WAS IT A PREMONITION??

I cannot believe that just one hour after writing my last blog about cherishing family, friends and loved ones before it is too late, I received very sad, shocking news..My business mentor just passed away....

Last winter I had the privilege of being unemployed. Not many of us would think of that as something good, but for me it turned out to be wonderful for many reasons.

For one, I took some much needed time to re-evaluate my life and goals and to search out what it was that I really wanted to do to earn a living. Never being unemployed before I took full advantage of all that the unemployment services of NJ have to offer. I met with a counselor who I will owe my staging career to. This older man was kind and caring and after searching through many jobs that fit my past job descriptions, he turned to me and said there is nothing opened in this field at this time.

Then he asked me "what is it that you want to do". I answered, "well I always loved interior design and my family is encouraging me to start a business at home staging". I proceeded to explain what home staging is to him. He turned around and grabbed a booklet and then gave it to me and said "I want you to enroll in our SEA Program (Self Employment Program)". It was 6 week course offered to people who wanted to start a small business and it was FREE. I went home, filled out the application and found myself back in college at 50 years old.

My first day of class was exciting, I was the first one to show up, LOL..In walked Ms. Alta Ross. She was a confident, beautiful woman who was an entrepeneur for the past 30 years and came from a long line of entrepeneurs in her family. She was encouraging, smart and knew her stuff!! I hung onto every word she said. I wrote a business plan, exchanged ideas, learned marketing skills, and made good friends. I knew I could succeed.

My last blog was written because I remembered her words to us..she said "some of your friends may not understand you not being around so much because of your business". "Your family life may suffer some, are you prepared??" She told us that one year from now some of you sitting in this room will not even have your business anymore, others will have succeeded.

WOW, I cannot believe that I just wrote that blog, thinking of her words and then I get the email of her passing.

BUT, here is the sad part. Just the other day I wanted to email her and tell her that I have been successful. That my business is doing well and that I wanted to thank her for all her encouragement to me and how much she meant, BUT I DID NOT, now it's too late!!

GOD BLESS YOU MS. ALTA ROSS!!