About Spread Your Sunshine
Growing up, the
three most important people in my life were my grandma, grandpa and mom. My
grandparents lived in Illinois where our family’s fourth generation farm is
located. Mom and I lived in Florida, where she moved after college. Determined
not to let the distance separate our family, grandma did not allow a holiday or
significant life experience to pass without a hand-written note and token of
remembrance. At almost 40-years-old, I tore into what would undoubtedly be a
sweet message and McDonald’s (my fav!) gift card sent by grandma in celebration
of the most recent holiday.
Grandpa turned gift-making and -giving into his full-time job upon retirement from the farm. His specialty was woodworking. Flower pots, swing sets, benches, serving trays, napkin holders, animals, you name it – there was nothing that gentle sole didn’t craft to brighten the life of every person he met.
Mom is the
quintessential gifter. Weeks in advance, she contemplates the perfect present
for the upcoming occasion. When the day arrives, so does the treasure she
specially selected and exquisitely wrapped accompanied by a thoughtful,
hand-written note.
My family
instilled in me this love of showering others with gratitude and appreciation.
One of my earliest memories is spending all of my allowance money on holiday
cards carefully selected for each family member. After graduation from The
Florida State University MBA/JD program, a successful law practice was built
over the next decade-plus by personally connecting with others and deepening
relationships through celebration of my colleagues’ achievements. My happiest
days were when a recipient experienced joy from receipt of a card and memento
specially sent to commemorate a milestone.
What was curious
to me, though, was a consistent response received – that although my package
was sent to celebrate the recipient seemingly being at the height of his or her
personal or professional life, the thanks was for providing encouragement on a
day when compassion was most needed. For the first time, I truly understood that
you do not fully know of others’ experiences until you “walk in their shoes.”
Spread Your
Sunshine was born out of this truth - the world is bettered when people are
instilled with the confidence that we are cheerleaders for their goals and
accomplishments. It is insufficient to think someone is awesome; to truly
foster positive change and build stronger communities, we must tell others how
terrifically fantastic and uniquely qualified they are to make the world a
better place.
Such is the goal
of Spread Your Sunshine – to provide products, tools and resources to brighten
the world and allow all to find joy, achieve their dreams, and shine beyond the
glass ceiling. So, shine brightly, friends, because your Tribe is depending on
you to ensure that our collective future shines brightest! #ShineItForward™
#ShineBeyondTheGlassCeiling™ #ShineTheWorld™
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