Mentors appear in unexpected places and ways in our lives and business journeys. It is enriching to pay attention to their cues. They plant seeds in us that may not blossom for years or decades. Time does not diminish their impact; quite the opposite. Who are your timeless mentors?

In this blog post, I’ll share practical advice on becoming a multifaceted real estate agent. By exploring various revenue streams and leveraging your experiences, you can maximize your career potential. One powerful way to achieve many of these goals is by writing a book.

These steps describe the journey, whether you are leaving home to embark on a personal journey of internal discovery adventure or leading the way in a new business venture.

In the heart of Highland Park, Illinois, lies a treasure trove of memories and melodies for millions of people—the Ravinia Festival. For over ten decades, this iconic venue has been more than just a place for music; it has been a backdrop to the stories of my life and many others. Ravinia has woven itself into the life fabric of my existence, from the rock anthems of my youth to the symphonies that lull my grandchildren to sleep.

As a ghostwriter, my passion lies in unearthing narratives in unexpected places. Often, the most robust stories are right before us, hidden in the rhythms of our everyday lives. Take a moment to look around your home. There are so many ideas for capturing your life's stories. For example, do you see that potted plant on your windowsill or the greenery adorning your bookshelf? Some of these plants, unassuming as they may seem, might hold a story—a celebration of memories, love, nurturing, and care for loved ones. In my home, the foliage isn't just decoration; it's a living anthology of our family's journey. Each story I share at its surface imparts and interesting tale on my attachments to four unique plants in my house. Below the surface are untold stories with roots deep into our family's history, each a living symbol of growth, resilience, and connection.

The Fourth of July has always been a celebration to mark our nation's independence with fireworks, parades, and gatherings with friends and family. It also brings back a flood of cherished memories from my childhood in the early 1950s, growing up in a small post-WWII subdivision. These were the summer days when we would leave the house early in the morning and play in our backyard swimming pools, sprinklers, or slip-and-slides. We'd be called home for an early dinner of hot dogs and chips at one of our houses and then back outside for a kickball game before the fireflies appeared.

I went for many long walks during COVID with my iPhone camera in hand. I took pictures of nature in my townhome's backyard open space. There are creeks, bridges, and ponds. There are birds, ducks, and geese. There is a change of seasons, from colorful fall leaves on tree branches in the fall to pristine white snow branches in the winter to green budding branches in the spring and summer.

You have spent decades building your business. On the way, you have succeeded, faced challenges, followed your vision, developed business and marketing skills, and learned how to lead and make tough decisions. Your end game may have been to sell your company, turn it over to the next generation, or liquidate and move on to another challenge. There is great value in telling your business story. It is your last task to complete. Look back and tell your legacy story with reverence and joy.

Have you ever felt the burning desire to write a book, only to be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the task? You're not alone. Many aspiring authors share this dream yet cannot start due to the daunting writing process. The struggle to find a starting point or to know what to do once a rough outline is complete can be paralyzing. 

Every hour is precious in business. As an entrepreneur, your primary focus is steering and growing your company to ensure ongoing success. Telling your legacy story is an often overlooked opportunity that can elevate your business. Investing 15-20 hours with a skilled ghostwriter will yield a legacy narrative that propels your business forward. The small amount of time is worth it to maintain success, improve profitability, and tell your story.

In the competitive real estate landscape, standing out is essential. As a real estate agent, you possess a wealth of knowledge and experience accumulated over years of serving clients and navigating the industry. However, one powerful tool often overlooked is authorship. This blog post delves into the myriad benefits of writing a book, such as establishing authority, expanding reach, building trust and credibility, and diversifying revenue streams. It's a strategy that can propel your career to new heights.

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Babe was a dear friend of my mother's. Their friendship formed as neighbors settling into a newly built neighborhood in the 1950s, Northbrook East. They became such good friends that I started calling her Aunt Babe when I was growing up. She was tall, about six feet, and wore her bleach blond hair in a beehive. Like most women then, they would have their hair done once a week and managed to keep their style in place with copious amounts of VO5 hairspray.

I recently read two historical fiction novels, The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson, whose premise is the same. The storylines are built around courageous, committed women who faced obstacles in Appalachia during the Depression as proud Works Progress Administration (WPA) Pack Horse Library Project employees. The women would deliver books by horse or mule regardless of rugged terrain, sometimes terrible weather, and often dangerous circumstances. They brought the outside world to a group of isolated people who usually resisted their overtures.

Fifty Years in the Wool Trading, as remembered and dictated by Marcus Harris, is a sixty-page softcover book I found when I was ten years old on a bookshelf in the living room of our small bungalow house in Northbrook, Illinois. My great-grandfather was born in the United States, and his parents, Gustav and Stella, were born in Prussia and Rhineland, respectively.

I cannot remember now who said that to me. I know that many times, as I was growing up, people would comment that I was quiet. It might have been a self-esteem boost had the comment centered on my love of reading and writing poetry and my preference to listen to other people's stories rather than talk about myself.

Discover the universal framework of the Hero's Journey—a potent tool for crafting compelling business stories. Originating from mythologist Joseph Campbell, this narrative structure reflects the human experience of growth, resilience, and triumph.

A central figure in my husband's life was his Uncle Charlie. He was a retired farmer. He and his wife, Aunt Elsie, lived near Gary, his parents, and his sister. Friends and family often gathered at his home and enjoyed warm, easy-going, fussy hospitality. Everyone squeezed into the small rectangular sunroom, sitting on a green floral couch, stools, or wood chairs brought in from the kitchen table.

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards is historic for so many reasons. Celine Dion was looking beautiful in the throes of her devastating illness, stiff person's syndrome. There was Tracy Chapman's glorious return to the stage singing an exquisite rendition of Fast Cars with Luke Combs. There was Taylor Swift, the first artist ever to win the Best Album of the Year award four times while announcing a new album's release date this month.