Welcome to #transitiontuesdays where we feature a fearless leader and their transition story.

You’ll learn how they took action on their dreams. Some have transitioned to exciting new jobs, others to a completely new career, or to their own businesses.

We are hoping that these stories inspire you or someone you know.

This week our Spotlight Series #transitiontuesdays introduces my friend Anneessa Read, Owner and Visionary of NeoLyfe

Before NeoLyfe, Anneessa led a very successful Hospitality career for over 30 years. I met Anneessa in 2005 when we both worked for LXR Luxury Resorts and became great friends. I remember us discussing our dreams of becoming entrepreneurs during our many delicious lunch outings.

Anneessa origninally created NeoLyfe in 2007 when she introduced NeoLyfe Magazine. But her fulltime work in Hospitality always got in her way of persuing her dream. It wasn’t until 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic that Anneessa finally got her big push. Like many others in the industry, she found herself on furlough and decided that it was time to pivot.

Anneessa has combined her love of people and hospitality with her passion for natural healing through Organic Coffees & 100% all-natural Teas.

Learn what motivated this fearless leader to make her transition.

What was your first job and how did you get it?

My First Job was selling Knives for Cutco.  If I remember correctly, Cutco came to my High School for Career Day.

When and how did you decide to transition your career to what you do today?

I started transitioning into my business unknowingly in 2017 when I created the Company NeoLyfe. First introducing NeoLyfe as NeoLyfe Magazine. Year after year, I would start working towards building my business, then I would eventually become too entangled with work to focus on building my business. March 2020 was the big push, the Pandemic happened, then I gained more time to focus on my business, and move forward creating NeoLyfe Coffee & Tea.

What steps did you take to make that transition and how long did it take?

Within 4 weeks my online store was created, and introduce a branch of NeoLyfe creating NeoLyfe Coffee and Tea.

What does life look like now that you have transitioned into doing what you are doing?

It’s scary, and exciting all at the same time.  I was so comfortable with getting paid every 2 weeks, and now being self-employed, the scary part is not having that cushion of knowing X amount of dollars would be in my bank account every 2 weeks.  The exciting part is, I have free reign to create, build, and focus on something that I Love, and feel good about. Not because of the paycheck, but because of the freedom

What advice would you have given your younger self?

Never apologize for going for something you dreamed of even when everyone else thought you were crazy.

Learn more about Anneessa and NeoLyfe: www.myneolyfe.com

Follow on Facebook @MyNeoLyfe and Instagram @myneolyfe

Welcome to #transitiontuesdays where we feature a fearless leader and their transition story.

You’ll learn how they took action on their dreams. Some have transitioned to exciting new jobs, others to a completely new career, or to their own businesses.

We are hoping that these stories inspire you or someone you know.

This week our Spotlight Series #transitiontuesdays introduces my friend Janet Carabelli, Actor, SAG-AFTRA.

For many years Janet owned a successful advertising agency that had been named a finalist for the fastest-growing female-owned company in the region. But in 2009 when the recession hit its peak their revenue tanked and Janet found herself in a position to pivot to the next step of her career. She had studied acting in college and she decided to start sending out her photo to talent agents. Her gray hair and non-botoxed face were in great demand and she was soon making more money doing TV commercials than running her agency.  In 2011 Janet closed Idealogy Creative and started acting full time. Today, she continues working as a SAG-AFTRA actor.

Learn what motivated this fearless leader to make her transition.

What was your first job and how did you get it?

Junior Lifeguard Shenandoah Pool when I was 15; swam there all the time and was invited to certify and apply.

When and how did you decide to transition your career to what you do today?

The recession prompted the decision; I’d owned an advertising agency that was very successful.   We’d been named a finalist in the South Florida Business Journal’s 2004 competition for the fastest-growing female-owned company in the region . . . but when the recession hit its peak in 2009, our revenue tanked.   Clients, particularly in the financial arena in which we’d begun specializing post-9/11 (Travel had previously been our focus) were not doing any advertising.   I’d studied acting in college and as a corporate executive had often been in front of the camera, so I started sending out my photo to talent agents.    The gray hair and non-botoxed face were in great demand and I was soon making more money doing TV commercials than running my agency.  So in 2011 I closed Idealogy Creative and started acting full time.

What steps did you take to make that transition and how long did it take?

Though I actually started getting work immediately, I wanted to be considered for much higher-paying projects than I was initially being booked for. And I wanted to earn my Screen Actors Guild card (SAG-AFTRA). So I took lots of classes and watched countless YouTube videos to refresh my skills, participated in every industry networking event I could find, contacted producers and Casting Directors I’d known from having owned an ad agency, and from having been a Marketing VP in Fortune 500 companies before that. I did Student films for free or very little pay to build a demo. I wound up earning my union (SAG-AFTRA) eligibility in 2013 and became a member in 2014. I now serve on several committees and am an alternate on the Board of Directors.

What tools, training or coaching did you acquire/learn to help you make the transition?

The classes and online content I voraciously consumed included Scene Study; Commercial Acting (scripted and improv);  Voiceover, Acting techniques including Uta Hagen, Eric Morris, Michael Chekhov, Jeff Seymour’s Real-life-Acting; the Business of Acting; Acting for the Camera, TelePrompTer . . . I think the only things I didn’t study were Stand Up Comedy and Intimacy Onscreen: kissing for the camera! To this day, although I’m a working actor, I take regular classes to maintain and improve my skills.  And I have a few coaches whom I can call upon for specific skills-building. Just as professional athletes and musicians, actors need to continually practice.

What does life look like now that you have transitioned into doing what you are doing?

It’s extremely gratifying to be able to get paid to do what I love — to live my passion. It’s electrifying when I get called in for an audition that I KNOW is a perfect fit, and booking the part is thrilling. Even the audition process is a fun one for me; it’s a chance to perform and may result in a great gig. And even if it doesn’t, I know that Casting Director will remember me for the future. For younger actors, the continual rejection (far more often we’re told “no” versus “yes”) can be devastating and crush their spirits. At this age, I’m confident enough to view other folks up for the same role as colleagues, not competitors.  I’m happy for friends when they get chosen; my ego isn’t impacted.  

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

When you love what you’re doing, it isn’t work.

Describe your ideal vacation.

Up close and personal with animals.  So far I’ve enjoyed 3 photo safaris in various parts of Africa including the great migration of the Wildebeest; the Monarch Migration in the Michoacán; Galapagos; Alaska; Hummingbird Migration Kentucky; Yellowstone; kayaking amongst otters in Morro Bay; rafting with starfish in California’s Channel Islands; whale watching in San Juan Islands;  penguin colonies in Falklands and Patagonia; Barbary apes in Gibralter … I know I’m forgetting some!

Learn more about Janet:

Website:  www.JanetCarabelli.com  

IG: https://www.instagram.com/JanetCarabelli/ 

YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjSxDWjoEWkM-3wHB0JSHAN81I-lALJys   

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetcarabelli/

We are delighted to introduce #transitiontuesdays where we will feature a fearless leader and their transition story.

You’ll learn how they took action on their dreams. Some have transitioned to exciting new jobs, others to a completely new career, or to their own businesses.

We are hoping that these stories inspire you or someone you know.

We’d like to start our Spotlight Series #transitiontuesdays with my friend Lillian A. Ser, Esq. 

At the age of 35 after a successful career, a marriage, and two small kids, Lillian decided to go back to school and follow her dreams of becoming an attorney.

In 2009, she founded Ser & Associates, a minority-owned, female-owned boutique law firm, certified at the federal, state, and local levels. Ser & Associates represents individuals, entrepreneurs, and small to medium-sized businesses in corporate, business, and real estate matters.

Learn what motivated this fearless leader to make her transition.

 

What was your first job and how did you get it?

First Job in life at 13 – Grocery Store cashier. Got it by walking in and asking if they needed part-time help.  First job in Career #1 – Bursar for the University of Miami.  I worked my way up from secretary to the boss.  First job in Career #2 – Shutts & Bowen, a prestigious big law firm. I worked very hard in law school and graduated in the top 2% of my class.  That, coupled with 10 years of experience, got me the job.

When and how did you decide to transition your career to what you do today?

I decided to go to law school when I was 35 yrs old.  I had reached the upper echelons at UM and knew that it would be a very long time before I could ascent further.  Then I thought, I can go somewhere else and do the same job (Billing/Collections/Management) or return to my first life plan of becoming a lawyer. 

What steps did you take to make that transition and how long did it take?

First, I prepared for the LSAT by taking a prep course.  I thought I wouldn’t be able to get a good score.  But, I did.  Then, I applied to UM (the only choice I had since I was married with 2 young kids and couldn’t leave the area) thinking I wouldn’t get in.  But,  I did.  Then I thought there was no way I could afford to go to school full-time.  But, I was awarded a 50% scholarship for my first year.  And, based on my ranking, I got a full ride for the 2^nd and 3^rd year.  So all the student loan money went towards helping to support my family.  In a nutshell, it was meant to be.  😊

What tools, training or coaching did you acquire/learn to help you make the transition?

I was fortunate in that I was an older student and had real life experience, plus time management skills.  I did not have the money or time to have a career coach per se, but I did rely heavily on the UM Career Source Dept to find summer jobs and improve on my interviewing skills. In fact, I went to the career source my first week of law school and telling the counselor, I need to start working on my job prospects for when I graduate.  The counselor laughed and said, come back at the end of year two.  I said, no. I need a job for the next two summers and a job lined up immediately after I take the Bar.  And, so it was…

What does life look like now that you have transitioned into doing what you are doing?

I’ve been an attorney now for over 20yrs.  I have never once regretted my decision and the hard work/sacrifices I had to make and that my family had to make. I have built a good reputation and have helped many people on the way.   I’m proud of my accomplishments and, most especially, grateful for making my  uneducated/immigrant parents goal of a better life for their daughter a reality. 

What advice would you have given your younger self?

Trust your gut.  Every time you feel uneasy about something, someone or a decision, there usually is something wrong.  And, if you don’t know what to do.  Don’t do anything for a little bit.  The right path will reveal itself.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Don’t think too long or hard about a decision because of fear of failure.  Failure is the way we learn and improve.  And, sometimes, if you wait too long, someone will get there first. 

Describe your ideal vacation.

Hmmmmm…  traveling to a new place – ANYWHERE!

Learn more about Lillian and her firm:

@ser_associates LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianser/