"You never know how or when you might touch another life"
-Sandra
The Story Begins with a kind gesture
In early 2000, I officially became a creative entrepreneur for social good. My best friend Patti told me she had cancer and subsequently lost her hair during treatment. She hated wearing hats and wigs because they were uncomfortable. My daughters and I solved her problem by creating a soft head covering for her. She loved it! We named our little creation a CUREchief, and it became a symbol of comfort and hope to those with cancer. This was the beginning of our non-profit, family-run, charity we named The CUREchief Foundation. Over the next 12 years, we formed a community of caring people brought together through fabric. We recruited and trained thousands of volunteers to make the CUREchiefs, and design the special messages of hope cards that were included with each CUREchief package. After delivering over 500,000 head coverings worldwide the CUREchief foundation ended on a positive note in 2012.
One thing was certain, I found my passion! I would never stop using both my words and actions to change lives and make the world a more positive place. In 2013 the #Sayitforward movement began. It was similar to the pay it forward practice, but with words. One day, my daughters and I wrote positive messages on cards. We made face-to-face connections with strangers at a local coffee shop. Sharing these simple notes of encouragement grew into a movement and then into the benefit corporation Say it forward®. We began specializing in causing positive disruptions by using social media for social good and helping people in our busy technology-driven world make face-to-face connections. We created fun and engaging Say it forward® products that people buy and love. Including cards, Post-its, mugs, and clothing to name a few.
We also deliver Say it forward ® Workshops at corporations, schools, and civic groups, connecting people face-to-face in a fun interactive event. Leaving them inspired and teaching them how important it is to use the power of positivity every day!
Positive Disruptions Lead to Social Good
some things are meant to be
taken in small doses.
I know you’ve heard the name “Amazon” and some of you might even know “Alexa!”
I have an Alexa Device in almost every room of my home! Alexa can do things like play music, tell you the weather, and even tell you an inspiring quote!
I bet you’ve never heard of an “Alexa Flash Briefing, right?
Truth is. I’m into everything technology-related, social media, apps, and all of it! I especially love Audible books and I never imagined I would be recording one myself! In general, I’ve become an early adopter of whatever new “thing” comes out. I also have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and usually jump on the bandwagon because I am a bit impulsive, did I just say that? Yes, I did. It’s a good thing today I call it my superpower!
Several years ago I had heard through a friend about this new thing called an
Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing.
A Flash Briefing refers to a short audio clip, usually a minute to 3 minutes in length, that's played by Alexa-powered devices, such as an Amazon Echo. Think of flash briefings as a shorter version of a podcast-type audio experience.
I was very curious so I did some research and listened to a few flash briefings that others created about all kinds of topics.
Then I thought to myself how can I use my voice and knowledge to create one? What could I possibly talk about? Where would I get my content from? Would I have enough content to create one every day of the week?
Then it hit me! What’s that thing? What am I am all about? “POSITIVE ENERGY” I shouted in my head!
What do I do every day in my morning routine? I Meditate and journal in silence. BINGO!
This is it I thought, I will create “A dose of Positive Energy” that will be my flash briefing!
On that day back in December 2017 I recorded my first one, and to date, I have not missed one day!
Every day I use what inspires me during my quiet time, a story, a reading, and a quote.
Then I read it out loud and record it. Magically it appears on Amazon and the world now has access to it!
My mantra for years has been this “You never know how or when you might touch another life” Most times you will probably never know who might even be listening. But there are times when some of those people reach out to you and let you know they heard you! These are the messages, words, and testimonials from strangers that are the fuel that energizes me to keep my mission going and grow it even bigger with the women I call my POSITIVE SPIRITS.
The Podcast/Flash Briefing ended on 12/20 and it was the inspiration for my book titled "A dose of Positive Energy!"
The book project began officially in February 2020 and I am proud to announce the launch of my book on 02/22/22
You will find a collection of 1000+ episodes that I have created and produced that have appeared on Apple iTunes, Spotify, and many other Podcast platforms! Click here: The Podcast