►I Believe…

September 7, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Recently I attended (virtually) my 10th consecutive Benefit Auctioneer Summit hosted by the National Auctioneers Association each fall. This is always a time of great camaraderie and learning for the small handful of folks nationwide who spend the majority of their time helping nonprofits raise more money.

This year we were fortunate to learn from Coach Burt (Coach Micheal Burt) about “I believe” statements: making it clear to the world who you are and what you stand for. So, after much reflection, here’s what I believe as the founder and head of GALA GAL, Inc. Future-Focused Fundraising:

I believe:~ whatever problem you’re facing, I’ve already solved it for someone else
~the more successful we can be, the more lives you will change
~no matter your mission, more people need to know about you

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Hybrid How-to

August 27, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Ahh, here we are, approaching the Fall fundraising season, and we’re not quite where we thought we’d be. Or at least where we hoped we’d be.

So many of my nonprofit clients have carefully, hopefully, even joyfully been planning in-person galas…and yet in city after city in Florida (and in some parts of the country) the biggest galas with the largest audiences are stepping back to 100% virtual.

If you’re moving forward with a hybrid event – maybe you’ve limited your in-person attendance, switched to satellite parties, or changed your seating arrangements – I understand your desire to ease your annual event back to (what used to be) normal.

I’ve done the hybrid thing, complete with one camera on a zipline across the tent! If you’ve got questions, let’s chat.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions, Virtual Gala

►They Provide Trips?

August 1, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Consignment.

You know, the companies that spam you, flood your Inbox trying to sound appealing and not pleading (but often failing), cold-calling, name-dropping (“we just worked with ________ auctioneer/organization”).

I’m not saying there aren’t trustworthy consignment partners out there, it’s just…there.are.so.many. Somehow – in a field that was already crowded with companies with basically identical trips and price points – lately even more wannabes have sprung up. Or maybe they’ve just gotten more aggressive.

So, how do you decide? First off, do you need to pay for an auction item? or multiple items? To keep the most money that your guests spend (ideally, 100%) then the auction items you offer must either be 100% donated or fully underwritten (paid for in advance) by a benefactor.

If you’re having trouble securing 100% donated items, ask your fundraising auctioneer what they’ve seen other groups do successfully. I typically share 8-10 ideas for 100% donated auction packages that sell for thousands of dollars.

If you decide you need more or flashier auction items, then make sure you’re checking out at least 3 consignment providers, and you’re asking questions, not of them, but asking others about them: success stories, horror stories, customer service wins and fails, ease of or problems with booking desired dates, alternate destination options, blackout dates, extensions and more.

Since most of the consignment companies seem so similar, put them on the spot and ask, “What is true about your company that can’t also be said by one of your competitors?”

Consignment can add money to your proceeds, but, let’s keep ’em honest.

Comments are closed - Categories: Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions

►Tech. Production. HELP!

May 10, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

One thing we’ve learned in the past 18 months (and I hope you didn’t have to learn the hard way) is that your production team is EVERYTHING. Sure, there are fundraisers over Zoom. In some cases, bidding happens in the chat box. But all of these events rely on tech.

I’ve seen costs for event production this year from $3000 to $50,000. Crazy range, right? That means you need to get at least 3 quotes, and you need to learn enough to communicate what you’re asking for, what you envision. Will your speakers need a TelePrompTer? Will you need an afternoon in advance to pre-record some segments or speakers? Will you need a dress rehearsal? What about editing for your videos? Planning to film on-site or in their studio? (Do they even have a studio??)

Conversations with multiple vendors will help you learn the tech speak you need to get an accurate proposal and cost estimate. If you’re still not clear, reach out to a nonprofit whose online program you like to find out what it took to get that result.

Or, you can call me. I’ve got a list of specs compiled from the various streaming events I’ve done.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions, Technology

►Writing Your Speech

February 2, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Your fundraiser is a conversation (hopefully an entertaining yet emotional one) with your supporters. If you’re the ED (Executive Director) or CEO or Board President, you may have to craft a series of inspiring stories or “Mission Moments.”

Here’s the framework I use when I help my clients write, revise and edit (yup, that’s something I include that most other auctioneers do not):

Project:

Date:

Speaker:

Purpose:

Objectives:

Tone:

Desired Audience Response:

General content:

Format:

Future uses of end product, if any:

Figuring out the tone you want to create, the emotions you want your listeners to feel, and any future uses of the content/video – do these 3 things before you start writing. It will make your message cleaner, tighter, more impactful and more valuable over time.

Call me if you need help!

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Fall 2021 Events

January 25, 2021 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Based on what I am seeing (and hearing from other auctioneers across the country) I am hopeful that supporters’ generosity will continue as 2021 continues and that a sense of optimism will only grow.
While in 2020 the buzzword was “virtual,” there is no doubt that the most-used event phrase of 2021 is going to be “hybrid.” The great news for us is that we have 5-6 months to learn the pros and cons from spring events in case we decide to combine the best of both models.

In practice, what we envision as hybrid events -and what many people think will become the new normal – likely is not, for 2 reasons: added cost and added planning. My guess is 50% of orgs that host annual in-person fundraisers will try a hybrid event in 2021 or early 2022, but that only 30% of those who try it will opt to make it their ongoing model. To do a hybrid event well (as opposed to solely live streaming the program, which won’t have the same appeal for at-home viewers) will require planning the in-person event and paying for that in-room technology while also planning a distinct but thematically connected steaming “tv show” of sorts, with all the requisite planning and cost. I suspect planning what amounts to dual events simultaneously will prove to be more than most already overtaxed teams can manage, especially given that even more responsibility may fall to volunteer chairs and committee members due to COVID-related staffing cuts.

Confused? Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Worried? Stuck?

I can help you and your nonprofit figure out what fundraising steps to take next. We’re all about Future Focused Fundraising. Let’s figure out your next best step.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Virtual Galas Work!

December 16, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Here’s a review from an October online gala:

I have been chairing/co-chairing our Sarasota/Manatee area Annual Gala for eight years. October 4 was our first VIRTUAL meeting.
As you might imagine, my co-chair and I were new to the entire process. Jenelle took us by the hand and guided us through the amazing learning curve.
This was not the first time I worked with Jenelle. She was our live auctioneer in our 2019 event.
She was personally responsible for raising more money that we would have been able to do on our own. She knows what she is doing and always open to learn more!

Jenelle charged us a flat fee. Robin and I were fascinated by the amount of time she spent with us and how available she made herself.
She more than earned the amount she charged us in the last month alone!

Jenelle is a true professional, with an amazing amount of patience.

-Lucy

Comments are closed - Categories: Auctioneers, Charity, Consulting, Virtual Gala

►Live Auctions & Virtual Galas

August 31, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

When we started pushing events online 5+ months ago, the “2-screen” experience was typical: view the live streaming program on one screen while bidding/donating on another. This approach has been used successfully (in some cases very successfully), yet questions arose. Were we losing any bidders due to 2-screen viewing?

So the scramble was on…all of the sudden, “1-screen solutions” were being feverishly promoted and created. The thought was, if viewers could bid on the same screen as the livestream program, well, that would just solve everything, right? I mean, it would be *just like an in-person gala, wouldn’t it? What could go wrong?

Curiously, (but – in hindsight – to be expected) new challenges arise with 1-screen online event software. “Latency” emerges as a buzzword. During an in-person bidding experience – say, in a ballroom – every audience member receives the auction bidding info at the same time and anyone can raise a bid paddle. However, for online virtual galas, numerous inequalities arise. Are viewers on laptops, smart TVs, tablets or phones? How fast is their internet connection? Which cable or phone provider?

And, perhaps we really can’t replicate the in-person bidding experience virtually for other reasons.

Most benefit auctioneers would tell you that it takes an average of 3 minutes per item when selling from the stage. While other types of auctioneering calls for liquidation and efficiency (selling 1-2 items per minute), charity fundraising auctions necessitate entertainment and mission reminders along with the selling.

And one of the main reasons fundraising auctioneers like myself get hired is audience engagement/stage presence. While we are highlighting the best features of that item and asking for bids, we are doing 2 other CRITICAL things: scanning the faces and reading body language. Based on our observations of the audience, we decide when to ask for a different dollar amount, add more package details, or mention how another bid helps the NPO do their mission. All while staying mindful of our tight timeline, looking out for distractions in the room, etc.

Now, in the Virtual Gala world of today, all of those critical audience cues are gone. People are either bidding exactly at the moment we’re asking – or they’re not. And we can’t know why. Is it a technology issue? Viewers aren’t interested in the item? Or some are interested, but got distracted just this minute? Or the auctioneer isn’t compelling?

Thus, it’s *Much harder to know when to call an end to the bidding. And, for viewers isolated in their own homes versus watching the action with friends at a gala table, non-bidders are even more disconnected from the auction. Doesn’t that make their attention span even shorter?

So do we close each “live” auction item after 2-3 minutes of real-time bidding, or “check in on the bidding” and leave it open?

Discuss and decide with your fundraising auctioneer. Your decision affects all viewers, and, very likely, your $ raised.

Previously published on LinkedIn.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Live Auctions, Virtual Gala

►Get $10,000 each month from Google?

August 5, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Have you heard of the Google Ad Grants for nonprofits? https://www.google.com/nonprofits/offerings/google-ad-grants/

Ad Grants provides access to $10,000 USD of in-kind advertising every month for text ads.

As stated (verbatim) on their website, most of my nonprofit clients are eligible:

“To request a Google for Nonprofits account, you must be a nonprofit charitable organization in good standing, and meet the full eligibility requirements in your country.

Please note, some types of organizations are not eligible and will not be verified. Please confirm your organization is:

Not a governmental entity or organization
Not a hospital or healthcare organization
Not a school, academic institution, or university (Google for Education offers a separate program for schools)

Whether targeted online ads are completely new to your NPO or already helping you gain support, $10,000 a month in essentially free money is huge. Take the leap that helps you learn!

UPDATE: One of my NPO clients just told me they use a firm called Nonprofit Megaphone (“they’re awesome”) to manage this Google ad grant.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Virtual Galas – Start Here

May 25, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

When the world changed in March 2020, the days of fundraising galas in hotel ballrooms screeched to a halt, at least for now, and the whole new world of Virtual Galas sprung up to fill the financial and social gap. While I believe ballroom galas will come back some time in 2021, I understand that you need help now. I’ve been immersed in virtual galas for months now; I’ve seen more than 30 different types of online events and identified 26 variables. While the transition might seem overwhelming, I assure you, we can do this. If some groups in California could pivot their event in 36 hours (and break records!) then success is possible, and I can help. I’m planning multiple VGs right now and will add more as the weeks go on. Please reach out to chat and I’ll show you the 5 things you must do when planning a virtual fundraiser. We can do this, but let’s get your event planned sooner rather than later. Who knows what lies ahead.

Comments are closed - Categories: Virtual Gala

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part Two

March 11, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

See Part One for 3 things you can do to (hopefully) safeguard your gala and stop this from happening, but, if it happens, here’s what you can do:

(Excerpt from a recent conversation with a client:)

I would
-start by trying to address the exact issue: is the winning bidder just now realizing the blackout or expiration dates? If so, contact the donor to see if you have any wiggle room. Is the amount of the purchase too much at one time? Offer to break up their total into payments. Is the top bidder claiming, “It wasn’t me?” Show him or her your back-up confirmation system, whether clerk sheet, signature, video of the auction, or all 3. Did anyone from your team have a conversation with the winner immediately after the purchase? Your bidder may still back out, but make sure you’ve done all you can, because trying to sell an item after the event can be a headache.

If you’ve tried your best to be diplomatic and solve the issue to no avail, ask the person who no longer wants their live auction item if they’d like to donate the item back and instead make a 100% tax-deductible straight donation to your organization. I’ve seen this done multiple times.

If you still end up with the auction item, you now have to monetize it somehow.

Is there an upcoming event you can use it for? Will the expiration (if applicable) still be far enough in advance? If that event isn’t suited for this size or type of prize as a live auction item, could it become a raffle that you sell chances to win for over time? (check your local raffle statutes).
Can you sell it internally, to a board member or staff member or volunteer?
If you have to open it back up for bidding or buying, try the guests who were in the room and heard the promotion/saw the images.
Email every table host individually and say something like
“Thank you for attending and supporting us! We had a wonderful night and are so thankful for you and your guests.We have some exciting news! We have something in the works where guests may be able to still place a bid for a _________________ valued up to _____________. We’ve spoken with (donor) and the offering would be___________________________. (Our auctioneer thinks) there may have been a guest at your table bidding during the Live Auction, and we wanted to extend this opportunity. If you know of a guest who had been bidding, we’d love to share this updated info with him or her.”

If you don’t get any responses from that, you can put the item on your website or an online bidding platform to find a new offer (or two or three).

As I said to my client, “I’m sorry this happened. Sometimes people are…people.”

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Board members, Consulting, GALA GAL Case Study, Live Auctions

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part One

- Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

It happens.

Not very often, but it happens.

Sometimes it’s because the person drank too much. Beware of Open Bar combined with a too-late live auction. It’s an urban myth that you should get your guests drunk so they “bid more.” Drunk is NOT the goal, should never be the goal. The guideline fundraising professionals use is “Two drinks good, 3 drinks bad.” Get your fundraising FINISHED before your guests have finished a third drink. People who’ve had too much to drink (more than 2-3) tend to be louder, talkative, self-absorbed, unable to focus on the larger agenda of the whole room, and -in extreme cases -not thinking clearly. Oh they might bid, but they’re the first ones to cry “buyer’s remorse” and refuse to pay, leaving you with a multi-thousand dollar auction item and no crowd left (on Monday after the event) to sell it to.

There are other reasons people refuse to honor their auction bid, and there are a few ways you can minimize your risk, so start building these safeguards into your next event:

Videotape your live auction and paddle raise appeal. If you’ve got them on video raising their Bid Number, it will be harder to claim it was a mistake.
Get an instant confirmation after each item is sold. We often create a separate invoice for each live auction item and a runner gets an immediate “Print, Phone, Signature” – printed name, phone and confirming signature acknowledging the item and the purchase price. If using mobile bidding, one of the reps can go to each winner and immediate confirm acceptance by asking for his/her phone number to tie that item to an account on file.
Make sure your clerks are writing down the back-up bidders, too, in case you need to reach out to them after the event. (Side note: remember that ALL bidders during your live auction – everyone who raises a bid number – was trying to give you money that night, and only a few were the final winning bidders. It’s a GREAT idea to follow up with all bidders after the event and thank them, see if you can interest them in supporting in another way, invite them to join the committee for next year’s auction, etc.)

Despite all of your efforts, someone calls on Monday and backs out/won’t honor their bid. Now what?

Check out Part Two…

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions

►February Gala Themes

March 9, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

You’re in luck! One of the most elegant and beloved themes should be back on your radar – Hollywood’s Biggest Night! The decor and dress code are upscale and lux, the theme suggests all kinds of movie and celebrity tie-ins, and you can sell a Viewing Party buy-in opportunity in someone’s home for top dollar! I’m happy to chat about ways to wow your crowd, and – in the meantime – mark your calendars: 2021’s Academy Awards ceremony is set to take place Feb. 28 and 2022’s on Feb. 27.

Comments are closed - Categories: Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics

►Don’t Take My Word For It

January 17, 2020 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

” Anyway, I just wanted to tell you, yet again, that you are a master beyond words. First was the way you pushed so successfully through a couple of “slowdowns” in the bidding on ended up gaining top dollar winning bids. Second, he thought your set-up with such energized and animated spotters/encouragers in the audience was amazing. Also, I think there were around 700 people in the audience…so know that’s a huge crowd to manage. Bottom line, I saw Jeanne at breakfast yesterday morning (was with our group of eight) and she asked us what we thought was the highlight of the event this year. I said it was YOU. Then, the rest of our group concurred. She shared that she had heard the same thing from others.” – Karen Davis, Brevard Zoo

Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Board members, Live Auctions

►Text Me!

September 4, 2019 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Quick FYI that I’m ending my 877-GALA-411 toll free number, as those days are gone and texts to my 407-791-1360 (Tampa) cell are in! Of course, you can call me on that same number, or e-mail me at Info@GalaGal.com. Nothing’s constant but change 🙂

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Calling in Favors

August 21, 2019 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Committee members often ask me how to reach out to a well-connected community pillar or a semi-celebrity they happen to know. When you’re not asking for a direct donation, but instead asking to be connected to someone’s friends and associates, that asking can be tricky.

When it comes to reaching out for donations, it’s helpful to consider a couple of things:
First, ask the person you know if the cause you’re requesting on behalf of is one they feel good about supporting.

For example:
“As you may know, I’m on the committee for X Cancer Organization, and they help people across the state with emergency scholarships for basic necessities while going through cancer treatment, like keeping their electricity on and a roof over their heads. I’d love your help to make their fundraiser more successful, and I’m not asking for money 🙂 With your help, we could raise thousands more dollars. Could I ask you a few questions?”

Then, explain the type of connections you’re looking for.

“This event has an exclusive live auction with only a small number of carefully chosen packages, and a silent auction also. Each live auction spot typically raises $2000+, and we’re always looking to offer the guests memorable, emotional experiences that they just can’t stop bidding on! During committee brainstorming for ideas, they were hoping for (insert package ideas you think could come from the prospect’s contacts – Dinner for 12 with Chef ________, Sunset Yacht Trip for 20, Box at ______ sporting event, etc.). Would you be willing to connect me to people who can make this happen?”

That process is both polite and effective in securing more and higher value donations.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►It’s all about the Shoes!

August 10, 2019 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

One of my favorite themed events is coming up: Wine, Women and Shoes. Instead of being the brainchild of and benefiting only one nonprofit, WW&S is an outside partner that over 100 nonprofits across the country have partnered with, raising more than $75 million dollars. That’s some impressive philanthropy. At one of these signature events you’ll find – of course – a lot of wine, a lot of women, and A LOT of incredible shoes! You’ll also find a lot of bidding, donating, and all-around generosity. If you’re looking for a feel-good night out, find your fanciest footwear and join us!

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►Here’s a Good Idea

August 4, 2019 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

About half of my events still do traditional silent auctions with paper bid sheets. And about half of those organizations use the “Just Buy It” or Instant Purchase option, so that attendees can stop bidding in small increments and just opt to buy it and be done. However, this can cause more than a little confusion. People unfamiliar with the Instant Purchase option often try to keep bidding, and then more than one person believes he is the winner. With the clear and easy notification show above, you will make your auction clearer and easier for your bidders. And, you know the GALA GAL motto, “Make it easy for people to spend money.”

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting

►A long-time client says…

June 17, 2018 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

I am delighted to recommend Jenelle Taylor as an auctioneer. We have been working with her for the past five years, and she has been sensational in every way. She works well with a multitude of different personalities on our gala committee, and she never gets flustered. Jenelle is a bundle of positive energy. She has a wealth of ideas and yet remains flexible and willing to try any ideas others may have. Jenelle is well- organized and a good communicator. She pays attention to every auction detail. Jenelle is bright, personable and fun-loving and her warmth shines through in everything she does. – Nancy Ludin, Jewish Pavilion

Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers, Charity, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions

►Radio Interview 3/27/18

April 1, 2018 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS

Interviewed on Money Radio

Want tips on how to find charity events to support in your community? On the weekly FM radio show “The Auction Block” out of Phoenix, Arizona, I share 2 surefire ways to connect with fundraisers at a ticket price you can afford. Can’t afford much? I tell you how you can attend the best events in town for free! Check out the 40-minute interview here on The Auction Block Facebook page, or search for The Auction Block podcast, episode from 3/27/18. The charity event content starts about minute 17:00; before that I share how I went from middle school teacher to cruise ship auctioneer to GALA GAL!

Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Board members, Charity

GALA GAL, Inc. Future-Focused Fundraising

Orgs We've Helped!

TEXT or CALL me!

Find me on LinkedIn!

VIDEO: Auction Style!

NAA Credentials

VIDEO: 1000 Guests!

The GALA 411 Blog

Editor of this How-to Charity Auction book

“70-Point Venue Checklist” FREE DOWNLOAD

Find It Now

>

Simplify! Follow this Blog via Email

►I Believe…

►Hybrid How-to

►They Provide Trips?

►Tech. Production. HELP!

►Writing Your Speech

►Fall 2021 Events

►Virtual Galas Work!

►Live Auctions & Virtual Galas

►Get $10,000 each month from Google?

►Virtual Galas – Start Here

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part Two

►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part One

►February Gala Themes

►Don’t Take My Word For It

►Text Me!

►Calling in Favors

►It’s all about the Shoes!

►Here’s a Good Idea

►A long-time client says…

►Radio Interview 3/27/18

GALA GAL, Inc. Future-Focused Fundraising

Orgs We've Helped!

TEXT or CALL me!

Find me on LinkedIn!

VIDEO: Auction Style!

NAA Credentials

VIDEO: 1000 Guests!

The GALA 411 Blog

Editor of this How-to Charity Auction book

“70-Point Venue Checklist” FREE DOWNLOAD

Find It Now

>

Simplify! Follow this Blog via Email

►I Believe…

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►Hybrid How-to

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►They Provide Trips?

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►Tech. Production. HELP!

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►Writing Your Speech

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►Fall 2021 Events

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►Virtual Galas Work!

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►Live Auctions & Virtual Galas

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►Get $10,000 each month from Google?

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►Virtual Galas – Start Here

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►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part Two

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►When a Bidder Backs Out-Part One

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►February Gala Themes

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►Don’t Take My Word For It

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►Text Me!

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►Calling in Favors

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►It’s all about the Shoes!

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►Here’s a Good Idea

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►A long-time client says…

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►Radio Interview 3/27/18

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