fall short of your goal, contributions will still be collected, <u>once the campaign ends</u>.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>indiegogo</li>
<li>sellaband.com</li>
</ul>
These fund instantly; real time sites (like the former ChipIn) are sites where contributions are linked to a financial source on your end (PayPal, your bank account, etc.) and the funds become immediately available to you for your use.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>gofundme</li>
<li>fundrazr.com</li>
<li>sponsume.com</li>
</ul>
<b><u>Need or Industry based</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>funding4learning.com (students)</li>
<li>artistshare.com (musicians, songwriters)</li>
<li>petridish.org (fund science)</li>
<li>GiveForward.com (intended for medical needs)</li>
<li>YouCaring (helping others in need: medical expenses, memorials and funerals, education and tuition assistance, adoption fundraising, funding for mission trips, pet expenses or animal rescue)</li>
<li>newjelly.com (for art, food, technology, film, music or design.)</li>
</ul>
<b><u>Charity (nonprofit) based</u></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>globalgiving.org</li>
<li>changingthepresent.org</li>
<li>razoo.com</li>
<li>givezooks.com</li>
<li>sixdegrees.org</li>
<li>justgive.org</li>
<li>crowdrise.com</li>
<li>universalgiving.org</li>
<li>pifworld.com</li>
</ul>
A no-brainer for nonprofits, as far as I'm concerned, is using GoodSearch which is <u>not a crowd-funding site</u> but generates daily, ongoing income. GoodShop.com, iGive.com, givingworks.ebay.com, missionfish.org, networkforgood.org, care2.com, causes.com are all sites that should be considerd for 501c3 charities - get to work!<br />
<br />
These are interesting and for corporations to participate and encourage employees to do the same,<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>www.yourcause.com</li>
<li>FlipGive</li>
</ul>
<b><u>Startup, small business based</u></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>startupaddict.com</li>
<li>fundable.com</li>
<li>crowdfunder.com</li>
<li>wefunder.com</li>
<li>quirky.com (for Inventors - product development)</li>
<li>eppela.com/eng (for Italians!!)</li>
</ul>
<b><u>Equity (they're taking a cut of your success on the back end) or </u><u>Loan (you're paying it back) </u></b><b><u>based</u></b><b> </b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>kiva.org</li>
<li>mycofolio.com</li>
<li>peerbackers.com</li>
<li>equitynet.com</li>
<li>microventures.com</li>
<li>secondmarket.com</li>
<li>circleup.com</li>
<li>prosper.com</li>
<li>seedrs.com</li>
<li>upstart.com</li>
<li>banktothefuture.com</li>
<li>crowdcube.com</li>
<li>fundedbyme.com</li>
<li>joinmosaic.com (Solar power only!)</li>
</ul>
<b>And then there are companies you can hire, apps you can purchase and download and software programs you can invest in (I don't think you need to, but I'm cheap so consider the source)</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>causepro.com</li>
<li>Causefinity</li>
<li>firstgiving.com</li>
<li>mgive.com</li>
<li>angel.co</li>
<li>rockethub.com</li>
<li>artez.comconvio.com</li>
<li>donorperfect.com</li>
<li>blackbaud.com</li>
<li>givingimpact.com</li>
<li>leverage-pr.com</li>
<li>towema.com</li>
<li>mimoona.com</li>
<li>ignitiondeck.com</li>
<li>fundly.com</li>
</ul>
The most important thing I can convey (yet it frustrates me because I seem to be the only one that cares about this) is to <u>NOT TO USE THE WORD "<b>DONATION</b>"</u> if you are not a nonprofit charity, registered and approved as a 501c3 with the IRS. If you haven't gone to the trouble, time and expense to form one, then you are actually seeking financial <u><b>favors</b></u>; gifts, contributions, funding, loans, investments, partners. Let's face it, you're begging. If people part with their money and give it to you, I recommend being very clear that it is NOT a donation, it is NOT tax-deductible - <b>it is simply a gift</b>. <i>(This is the reason I have been referred to as a lawyer's dream for years).</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
If you're a regular donor/contributor and have stumbled upon this blog, the place to check for non-profit status of the group you're about to impart four-hundred bucks upon is <a href="http://www.guidestar.org/AdvancedSearch.aspx" target="_blank"><b>GuideStar</b></a>. If you'd like to read reviews of non-profits and what they're doing with the funds you're donating, visit <b><a href="http://greatnonprofits.org/" target="_blank">GREATNonprofits</a>. </b>I've met many individuals who claim it doesn't matter if they're contributing to a non-profit or not; if they're feeling compelled to give, they will.<br />
<br />
In my opinion and experience, clarity is the most important piece to your fundraising efforts. Be able to answer:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">WHY (do you need funding)?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">WHAT (will you do with the funds once you receive them)?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">HOW (will the funds be spent)?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">WHEN (will you need them)?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">WHERE (will your effort take place)?</span></div>
<br />
With appropriate disclaimers (these don't have to be boring and dry), you save your potential contributors and supporters from asking any of the above questions. Be thorough but concise. You want them clicking through to PayPal, not bookmarking it to come back to when they have time to read.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycfSSQEm5Dg/UYfrNRhjOFI/AAAAAAAAGE4/h0iQx0zewQY/s1600/canorcant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycfSSQEm5Dg/UYfrNRhjOFI/AAAAAAAAGE4/h0iQx0zewQY/s1600/canorcant.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></div>
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If this article is overwhelming, you can always consider <a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!who_we_are/c1enr" target="_blank">hiring us</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span> BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of <a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img alt=" Julie Marie Miller Lady Luck Consulting LLC" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" /></a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">#seo, #marketing, #smallbusiness</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> #socialnetworking #crowdfunding #nonprofit #fundraise #crowd-funding #socialmedia #help #money #cash #donateonline #onlinefunding #funding </span></span></span></span></div>
JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comFallbrook, CA 92028, USA33.3764196 -117.2511465999999733.2703276 -117.41250809999997 33.482511599999995 -117.08978509999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-73785853382910017742013-05-03T11:58:00.000-07:002015-01-16T09:12:21.631-08:00Facebooking for the greater good; how to raise thousands of dollars online<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWZEKSO5BVw/UXXZrxK9MwI/AAAAAAAAF7I/Lo4MVO1ch_I/s1600/jim-elliot-pic-png.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWZEKSO5BVw/UXXZrxK9MwI/AAAAAAAAF7I/Lo4MVO1ch_I/s320/jim-elliot-pic-png.png" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Do you Facebook for the greater good? Or just for fun?</b></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you happen to be one of my followers or friends, no one is spared from seeing pleas for funds, donation requests for support, or dogs in need of homes. I support the causes I believe in wholeheartedly. I figure there's an unfriend button and an unfollow option.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaBwvkRnRUo/UYK3ZLk24oI/AAAAAAAAGBY/CPL4AnHHP0w/s1600/576861_10150943666683763_484751855_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaBwvkRnRUo/UYK3ZLk24oI/AAAAAAAAGBY/CPL4AnHHP0w/s1600/576861_10150943666683763_484751855_n.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But let's be frank for a moment, my clients aren't interested in seeing my sometimes expletive-filled, usually emotionally-loaded, VagueBooking ecards that I write when I'm having a rough day. You may have dozens of friends from grade, middle or high school that you're not really in close touch with whom you don't really want to share your "complicated" relationship status updates. Nor do you want your teenage son or daughter, nor their teachers, seeing your post on the six best sex positions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Think about it:</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are the images you post constantly being reported for content?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2. Has</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> your profile been banned from commenting?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are you trying to raise funds, urgently, but are frustrated by the effort?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do you know how to use the "ban" feature on your pages?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do you monitor comments?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do you study your insights?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">7. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are you on social networking to network? To be social? Or because everybody else is doing it?</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is where we leave your profile and decide how interested you are in each of your friends on your friends' list.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEl6uxJ7bkQ/UYPv5isE6LI/AAAAAAAAGB8/uo4djI7_GgA/s1600/Others+profiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEl6uxJ7bkQ/UYPv5isE6LI/AAAAAAAAGB8/uo4djI7_GgA/s1600/Others+profiles.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is a lot of work if you have 941 friends but if you do this as you realize that you might not want to see that your cousin really loves the Back Street Boys, just uncheck the "Music and Videos" option. Or if you just can't stomach graphic images of dogs that need donations but you don't want to delete that friend because your heart tells you to contribute, uncheck "Photos." Easy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing like an election year to find out your friends' opinions. I have admittedly unchecked a whole lot of friends "types of updates" and posts on my news feed cause, well, you know.... I am fascinated by the massive, never-before-seen social experiment called Facebook and the psychology behind our fears which lead to chain-letter like status updates burdening your friends with the responsibility of your privacy. If you don't know how to <a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/2013/04/post-sexually-explicit-status-updates.html" target="_blank">manage your own privacy</a>, you don't get to determine that, they do.</span><br />
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You are more limited in your options for fan pages, but you do have the ability to "like" a page without seeing their updates. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cmR2VIVtFo/UYPxWOtAy6I/AAAAAAAAGCI/IpA6Jn65f8M/s1600/news+feed+of+fan+pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cmR2VIVtFo/UYPxWOtAy6I/AAAAAAAAGCI/IpA6Jn65f8M/s1600/news+feed+of+fan+pages.jpg" height="225" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Perhaps you want the group to know you support them but don't necessarily want to see how many homeless pit bulls will die today throughout your feed wall when you really want just to see the photos of your newest, baby niece of your brother in Nebraska, just uncheck "Show in News Feed." Voila! </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Isn't baby Grace just darling and growing SOO fast?!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If YOU have something to hide from a select group of people, there are many options for postings and I utilize nearly all of them on my personal profile but I already covered that that in "<a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/2013/04/post-sexually-explicit-status-updates.html" target="_blank">Post sexually explicit status updates and graphic images without getting banned</a>" which has nothing to do with sex, just so you're not disappointed when you get there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Frankly, I use Facebook for networking purposes as I am a firm believer in the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgDxWNV4wWY" target="_blank">80s Faberge Organics Shampoo commercial</a> <i>"</i><i>And they'll tell two friends- and so on, and so on</i><i>..." </i> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>If you're a celebrity, sure this might work. Otherwise...</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I watch carefully what others do and how they engage their followers. Beating them up cause they're not forking over ten bucks is not a successful attempt. Posting frustrated, expletive filled rants about how the graphic images are putting their account on lock-down is not the correct approach. Posting graphic images directly to your pages because "that's the only photo you have" to show your potential supports will only get you banned, unfollowed or unliked, because it IS offensive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are solutions to all of these problems. I know them, I use them. <a href="http://www.ladyluckpr.com/" target="_blank">You can too</a>.</span></div>
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Between the days of MySpace and Facebook, I can comfortably estimate that I have personally raised (with help of volunteers, friends, followers and supporters) hundreds of thousands of dollars for animals in need in the past seven-eight years. How do I do it? Well, I can't give away ALL of my trade secrets. But with options like events, polls, crowd-funding, and interest groups, I have no doubt that people can raise the funds they need for their cause.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only individuals who sign up, login, post, "like" and "share" can answer the questions above for themselves. If you find yourself not being sure how to answer these or you can answer but have no idea where to begin, <a href="http://www.ladyluckpr.com/" target="_blank">we can help</a>.</span></div>
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You should be engaging, not offensive. You should inspire, not insult. You should be positive, not pessimistic. You should be inviting, not accusatory<b><i>.</i></b></span></span><br />
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<i><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/2013/03/IrealizedIamthatsomebody.html" target="_blank">"I said 'Somebody should so something about that...' Then I realized I am that somebody."</a>~ Lilly Tomlin</b></span></i></i></div>
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<b>What's YOUR purpose on social media?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of <a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a></span><br />
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-13096074478851473632013-04-30T14:44:00.000-07:002015-01-16T09:15:39.784-08:00Post sexually explicit status updates and graphic images without getting banned<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Facebook 101: personal privacy settings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just kidding but now that I have your attention, let's discuss privacy settings. Since <a href="https://twitter.com/JulieforShortys" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, InstaGram and <a href="http://pinterest.com/jmkhlmnop/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a>(other than secret boards) are public, this blog today is specific to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting" target="_blank">Facebook</a> Privacy settings and the new, improved (that's debatable by some) Timeline.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I thought about making this a video blog but since my favorite place to work is behind the scenes (ask Shorty Rossi how many times I've turned down being on an episode of Pit Boss) I'll go with my comfort zone and post screenshots of this Facebook tutorial.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">To begin, I'm sure you're really good at one thing, maybe two (if more, then come work for me), and consider yourself an expert and offer sound advice in that particular area of knowledge. I feel that way about Facebook. When I see others posting privacy warnings as their statuses, or requiring others change their settings under threat of being deleted for not "liking" a status or simply "liking" things that their spouse might not appreciate, I simply cringe. I really do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I personally had to deal with a matter late into the night recently regarding a therapeutic venting session and rant that almost cost her a regular buyer of her products. I won't go into details but I beg of people: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Let's take that a step further: LIMIT YOUR AUDIENCE. You may feel close to some people you've met online through some bonding experiences. I certainly have and count those people as, albeit long-distance, real friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When you have young children underfoot or work from home, often social media is your only social experience. And that's okay...well it is for me at least. I swear I can think of many times where I might have lost my sanity if not for a "friend" to reach out to but I don't necessarily want my children (whom I require to be friends with me online) to read every venting rant I post either, especially when it's in regards to their father. Do I want my clients necessarily seeing every photo of me in a bikini with my kids at the beach? Do I think that my animal rescue folk are interested in my son's latest magazine editorial photos or do my momager friends really want to hear about the latest pit bull I'm raising funds for? I'm known in the animal rescue world, but I don't enjoy getting back to my office after a quick pick-up run to gather up my kids from school to find 19 photos tagged of me, spamming my wall of a dog that's going to die at 5pm.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-uu3-N_3cA/UYAuTdOOJ1I/AAAAAAAAF_4/9b1EUN4eIoM/s1600/status.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-uu3-N_3cA/UYAuTdOOJ1I/AAAAAAAAF_4/9b1EUN4eIoM/s320/status.jpg" height="169" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We use social media to be SOCIAL, for the most part but there is a time and a place for everything and you may want to take a walk through your own friends' list to determine what information you want the people on your list to see...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nonetheless, on to the personal privacy, friends' groups and interest lists tutoring session. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />Before I delve into this, most of the following only applies to being at a computer, not via Facebook mobile. I'll admit, I'm not the girl to ask about Facebook Mobile and if I even attempted to do so, I'm sure one of my friends would be happy to remind me of the time 64 mobile uploads captured the interior of my purse. <i>*waves, smiles and blushes*</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The first screenshot is how to access your privacy settings. I'm not trying to insult anyone here, just making an attempt to be thorough so bear with me please.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_s4DnprlEqc/UYAeuMBc9nI/AAAAAAAAF-k/rW3X4cVRUEI/s1600/privacy+step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_s4DnprlEqc/UYAeuMBc9nI/AAAAAAAAF-k/rW3X4cVRUEI/s320/privacy+step+1.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now that you're in (that's what she said) look around to see what your options are and which choice suits you best. I won't advise you as to what your personal default setting should be but will point out that if you're an animal rescue cross-poster don't make your default setting "friends only." If you've just launched a KickStarter campaign, don't limit your audience. You want people to share and network, correct? Right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On my personal profile my friends and I joke that it's R-rated, so I utilize my privacy options not just daily but with each individual post. I am very thankful for the changeover to being able to edit your privacy settings AFTER the fact. I think that is my favorite feature of the Timeline. No more deleting comments and complete status updates with 187 comments {[(*thud*)]}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A reminder: these are YOUR personal privacy settings for your posts only. These tools allow you to choose the audience for YOUR posts only.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB7hU65qCGg/UYAexdxfntI/AAAAAAAAF-0/2gMG8XRaYNM/s1600/privacy+step+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB7hU65qCGg/UYAexdxfntI/AAAAAAAAF-0/2gMG8XRaYNM/s640/privacy+step+2.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't tell you how many posts I see of privacy concerns about public fan pages, tagging and liking images that aren't necessarily on your own personal profile. Let me make this clear: YOU MUST CHECK THE OPTIONS OF THE PICTURE, STATUS, LINK THAT YOU ARE INTERACTING WITH. Those privacy settings are what determine its visibility to people on YOUR lists. So, if you like scantily clad women or are a closet homophobe be aware that anything you like or comment on MAY be seen by your friends. You have no control over other pages' settings. You only have control of how you choose to interact with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That being said, on to tagging. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRdtLl7yfjY/UYAexW0f5AI/AAAAAAAAF-4/j1fO1k5TP-Y/s1600/privacy+step+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRdtLl7yfjY/UYAexW0f5AI/AAAAAAAAF-4/j1fO1k5TP-Y/s640/privacy+step+3.jpg" height="298" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Review posts friends tag you in before they appear on YOUR timeline." Let me reiterate "YOUR" - these posts may not appear on your personal "wall" (or timeline) but they will appear on the feed wall of the person's friends' list who tagged you. Again, you can only limit your privacy settings. If you don't want to be seen somewhere with someone who's active on social media, it's time to step away from the keyboard and have one of those "real life conversations."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Again, social networking's intent is to be SOCIAL and to NETWORK. All of us have people we don't particularly care for, we also may have others who've just caused us trouble online in the past, or you simply do NOT want your M.I.L. or ex-husband's current girlfriend to see what you're up to or where you're working. This is why I love the "blocking" feature and the "restricted" list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No need to cover blocking, it's pretty simple and self-explanatory once you're on the correct landing page, but let's talk about the "<b>Restricted List</b>" for a moment. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Co4bHj5WHVI/UYAevwt7LSI/AAAAAAAAF-s/Z-NV-M_K7tA/s1600/privacy+step+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Co4bHj5WHVI/UYAevwt7LSI/AAAAAAAAF-s/Z-NV-M_K7tA/s640/privacy+step+4.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You may be very private when using social media and you may be one of those people who "only add people I know in real life." You're activity online reflects your personal beliefs and privacy and that's good. Now for those of us who utilize social media for networking, cross-promotion and meeting and interacting with new people, we find ourselves cautious about the latest friend request. The Restricted List is your solution. If I don't know someone and see no mutual friends in common, it's your choice whether to add them or not, simply "confirm" or "ignore." </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'll add any new "friends" that request it, but they go on this list. It does not prohibit them from viewing information I post publicly but they cannot see anything more restrictive</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> than that. So you're "friends" but not really. I usually, eventually, move people off this list on to another one once I figure out why they found the need to be friends with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I add people, EVERYONE goes on to a list:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If they're under 18, "Adults only"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If they're a momager, "Industry"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If they're a work colleague or client, "Content" etc... </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These are my lists, folks. You can create your own, naming them whatever you want, for example: "Dog Peeps" "Trolls" "Freaks" or whatever tickles your fancy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is where all this work in creating your lists comes into play</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftQhw0JE36U/UYAomVfLnNI/AAAAAAAAF_M/HkPhpx4Pqyw/s1600/privacy+step+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftQhw0JE36U/UYAomVfLnNI/AAAAAAAAF_M/HkPhpx4Pqyw/s640/privacy+step+5.jpg" height="584" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This doesn't have to do with privacy but it's somewhat relevant to the subject matter.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So next if you're not familiar with </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Interest Lists</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> you should be if you're an online networker. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Interest Lists</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> have their own privacy settings that the creator of the list determines. I keep several lists, some public specifically my "</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lists/3301916920965" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">pit bull rescue</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">" list which by following, others, based on my privacy settings, can just cheat and grab all the effort I've put into making this list of rescue groups and resources across.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEnBqisH_mI/UYAtKjW7n9I/AAAAAAAAF_s/O9Uy9sz7Gdk/s1600/Interest+Lists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEnBqisH_mI/UYAtKjW7n9I/AAAAAAAAF_s/O9Uy9sz7Gdk/s640/Interest+Lists.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Bottom line, if you don't find this information important you may risk losing a client or a job or wondering why those graphic images you post keep getting you banned from trying to raise funds for an dog in urgent need. </span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you want your friends to continue recommending medication or to keep cussing out your friends via the mightly status update, go for it. If you want to be able to be social the way you need to be social, if you want to network your cause without offending friends who love you (but not your cause) take the time to adjust your privacy settings and monitor your audience online. </span></h5>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovI1SGu-0DQ/UYAuTUQzLnI/AAAAAAAAF_8/TIXJiVMoN0E/s1600/Vague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovI1SGu-0DQ/UYAuTUQzLnI/AAAAAAAAF_8/TIXJiVMoN0E/s200/Vague.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Or you can continue to VagueBook as to not offend anyone.</span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have any Facebook tutoring questions, please post them as comments!</span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Upcoming Facebook Tutoring Topics:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If I deactivate my Facebook</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> account, does it also disable my pages?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fundraise online WITHOUT offending or losing fans</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Social media for the greater good</span></span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;">BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller-Hernandez, President of </span><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a><br style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img alt=" Julie Marie Miller Lady Luck Consulting LLC" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a> </span></span><br style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;" /><br style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To continue to receive updates, please <a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default" style="color: #7f7f7f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">subscribe to our blog</a>.</span></span><br style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="color: #3f2f00; font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">#socialnetworking #privacy #FacebookTimeline #InterestLists #privacysettings #Facebooktutoring #tutoringonline </span></span></span></span></div>
JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-12577172818754200672013-04-29T12:43:00.000-07:002015-01-16T09:22:27.179-08:00Why so serious? Let's talk about content<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eo_PlHaV_dA/UXbFNmI3EdI/AAAAAAAAF78/YVhkUu96kz8/s1600/do+nothing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eo_PlHaV_dA/UXbFNmI3EdI/AAAAAAAAF78/YVhkUu96kz8/s1600/do+nothing.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a><i>"All content should be linked to at least one of your products or services."</i> according to @predaicker<br />
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I disagree. I find fan pages and social media accounts who chronically post about themselves or their own businesses quite boring. It comes across, to me, as self-absorbed and close-minded. That being said, my rule of thumb in helping my clients with their social media presence is to make sure you are referring to your own business, products, cause, or project no less than every fourth or fifth post. You DO need to remind people why they like, follow or support your business but in lieu of shoving your products (or self, in the case of celebrities) down your followers' throats, I subscribe to a good balance that can be found by utilizing nonesense and silliness when engaging your fans.<br />
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When 93% of the content that is going viral is photos, do you think it's best to share a link to your online store twice a week? Or inform your fans how many reps you did on squats at the gym this afternoon? Let me just cut to the chase, <b>NO.</b> <br />
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You can't afford to hire a Social Media Manager to handle your fan pages for you. Okay fine, but in a recent interview with an actress she disclosed to me "I'm scared to death of embarrassing myself online. I don't understand who can see what I post." If you don't understand that fan pages, Twitter and Pinterest are public content, you need to NOT be on Social Media. Or hire someone to do it for you. According to many bloggers and statisticians, you can't afford not to be engaging your followers. How else will you spread the word about your crowd-funding campaign for your low budget film? How else will you inform your (potential) audience of WHO YOU ARE? CEOs, Board Presidents have very real concerns about the people who have access to their branded, corporate image and its adherence to their company's policy and procedure manuals. Easy fix as far as I'm concerned, but that's because I do not fear social media and my clients trust me to have their best interests in mind as I hit publish. Paranoia only leads to your business having check-ins on a blank page created from individuals who ARE living their lives online. Care to join them?<br />
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According to <a href="http://www.socialbakers.com/blog/1295-10-social-marketing-facts-of-2012" target="_blank">SocialBakers</a>, "This volume ... rose to 36.7 average 'Likes' by October 2012" per Facebook user. You can post your status updates, preferably an original quote from the CEO of your business, feed a link or two a week back to your blog or website, but if you don't want to see an 'unlike' increase when people read that statistic and realize "OMG, I have WAY too many 'likes' on my profile, let's unlike some of these pages." Do you want yours to be one of them? What you want is to ENGAGE your audience, so go ahead and post something that makes them smile, chuckle, laugh, giggle or get goosebumps. These emotional responses lead to users clicking on 'like' and pressing that 'share' button 75% of the time (okay fine I made that up but look at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">George Takei</a>! Come on...)<br />
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What we really care about is that little stat below <b>"31% prompted to purchase"</b> after connecting with a product via social media. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZMicithLUM/UXbIHiLPHaI/AAAAAAAAF8U/49Tz9fFgiD8/s1600/395921_322067377824967_1301021803_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZMicithLUM/UXbIHiLPHaI/AAAAAAAAF8U/49Tz9fFgiD8/s1600/395921_322067377824967_1301021803_n.jpg" height="400" width="355" /></a></div>
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The way I see social media, probably stemming from my background in sales, is that 'likes' are similar to cold-calling. Now this was <i>way</i> back in the days when we still used pagers but... for every 100 cold calls I made, I got roughly ten orders and for every ten orders (or 100 cold calls) I'd gain a loyal client, i.e. recurring, regular business account aka $$$$.<br />
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I can't imagine that social media isn't very much like cold calling. I've had several people approach me with the desire of "5000 likes" or "10,000 followers" and I set them straight pretty fast that I'm probably not their type of girl and this is when I begin to talk dirty...<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jm1dRdv974U/UXbZVTSUTkI/AAAAAAAAF84/MoT6Zu54B68/s1600/Dirty+Talk.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am of the opinion (and I very well may stand alone) that having genuine, involved, engaged followers is far more productive than having thousands and watching your insights have a 1-2% interaction rate. Are you sitting dormant, feeling like you're talking to a wall or are you finding like-minded individuals who will share your message for you? How many groups have you joined that are related to your company or what's YOUR engagement level? Are you only posting when you need something from someone else, or is your business an active supporter? Maybe your project will be served better by a Private Social Networking site...?<br />
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<b>My biggest pet peeve?</b> "We're only ten likes away from 1,000 fans!" So...?<br />
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<b>My favorite type of engagement?</b> "For every new like in the next 24 hours, we'll donate one dollar to... Please share!"<br />
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<i>See where I'm going?</i><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFXBBflDRdM/UXbINICZymI/AAAAAAAAF8s/v3tUFX_pjuw/s1600/555825_529125977121850_1995420481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFXBBflDRdM/UXbINICZymI/AAAAAAAAF8s/v3tUFX_pjuw/s1600/555825_529125977121850_1995420481_n.jpg" height="400" width="333" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thank you MetEdge<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">at least that's who Google tells me to whom I need to give copyright credit<span style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></span></span></span> for taking the words right out of my head (and saving me hours of work from creating a fabulous infographic) </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate.</b></span> </div>
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Have you liked your own clients' fan pages? Are you retweeting your followers? Are you pinning to a collaborative group board? Are you commenting back when your fans reach out to engage with your business?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEBaB67WE5Q/UXbFIWyG5DI/AAAAAAAAF7s/NeTuV3F3MBI/s1600/ecardsandmemes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEBaB67WE5Q/UXbFIWyG5DI/AAAAAAAAF7s/NeTuV3F3MBI/s1600/ecardsandmemes.png" height="224" width="320" /></a>Are you saying PLEASE and THANK YOU?<br />
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Self-indulgent, non-emotional, dry, mundane posts are <u>NOT INTERESTING</u>. Your fans want to be moved, entertained or, at the very least, LOL once in a while. <br />
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So go ahead, post a sarcastic ecard, share that meme that made you laugh on your wall. (Don't steal and repost content, that's shitty - just share) Hell write them like I do. But business doesn't have to be so dry. Life doesn't need to be so serious. Just keep it PG-13 if your corporation sells children's products and remember, that what you want is ENGAGEMENT and EXPOSURE. Once you have them tearing up or giggling, liking and sharing with their friends <i>THEN</i> you can tell your newest fans and followers what they came there for.<br />
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BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of <a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">#profits, #seo, #marketing, #smallbusiness, #socialnetworking, #privacy,</span></span></span><br />
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-8912157172196160602013-04-26T13:01:00.000-07:002015-10-06T08:19:59.145-07:00Tell a Story Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w0e8FoBigsE/UWJaVEucj_I/AAAAAAAAF0c/o_tZrB8V6RQ/s1600/Fox+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w0e8FoBigsE/UWJaVEucj_I/AAAAAAAAF0c/o_tZrB8V6RQ/s200/Fox+Designs.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Tell a Story Day is celebrated on April 27th each year. </b><br />
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Tomorrow is National Tell a Story Day.<br />
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I love National "Whatever" Days, mostly because they give me creative ideas to write about, especially if they're relevant to one of my clients' businesses. But some of them are quite silly: Pig in a Blanket Day, Make Your Bed Day, National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day, Felt Hat Day yet others have great meaning and impact, like Autism Awareness Day.<br />
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People write every day; texting, status updates, tweets, the old-fashioned letter sent via US Postal Service, maybe even in your journal. We write. We read. We inform each other of things that are important to us.<br />
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I believe everyone has a story. I believe in paying it forward. I spend a lot of my time writing; sometimes offering advice, sometimes in the form of a vague ecard, but not a single day passes that I don't write. I can't imagine many others go a day without writing. But it's not National Writing Day (that's January 29th and to be accurate it's National Handwriting Day) it's National Tell a Story Day.<br />
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Everyone has a story. We tell them to our children, our friends, sometimes anyone who will listen. Storytelling predates writing.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJKbAwYVDPU/UXg2ZBz5qCI/AAAAAAAAF9I/02CUQ2bNvjc/s1600/when-writing-the-story-of-your-life-dont-let-anyone-else-hold-the-pen-490x367.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJKbAwYVDPU/UXg2ZBz5qCI/AAAAAAAAF9I/02CUQ2bNvjc/s320/when-writing-the-story-of-your-life-dont-let-anyone-else-hold-the-pen-490x367.png" width="320" /></a><i>"Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images, and sounds,
often by improvisation or embellishment. Stories or narratives have
been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education,
cultural preservation, and to instill moral values. Crucial elements of
stories and storytelling include plot, characters, and narrative point
of view." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(source: nationalwhateverday.com)</span></i><br />
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Our staff writes stories all the time in the form of press releases, website content, blogs (obvious, I know), promotions, proposals, emails... so do you!<br />
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Your business has its own story. Is your "About Us" section full of information about your operating hours, locations, directions? But does it tell YOUR STORY? I'm sure you've told it a dozen, maybe a hundred times if it's funny, clever, interesting or if it was a difficult challenge and although <i>"oral stories continue to be committed to memory and
passed from generation to generation..."</i> maybe your customers want to know more about you? <br />
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<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Are your competitors more expensive?</b></i></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Do you have a unique product, service?</b></i> <i><b><br /></b></i></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Are you the best at what you do?</b></i> </li>
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What's so special about <i>YOU</i>? Cause there is... <br />
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Today's the day. Don't wait.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tell your story.</span></b><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></i><br />
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<i><b>BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller-Hernandez, President of <a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ladyluckllc.com/#!contact/con8" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emyz5pRKhZg/UXWCC2e9GmI/AAAAAAAAF6M/nAM3JDg7mBM/s1600/lets+talk.jpg" /></a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To continue to receive updates, please <a href="http://ladyluckconsulting.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default" target="_blank">subscribe to our blog</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">#write #pressrelease #marketing #smallbusiness #story #tellastoryday </span></span></span></b></i></div>
JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comFallbrook, CA 92028, USA33.3764196 -117.2511465999999733.2703276 -117.41250809999997 33.482511599999995 -117.08978509999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-27229431373922803902013-04-22T11:55:00.002-07:002013-04-22T12:42:40.390-07:00If the old adage fits, wear it: work smarter, not harder.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtOl7c-UdPk/UXV9dHKr5KI/AAAAAAAAF5s/j3j21P8Jr2c/s1600/Prodcutivity-apps1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtOl7c-UdPk/UXV9dHKr5KI/AAAAAAAAF5s/j3j21P8Jr2c/s1600/Prodcutivity-apps1.png" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I spent the day yesterday at the 27th <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2013/apr/21/fallbrook-avocado-festival-2013/" target="_blank">Fallbrook Avocado Festival</a> where nearly 70,000 visitors join over fifty vendors while The Friendly Village closes down its Main Avenue for these annual festivities.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The weather is always perfect, the music is always loud, the crowd usually annoyed and the food vendors are a plenty. I met many creative people - artists, artisans and just plain clever folk and if something tickled my fancy, I'd pop into their booth escaping the warm sun and ask <i>"Do you have a store? a website? Where can I purchase your fabulous goods after today?" </i> To which most responded, <b><i>"No... but we're on Facebook."</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After hearing this enough times, I realized that people who own businesses vying to sell their craft to a multitude of potential buyers who've only brought X amount of dollars along for their activities that day - most of which involve consuming some form of Avocado - aren't properly capturing their prospects. Sure, the Avo Fest makes for a great day of spending and overindulgence, but darling, vintage salt and pepper shakers I purchased would go fabulously with that cake plate I didn't quite bring enough cash to grab yesterday. Do I really have to wait til next year to buy it?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do I believe having your business on Social Media is important? Uh hello... that's the bread and butter of our staff's work at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a> but let's pause for a moment and consider WHY your business would benefit from a website.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Remember MySpace? MyWhat? Yeah, that place. The place I used to have over 3,000 "friends" and spend my time blogging about the animals in my care at the now defunct dog rescue and dissolved corporation. The place I used to raise thousands of dollars just by saying "please and thank you." We had a website for which the primary use was featuring our adoptable dogs. That's defunct now too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My point is that Social Media is every changing. I didn't bother to ask these ambitious vendors of these creative, small businesses if they were on Pinterest, InstaGram or LinkedIn but I saw more <span style="font-size: small;">'</span>like us on Facebook' posters yesterday - hand-written, co<span style="font-size: small;">mputer generated - </span>than I could count. <span style="font-size: small;">Y</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">et no check<span style="font-size: small;">-in QR codes, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">n</span>o me<span style="font-size: small;">ntion of their URL</span>, no mention of their Facebook name nor address on their business<span style="font-size: small;"> cards so <span style="font-size: small;">you could follow through on that promise <span style="font-size: small;">once you <span style="font-size: small;">so<span style="font-size: small;">bered up <span style="font-size: small;">*ahem*, I mean got <span style="font-size: small;">back hom<span style="font-size: small;">e.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't pitch anybody but business cards were exchanged with promises to look me up and I would do the same. You can find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyLuckConsulting" target="_blank">Facebook</a> but I also have a <a href="http://www.ladyluckpr.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Websites are not obsolete. Websites can be anything from your online brochure that includes your mission statement to providing e-commerce (so I could've come home and bought that daggone cake plate!) for increased sales.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Websites still should remain the hub of your business. <span style="font-size: small;">Websit<span style="font-size: small;">es should link up to your Social Media accounts (where the heck will people find you if/w<span style="font-size: small;">hen/once Facebook goes where MySpace went...?) </span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Your website s<span style="font-size: small;">hould be where your business shines. </span></span></span><br />
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BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller-Hernandez, President of <a href="http://www.ladyluckpr.com/" target="_blank">Lady Luck Consulting</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comFallbrook, CA 92028, USA33.3764196 -117.2511465999999733.2703276 -117.41250809999997 33.482511599999995 -117.08978509999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-10790119026310958052013-03-03T10:18:00.000-08:002013-04-24T10:34:53.449-07:00"I said 'Somebody should so something about that...' Then I realized I am that somebody. "~ Lilly Tomlin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PnJ62BQ6jo/UTQeOroD9JI/AAAAAAAAFo4/O68vWT5auwQ/s1600/do+nothing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PnJ62BQ6jo/UTQeOroD9JI/AAAAAAAAFo4/O68vWT5auwQ/s1600/do+nothing.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a>When you're born a fighter and retire (for lack of a better term) there comes a point where you have to step back into the ring for your own sanity.<br />
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This week has been a week of juxtaposition; great joy and great sorrow with reminders of days long gone.<br />
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I took a step back into the rescue world this week, much to my dismay, to find that not much has changed just the pace in which information can get out across the airways.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sxjjamIeOg/UTQeSJnnpbI/AAAAAAAAFpA/csq8N2goo-Y/s1600/for+Jenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sxjjamIeOg/UTQeSJnnpbI/AAAAAAAAFpA/csq8N2goo-Y/s1600/for+Jenny.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a>There is a uniting force that comes upon you when you mesh with the right people and an overwhelming bitterness that runs deep when the so-called-do-gooders rear their heads.<br />
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It has been four years, two months and 30 days since I officially left the world of daily rescue. The real rescue world where you go to shelters to pull dogs that have no time left. Death row dogs where you become their only chance at life; sickness, behavior concerns, veterinary and training bills. On December 4, 2008 I shut it down. It took three years to even tip toe back in and I started with two young puppies, scheduled to die and I was their lifeline. That became a bittersweet situation where one went into the perfect home and the other pup died in my arms - a painful reminder of why I had to stop. Cold turkey. This event would also be my leap in coming out of the closet - a leap that I was ready for... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/julie.jmkhlmnop/posts/2836187758027" target="_blank">go public with my rants, my mission, my long-buried soul. </a><br />
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Then I had an epiphany and thought of a much larger way I could make an impact, without getting my hands so dirty and feeling the pain of loss, literally in my own arms. I created the <a href="http://pinterest.com/jmkhlmnop/a-dog-a-day-campaign/" target="_blank">A Dog A Day campaign</a> with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.295332217174475.67118.102598966447802&type=3" target="_blank">Shorty</a>'s blessing. I could find dogs across the nation in need of a home, cause we all know an adoption means two lives saved - the dog that finds a home and the dog that takes its place from the certain death of a shelter. 365 chances per year to make a difference without having a single dog step foot inside my home, or my heart for that matter. I got the blessing and we were off...<br />
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You see, I consider myself a former rescuer turned writer. I knew, back in the day, that it was my daily blogging (on MySpace) that pulled in the money necessary to fund our work. The volunteers were essential, the donors even more so and the adopters, so we could keep moving forward. During a chat with my boyfriend this evening, we discussed the similarities and differences between his work and mine; he being a filmmaker who takes videography work to make ends meet and me being a writer, who runs social media sites to make ends meet. He was asking about a recent project for a client in which a dog was burned in a fire - asked how she was recovering and where she was now. I explained that she was still in the care of my client and that her bill exceeded $30,000. He knew I'd done a fundraising campaign for this dog last month and commented, "wow, I had no idea, how much were you able to raise?" My reply "twenty-five"... "only twenty-five hundred?" "No, thousand." Then his stunned silent pause... "how is it that people give to animals and not children with cancer or kids with cleft pallets in Vietnam?" You see, I designed a campaign for his documentary that only needs $60,000 to be turned into a feature film. Funding is at a standstill.<br />
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I couldn't explain to him why people are inclined to give to helpless animals in lieu of helpless children, but was able to tell him my experience in fundraising and why I've been able to get people to part with their money, five dollars at a time, for the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars for years.<br />
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Doers. Donors. Minions. The three key elements to fundraising. I went on to explain that my marketing and networking strategy is what enabled me to saved nearly 600 dogs from death row all across the state of California for years on end. How my rescue efforts were funded and how I am able to continue to raise funds for animals in need. Yes, he was slightly disillusioned and dismayed, yet proud of my ability to help bring in $25,000 in the matter of one week for a dog. But you see, it's not me, it's the story.<br />
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What I'm getting at, is that we all need each other. We all have our roles. The Doers must do what their souls crave whether it be providing surgery to countries without medical care and children who would suffer, or individuals who give up nice homes in trade of fur everywhere to feel that feeling of saving "just one" to the tune of hundreds. The Doers cannot "do it" alone - I am a former Doer. The Doers must have donors because frankly, everything costs money. But how do you connect the Doers to the Donors? The Minions. The most important piece of the puzzle. Some might perceive minion as a term with some condescension attached to it, or that they are lesser. Quite the opposite - they are the most important piece.<br />
<br />
What I then went on to explain was that (for his documentary) he had the Doer and I'm positive there are Donors. He has no minions.<br />
<br />
In animal rescue there are minions everywhere. People who are unable physically, emotionally, psychologically to do the physical rescue. Those of us that MUST DO SOMETHING but cannot take on the daunting task of rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing which really is a lifelong commitment - at least for the life span of that dog. The rescue does not end when the dog is no longer on death row. The rescue is a commitment to this dog's welfare for the rest of its days. That commitment comes with great cost.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>ad·ver·sary</b> noun : one that contends with, opposes, or resists : enemy </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>al·ly </b>verb : to unite or form a connection or relation between : associate </span></i></div>
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Funny (not ha ha, but ironic) that this is a status I would post from precisely one year ago...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bWZnvoKbGe4/UTQw_qWVIcI/AAAAAAAAFp4/jJLrydGzXeg/s1600/rescuing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bWZnvoKbGe4/UTQw_qWVIcI/AAAAAAAAFp4/jJLrydGzXeg/s1600/rescuing.jpg" height="210" width="400" /></a>There are as many critics in rescue as there are when discussing politics or religion in an open forum. I have blocked more people in the past week on Facebook due to what I refer to as "desktop rescuers" than I had to when I was in the midst of the criminal case last summer. Critics who voiced their opinions, quickly, fiercely and loudly as they called in their minions to accuse "us" (me and my rescue partners) of scamming people for funds for (what we knew would be) an expensive and risky save. We planned to do it anyway until someone else stepped up to bat and we bowed out gracefully, letting the reputable, experienced rescuers take on the project of a bait dog that needed some serious recovery time, rehabilitation and care. But we didn't just walk away, we asked "who needs out the most? who deserves a second chance?" And that's the dog we saved, who is now safely in our care. There is never a shortage of dogs in need of having their lives saved, especially in the world of pit bull rescue. <a href="http://www.giveforward.com/oliviafromsanbernardinoshelter" target="_blank">The story of our save, now known as Livvy (aka Olivia, is online</a>, no need to rehash it here.<br />
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<i><b>"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway."</b></i>~Eleanor Roosevelt</div>
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I drive my boyfriend nuts, I'm sure. I'm 90% sure it annoys him how (seemingly) easily I can raise funds when he's sitting on more than one film that simply needs the backing of funds to get it out there; important things, documentaries, moving story lines. I don't work in film though and this is where I step back to become the supportive girlfriend in lieu of his marketing executive.<br />
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What this week has brought me is the dreaded fate of being pulled back into rescue... I spent an hour reading <a href="http://doggirlpitbull.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the story of Cindy Marabito</a> tonight and by the time I got half way through, tears were streaming down my face from the venomous attacks she is facing. Then I think back to last year and the tears that streamed down my face due to the responsibility I felt and ultimately weakened defeat in <a href="http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/11/12682079-lennox-dog-condemned-as-pitbull-is-put-to-death-in-belfast?lite" target="_blank">the case of Lennox</a>. Yet there are hundreds, thousands of these cases, these stories. Dogs dying needlessly, venomous wars online between rescuers. Stories of sanctuaries turned hoarders, yet people are so desperate to save a dog's life that they lose their humanity... anything for the save. ANYthing so that they can post "SAVED" and move on to the next dog... but what happened to that dog after you moved on? What happens when you send a dog off to live out its life elsewhere and never follow up?<br />
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Out of sight, out of mind? Or do we, as rescuers, have an obligation to comprehend the definition of <br />
<b>com·mit·ment</b> <i>noun :</i> dedication; application.<br />
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I realize I'm all over the map with this blog post tonight but it reflects the emotions and experiences of this week. I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting and partnering with some amazing human beings; kind, selfless, generous. I have also had the reminders of the opinionated, arrogant, it's-my-way-or-your-name-is-mud-desktop-do-gooders that blast, bash, "save" and run (on to the next dog).<br />
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In closing, thank you to the ones who see the big picture. Thank you to those of you who get it. Thank you for the tireless, aggravating efforts to get the real saves accomplished.<br />
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<i><b>"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."</b></i> ~Martin Luther King, Jr.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puH5TI23nUw/UTQ21_SeaPI/AAAAAAAAFqI/yzTofhcOIek/s1600/Spay+neuter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puH5TI23nUw/UTQ21_SeaPI/AAAAAAAAFqI/yzTofhcOIek/s1600/Spay+neuter.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772356288399982873.post-13765259831327487622013-02-09T12:30:00.000-08:002013-04-24T10:30:45.117-07:00A Short Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Despite having complete control to do so, 365 days a year, once a
year I give myself permission to post something that has not been
approved by Mr. Shorty Rossi. That day would be his birthday - February
10.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAugMEOTGq8/URbXpErmOfI/AAAAAAAAFn4/qt9z8o2cGu4/s1600/l.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAugMEOTGq8/URbXpErmOfI/AAAAAAAAFn4/qt9z8o2cGu4/s320/l.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a>The
way I came to be introduced to Mr. Rossi and his show, Pit Boss, was
through a deaf Pit Bull named Ciera. You see, I've rescued a few dogs
in my lifetime - nearly 600 to be more precise - and Ciera was one of
those. She found herself dumped in a shelter I frequented and I was
told that she was "very pregnant and deaf" and dumped by her owners. I
took her out of that shelter on a fostering contract straight to my vet
where it was determined that she had a "massive uterine infection" -
there were no puppies and she was near death requiring emergency surgery
to save her life. Her rescue was sponsored by Pinups for Pitbulls and
she became their cover girl for the 2009 Pinups for Pitbulls Calendar.<br />
<br />
Ciera
was ultimately adopted and her adoptive mom posted a status in early
2010 stating "Ciera is going to be on Pit Boss tonight"... I asked "what
the hell is Pit Boss?" then tuned in to watch an episode during which I
spent the next half hour yelling at the television screen. I had spent
many years rescuing dogs (from four pound Miniature Pinschers to 140
pound <span class="st">Fila Brasileiro</span>) with many, many Pit Bulls
in between. All I could think was, "who the hell IS this guy? And
where did he come from?" So I added him as a friend on Facebook to
watch, learn, see what he was all about.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APf-epYqv4g/URbQwonsMLI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/EjZRcMyzyZk/s1600/first+meeting.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APf-epYqv4g/URbQwonsMLI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/EjZRcMyzyZk/s1600/first+meeting.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>He
posted a status asking for help writing a business plan to which I
responded, offering my help and advice. He called me the next day and
we spent an hour on the phone; we became fast friends with a comfort
that we both felt instantly. As I do with all people I have first
business meetings with, I Googled him, to discover that he was a felon.
When we scheduled our first meeting I asked him "Shall I bring a body
guard?" To which he sent his first of hundreds of responses that simply
said "LOL!"<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-441qU9eXiPk/URbIUrPOGkI/AAAAAAAAFmk/aZeu9xzs-uU/s1600/2+2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-441qU9eXiPk/URbIUrPOGkI/AAAAAAAAFmk/aZeu9xzs-uU/s1600/2+2010.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRj2FfEqOFM/URbON27jOCI/AAAAAAAAFnI/WYa3qzvaBwE/s1600/Shorty+Visit+Herc+Kiss.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRj2FfEqOFM/URbON27jOCI/AAAAAAAAFnI/WYa3qzvaBwE/s1600/Shorty+Visit+Herc+Kiss.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>It's
been three years now and I am not only blessed to work with someone who
I respect and admire, but someone, who in all the years I've personally
been involved in rescue, has made such a huge impact on the breed I
have come to adore; I couldn't imagine not being part of Shorty's. A
man who takes this platform that I have never before seen receive such
attention in all my years of rescue. He has made the word "pit bull" a
name that crosses the lips of families in their living rooms. He is
changing minds and changing lives. A man that is hard working,
passionate, compassionate and driven that inspires me to work harder.
The man who didn't fire me when I refused to be on his show. The man who
lets me do what I love, behind the scenes, exactly where I like to be.
A man who treats me, and my children, like family. A man, whose show,
despite having raised dozens of pit bull puppies in my own home over the
past ten years, who inspires my children now to exclaim
enthusiastically "I want to own a Pit Bull!" <i>(rolls eyes and SMH)</i><br />
<br />
On
the anniversary of his birth, I give myself the leeway to post the only
post that I do each year that involves me simply saying THANK YOU. On
the anniversary of his birth, I take a moment to pause and think of all
the things that have transpired since that first meeting three years
ago. Things I won't share here but are beyond anyone's wildest
dreams... a little shift in the course our lives were taking.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UE96TydmQp0/URbT5yuKobI/AAAAAAAAFnw/63WPGYbaljs/s1600/29915_1369451810545_5840085_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UE96TydmQp0/URbT5yuKobI/AAAAAAAAFnw/63WPGYbaljs/s1600/29915_1369451810545_5840085_n.jpg" height="200" width="191" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGqih0kvgwQ/URbT5fuCtNI/AAAAAAAAFno/LKPWKWRhZsM/s1600/294045_2292275480560_1547083315_a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGqih0kvgwQ/URbT5fuCtNI/AAAAAAAAFno/LKPWKWRhZsM/s1600/294045_2292275480560_1547083315_a.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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On
the anniversary of his birth I want you to know that this man, who many
call Pit Boss, is genuine, sincere, giving and kind; the man you see on
TV is real, yes, yes he is. He swears, he smokes, he drinks (too much
at times). The Shorty Rossi I know is very kind, generous, loving and
committed to his friends, his dogs and his cause beyond anyone's
imagination.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvA-rtJHAj8/URbONbIbJTI/AAAAAAAAFnA/3YLOfENX9QY/s1600/Shorty+and+Julie.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvA-rtJHAj8/URbONbIbJTI/AAAAAAAAFnA/3YLOfENX9QY/s1600/Shorty+and+Julie.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><b>Happy 44th Birthday Mr. Rossi.</b><br />
<br />
~Julie for Shorty's<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="st">“<i>A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are today</i>.” </span></b><span class="st" style="font-size: small;">~A. Lincoln</span></span> <br />
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JustAskJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538223062535989636noreply@blogger.com