A 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

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.

Nonetheless, the staff at Lady Luck Consulting doesn't mind late nights, early mornings and busy days because if you "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius

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:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tom’s Farms responds to accusations of discrimination against autistic child’s pit bull service dog
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

Corona, California, US September 18, 2013

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. “Clarify(ing) (y)our policies and provid(ing) specific training to (y)our staff” 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. 

Statement from the Santos family:

“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.

“Here is to an open mind and a patient heart.

Signed,
The Santos Family, also known as Pup-Cake’s leash racks”

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:

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.

Shorty’s Charities has been assured, since the beginning of its involvement with Pup-Cake the Service dog 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’m sorry. How can we make this better for everyone?”

END

###

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview, please call Julie Hernandez at 818.850.2310 or email julie@shortyscharities.org

Julie Marie Miller-Hernandez

Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Secretary, Shorty's Charities Inc., a nonprofit corporation
www.shortyscharities.org

Seems simple enough, doesn't it?

To show support for my personal friends and family subjected to this set of circumstances, please like
www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog

Downloadable versions of our press release on behalf of our client, Shorty's Charities

To donate to Shorty's Charities, visit www.shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them

BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller-Hernandez, President of Lady Luck Consulting
 

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I don't always write stories that go viral, but when I do they're about autism and pit bulls.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tom’s Farms faces backlash from discrimination against autism service dog

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”

Corona, California, US September 16, 2013

It started off as any other day in the life of a parent raising a child with autism.  This particular woman, wife to guerrilla marketing strategist adviser and a weblebrity, Rock da Mullet, 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: "This is a service animal. It is allowed anywhere my daughter goes as she needs it…

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."

Tom’s Farms’ website states:

“Today, the property … include(s) a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions for family entertainment. Staying true to Tom's original core values,… visitors are always welcome. Tom wouldn't like it any other way.”

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:

This is my 2nd post to Tom's Farms FB page. I am still waiting for a reply from anyone from Tom's Farms regarding this matter:

“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

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".

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Shorty Rossi faces similar discrimination throughout his travels on the Shorty Rossi and Hercules’ tours. One of his primary goals with Shorty’s Charities Inc., 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.

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.

END###

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview, please call Julie Hernandez at 818.850.2310 or email julie@shortyscharities.org

Julie Marie Miller-Hernandez

Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Secretary, Shorty's Charities Inc., a nonprofit corporation
www.shortyscharities.org

To show support for my personal friends and family subjected to this set of circumstances, please like
www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog

Downloadable versions of our press release on behalf of our client, Shorty's Charities

To donate to Shorty's Charities, visit www.shortyscharities.org/help-us-help-them

BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of Lady Luck Consulting
 

To continue to receive updates, please "like" us on Facebook
#smallbusiness #charity #nonprofit #success #patience #shortyrossi #pitboss #autism #advocacy #discrimination #servicedog #pitbull

"It is difficult to be patient but to waste the rewards for patience is worse." ~ Abu Bakr

Here at Lady Luck Consulting we write press releases regularly.  We write website content, we write slogans, marketing campaigns... you name it, we write.

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?

It doesn't matter. It stuck.

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.

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:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shorty Rossi, Pit Boss, receives designation as nonprofit

Shorty’s Charities Inc.

Los Angeles, California, US  September 6, 2013

Since 2010, you've known Luigi Francis Shorty Rossi as the Pit Boss on Discovery Channel's Animal Planet.

Shorty Rossi has subsequently become the national spokesperson and unwavering ally for bully breeds and a voice against breed specific legislation.

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:

"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."

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.

At this time, I'd like to take the opportunity to formally introduce to you, Shorty Rossi the philanthropist.

END

###

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 julie@shortyscharities.org


Julie Marie Miller-Hernandez
Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Secretary, Shorty's Charities Inc., a nonprofit corporation

BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of Lady Luck Consulting
 

To continue to receive updates, please "like" us on Facebook
#smallbusiness #charity #nonprofit #success #patience #shortyrossi #pitboss

The hands that help are holier than the lips that pray. ~ Robert Green Ingersoll

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.

We've all heard it.
We've all said it.

"Let me know if you need anything."

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 FIND something in order to TELL someone what they CAN 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
                                       "Thanks, but I'm..."

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.

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.

When working within a volunteer organization, your business dealings, hell even friendships it is extremely helpful to be very specific.

If you genuinely have help to offer try...

"Let me pick up the ice cream cake on the way to the party. 

Will you make sure to pay for it before I arrive?" 

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.

"I've got fifty extra bucks in my wallet, hand me your grocery list. 

I'll be back in 20 minutes."

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.

"I'm going to be at the (_______) at 2 pm anyway, I'll pick up your kids today. 

Should I drop them off at your house or...?"

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 ("Sorry things are so rough, let me know if you need anything!"), 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 may want to speak to the school counselor.


If you're the person in need (or in charge) state clearly:

"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."

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).

"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?"

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.


Now let's do an example at work:

"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."

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.

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.

The moral of this story is BE SPECIFIC.

"No problem can be solved until it is 

reduced to some simple form." ~John Pierpont Morgan

BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of Lady Luck Consulting

 

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"Give people the opportunity to be kind, they will be." ~Julie Miller-Hernandez

I occasionally quote myself, yes: Give people the opportunity to be kind, they will be.

volunteerism noun

(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

charitable adjective

- generous in giving to the needy

- kind or lenient in one's attitude towards others

benevolent adjective

intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly

If I had to write down in order, my favorite type of work it would go something like this:
1. Writing (which I don't find nearly enough time to do lately)
2. Fundraising
3. Public Speaking (I've never really been called "shy")
4. Product procurement (Research and development really - ask me everything you ever wanted to know about bobblehead production... go ahead)
5. Public Relations (They always told me "sit down and be quiet, Julie" - it just never sunk in)
6. Marketing (The artistic gene passed through me to my children, nieces and nephews, but the creativity gene did not)
7. Reputation Management (Don't you be talkin' 'bout my friend like that!)
8. Social Media Management (Where there's a will, there's a PROPER way)

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 Annie Get Your Gun which, ironically or maybe interestingly, has a song that relates to this blog:  "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly."

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.

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.

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.

My son asked me a question at the dinner table the other night; that conversation went a little something like this:

"Mom, why do you volunteer so much? Maybe you could get a job-job and make more money."

"because I think I must have been a serial killer in a past life and I'm trying to straighten out my karma." 

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.

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.

What I have experienced throughout my years of charitable contributions and volunteer man-(*ahem* WOMAN)-hours is that I have yet not to gain one at least one of the following:
1. a new skill

2. a new contact

3. a new client
3. a new friend
4. self esteem

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.

Give more, whine less.

BLOG POST AUTHORED BY: Julie Miller, President of Lady Luck Consulting

 

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