Joanna Seetoo Designs Blog

Marketing/Sales/Social Media/Public Relations/Design Full Resume

joannaseetoodesigns — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:56:25 +0000

Joanna J. Seetoo Schiele

San Diego California 92107 email: SEEMACK_RUN@HOTMAIL.COM (M) 646. 295. 4777

Experienced sales and marketing professional with a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams. Areas of expertise include: Social Media, public speaking, marketing & sales of products and services, public relations, writing copy for advertising, brochures, radio, television, internet research, fundraising, executive search, candidate identification, new business development, award winning jewelry design, product development, teaching, merchandising and consultancy. Fluent with Social Media tools (see below,) Microsoft Office and various CRM and ATS programs including Goldmine, FileMaker, Smart Search and Sendouts Pro. Work with both Mac and PC. Recently was a featured Speaker at the Cool Twitter Conferences World Tour (San Diego.)

February 2009 – Present

Ocean Beach MainStreet Association San Diego, CA

Director of Communications

Marketing and Social Media Strategist

The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association is a private non-profit business and the management organization for the O.B. Business Improvement District as well as the Newport Ave. Landscape Maintenance District. The OBMA’s program is grounded in preservation and divides its scope of work within 4 areas: Organization, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, and Design.

I utilize Social Media tools to help the OBMA achieve their marketing and branding goals. Tools used include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube, TweetPhoto, Vimeo, Social Media Bookmarking sites, i.e., StumbleUpon, Digg, MyDelicious, Wikis, AllTop, Blogs, among others.

Create and lead Workshops for the members of OBMA.
Create content for all Social Media sites.
Write and distribute relevant Press Releases for media outlets, print, radio, online and television.
Interface with media channels to schedule interviews and other publicity.
Set up and maintain OBMA pages on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
Successfully grow our followers and fans but more importantly interact on a regular basis.
Assist with OBMA’s blog.
Successfully promote and market OBMA sponsored events and products, i.e., Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off, Oktoberfest, WAVES~The Sound of Ocean Beach Vol.1, Global Rock Fest.
Working with independent videographers to build quality content for a YouTube Channel and to embed on the new website.
Re-brand Ocean Beach and raise awareness for the area as a fun, family-friendly community that actively supports their artists/musicians and businesses.
Successfully create strategic relationships with influential organizations and individuals.
Member of the OBMA Promotions Committee.

December 2008 – Present

Social Media Consultant San Diego, CA

Consult, train and strategize with clients throughout various industries to help them achieve their marketing and branding goals. Utilize a plethora of social media sites to attract and retain customers for clients. Stay abreast of trends and advancements in technology. Network with other active Social Media participants to continually learn and create alliances.

Once engaged, Social Media Programs are designed and tailored to clients’ individual needs. Tools utilized include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube, Social Media Bookmarking sites, e.g., StumbleUpon, Digg, MyDelicious, Wikis, AllTop, Blogs, etc.

Recently (July 2009) was a featured Speaker at the Cool Twitter Conference.
On Air Guest, TwitterTalkRadio.
Produce, Direct and Edit promotional videos.

Clients include The San Diego Troubadour, Hillcrest Optical, Gary Gilmore Goldsmith, The Recruitment Underground, Idleheist, Coco & Lafe, Bad Science Fiction, Homes by Harriet, Pinnacle Fitness, etc.

February 2009 – Present

Featured Blogger for StarPolish/Velvet Rope

StarPolish/Velvet Rope is a leading music industry website and blog. Offering business and career advice, news, and commentaries by artists and industry professionals. My blog, Style and Substance looks at popular culture with a focus on music and fashion and the importance of looking right for the role.

2007-Present

Fundraising and Sponsorship Consultant San Diego, CA

Independent consultant working with non-profit organizations to develop programs to enlist funding and garner sponsorships from business entities of all sizes as well as individuals. Special programs include auctions, event productions, raffles, etc.

Create literature and brochures outlining prospectus.
Effectively communicate with donors and sponsors to showcase the benefits of participation while meeting their specific needs.
Establish relationships with donors and sponsors for ongoing support.
Enlist volunteers.
Coach volunteers to solicit funding from donors.
Clients include the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ocean Beach MainStreet Association

2006- 2009

Technical Account Executive / Executive Recruiter San Diego/Carlsbad CA

For Adecco Engineering and Technical Services and for Skillstorm Commercial.

Executive Recruiter (SkillStorm / September 2008 –January 2009)

Duties include New Business Development and recruiting of qualified personnel for various positions with focus on technical roles.
Account Management.
Mentoring and coaching of new recruiters and job seekers.

Resource Manager/Account Manager (SkillStorm / May-Sept.2008)

Duties include recruiting for technical and engineering positions in both contract and permanent placements.
Account Management.

Technical Account Executive / Recruiting Specialist (Adecco Eng./Sept.2006 – May 2008)

New Business Development and Recruiting of Candidates for new and existing clients.
Negotiate contracts with prospective and existing clients.
Extensive Internet research and identification of target companies and candidates.
Create search plans, source candidates, cold call, screen and interview candidates for eligibility.
Fluent with complete life cycle of recruitment, from development of business via new clients to development of candidate to extending an offer of employment.
Personally responsible for bringing in Contract assignments of $750K+ in combined value.
Personally responsible for bringing in Direct Hire assignments of $900K+ in combined value.
Excellent ability to establish candidate control as well as form strong relationships with Hiring Managers.
Ranked number 4 Recruiter for Permanent Placements in non Perm Hubs nationally (out of over 100 Engineering and Technical offices.)
Drove the San Diego Engineering and Technical branch to first place nationally year to date for four consecutive months (April-July 2007) in New Client Retail Sales setting a new milestone for this branch who had never made the Tremendous 25 list before, We are consistent top five producers.

2000 – 2001

Thorne, Brieger Associates, Inc. New York, NY

Director of Research

Thorne, Brieger Associates is a Retained Executive Search firm with practices in diverse industries including Chemicals, Medical Device, Engineering and Human Resources. Responsibilities included: varied research assignments requiring unique multitasking abilities. Assignments included overseeing company and candidate identification in various industries including Specialty Chemicals, Medical Device, etc. Duties further included candidate development and managing the daily flow of research information to the company’s partners.

Jewelry Industry Experience

1990 – Present

Joanna Seetoo Designs

Award Winning Design, fabrication and marketing of fine jewelry for boutiques and galleries nationwide, specializing in custom designs for private clients, including Julia Roberts, Andie MacDowell, Rita Wilson, Kelly Preston and more. Joanna’s AGTA Spectrum Award Winning Ring “Elation” can be found in the permanent collection of the GIA Museum.

July 2004 – December 2007

iBBC Inc./ Lorenzo, USA/ Lorenzo International, Inc. Los Angeles, CA

Lorenzo, USA/Lorenzo International Inc. is the largest publicly traded jewelry manufacturer in the world. They are a direct mine to market operation with factories in China, gemstone mining in Brazil where they control the colored gemstone trade and design facilities and offices in Hong Kong. They merchandise and market to all retail sectors including Independent Jewelry Stores, Major Chain Stores, Department Stores and over nine Shopping Channels worldwide.

On-Air Guest Host / Sales / Marketing Communications / Copy Writer / Designer-Product Developer

Represent the Lorenzo organization and present different high-end Designer Jewelry lines to the ShopNBC nationwide audience through live television appearances. ShopNBC is the third largest shopping channel in the USA.
Interact with the ShopNBC show host, selling product while seamlessly maintaining a relaxed, conversational dialogue.
Represent the Lorenzo, Colorgems division on HSE (Home Shopping Europe.) This station broadcasts to audiences in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Show is filmed and broadcasted from Munich, Germany.
Research and prepare information on gemstones, manufacturing processes and design influences into written copy for all guest-hosted shows for Lorenzo USA yielding better sell-through. Copies of this “script” are distributed to the buyers, producers and hosts.
Design and Develop product for various fine jewelry lines.

May 2001 – January 2003

iBBC Inc, E’motions Gallery / Lorenzo International, Inc. Carlsbad, CA

A technologically progressive, vertically integrated designer jewelry manufacturer that distributes jewelry product through its own unique, patented delivery system, the E’motions Gallery. The E’motions Gallery is a stand-alone kiosk that has nine window showcases filled with live 18k and 14k gold jewelry with diamonds and gemstones surrounding a touch screen computer monitor that customers can use to access a virtual online catalogue. All jewelry product is designed and built for the E’motions Gallery.

Director of Sales and Marketing

Increased customer accounts by 50%
Personally responsible for over 60% of kiosk sales
Authored Business/Marketing Plan for 2003-4
Create all advertising and marketing materials including Radio Scripts, Print Ads and Posters, Press Releases and Web Content. Also wrote copy and art direct photography and graphic design efforts.
Authored, Created and Named new division of iBBC, Inc. Wrote concept storyline, tag line and slogan.

Director of Merchandising and Customer Relations

Responsible for Client retention and training.
Responsible for Client sell-through.
Jewelry Design and Overall Design Direction and Product Development.
Trade Show Director.
Direct all Visual Merchandising, including merchandise selection, display materials, changing out of jewelry product on a rotational basis, tailoring of individual galleries.

1997 to 2000

Chestnut Goldsmiths Inc. San Francisco, CA

Owner/Operator of retail jewelry store specializing in fine and custom designed jewelry. Responsible for all aspects of running a retail business including marketing, merchandising, purchasing, inventory, display, customer relations, vendor relations, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable. Other activities included:

Monthly jewelry columnist for The Marina Times.
Freelance marketing consultant for Revere Academy.

1995 and Before

Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts San Francisco, CA

Premier educational facility in the USA for all phases of fine jewelry manufacturing and design.

Marketing Director, Academy Coordinator, Instructor

Full P&L responsibility for marketing of academy programs, instructional videos and books. Personally instructed several popular jewelry fabrication courses.

Increased academy enrollment by 35%.
Increased sales of Revere books and videos by 65%.
Organized sponsorship relationships between the Academy and Fine Jewelry Industry.
Created strategic alliances with the Platinum Guild, USA and Jewelers of America.
Instructor for the following classes: Granulation, Classical Jewelry Making, Weaving In Metal, Chain Making, and Basic Fabrication.

Manhattan Design New York, NY

Award-winning graphic design studio responsible for designing the famous MTV logo. Specializing in cutting edge entertainment and fashion industries with a particular emphasis on the music industry.

Marketing & Public Relations Director

Increased accounts by 40%. Clients included REM, B-52’s, Duran Duran, Pangaea Label, and Nonesuch Label among others.

Education:

2003 to 2004 Vitality College of Healing Arts Solana Beach, CA

Holistic Health Practitioner Program

1997 to 2000 G.I.A. Gemological Institute of America San Francisco, CA

Graduate Gemology Program, Distance Program

1995 to 1996 Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts San Francisco, CA

Graduate Jeweler Diploma

Certifications & Awards:

MJSA American Vision Award 1994

AGTA Spectrum Award 1994

MJSA American Vision Award 1993

California Post Private Vocational Education Certified

What I’ve Learned From My Cat

joannaseetoodesigns — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:02:07 +0000

Since today is Mother’s Day, I wanted to share some insight I’ve learned from my fur child.

When our neighbor passed away suddenly, my husband Chuck and I found ourselves rescuing a mixed Siamese Tabby named Franklin. They had a lot of cats but this one had personality. Franklin would sit on the fence between our houses and vocalize until you rubbed his head. He has an almost insatiable appetite for head rubs but rewards you well with a purr that sounds like a soft motor. He was the only cat that didn’t get caught in the traps that the police had set out for the cats.

We took Franklin into our home without hesitation and after he was cleaned and fed, we knew he was ours for real and for always. Franklin is incredibly sweet tempered and excels at cuddling. He loves chicken and prefers to eat dry food. Occasionally he gets adventurous and will try our people chicken and will usually have a tiny bite or two of prime rib Without fail he’ll thank you for your kindness.

Like most animals Franklin knows when something is wrong. He’ll use his intuitive cat powers to comfort and magically transform you back into a calm, content and tranquil person. Taking a nap with Franklin is as relaxing as a massage.

When we took him to the vet for a check up, we discovered that he had it pretty rough as a kitten, had broken a leg that mended a little crooked and they believe he must have been hit by a car as he only has one good lung and all of his organs are in the wrong position.

Franklin has been through tough circumstances, but he doesn’t sweat the small stuff. He likes to play, likes his catnip and keeps a careful eye out on other critters who walk through “his” yard. Mostly he knows how to relax and wisely recognizes that a good sleep can put everything in perspective. Franklin lives by the old adage that as long as you have a roof over your head and enough food to eat you’ve got wealth. Having others who love you is priceless.

It’s hard to remember that that’s all we really need in life. We strive for more stuff and wind up getting possessed by our possessions. Franklin keeps me grounded. I like my stuff, but I love my family and my family included my wise little tabby Franklin.

Why Small Businesses Need Social Media

joannaseetoodesigns — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:31:29 +0000

The other day I was privileged to meet a number of business owners from my coastal community in San Diego. I was leading a workshop on Social Media and was delighted to see that people were really interested in this topic.

On a whole, there’s a certain amount of ambivalence, sometimes an outright resistance that seems to be attached to learning new ways when you’re set in your old ones so it was with a happy heart that we had a full room of eager, lively participants with tons of questions.

I asked each person to introduce themselves and tell me what their on-line presence was at this time. Who has a website (most,) is on LinkedIn (two,) on Facebook (maybe 3-4,) Twitter (2-3.) It ranged from not even having a website to signing up with Social Media networks and then having no clue as to how to use the tools.

I tried to explain that the beauty of utilizing SM tools is the fact that you can broaden your reach; expand your sphere of influence within a short amount of time and without a lot of money.

You can pinpoint your audience, build your tribe, engage them directly and find out all the information you could possibly need or want to create and present the products and services they’d want to buy. Invaluable, right?

Most of the participants realized that there was no magic bullet, no pat answer and no quick fix. This was relationship building, but on steroids. You can build bigger, better and faster, but make it lasting, honest and worthy. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift. Technology and humanity are working together and when we use the tools available we can express our humanity in ways that were previously unknown.

I hope that each of the individuals who came to learn, contact me after so that I can address each of their challenges individually. They all run very different businesses and have disparate goals.

Individual goals need individual strategies and each one needs a good game plan for their specific business. I love to help people and helping them, helps me hone my skills too.

This field is so new and changing so fast that you’re constantly learning. I’m looking forward to sharing that with you too. Feel free to contact me to help you too.

Approaches to Social Media

joannaseetoodesigns — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:02:26 +0000

Thinking about social media? Or are you waist deep and need some help? A session today at SES NY highlights different approaches to social media, its purpose and how and why you should get involved. Li Evans, of Key Relevance, hammers home the need for social media strategy within her presentation. Social Media – done for the sole purpose of traffic or links – probably isn’t social media you should be doing. Social media is not about your marketing message, it’s about what the customer has to say good or bad. It’s about them talking about you. Whatever you do socially, remember that the end user has control of your message and sometimes your brand. Li goes on to explain that these conversations are happening any way, online and offline, so would you rather be part of it or continue to ignore it? Imagine if a group of your customers invited you to a party they were having to talk about your product? Would you attend? Of course you would. Or you would be stupid not to. So when those ‘parties’ are happening online every day it’s interesting how many companies don’t rsvp. Li reminds the audience, that there are multiple tools to help you engage in Social Media. It’s not just Digg or Facebook or Twitter. But before thinking about the tools, think about your overall approach. 1. Start with a plan 2. Know where your audience is online 3. Integrate with SEO and PPC 4. Define Goals & Measure, Measure, Measure 5. Take What Works & Improve it Next, is Beth Harte, of Harte Marketing & Communications. She starts by explaining that attention to social media by the PR industry is lacking. Specifically, the industry tends to still focus only on media, dodging crisis and ignoring customers. It’s no longer just about the journalist. There are many conversations on blogs, forums, social media and PR needs to move toward putting the customer first. Once you have a plan that rolls up to objectives and strategy, here are a couple ways to dive in:

1. Online newsroom, make it more than a repository for press releases

2. Social Media News Release which is searchable, includes keywords and tells a story The next step for the PR Person is to connect the dots between offline and online to reach customers in a more effective way. Rob Key, of Converseon, is here to represent the agency side of Social Media. The marketing funnel has gone from a very linear approach to a Dr. Seuss type of funnel which includes conversations in multiple destinations and specifically destinations that aren’t always controlled by the brand. While social media may not be hard to execute, culturally it can be very difficult. Since social media transcends marketing disciplines, it makes it even more difficult. When developing social media: * Utilize and engage different groups (comm, marketing, media, search) * Pilot with low-profile business unit * Encourage your clients to start listening first, then engage Social media can be successful when you:

1. Listen Free tools like Google Alerts can get you started. Conversation monitoring is documenting conversations. Conversation mining is taking the information, creating insights based on sentiment and letting that information drive what you do next.

2. Organize Social media is an engine of organization transformation. Within client organizations, help them decide who ‘owns’ social media to make sure you have an internal champion and educator.

3. Policy/Ethics Understand the cultural nuances of the different communities and educate the client on what is appropriate in what channel. Work with your client to create a code of ethics and guidelines in an effort to increase confidence and cut down on the review process.

4. Infrastructure Identify what conversation assets you have and what ones you need. How will you make this happen and within what timeframe?

5. Identify opportunities to listen and connect Every social network is not right for every brand. Select based on where your target market is.

6. Engage with the Right Philosophy Participate and learn. Identify the elders and come bearing something of value.

7. Measurement Measure changes in conversation, increase in positive sentiment, share of conversation. Then identify what a 10% increase in sentiment means to the overall business. There are many ways to dive into social media, doing so with a plan is the first step to being successful and providing something of value.

by SES NY posted by Jolina

A little erudite humor

joannaseetoodesigns — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:50:55 +0000

Here is the Washington Post’s Mensa Invitational which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:

1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus : A person who’s both stupid and an a–hole.

3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getti! ng laid.

7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.

9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon : It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The gruelling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido : All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.) : Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you’re eating.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society online Auction till Feb.8, 2009

joannaseetoodesigns — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:10:49 +0000

I was asked to organize a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to benefit the local Pacific South Coast Chapter so several other jewelry artists and I have all donated pieces to raise money and awareness for this tragic disease.

Please visit this on-line auction and share the link with everyone else you know. http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/nmss-sandiego_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

Proceeds from the sale of this auction benefit the MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter. Our mission is to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable neurological disease that affects an estimated 400,000 people in the United States. It interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the rest of the body and stops people from moving. Every hour, someone is newly diagnosed with MS. MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue and even paralysis and blindness. * These symptoms might be permanent, or they might come and go. At least two to three times more women than men have been diagnosed with MS. MS is typically diagnosed in the prime-of-life years, ages 20-50, though an estimated 8,000-10,000 children under the age of 18 also live with MS. Studies indicate that genetic factors may make certain individuals more susceptible to the disease, but there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited. MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics/Latinos, but is more common in Caucasians of northern European ancestry. At least 400,000 Americans live with MS. Worldwide MS is the most common neurological disease leading to disability in young adults. We address the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

If you have any questions, please send me a note. Thank you very much. All the Best, Joanna

Great Article

joannaseetoodesigns — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:54:02 +0000

Recession Reset

by Maureen SharibJan 22, 2009, 4:06 pm ET

I liked this article so much that I wanted to share it with you in case you haven’t had a chance to see it. Hope it inspires you!

I just got off the phone with a recruiter who had been let go on Monday of this week. Like many in this situation, he wasn’t surprised, but always “kind of thought” there would be another position in another division of his company to segue to.

Not this time.

One month severance pay plus a couple of weeks unused vacation puts six weeks between him and reduced living. His wife works, and her job looks “pretty secure,” for now.

But he needs to find a job. Immediately interviewing, he’s finding that departments are looking for a new kind of recruiter — one who can do their own sourcing on the front end as well as bringing up the rear in hiring. It seems to me like a lot to ask, and maybe one of management’s forays into “let’s see all we can get” while the “gettin’” appears to be good. It smacks of greed to me but maybe I’m just sensitive on the issue, sensitized as I have been at all the recent media coverage of excess and waste among those with influence.

“Have you thought of doing anything else?” I asked. I could hear him brighten somewhat when he told me, quickly, in a pleasant-sounding stream, of how one of his secondary skill sets at his company was keeping some of its outdated equipment running — he was the go-to person, it seems, for the company’s “Help Desk” requirements.

“Do you enjoy that?” I asked. Quickly, and eagerly, he admitted he did but then added that going there would mean a drop in pay.

“But do you like doing that?” I pressed.

“Yes, I do,” he admitted.

“Then doesn’t that count for something?” I pressed again, trying to be gentle.

“It does, I guess.” I could hear he wasn’t wholly convinced but his mind was starting to ponder the idea.

“I think of this whole thing as a “reset” mode for all of us,” I continued. It’s not like some of us are on the outside and some of us are on the inside. We’re all in this together and whatever happens we’re all of us affected, together.”

“That’s true,” he agreed.

“It doesn’t make it easier, I understand,” I said. “But maybe, just maybe, some of us will be able to go in the direction of our dreams, as that old saying goes,” I continued, referring to Henry David Thoreau’s, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”

We then talked about some proactive things he might also do: posting a “job-wanted” notice in a geographically-local LinkedIn group; attending some in-person networking events; getting active in the “groups” and “discussions” on the social/business networking sites like ERE, RecruitingBlogs.com, and Fordyce; contributing articles, remarks, and advice; and sourcing who was left in staffing at local companies and contacting them directly with his resume. Before we hung up I asked him to stay in touch with me. I told him I was interested in where he goes from here. And I am.

Joanna Seetoo Schiele

http://joannaseetoodesigns.com
Linked In:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/joannaseetooschiele

Linking up through LinkedIn and other networking sites

joannaseetoodesigns — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:21:32 +0000

What a cool and amazing thing LinkedIn has turned out to be. Between LI, Facebook and MySpace I’ve gotten in touch with old friends and colleagues I might never have crossed paths with again. I’ve also “met” some great new people that I look forward to cultivating relationsips with.

I’ve also had exposure to new businesses and groups that I was unaware of and hopefully some of my new friends have also found the same.

Though we seem to have less time for face to face interaction, I suppose the human desire to connect and communicate is still magnetically strong and so we adapt to our environment as the best of the species does.

I look forward to meeting more of you as we progress…

Thanks!

A new era is at hand…

joannaseetoodesigns — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:32:07 +0000

Change is good.

I remain hopeful that the future will brighten, the economy will stabilize and rebound and we as a country will become unified and strong. That we will see true healthcare reform and that we will be more focused on creating harmony than waging war.

I look forward to a renaissance, where music, art and beauty are appreciated again and not just in the form of blackberries, ipods and other things that take the place of human interaction.

We are creative individuals who need to create not just consume.

I live in hope and optimism.

Hello world!

joannaseetoodesigns — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:57:07 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!