Liftoff Journeys with Jeanniey Walden

Today’s guest is Tara Ackaway, CEO and Founder of Social Wise Communications LLC, an award winning public relations and social media firm based in New Jersey. She is an entertainment publicist, talent manager and social media strategist. Tara and her team assist businesses both large and small, non-profit organizations and are instrumental in launching large scale events, brand collaborations and so much more. She helps to tell their stories and achieve “buzz” by developing and implementing innovative ideas to identify new customers and build loyalty among existing customers. Tara’s clients have been featured by Good Morning America, Bravo TV, Netflix, The Drew Barrymore Show, Forbes, People, Black Enterprise, The New York Times, TechCrunch, and News 12 NJ to name a few.

In this episode you’ll hear about Tara’s fearless and hardworking attitude that has taken her from freelancing in college to establishing her own business and leading a full team, how she utilizes LinkedIn to stay up to speed as a business owner, and her take on how ChatGPT is impacting the industry.

Jeanniey Walden, Founder of Liftoff Enterprises, is the award-winning marketing, business & workplace expert and host of the TV show "LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden." Jeanniey dives into compelling conversations with incredible experts of all backgrounds to understand what makes them tick and expose how you, the viewer can learn from these experiences and start to "LiftOff."

Discussion Points

The value of networking and internships
Education versus real-world marketing experience
Ways to stay current as a business owner
Storytelling – what is the message that represents and resonates?
Tara’s hands-on approach to keeping up with trends and new app features
Putting yourself in a place to experiment
Knowing when to pivot a strategy
Is ChatGPT good for the industry?
Standing out by creating deep, meaningful, authentic relationships

Resources:

Tara’s Linkedin

Tara’s Instagram

Social Wise Website

Social Wise Instagram

Social Wise Facebook

Social Wise Twitter

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Ep 18: Ayurveda Unlocked: Balancing Your Mental & Physical Energies with Simmi Chopra May 17, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Simmi Chopra, Ayurvedic Practitioner at SIDH Ayur. Known as the best Ayurvedic Doctor in New York City, Chopra has a double Masters in Biostatistics and Molecular Biology from Rutgers University and JNU which makes her understand health problems from both mainstream as well as Ayurvedic perspective.

The Ayurvedic perspective is based on the rejuvenation of your mind, body, and senses through changes in diet and lifestyle. Simmi holds workshops on Ayurveda in which she empowers people to start taking charge of their health and start eating, living mindfully according to Ayurvedic principles, and start being aware of the warning signs the body and mind give before a health problem can manifest.

In this episode you’ll hear about the ayurvedic solutions to regulate your health, the importance of balancing your mind and body energies, and how to improve your digestive strength.

Discussion Points

The study of Ayurveda
Being in sync with nature
You don’t find Ayurveda, Ayurveda finds you
When you can’t find a doctor, you become the doctor
Ayurveda for mind management
Focus on balancing your mental energies
Regulating your energy through food
Understanding your digestive strength
Ayurveda's personalized approach
The pickup of sharing information about Ayurveda through TikTok
Ayurveda in harmony with physical activity

Resources:

Simmi’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simmi-chopra-43955329/

Jeanniey Walden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniey/

Liftoff Website: https://liftoffcompany.com/

Ep 17: Seizing All Opportunities to Land Your Dream Career with Cindy Garnick May 10, 2023

Show notes

Garnick Entertainment Website

Today’s guest is Cindy Garnick, CEO of Garnick Entertainment Media Group, LLC. Cindy is as multi-talented as her diverse roster of clients, ranging from TV personalities, TV hosts, authors, artists, musicians, and household brands, as well as experts in various verticals such as health and wellness, beauty, culinary arts, and finance.

Cindy is an Executive TV Producer for Nationally Syndicated TV Talk Shows which have aired in the top 12 TV markets in the country and over the last 10 years she has earned titles as National Publicist, Award Winning Lifestyle TV & Morning Talk Show Executive Producer, Talent Booker, Sponsorship.

In this episode you’ll hear about how chocolatey creations led to Cindy’s amazing career in TV, her tips for transitioning between industries, and how she stays on top of it all behind the scenes as a TV Producer.

Discussion Points

How it all began…with chocolate
Transition from working in the music industry to a TV show
When it comes to what you want there are no boundaries
Skills you lack can always be learned
Take every opportunity that comes
Shifting the focus from the obstacles to figuring out a solution
Life behind the camera

Resources:

Cindy’s LinkedIn

Ep 16: Defining Your Next Chapter: Career Pivot Tips from Darcy Bevelacqua May 03, 2023

Show notes

Darcy Bevelacqua LinkedIn

Liftoff Journeys MOST EPIC FAIL!!

Today’s guest is Darcy Bevelacqua, CEO of Successworks CX a boutique coaching firm specializing in helping people over 50 make a career transformation. Darcy began her career in publishing and teaching and soon moved into marketing. Over the years she worked for startups, small boutique consulting firms, and larger Fortune 500 companies including Accenture, American Express, Pfizer, Prodigy, Marriott, Citigroup, P&G, E*Trade, Revlon, Time Warner, and others.

This episode is packed with Darcy’s best advice to define your new career direction, her experience helping people over 50 make a career shift, and…uh oh perhaps the BIGGEST FAIL recorded on Liftoff Journeys!!

Discussion Points

From giving people advice to pursuing a new business
How a change in value sparks a drive to do something that makes a difference in society
Steps to finding your career direction
How to prepare yourself today for the career shift in your 50s/60s
Should you seek additional training or focus on your own craft?
Finding a mentor when you’re over 50
Thoughts on reverse mentoring
Liftoff Journeys BIGGEST MISTAKE

Resources:

Successworks CX Website

Ep 15: Strengthening the Mind Through Resilience with Kristin MacDermott Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

It Takes Two Minutes Book

Today’s guest is Kristin MacDermott, Founder & President of The MacDermott Method, a system designed to build resilience, including individual coaching, group training, and organizational consulting.

In this episode you’ll hear about what sparked Kristin’s research on resilience, the focus of the MacDermott Method, Kristin’s book It Takes Two Minutes to Shift Your Mindset and Build Resilience, and altering your parent style to raise resilient kids.

Discussion Points

Developing a resiliency training curriculum from the disruptive life changing experiences that people have gone through
Resilience reminders
Two Minutes to Shift Your Mindset and Build Resilience
The focus of the MacDermott Method
Parenting courses
Shift parenting from problem solving to active listening
Ask your children how they feel your parenting style is going
Social media's impact on decision making
School wide resilience training

Resources:

MacDermott Method Website

Kristin’s LinkedIn

MacDermott Method Instagram

MacDermott Method Facebook

Ep 14: Leading with Communication in the World of B2B Tech - Tips from Patrick Ward Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Patrick’s LinkedIn
Jeanniey Walden LinkedIn
Liftoff Website

Today’s guest is Patrick Ward, VP of Marketing for Rootstrap, a custom software development consultancy that digitally transforms companies like MasterClass & Google, along with A-List Celebrities like Tony Robbins & Snoop Dogg. Patrick is also the Founder of NanoGlobals, an expert-led platform that helps mid-size tech companies tap into global markets through remote hiring, offshoring, and international market expansion.

In this episode, you’ll hear about Patrick’s degree hopping experience that led him to the world of B2B Tech, how he leads with communication and connection, the power of analogies, and the key communication elements to share with your CFO.

Discussion Points

It all started in college…from economics to finance to marketing
B2B Tech is home
Finding creative ways to communicate and garner interest
Using the right phrases and words to connect with an audience
Best hack for writing content for audience comprehension
Power of analogies for understanding
Focus on what matters to the people in position of power over your career trajectory
Ask them what does success look like in 6 month’s time?
Key communication elements to share with CFO
Preserve the human element of marketing

Resources:

Ep 13: Experience is the Key to Executive Success with Mike Baer Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Michael Baer a trusted thought leader and innovative global information services developer who most recently was a special advisor with DailyPay. Prior to that Michael was a managing editor overseeing domestic and international payroll news and analysis with Bloomberg Tax, previously BNA. He gained experience in payroll and human resources with Marriott, and later was the personnel manager for the Shanghai Hilton.

Now, Michael specializes in elevating brand awareness and content creation for educational and promotional purposes, resulting in increased revenue and market-best customer satisfaction.

In this episode, you’ll hear about Michael’s circuitous path to payroll and the power of experience early-on, having satisfaction in roles without the mindset of longevity, thoughts on alternative payment methods for employees, and his current career transition.

Discussion Points

Is Payroll the job children dream of?
Michael’s unexpected turn into the payroll industry
The benefits of early experience
Drawing on past experiences to help in your current position
Being goal driven
Not having the “this-is-it” moment
Moving up and moving on – not staying in one place forever
Seeking roles that allow him to make positive contributions
A new career transition
The debate on payroll and crypto
Staying true to your values when making career choices

Resources:

Michael Baer Linkedin

Michael Baer Twitter

Michael Baer Instagram

Ep 12: Step Back and Leap with Executive Coach & Author Patrick Mork Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Patrick Mork, founder of LEAP, Motivational speaker and author of a new book on personal transformation: Step Back and LEAP. Patrick’s passion is coaching start-up and scale up founders and CEO's and helping them become purpose-driven, responsible leaders bent on solving society's biggest challenges. Clients have included Walmart, Liberty Media, Scotiabank, Falabella as well as many of Latin America's fastest-growing unicorns.

Prior to starting LEAP, Patrick spent 25 years in marketing, 10 years of which were in Silicon Valley, and built marketing teams at multiple startups as well as Google where he created and launched Google Play store in 2012.

In this episode, you’ll hear about Patrick’s unusual career path to his current success, his mid-life crisis that led to hiring a coach, and his subsequent decision to become a coach himself, and the process of writing his book and how the feedback he’s receiving is truly precious to him.

Authentic, inspirational and relatable discussions with inspirational business leaders, gaining insight into what inspires them and how they got to where they are today. These conversations offer actionable tips for listeners to create their own path to success and shatter whatever glass ceilings arise and overcome any obstacles on their personal journey. Jeanniey Walden, Founder of Liftoff Enterprises, is the award-winning marketing, business & workplace expert and host of the TV show "LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden." Jeanniey dives into compelling conversations with incredible experts of all backgrounds to understand what makes them tick and expose how you, the viewer can learn from these experiences and start to "LiftOff."

Discussion points:

Patrick’s background and unusual career path
A mid-life crisis and getting an executive coach
Leaving the tech world, becoming a coach, moving back to Chile
Writing the book and the feedback received
Would he do anything different?
Stepping out of your comfort zone, learning from “failure”, building your ‘change muscle’
Words for those just starting out - do what you really enjoy, get out and ‘try stuff’
Advice for mid-career changes or returning to work
Online personality and skills tests - get to know yourself
Most of us don’t know our values so we drift
Stay tuned to Liftoff Journeys for more incredible guests

Resources:

Patrick Mork LinkedIn

Leap.cl

Book: Step Back and Leap

See what we look like; subscribe to our YouTube channel

Watch the TV show"LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden"

See what we look like; subscribe to our YouTube channel
Watch the TV show"LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden"
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Talk to us on Facebook
Meet

Ep 11: Amya Zhanelle on Starting Her Gen Z Business - AZ is Media Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Amya Zhanelle, a social media strategist and Gen Z entrepreneur, who is President/CEO of her own business - AZ is Media. AZ Is Media (as-is-media) consults with businesses to increase their brand recognition through social media marketing.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Amya struck out on her own when an internship with a large corporation was not offering her enough satisfaction, her ability to help businesses connect with the highly desirable younger generations, and some tips and suggestions on starting your own entrepreneurial journey.

Discussion points:

Finding the path to entrepreneurship
Turning down a position in a large corp to go out on her own
Learning to ask for help
Planning space for the business
Funding - did not require a big financial investment
Finding clients through networking and word of mouth
Luck vs. hard work
Hiring a team and using freelancers
One thing businesses can change right now
Influencers and brands
Advice from mentors - balancing growth with self care
Advice to someone who wants to follow their dreams - research your finances, resources, network, set goals, then DO IT.

Resources:

Amya Zhanelle LinkedIn

AZ IS Media

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Watch the TV show"LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden"

Talk to us on Facebook

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Ep10: Networking with LinkedIn and TikTok Secrets - Samantha Barkho Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Samantha (Sam) Barkho, a former intern of Jeannieys, who just started a hard-won position as a Junior Marketing Associate at L’Oréal, Maybelline DMI EYE. Sam is fluent in Arabic, and loves marketing and social media content creation - especially TikTok.

She received her undergraduate BS degree focused in Marketing from Montclair State University & minored in business relationships and professional selling.

Sam shares stories from her intense networking job search blitz on LinkedIn, the frustration she felt getting ghosted repeatedly, being a self-described “Covid college kid” learning online, and her love of social media and tips for creating more relatable TikTok content.

Discussion points:

Networking HARD to get her current position at L’Oreal
Sam’s ambitions before and during college were focused on digital marketing
Internships throughout college and a love for social media
Hold out for specific internships, or get general business experience?
Retail and what you can learn
Sam’s insights into TikTok - more relatable content, keep up with trends, funny filters, not cool to have paid ads and influencers
Management styles, team dynamics, leadership and communication
The future for Sam

Resources:

Samantha Barkho LinkedIn

See what we look like; subscribe to our YouTube channel

Watch the TV show"LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden"

Talk to us on Facebook

Meet Jeanniey live - see where she will be next