The Swiss Zone

New Website

2015-01-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I’m pleased to announce that I launched a new website. To continue reading my post, and receive updates about future events and offerings please visit here:

www.tatjanaluethi.com

Cheers,

_____________________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

UX Facilitator. Designer. Producer. Moderator. Community Leader
User-centric, Agile-approach, Design-infused

_____________________________________________________

My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

My Blog: Helping women integrate Passion & Purpose into their Career

Share Your Story and win a $100 VISA Gift Card!

2014-12-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

I recently shared with you my '2014 In Review'.

But what about you?

How are you acknowledging and celebrating the fruits of your labor?

Photo credit: http://lilyas.deviantart.com/art/Taste-of-Summer-110242068

Over the last 2 years over 450+ women have attended our conferences, programs and workshops.

We want to hear from you!

What has happened for you as a direct involvement? How has your life changed? How has it affected your career? How has it created opportunities for you? How has it impacted other areas of your life?

Sometimes we don’t see how much we have accomplished until we reflect and spell it out, make it conscious.

Some people may cringe when they hear the word “accomplishments”. Traditional definitions of ‘accomplishments’ may limit what it means to you to be successful, and hold you back from truly celebrating your personal and professional growth. Give yourself the permission to create your own definition of what accomplishment might look like for your authentic path.

I’ve created a special framework for you, to help you acknowledge, harvest and celebrate the fruits of your labor since you have attended one or all of the following:

The 2013 MERGE!, MOVE!, FORGE! or 2014 TOGETHER! Conference
The TOGETHER! MeetUp for Women (former Skool Meetup for Women)
The KNOW YOURSELF programs
The Stepping Into Your Feminine Leadership programs
The Breaking Through Your Inner Glassceiling program

This is an opportunity to appreciate yourself, and celebrate how far you have come in your inner and outer development. Take a moment and allow yourself to reflect.

Image credit: http://theultralinx.com/2012/07/20-spectacular-macro-photography.html

By sending in your reflections and inspiring success story, you are eligible to win 1 VISA Gift Card in the amount of $100, and be featured on our new website and new landing pages for our programs.

We will select the reflection stories on January 8th, so the reflection survey has to be completed and returned to us by January 7th, 2015.

We truly appreciate you participating in our reflection questionnaire, and thank you for being a part of our programs, conferences and workshops over the past 2 years.
It has been a pleasure working with you! And we are super excited to continue the journey together in 2015!

To access the reflection questionnaire click HERE

Cheers,

- Tatjana

_____________________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

UX Facilitator. Designer. Producer. Moderator. Community Leader
User-centric, Agile-approach, Design-infused

_____________________________________________________

My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

My Blog: Helping women integrate Passion & Purpose into their Career

Disclaimer:
English is not my native language. I’m not a perfectionist either (given up on that). I like to get “things done though” in a lean and minimal viable approach. I hope you can forgive some of my incorrect English and rather focus on the values, vision and messages I stand for!

2014 In Review

2014-12-26T14:53:00.000-08:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

I've had a an exciting and a challenging year! Yet, the best word to summarize the theme and overall experience of 2014 is

Collaboration

I want to take a moment and extend a special "Thank You" to all of you for either your direct involvement and collaboration with one or multiple undertakings of mine, your support, and or simply your continuous readership. Here is a quick review...

TOGETHER! Conference

I co-produced my 4th Women's conference TOGETHER! with two amazing women: Runa Bouius, Corporate Conscious Leadership Consultant, and Rocio Villalobos, Founder of VidroMedia.

Together we had an opportunity to work jointly with other phenomenal individuals and organizations such as Whole Foods Market Venice and Hollywood, WeWork Hollywood, The Skool, Blind Inc., The Conscious Capitalism Chapter Los Angeles, The Working Revolution, EFFI Foods, Groundworks Coffee, The Green Business Networking, NextSpace, Art Center College of Design, AIGA, DSJ Printing, Facilitation Graphics, Epos Inc., Stray Poodle Media, Iclandic Glacial, The Auburn Sky Imaging, Causecast, The Los Angeles User Experience MeetUp, Tribemint, and so many more.

The focus of the TOGETHER! Conference was to foster women's empowerment, development, leadership and entrepreneurial skill-building. The theme was: How to build a Conscious Business.

#TogetherLA

Graphic Credits: Greg Whicker

Photo Credits: Chris Molina: The Auburn Sky Imaging

>> To view all conference pictures click HERE

TOGETHER! Post-Conference Holiday Party

Special thanks to the team at Whole Foods Market Venice for hosting and sponsoring the TOGETHER! Post-conference Holiday Party!

#WFMVenice
#TogetherLA

>> To view all TOGETHER! Post-Conference Holiday Party pictures click HERE

TOGETHER! MeetUp for Women

Please note: Our monthly MeetUp group has been renamed from "The Skool MeetUp for Women" to new: TOGETHER! MeetUp for Women

Purpose:
Creating a new culture and economic infrastructure amongst women. This group is for women who want to merge their personal and professional experience, and their life and career with a meaningful, purpose-driven and prosperous livelihood while making a profound impact and contribution to our community, our culture and society.

Join a progressive group of women and let's do it together! It's hard to reinvent oneself alone. Together is way more fun!

>> The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 27th, 2015 from 7.30 - 9.30pm. Special thanks to our continuous venue sponsor NextSpace in Culver City.

CORE UX Facilitation

I absolutely loved the collaboration with Rocio Villalobos, Founder of VidroMedia, where I spearheaded the UX facilitation for new and existing clients of VidroMedia.

What is CORE UX Facilitation?
The CORE UX Strategy was developed by The Skool. I use it as an easy, fast and efficient strategic planning framework to help creatives, solo entrepreneurs, and business owners create a clear brand and user-oriented strategy to implement their goals, reduce time, money and waste and generate an authentic brand experience for their customers.

>> Need to develop an authentic brand experience, clear user definitions and a roadmap for a new idea, project, or business? Make sure to include me on your team in 2015!

KNOW YOURSELF Workshops

Over the last two years I've created a lot of content and launched various workshops for women where I combined personal growth and development practices with UX and Lean StartUp philosophies. My latest workshop was called KNOW YOURSELF, which I taught in Spring and Fall of 2014.

Focus: For women who want to learn a fun and easy process to find clarity, definition, and direction for a meaningful life and career.

Below is a snap shot of testimonials from a few participants:
“Tatjana's course is perfectly designed to introduce you to the power that comes from making time for yourself. It is a meaningful investment that provides the tools you need to start the process of purposefully defining yourself. I learned the role old patterns play in preventing us from expressing our true self. Through constant awareness and recognition - we can break patterns and live life as practice. The most helpful practices were around how to navigate conflict. I now know to be more conscience of what is triggering me to react instead of respond. I will pause to set an intention to deliver a genuine response rather than a damaging reaction”.

Rachel Caraviello
VP, Programs and Services, Affordable Living for the Aging

“Tatjana's workshop is an amazing opportunity for self exploration, awareness, and appreciation. I think any woman, whether she is exploring personal or professional empowerment, will benefit from this workshop as a course in self-empowerment through self realization.

Hilary Maler
Associate Marketing Coordinator, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region

“Thank you for delivering such an inspiring and empowering course. I looked forward to the weekly introspection, connection, and inspiration, and appreciated the supportive group of like-minded women who were also seeking more clarity, purpose and meaning in their lives. It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one trying to reinvent myself! The workshop was well-designed, structured, and organized. Your leadership and the weekly course material helped to catalyze inquiry, creativity, and insight. The interactive format provided a nice way to build connections and spark new thoughts and ideas. I’m always amazed at your ability to listen and hear between the lines. You synthesize what people say and articulate it back in an even more meaningful, enlightening way”.

Ellen Vash
Sales & Marketing Representative

>> Stay tuned for a new course to be announced in the New Year!

Senior Roommate Housing Project

As most of you know, we had a tragic death in our family last November of 2013. As a result I launched the Senior Roommate Housing Project. Did you ever wonder what happened to that?

Well, shortly after I conducted my first workshop in March 2014 to take assessment of our local seniors biggest needs, hopes and desires I published my findings on my blog and newsletter. Shortly after, I got connected with Sherri Akers, a powerful and passionate community activist in Mar Vista. We collaborated on the second workshop and within a short period of time Sherri launched the Mar Vista Community Council - Ad-Hoc Committee Aging in Place.

We meet every third Thursday of the month. We've had five committee meetings and are steadily growing with more people joining to make a difference in our local community.

Mission:
The mission of the Mar Vista Community Council - Aging in Place Ad Hoc Committee (MVCCAIP) is to provide an empowering voice and a network of resources to our diverse community of seniors.

Receive updates by signing up for our MVCC AIP newsletter HERE
Join our Facebook group launched by Sherri Akers HERE

>> Do you know a senior concerned about independent living? Spread the word and join the January 2015 "Discussion Workshop with other local seniors".

For details see HERE

So, that's pretty much it for today. Thank you all for a great 2014! I can't wait to see what new and amazing things will unfold in the New Year. Let's make sure we get to generate something powerful together!

Wishing you all a very happy Holiday Season und einen Guten Rutsch ins Neue Jahr (go google that).

Cheers,

- Tatjana

_____________________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

UX Facilitator. Designer. Producer. Moderator. Community Leader
User-centric, Agile-approach, Design-infused

_____________________________________________________

My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

Skill-Building Workshop For Women: Learn a collaborative & fun strategic planning framework for your idea, project or brand!

2014-10-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

For Women who want to learn a fast, collaborative and fun strategic planning framework in an easy 3-step approach to define your own idea, project or brand!

Want to define your brand but don't have a process? Got an idea but don't know where to start? Want to launch a project with a group of people but can't seem to agree on the vision? Need a collaborative framework for your team to create alignment? Want to get started but lack motivation, structure and direction?

Oct. 28th, 2014 Workshop:
Define your idea, brand or project with Tatjana Luethi, UX Facilitator and Designer @NextSpace in Culver City!

Join us for a 3-hrs workshop with yours truly, Tatjana Luethi, UX Facilitator & Designer, and learn a customer-centric, collaborative and fun strategic planning framework in an easy 3-step approach to define your own idea, project, or brand! I will teach the method by showcasing how we are rebranding the "Skool MeetUp For Women".

Photo Credits: Chris Molina: The Auburn Sky Imaging:

https://www.facebook.com/TheAuburnSkyImaging?ref=hl

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

How to define your idea / project or brand
How to define your customers goals and needs
How to define and prioritize your action roadmap

During this 3-hour workshop session I will share with you how I use The Skool's CORE Strategy method with solopreneurs, new entrepreneurs and existing small businesses to create clarity, definition and direction for undefined projects, products, services and or establishing new brand ideas!

WHAT YOU'LL GET OUT OF IT:

A structure to create clarity, definition and direction for your own idea, project or brand
Increased sense of productivity and efficiency
Tangible tools you can begin implementing immediately
A collaborative facilitation framework you can incorporate with your team
A supportive community of like-minded women
Guaranteed fun!

WHEN:
Tuesday, Oct 28th, 2013 7:00 - 10.00pm
(Every last Tuesday of the month)

WHERE:
NextSpace Culver City
9415 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, CA
Conference Room

PRICE:
$45.00 per person

HOW TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET:

RSVP here: http://www.meetup.com/Skool-MeetUp-For-Woman/
Click below to purchase your ticket via Paypal:

See you on Tuesday, Oct 28th!

- Tatjana

_____________________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

UX Facilitator. Designer. Producer. Moderator. Community Leader
User-centric, Agile-approach, Design-infused

KNOW YOURSELF

Live with Meaning & Purpose!
A 9-week teleseminar exclusively for women

_____________________________________________________

My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

My Blog: Helping women integrate Passion & Purpose into their Career

_____________________________________________________

How to generate a life that excites you?

2014-10-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

What does it take to live a life that excites you?

Goals versus Excitement

Do you think it’s about creating more goals? Or is it about creating clarity, definition and a roadmap to consciously and powerfully generate a future that is exciting, one that makes you feel fully alive at the core of your essence?

Well, maybe it’s a combination. I think SELF-MASTERY, SELF-AWARENESS SKILLS and SELF-EMPOWERMENT are not only useful skills to creating a future that excites you, but are great tools to managing & balancing yourself while guiding and inspiring others to infuse a healthy and happy culture at home and / or in your career.

How to bridge the gap between your present and your future?

So how do we do it? How do we develop those skills? How do we generate meaning and purpose and excitement in our life? What’s the process? Is there a step-by-step method to make this whole experience a bit more fun and collaborative versus going through a dreadful and painstaking process to “find yourself”?

Conscious Business

Much of meaning & purpose was discussed at the TOGETHER! Conference that took place last Sept 13 & 14 at WeWork in Hollywood! It was my 4th conference with focus on fostering and promoting women's empowerment, development, leadership and entrepreneurial skill-building. We had an amazing group of motivated professional women who joined us to learn about tomorrow's critical business skills in:

Conscious Leadership
Conscious Business Structures
Go-To-Market Strategies
Marketing Practices

If you'd like to see the Conference Agenda check it out HERE. Even though we talked about personal growth and development to a certain degree, the focus with our super inspiring speakers and experts was on “How to build a conscious business”. In other words, how might business represent a platform to experience personal fulfillment, meaning, purpose and profit, while also making a contribution and difference in society?

Let's start with Pillar 1: Define Your True Self

So if you are not ready yet to discuss strategy or execution, do not worry, I have another workshop coming up that specifically focus on creating clarity, confidence, definition, and direction how to create a meaningful and passionate life and career. Not only is this workshop about “You”, but it is a fun and collaborative process you get to engage in with other like-minded women to experience community and mutual support.

Special Offer to attend the 9-week online KNOW YOURSELF workshop:

2 for 1 Ticket + Early Bird at $395 (Regular $675)

This offer expires on Oct. 7th at 11.30pm!

For details and how to register your ticket click on the button below:

If you want more than just a monotonous and mundane life or career do not miss out on this inspiring and fun workshop with other like-minded women!

Doing it together is way more fun!

- Tatjana

_____________________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

UX Facilitator. Designer. Producer. Moderator. Community Leader
User-centric, Agile-approach, Design-infused

KNOW YOURSELF

Live with Meaning & Purpose!
A 9-week teleseminar exclusively for women

_____________________________________________________

My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

My Blog: Helping women integrate Passion & Purpose into their Career

_____________________________________________________

A new Era of Women and Entrepreneurs coming TOGETHER!

2014-09-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

Written by Samara Bay on September 25, 2014 for Ms. in the Biz

I recently came across a Maya Angelou quote:

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

I spent the weekend in a hot room with a bunch of hot women stepping out on their own heroine’s journey in pursuit of that version of success. Is it possible to live with a sense of alignment between your values and your daily work, save the world, and make good money too? Can you like what you do and like HOW you do it?

Many of us are trying to find that. If nothing else, trying to manage the crazy of the entertainment industry with some modicum of inner peace, focusing on the why when the how gets too overwhelming, surrounding ourselves with like-minded friends who remind us to bring levity to the game and breathe more and downward dog more and love more. And maybe some of us are even attempting to apply the same mindset to an entrepreneurial endeavor these days. After all, a bunch of us are realizing, we’re artists but we can be business people too, dammit. Just the nice kind… who care and stuff.

But this is bigger than us. There’s a whole movement underway that’s changing business as we know it on a national and even global scale…‘cuz as it turns out, we’re not alone in wanting balance, and wondering if love and business can possibly go hand in hand, and if we can like ourselves at the end of the day.

Non-artists want that too.

Back in 2009 – oh, remember ’09? When we were still reeling from the recession and hating banks and not yet occupying Wall Street and wondering if we were ever going to work again? I had just moved to Los Angeles seeking refuge from the disgruntled-ification of the strapped New York theater scene and hoping that following the old adage, “go west!” would bring about my date with Tinseltown destiny (it did and it didn’t – as with those early frontiersmen and -women I’ve found some true eurekas and some fools’ gold, aaaaand I’ll leave the metaphor there).

That same year the CEO and founder of Whole Foods, John Mackey, hit the scene with a newfangled term – Conscious Capitalism – that he told Fast Company at the time was “a fairly new idea, but it’s going to have a huge impact. I do believe it will become the dominant paradigm of business in the 21st century.” The idea at its simplest is one you’ve probably been smelling whiffs of all over the place: companies that care about their purpose and not just their profit end up making a bigger profit after all. We Millennials (although we’re not alone in this) like feeling that we’re buying from good companies rather than feeling that our dollars are supporting evil enterprises. Funny that.

And it seems we’re making a difference.

The headline of that Fast Company article on Conscious Capitalism back in 2009 asked cynically, “Isn’t it too late to believe in magic?” But today, the magazine known for covering innovation in business is singing a different tune: an article about the Conscious Capitalism trend from earlier this summer stated that companies that aren’t updating their business practices are simply less likely to thrive – and announced that “this holistic approach to business may be the most significant movement of our time.”

What does this mean for us? For women in Hollywood? Conscious Capitalism gives us permission. If we have passion and emotions and a desire to screw the “work-life balance” and call the whole thing LIFE, then there’s hope. And if we want to make money at the end of the day and not feel gross about it, then there’s hope there too. We’re not unrealistic romantics; we’re what ‘business as usual’ needs to become if humans are going to survive as a species.

Which brings me back to that steamy room. I had gotten a notice in my inbox for something called the TOGETHER! Conference, and signed up on impulse. This turned out to be the latest in a series of gatherings over the last year or so in LA, led by a woman named Tatjana Luethi, a Swiss-born UX/design/branding expert who’s found her calling in helping women figure out what they want to do, and do it in a way they like. As the literature says, “ this conference series caters to women who are passionate about merging their personal and professional background & experience into a meaningful, purpose-driven and financially prosperous career or business as a vehicle for personal fulfillment and to make a difference and contribution to our society and culture.”

And guys, it was stunning. It’s like Tatjana wrenched the Conscious Capitalism movement out of the realm of big business and into the hands of female entrepreneurs hungry to make something that matters....

...continue reading here: http://msinthebiz.com/2014/09/25/find-your-tribe/

Illustration by Greg T. Whicker - Facilitation Graphics:

About Samara Bay

Samara's all about collaborating to tell stories that are good for the world or good for a laugh or both. She edits books, copy, and scripts in Hollywood and contributes culture and tech/innovation content to various publications, including Wired: Insider and the Huffington Post. She's a frequent moderator at Silicon Beach conferences and was recently on the leadership council for the United Nations’ first ever summit on the role of media in promoting social causes. She's an Ambassador of coworking space WeWork, an Advocate for artworxLA, an Al Gore-trained Climate Reality Leader, and a member of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. As a speech and communication gal, she dialect coaches on TV and film sets (most recently Captain America: The Winter Soldier, X-men: Days of Future Past, The Lone Ranger, pilots) and works one-on-one with professionals in the creative, science, and business arenas to improve their ability to convey their message and connect. Follow her on Twitter and IG @samarabay and check out her website, www.samara-bay.com, for more.

Women Entrepreneurs Coming Together - Why?

2014-09-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

Guest Blogger: MeiMei Fox: meimeifox.com

Are you a female entrepreneur interested in women’s empowerment, development, leadership and business skill-building? If so, you might want to check out the TOGETHER! Conference, which takes place on September 13 and 14 at WeWork in Hollywood, LA.

TOGETHER is the fourth conference produced and co-created by entrepreneur Tatjana Luethi. For this conference, she has partnered and collaborated with Runa Bouius, conscious leadership consultant and catalyst, and Rocio Villalobos, founder of VidroMedia. The primary focus of the conference is how to build a conscious business. Tatjana has found that many women share feelings of dissatisfaction with how we are expected to live our personal and our career lives in a marketplace where there is no more job stability. Many of us are faced with constantly needing to re-invent ourselves. Furthermore, we have a strong desire to merge passion, purpose and profession. As a result, more and more women are considering and exploring entrepreneurship, either out of economic necessity or as an escape from the old capitalist system and traditional corporate culture.

However, Tatjana has found that conflict frequently arises for aspiring female entrepreneurs in that:

They have not been trained in entrepreneurship.
They do not feel aligned with the traditional style, definition, and approach to business, hence become interested in exploring new models such as conscious business.
Given the need to generate income, they can stumble in merging passion and purpose into a financially successful and sustainable platform in order to truly thrive, not just survive.

Hence the TOGETHER conference speaks to women who long to experience authentic, creative self-expression; make a difference in our community, society and planet by starting a business with a higher purpose; and develop a revenue generating platform that leaves us financially independent and self-sustaining.

“The conference is not only about how you turn a ‘Passion Project’ into a financially sustainable and successful business. What’s the difference, in skills and strategy, between those who ‘make it’ and those who are forced to close their businesses? I don’t think there is a secret sauce, yet collectively we enter this inquiry and explore the emergence of new models with leaders and pioneers from various sectors and industries,” Tatjana explained.

Tatjana defines herself as a naturally curious person who enjoys exploring why and how we make choices and follow certain paths in life. She began her career in her native country of Switzerland as a commercial banker. In 1997, she fell in love with her now-husband and moved to the US, where she studied graphic design and launched a handbag company. Then in 2008, the American economy crashed. Many talented people experienced layoffs for the first time. Tatjana found herself profoundly dissatisfied with “the handcuffs of the rat race.” Experiencing how easily and quickly “stability and security” can fall apart, she went into crisis mode. “I needed to reinvent myself personally and professionally out of necessity inside this rapidly changing marketplace,” she explained.

She initially collaborated with Jose Caballer, CEO of The Skool, an educational company that teaches teach designers, developers and marketers how to collaborate, execute and thrive in the digital economy. They co-created a two-day women’s conference called MERGE!. 100 women attended, driven by a vision to merge their passion with their profession. Three months later, they held another conference called MOVE!, which was about taking that “authentic you” and scaling it up into a movement, a project, or a business. The focus was on inspiring action and building community. Next, they produced the FORGE! Conference. The goal was tactical implementation for the vision the women had established at the MERGE! Conference, and the strategy they had created at the MOVE! Conference. All three events enjoyed success and positive feedback, leading Tatjana to offering the TOGETHER Conference, her fourth in the series.

I asked Tatjana why she has chosen to open her conferences to women only. She said that the women who attended have requested it. “There is something to be said for creating a safe environment that allows women to explore who they really are,” she said. “We don’t feel judged and labelled that ‘this is not the right way of doing things,’ or fearful of feeling inadequate or inferior. The whole point is to re-examine who we are outside of the Zeitgeist we were born into and redefine our relationship to ourselves and others. It’s when you feel safe that you truly get to go within and explore who you are at the core of your essence. Once that authentic power and trust in oneself is reclaimed, then we are ready to come out and collaborate and partner with other women and men.”

Tatjana hopes to inspire and encourage women who attend the conference on two levels: 1) stepping into their full potential, capacities and power; and 2) taking outward action to fulfill their visions. She hopes attendees will realize that who they are and what they have to offer is of tremendous value to our society and to the world. They’ll also get to build a community of like-minded women who deeply desire to generate a life of meaning and purpose--a support system. Finally, the conference helps women develop solid, practical business skills.

Tatjana said that the number one mistake most new female entrepreneurs make is operating from a mindset of needing to be “perfect,” which is rooted in their fear of judgement by other people. “Failures will occur, and that’s okay” Tatjana explains. “If you keep striving for perfection, you’ll never get into action. Do it, learn, and iterate as you go--that’s better than never getting started at all.” She urges women to start out by creating clarity and definition around who you are authentically so that you are not going for external-oriented ambition and success, but rather operating from a deep desire and passion within yourself. Lastly, Tatjana encourages new entrepreneurs not to let “not knowing” get in the way. Instead, view every situation and challenge as an opportunity for development and learning.

MeiMei Fox is the published author, co-author, ghostwriter, and freelance editor of hundreds of non-fiction health, wellness, spirituality, and psychology books, articles, and blogs, including New York Times bestsellers Bend, Not Break with Ping Fu and Fortytude with Sarah Brokaw. She has edited books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Columbia professor Robert Thurman, and was Expedition Writer for Alexandra Cousteau’s 2009 Expedition: Blue Planet. She blogs weekly for the Huffington Post, and her articles have been published in Self, Stanford magazine, MindBodyGreen, Forbes, and numerous other publications.

Announcing TOGETHER! Keynote Speaker

2014-08-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

We are excited and honored to announce our amazing TOGETHER! Keynote speaker:

Pilar Stella

Pilar Stella is a dynamic creative conscious capitalist who works across mind-body-spirit towards social and economic change with individuals, organizations and leaders across public, private and nonprofit sectors to create positive change in the world.

Pilar is Co-founder of Alchemy P4, an innovative investment fund that leverages EB-5 capital to invest in real estate and startups with a values-based lens to impact People, Purpose, Profit and the Planet.

She also co-founded Spark Policy (formerly known as the Center for Systems Integration), the Colorado Multi-Ethnic Coalition, and has supported dozens of startups and nonprofits from ideation to launch. Pilar consults across sectors on impact investing, portfolio diversification, business strategy and operations, investor relations, strategic giving, social responsibility, policy change, conscious capitalism, peace and social good.

Pilar contributes to Forbes.com, Women 2.0 and other publications (http://onforb.es/1l5j2Q0, http://onforb.es/Tuqzh6) and has published two books - one with 10 Nobel Peace Laureates.

She was the cofounder of one of the early online giving data platforms, OneGiving. She has served in roles across public, private and nonprofit sectors, including as a policy advisor to Colorado Governor's Office of Public-Private Partnerships; working with Blue Cross Blue Shield of CO and Nevada; with foundations including Annie E. Casey, Colorado Health Foundation, Ford Foundation; advising investors and startups; and producing events and working with leaders including Nobel Peace Laureates and Richard Branson.

She was also a German Marshall Fellow, in which world leaders, including Tony Blair, have participated to build transatlantic relationships between young leaders in the US and Europe. She is considered a strategist, catalyst and connector in all of her work and surfs and teaches yoga to relax and have fun!

To learn more about Pilar Stella see here

Here is a quick overview of our 2-day TOGETHER! conference program:

Day 1 - Saturday, Sep 13th, 2014 from 9am - 5pm:

- Coffee, Muffins & Fruit

- Panel: The New Way of Doing Business
with Runa Bouius / Kent Frazer / Greg Wendt / Roxane Lukas / Rocio Villalobos

- Panel: Conscious Business Examples with Whole Foods Venice
with Hilary Mahler / Ashley Gibbons / Marla Foust

- Workshop: Conscious Leadership in Action
with Runa Bouius

LUNCH

   - Workshop: Defining You / Your Business
   - Workshop: Defining Your Community / Customers
   - Workshop: Defining your Goals / Roadmap
     with Jose Caballer / Tatjana Luethi / Rocio Villalobos

Day 2 - Sunday, Sep 14th, 2014 - 9am - 4pm:

- Coffee, Muffins & Fruit

- Panel: Defining New Business Models
with Josh Allan Dykstra / Steven Michael Ehlinger II / Francesco Barbera / Gene Sullivan

- Workshop: Defining Your Conscious Business Model
with Gene Sullivan

- Panel: Business Examples & Stories
with Carina Ayden, Jill Begalow, Iczel Santizo, Ana Hawk

LUNCH

- Workshop: Double Your Income - 10 Essential Marketing Tools, Tactics & Tips!
with Juston Bommel

- Keynote speaker: The Heroine's Journey with Pilar Stella

- Closing Remarks

See you in 2 1/2 weeks! TOGETHER! is taking place in 2 1/2 weeks, Sept 13 & 14, 2014 at WeWork Hollywood. Don't miss it! To get a 20% discount use promo code: Tatjana20
http://skooltogether.com/

- Tatjana

P.S. Tight Budget? Take this survey and get a 50% discount to TOGETHER! Your discount code will be emailed to you upon completion of the survey here

_____________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

Executive Producer, Co-Moderator, Facilitator
User Centric, Agile Approach, Design

TOGE THER! Conference

How to build a conscious business?

Sept 13 & 14, 2014 at WeWork Hollywood

_____________________________________________

My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

My Blog: How to create a conscious business

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences

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What does Purpose have to do with Business?

2014-08-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

What does purpose have to do with business? And why can companies no longer ignore yesterday's outdated business models in todays rapidly changing market demands?

In this 20 min conversation Gene Sullivan - Principal at Sullivan Coaching Programs and co-founding member of Conscious Business Coalition, and Runa Bouius - Conscious Leadership Expert and Catalyst share the importance of having a clear higher purpose within a business or organization.

What does purpose have to do with business? Why is it critical in today’s changing marketplace for a business to have a higher purpose beyond sole profit for its investors? How does it affect employees? And what if you want to scale your personal purpose into a business?

To view this video on YouTube visit here: http://youtu.be/1L_pztD5JNI

What are your thoughts? Tell us what you think below in the comments box.

- Tatjana

_____________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

Executive Producer, Co-Moderator, Facilitator
User Centric, Agile Approach, Design

TOGE THER! Conference

How to build a conscious business?

Sept 13 & 14, 2014 at WeWork Hollywood

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My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

My Blog: How to create a conscious business

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences

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What are the critical skills needed to thrive rather than survive in today's rapidly changing market place?

2014-08-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

We can no longer ignore that yesterday's traditional business models are rapidly being phased out. “Profit above all else”- above people, above our values, above the planet, above our community, is simply not sustainable.

The TOGETHER! conference will show you simple, effective, more conscious ways of doing business. Forward-thinking companies know that the key to a healthy & sustainable business is connecting passion, purpose AND profit.

Join LA's top 130 motivated professional women to easily master tomorrow's critical business skills in: Conscious Leadership, Conscious Business Structures, Go-To-Market Strategies, and Marketing Practices.

If you want to do more than “just survive” in your career, you cannot miss this event!

What we'll do:
TOGETHER! is a 2-day Conference where women learn critical business skills to THRIVE in today's changing marketplace. This conference is designed to inspire purpose, provide clarity, and a strategy for taking action with interactive panels and workshops!

Date:

September 13th & 14th, 2014, 9am - 5pm

Venue Courtesy of:

WeWork Hollywood, 7083 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Ticket:

Special Early Bird til Aug 15th: $299 (Regular $449)
(You have to select "Regular Ticket" for this code to work)

BONUS!! You also receive:

- A 1-month FREE membership ($350 value) to WeWork*

- Eligible to win a 1-year FREE membership ($4,200 value) to WeWork*

For more details about the conference and to get your Early Bird visit: www.skooltogether.com

Parking at:

7021 Hollywood Galaxy Shopping Center (LA Fitness, CVS, Fresh & Easy)

(Entrance is on Sycamore Ave.)

7021 Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, CA

Parking Map: http://bit.ly/1a3t1Oz

- Tatjana

P.S. "Yes. Humans can make vehicles that fly through the inky blackness of space, networks that allow us to instantaneously communicate with anyone anywhere on the planet, and examine the minuscule strands of DNA. Why should we not be able to create meaningful work for everyone? This is a design problem and a desire problem, not a capability problem." - The Work Revolution

___________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

User-Centric, Design Background, Facilitator, Host

___________________________________________

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013

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To receive my newsletter, sign-up here

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Announcing Speaker Line-up for TOGETHER! Conference

2014-08-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

I'm delighted to announce our initial speakers for the 2014 TOGETHER! conference at WeWork in Hollywood

I'm super excited to introduce you to our wide range of progressive and pioneering leaders from the Conscious Capitalism Movement, Conscious Leadership Movement, Conscious Business Development, Alternative Currency Movement, Conscious Business Coalition, Green Business Network, and the UX and Lean Start-up industry.

The TOGETHER! conference is designed to help you learn from a wide range of accomplished entrepreneurs and business experts that are driven by conscious and sustainable business principles delivered to you via interactive panels and hands-on workshops.

Kent Frazier
Principal - ParadoxEdge
Director of Learning & Development - Lieberman Research Worldwide
Co-Founder Conscious Capitalism Chapter LA

Hilary Maler
Associate Marketing Coordinator - Whole Foods Market, Southern Pacific Region

Gene Sullivan Principal - Sullivan Coaching Programs
Certifications: PCC, Master Integral Coach™
Founding Member and Conscious Business Coach - Conscious Business Coalition

Ashely Gibbons
Associate Marketing Coordinator - Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region

Eyad Zahra
Los Angeles City Lead - WeWork

Carina Ayden
Founder, Executive Director EFFI Foods

Juston Brommel
CMTO & Managing Partner - BlueFractal
Digital Marketing Course Instructor - General Assemb.ly

Steven Michael Ehlinger II
CFO & Managing Partner - BlueFractal / A Strategica, Inc. Co.

Ana Hawk
CEO / Founder, INSTANT BARTER, LLC., MY BARTER GAME™

Francesco Barbera
Corporate Business Lawyer & Advisor - Barbera Corporate Law

Runa Bouius
Entrepreneur & Former CEO
Conscious Business / Leadership Consultant & Catalyst
Board of Advisors & Producer TOGETHER! Conference

Tatjana Luethi
UX Facilitator
Co-creator & Executive Producer TOGETHER! Conference
Co-creator & Producer MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Conference

Jose Caballer
Chief Education Officer - The Skool
Digitial Strategy Director - Blind
Executive Producer MERGE!, MOVE!, FORGE!, and TOGETHER! Conference

Rocio Villalobos
Entrepreneur, Creative Director & Founder - VidroMedia
Board of Advisors & Producer TOGETHER! Conference

Our program caters to the woman who desires to generate a live and career of meaning and purpose, who wants to create a platform of financial prosperity and independence, and who believes that business is a scaled version of the self that can be leveraged to make a difference in an area that she deeply cares about. Register today to get your Early Bird.

So long for now,

- Tatjana

P.S. Check out to this FREE video clip with Runa Bouius, Conscious Leadership Expert and Catalyst where we discuss "Conscious Business and why the TOGETHER! Conference"

P.P.S: What does love have to do with leadership and conscious business? Article by Runa Bouius: Let's talk Love and Leadership
___________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

User-Centric, Design Background, Facilitator, Host

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My Facebook
My Google+

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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July Skill-Building Workshop For Women: Building a Conscious Business Model

2014-07-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

For Women who want to empower themselves and develop the necessary skills to achieve their vision for 2014!

July 29th Workshop:

Creating your CONSCIOUS Business Model, with Gene Sullivan, Principal at Sullivan Coaching at NextSpace Culver City

Join us for a 3-hr workshop with Gene Sullivan, Principal at Sullivan Coaching Programs, and Master Integral Coach™ at Conscious Business Coalition. In this workshop you have an opportunity to explore the key success factors for building a conscious business, to assess where your new or existing business is and where you would like to see it grow. You will leave with a tool and template to help you move your business to the next level in a fashion that stands, honors and values all stakeholders of your business model.

Be part of a small group set-up where you get to interact personally with Gene Sullivan
(we only have 15 seats available - register right away!)
Receive an additional 30 min private review session with Gene if you complete your personal canvas by Aug 10th, 2014
Opportunity to share your experience of the Conscious Business Canvas at the TOGETHER! Women’s Conference
Early Bird Ticket Offer to attend the TOGETHER! Women’s Conference for $299 (Regular Ticket: $449)

Bonus: As a TOGETHER! conference attendee, you also receive: - A 1-month FREE membership ($350 value) to WeWork* - Eligible to win a 1-year FREE membership ($4,200 value) to WeWork* **ONLY 25 EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE!!**

About Gene Sullivan:

Gene is the Principal at Sullivan Coaching Programs, Certifications: PCC, Master Integral CoachTM, Conscious Business Coalition and the founding Member and Conscious Business Coach. Gene caters to Executives, Managers, Business Owners and New Entrepreneurs. Whether it be decision making, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, personal productivity or presentation skills, Gene helps his clients to dramatically improve the quality and effectiveness of their working relationships, to make better decisions, to have more clarity and confidence, produce more results and reduce stress.

To learn more about Conscious Business Coalition see here: http://www.consciousbusinesscoalition.com/

Workshop rate: $85
Sign-up deadline: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 at 3pm

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE "CONSCIOUS BUSINESS MODEL" WORKSHOP:

Sign up to become a FREE MeetUp member: "The Skool MeetUp for Women"
Purchase your ticket "Conscious Business Model" via Paypal below:

Includes:

3hr in-person workshop with guest expert to help you cultivate your ideas & grow your vision, project, product, service or businesses

Receive exclusive discounts and offers from our experts
Continuously connect, collaborate & get support from like-minded women
Build your confidence in an intimate & safe environment

WHEN:

July 29th, 7 - 10pm

WHERE:

NextSpace Culver City
Conference Room
9415 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

ABOUT THE SKOOL MEETUP FOR WOMEN:

In February 2014, Tatjana collectively designed a new curriculum with the members which allows each woman to achieve her individual goals, as well as scale the vision for the group. This resulted in the launch of the current 6-months “Skill-building workshop series” for its female members. Each month we are featuring a guest expert to help you grow your vision, project, product, service or business. Each workshop takes place every last Tuesday of the month from 7 - 10pm.

Vision: Creating a new culture and economic infrastructure amongst women!

Want to be part of this movement? Join us on July 29th!

- Tatjana

_____________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

Skool Lead UX Facilitator:
User Centric, Agile Approach, Design

TOGETHER! Conference

How to build a conscious business?

Sept 13 & 14, 2014 at WeWork Hollywood

_____________________________________________

My Twitter My LinkedIn My Facebook My Google+

My Blog: How to build a conscious business?

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences

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To receive my newsletter, sign-up here

How to build a Conscious Business?

2014-07-23T12:03:00.001-07:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

Question for you: Are you TIRED of your job??

Or maybe you are looking for a job? Perhaps you might feel "stuck" and need to reinvent yourself...maybe launch a new career? Or you just keep toying with the idea of launching your "own thing"?

I too have asked myself all of these questions. And I realized "reinventing oneself never stops"! I recall this particular day working for a large corporation in the construction industry, staring out the window and thinking to myself “This can’t be it”! I refused to believe that this was all there is to my life and my career - executing a meaningless job, day in day out. What about all that potential and capacity dwelling deep within me? What about meaning and purpose? What about living a life and career that makes a difference? Then, 2008 / 2009 came around. Layoffs and unemployment became a first hand experience for many of us, including myself. Some of you may have opted-out voluntarily to leave the corporate culture all together. On one hand it may have been a relief...for a while. Then it started to feel scary. Now what?

Over the years that followed I committed myself to explore and reassess who I really am and what I really stand for. I took responsibility in "reinventing" myself and to go after a life of meaning and purpose.

And so it is with uttermost excitement that I’d like to introduce you to my 4th Women’s conference!

In this 7 min YouTube video Rocio Villalobos and I share what this conference is all about, when and where it will take place, who this is for, and what you will get out of it!

Who is this conference for?

Career changers, Creatives, Freelancers, Employees, Solopreneurs, New entrepreneurs, Existing entrepreneurs, and any woman who wants to lead the change she’d like to see!

SIGN UP! and join us if you are:

Curious about finding out what exactly a “CONSCIOUS” business is.
Wanting more MEANING & PURPOSE in your work!
Feeling “stuck”, have lost your passion and want to REINVENT yourself or your direction.
Seeking a SAVVY and SUPPORTIVE community of driven and conscious women!
Wanting to be part of a bigger picture, a MOVEMENT that stands for a balanced approach to work & life!
Thirsty for hands-on instruction from EXPERTS in the Conscious Business Movement, the Conscious Capitalism movement, the UX & Lean Startup industry, the Conscious Business Coalition, and new models of sales, marketing and monetization approaches!

***************************************

Early Bird Special just for you!

$299 (Regular $449)

BONUS!! As an early bird, you also receive:

A 1-month FREE membership ($350 value) to WeWork*
Eligible to win a 1-year FREE membership ($4,200 value) to WeWork*

**ONLY 25 EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE!! - THIS OFFER EXPIRES ON JULY 30TH**

***************************************

I am super excited, and can't wait 'til September 13th & 14th! I hope you will be there with me, as we collectively continue growing personally and professionally as a group of like-minded women driven and passionate about making a difference in our personal and career lives as well as for our community and society!

TOGETHER we can make a difference!

- Tatjana

P.S. We have only 25 Early Bird Tickets available - don’t miss it! www.skooltogether.com

___________________________________________

Tatjana Luethi

User-Centric, Design Background, Facilitator, Host

___________________________________________

My Twitter

My LinkedIn

My Facebook
My Google+

My Blog: Poverty Alleviation Through Entrepreneurship

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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Picture from 2013 FORGE! Conference at WeWork: Click to view more pictures!

*WeWork is a collaborative, beautiful working space in Hollywood (Santa Monica location is opening in 2015). Both membership offers provides you with a 24/7 work desk, and includes accessibility to nine conference rooms, two screening rooms, lounges, and other WeWork spaces around the country. Also included are prints, scan-to-email, fax, and unlimited coffee and beer! http://www.wework.com/

[Note: To activate deal, members must put down a fully refundable deposit.]

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The TOGETHER! Conference is presented by Tatjana Luethi & Jose Caballer, and co-moderated with Runa Bouius.
Executive Producer & Host: Tatjana Luethi.
Board of Advisors: Jose Caballer, Runa Bouius & Rocio Villalobos.
Producers: Runa Bouius & Rocio Villalobos

New Strategies for Seniors & Creatives

2014-06-25T13:00:00.002-07:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

Empowering our Seniors. Strategies for Creatives.

These are the focus for today's post. But before I get going, my hubby and I just got back from a quick trip to Switzerland and Austria, where we briefly visited my mom, my relatives and friends. It has been 3 years since I last saw everyone. Considering that life tends to be busy and that there is never a good time to go, we spontaneously decided to fly to my native country and say "gruezi". We had a great time, and now I'm back in full swing with all of my varies involvements and initiatives to "better the world". So, this month I wanted to bring your attention to a few events that are taking place this upcoming week:

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• Wednesday, June 25th, 6 - 8pm at Mar Vista Public Library:

Are you a senior concerned about independent living?
Are you worried about health and safety and living alone?
Are you living of a fixed or restricted income and feel anxious about your financial future?
Are you physically restricted and overwhelmed maintaining your home?
Are you adult children worried about your aging parents?

Join Sherri Akers and I and tell us your story, thoughts, fears, desires, and needs, and help us generate the data for our city leaders and community councils to redefine independent living and empower our seniors to age in place!

FREE event!

Venue courtesy of the Mar Vista Public Library
For details and to RSVP for this FREE event visit here: http://seniorproject2.eventbrite.com

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• Fri & Sat, June 27th & 28th in Santa Monica:

Are you a graphic designer?
Are you a product designer?
Are you a creative director?
Are you a design agency principal / owner?
Or are you a creative that wants to start your own business?

Learn strategic planning specifically designed for the creative at the CORE Strategy Bootcamp For Creatives, presented and lead by Jose Caballer from The Skool andChris Do from Blind!

Special Discount for you!

I'm able to offer you a $250 discount off the Regular Price
Use this discount code: Tatjana1
To redeem this offer use my affiliation link here

There are only a few tickets left!

You will learn the same strategic foundation Jose has been teaching me over the last 2 years to turn visions & ideas into objective roadmaps which I chose to manifest into events, services and products such as the MERGE! MOVE! and FORGE! Women's conference series, the SkoolMeetUp for Women, the KNOW YOURSELF 7-week workshop series for Women (and Teenage Girls), the Senior Roommate Housing Project, and UX & Design workshops I facilitate for clients who want to merge and translate purpose, vision, culture and customer engagement into their brand and website designs.

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So, lot's going on this week. I hope to see you at one or the other event, or perhaps all 3 off them!

- Tatjana

P.S. Photo from our trip in Austria! The Upside Down House. We were all tremendously noxious after we got out. So much for alignment and Feng Shui.

P.P.S. Interesting & inspirational reads:

Rising Rent Leads Some Senior Back to Living with Roommates - L.A. Times
9 Keys to Abundant Inspiration, written by my mentor & role model Runa Bouius, Runa Bouius Consulting - People Development Magazine

_____________________________

Tatjana Luethi

User-Centric, Design Background, Facilitator, Host

_____________________________

My Twitter

My LinkedIn

My Facebook
My Google+

My Blog: Poverty Alleviation Through Entrepreneurship

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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To receive my newsletter, sign-up here

Skill-Building Workshop for Women: Defining Your Business Model

2014-06-09T15:28:00.001-07:00

Confused about Business Models? Not clear which one is right for you at your current stage? Or simply never got around to define one? Come and join us for a 3-hr workshop to help you define your business model using the Business Model Canvas!

June 24th Workshop:

Defining your Business Model facilitated by Jose Caballer, CEO of The Skool

ABOUT THE SKOOL:

Jose Caballer is the CEO of The Skool, an online education movement that aims to teach the standard process to thrive in the digital age. With over 18 years of experience as a web designer, agency prinicpal and a passion for teaching Jose has helped train hundreds of freelancers, agencies and companies through fun and dynamic workshops, LIVE webinars and online videos at The Skool. As the Director of Digital Strategy at Blind, a Los Angeles Based design agency known for it's world class Motion Graphics work, Jose acts as the Director of Digital Strategy to help educate clients on the core strategies needed to successfully design digital experiences. Specialties: User Experience, Online Product Development, Visual Systems Design, Identity Development, Social Media, Web Video, Mobile, Tablet. To learn more about The Skool check out the website

Workshop rate: $85
Sign-up deadline: Friday, June 20th, 2014

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE BUSINESS MODEL WORKSHOP:

Sign up to become a FREE MeetUp member: "The Skool MeetUp for Women"
Purchase your ticket "Business Model Canvas" via Paypal below:

Includes:

3hr in-person workshop with guest expert to help you cultivate your ideas & grow your vision, project, product, service or businesses

Support call-in:
Remote support check-in with entire group via GoToMeeting 2 weeks after workshop (the call will also be recorded and emailed to you)
Receive exclusive discounts and offers from our experts
Continuously connect, collaborate & get support from like-minded women
Build your confidence in an intimate & safe environment

WHEN:

June 24th, 7 - 10pm at NextSpace
July 8th, 7:15 - 8:15pm (virtual support call-in)

WHERE:

NextSpace Culver City Conference Room
9415 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

ABOUT THE SKOOL MEETUP FOR WOMEN:

The Skool MeetUp for Women is a monthly meeting and was established in January 2013 by Tatjana Luethi, Skool Lead Coach, and Jose Caballer, CEO of The Skool. The focus is about creating a new kind of culture and relatedness amongst women and generating an economic infrastructure that includes the POV, approach and values of women. Throughout the year the members benefited from tools and strategies co-lead by Tatjana and Jose to help them cultivate their ideas and grow their vision personally and professionally. In February 2014, Tatjana collectively designed a new curriculum with the members which allows each woman to achieve her individual goals, as well as scale the vision for the group. This resulted in the launch of the 6-months “Skill-building workshop series” for its female members. Each month we are featuring a guest expert to help you grow your vision, project, product, service or business. Each workshop takes place every last Tuesday of the month from 7 - 10pm followed by a support call 2 weeks later. Vision: Creating a new culture and economic infrastructure amongst women! Want to be part of this movement? Join us on June 24th! - Tatjana

_____________________________

Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

_____________________________

My Blog: Conflict - a necessity for change and progress?

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013

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To receive my newsletter, sign-up here

Poverty Alleviation through Entrepreneurship

2014-05-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

What does entrepreneurship have to do with alleviating poverty? And what does that have to do with Whole Foods?
How does the Whole Planet Foundation empower women in America?
Who is Muhammad Yunus, and how does the Grameen Group Lending Model represent a new approach in fostering responsibility, scale self-employment, and generate a self-sustaining communal network among the poor?
AND...what does all of this have to do with what's happening in our own immediate backyard?

Here is how you will find out!

Download the FREE 26-min interview (mp3) that I conducted in March of 2014 with Hilary Mahler, Associate Marketing Coordinator for Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region.

So, what's the point for my post / audio interview today?

Well, Muhammad Yunus says it best "all humans are born entrepreneurs".

So let me ask you:

How might entrepreneurship represent a structure for self-empowerment for you? How might it possibly function as an extension and scaling of your own unique, authentic and creative self-expression of who you are and what you stand for at the core of your essence? Exploring the world and your abilities from that deeper authentic space, how would you redefine your "own leadership" in your life? And how might expressing from that deeper core become a contribution to others?

I think Muhammad represents a great example for all of us to explore our own abilities and potentials buried deep within...

Inner and outer skill-development:
With the above context and questions in mind, what are the steps you need to take and the skills to develop to powerfully create the future you envision (for yourself and for others)? What's the growth and development you need to commit to in order to realize and fulfill on the vision you have, and what you sense yourself capable of deep within?

It's an inquiry for all of us to ponder...

Resources:
Below is a list of resources that were mentioned during my interview with Hilary Mahler:

So long for now, and allow yourself to dream and ponder...after all, it starts with a dream!

- Tatjana

P.S. Photo Credit on top: Hilary Maler (Kerala India, July 2012)!

P.P.S. The list of Whole Foods events mentioned in the interview are not listed, as the Whole Planet Foundation events campaign took place in March and April (yes, I know, I'm a bit late with this posting). However, stay tuned for future information on related events.

_____________________________

Tatjana Luethi

User-Centric, Design Background, Facilitator, Host

_____________________________

My Twitter

My LinkedIn

My Facebook
My Google+

My Blog: Skill-Building for Women who want to scale their vision

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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Affordable Housing for Young & Old

2014-04-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

Upon the death of my mother-in-law, Meta Buchheim, last November 26th, 2013, I channeled my experience and energy of grief into a new project: The Senior Roommate Housing Project Mar Vista - exploring how we might redefine independent living for seniors.

To see a write up featured in the Mar Vista Neighborhood Association see here (page 2), written by Jean Roth, owner of Rotem Design Studio. Jean attended my MOVE! Women's Conference in 2013. Little did we know that our paths will cross again. 2 weeks after Meta's passing, I received a text from Jean.Turns out Jean and my mother-in-law are cousins, 2nd generation. They only lived a few miles from one another, for the past 18th years, and had no idea about each other's existence. Strange how we got connected after Meta's death. Meta would have loved Jean!

On March 8th, 2014 I hosted my first community event on the topic. Venue was courtesy of Sivandanda Yoga Vedanta Center in Los Angeles. Purpose: to explore the interest, needs, goals and desires of our seniors (and adult children of seniors) as it relates to prolonging independent living in private homes, hence the concept of collaborative roommate housing as an affordable option.

To my surprise, 15 out of the 18 attendees where women. One woman was a home owner, whereas 70% of the attendees were women in their middle ages seeking "affordable housing" for themselves.

Affordable Housing for young and old:
It's obvious that the need for affordable housing and caring for each other is not just affecting our seniors. Affordable housing is affecting everyone. With the crash of the economy in 2008, many women and men found themselves unemployed for the first time, not only catalyzing an identity crisis, but truly stretching our most basic survival needs. Some may have consciously opted out from the corporate culture. Others enjoyed new life events of becoming mothers yet still need to stay engaged in the working world. Unfortunately corporate family policies in the US are not the greatest, not allowing for the flexibility that parents need. Then there is the experience of "age discrimination". And others recognize the gap in skill-development within today's fast moving world of ever changing technology. Regardless the reason that led to unemployment, we all seem to face a time of "transition". Not being able to pay rent and have a stable home makes it hard to "reinvent" oneself. Hence, a home sharing arrangement might just be the solution for old and young as we collectively navigate a new future of a "shared economy".

Below are the findings of the 2-hour process I facilitated on March 8th. I engaged the group into a conversation around:

Current challenges around independent living
Impact on children becoming caregivers
Exploring existing and new living solutions
Benefits for homeowners renting out
Benefits for home seekers renting from a home owner

If you would like to organize a group of 10 - 20 people who are interested in this topic let me know. I'm happy to facilitate the process to get a "conversation" started in your neighborhood.

Resources:
Here are a few resources I gathered over the last couple months. I received these from varies women and men interested in this concept of supporting our seniors in our community, as well as creating "affordable housing for young and old".

Audio / Interview:
Listen to my interview I conducted with Rachel Caraviello, VP, Programs and Services at ALA - a nonprofit that provides seniors with affordable housing, low-income apartment referrals, and resources to find roommates and supportive services:
Affordable Living for the Aging

Articles:
Home sharing: A growing option for many older adults
Female Baby Boomers Are Pioneering a New Housing Model
Golden Girl Homes - Advancing Shared Housing

Other Resources:
RentFreeUSA
Find and hire senior home caregivers
National Shared Housing Directory

So long for now!

- Tatjana

_____________________________

Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

_____________________________

My Twitter

My LinkedIn

My Facebook
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My Blog: How to create successful events?

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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Skill-Building Workshop for Women: Social Media 101

2014-04-07T10:27:00.001-07:00

The Skool MeetUp for Women decided to launch a 6-months “Skill-building workshop series” for its female members, which we started in March 2014 through August 2014. Each month we are featuring a guest expert to help you cultivate your ideas & grow your vision, project, product, service or business. Each workshop takes place every last Tuesday of the month from 7 - 10pm followed by a support call 2 weeks later:

April 29th Workshop:

Social Media 101, with guest experts Nisha Maxwell and Jennifer Newton, Founder of Ideations Communications

ABOUT IDEATIONS COMMUNICATIONS:

At Ideations Communications, our goal is to make communications strategies and services accessible to businesses of all types and sizes. With this in mind, we have created numerous options for communication services ranging from training the company or individual to manage their own communications to Ideations handling all communications from strategy to implementation. We help with PR, marketing, social media and branding for entrepreneurs, startups & small business.

To learn more about Ideations check out their website

Workshop rate: $85
Sign-up deadline: Friday, April 18th, 2014

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA 101 WORKSHOP:

Sign up to become a FREE MeetUp member: "The Skool MeetUp for Women"
Purchase your ticket "Social Media 101" via Paypal below:

Includes:

3hr in-person workshop with guest expert to help you cultivate your ideas & grow your vision, project, product, service or businesses

Support call-in:
Remote support check-in with entire group via GoToMeeting 2 weeks after workshop (the call will also be recorded and emailed to you)
Receive exclusive discounts and offers from our experts
Continuously connect, collaborate & get support from like-minded women
Build your confidence in an intimate & safe environment

WHEN:

April 29th, 7 - 10pm at NextSpace
May 13th, 7:15 - 8:15pm (virtual support call-in)

WHERE:

NextSpace Culver City Conference Room
9415 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

ABOUT THE SKOOL MEETUP FOR WOMEN:

In February 2014, Tatjana collectively designed a new curriculum with the members which will allow each woman to achieve her individual goals, as well as scale the vision for the group.

Vision: Creating a new culture and economic infrastructure amongst women!

Want to be part of this movement? Join us on April 29th!

- Tatjana

_____________________________

Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

_____________________________

My Blog: Conflict - a necessity for change and progress?

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013

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Skill-Building Workshops for Women

2014-03-14T23:18:00.002-07:00

The Skool MeetUp for Women presents a 6-months Skill-Building Workshop Series:

March 25th Workshop: Build a Website Easily and Quickly, with guest expert Lucy Beer Lucy is the founder of WebTrainingWheels, specializing in teaching small businesses and entrepreneurs how to use WordPress to build websites for their businesses. In this month's workshop Lucy will be walking us through step-by-step how to set up and create your own website.
Got specific questions for Lucy, submit your questions “here”

EVERY MONTH YOU'LL GET:

To meet one “Guest Expert” teaching various topics to help you cultivate your ideas & grow your vision, project, product, service or businesses
3 hr in-person workshops with guest expert, takes place every last Tuesday of the month for next 6 months
Virtual Roundtable: Remote check-in with entire group via GoToMeeting 2 weeks after every workshop (will also be recorded and emailed to you)
Receive exclusive discounts and offers from our experts
Coach / teach your topic of expertise and professional experience to our group (optional)
Continuously connect, collaborate & get support from like-minded women
Build your confidence in an intimate & safe environment

WHEN & WHERE:
Every last Tuesday of the month: 7 – 10pm
NextSpace Culver City Conference Room 9415 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

HOW TO REGISTER:

A) For current members: $45/month

To Sign up for the automatic PayPal payment set-up for 6 month: click “here“

Sign-up deadline: Thu, March 20th, 2013

B) For new members:

6-month workshop series for new members: $65/month
To Sign up for the automatic PayPal payment set-up for 6 month: click “here“
Sign-up deadline: Thu, March 20th, 2013

C) For monthly drop-in: $85 per event

For those who choose to attend periodically)
Sign up to become a FREE MeetUp member: "Skool MeetUp For Women"
For a 1 time payment click “here”.
Sign-up deadline: Thu, March 20th, 2013

UPCOMING TOPICS REQUESTED BY GROUP:

How to do Social Media (Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, etc)

How to create a Sales Strategy / Plan

How to create a Marketing Plan

How to do Lead Generation

How to attract Media Partners

How to set up eCommerce

How to write a Business Plan

How to merge who I am with my profession and thrive?

ABOUT THE SKOOL MEETUP FOR WOMEN:

In January and February 2014, Tatjana collectively designed a new curriculum with the members which will allow each woman to achieve her individual goals, as well as scale the vision for the group.

Vision: Creating a new culture and economic infrastructure amongst women!

So long for now,

- Tatjana

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Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

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My Blog: Conflict - a necessity for change and progress?

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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How to create successful events?

2014-03-14T23:15:00.000-07:00

In 2013, Jose Caballer and I produced 3 conferences, 12 monthly meetup's, weekly podcasts, and countless workshops. What has been the secret to Jose Caballer and I producing so many successful events last year?

Let me share a little secret with you - it all has to do with our "approach".

For example, let's look at the last Skool MeetUp for Women meeting this past February. If you attended you got to witness the approach in full action. What you saw me apply to our conversation is a combination of various tools, principles and practices:

Customer-centric process
Agile Project Management
21st Century value-based interaction

So what does that mean?

1. A customer-centric process is one that focuses on the customers needs and goals. It becomes your driver to develop relevant services and products for your clients. Yup, that's right, you can let go of thinking you need to know it all, and let the customers inform you.

2. I incorporated principles used in agile project management, originally derived from the software world. In our case we simply adapt the principles to "human interaction" i.e., organic conversations & flexible objectives (versus rigidly holding onto our vision, structure and approach). Which allowed me to easily adjust how to best serve everyone's needs, and iterate on how we'll approach helping everyone reach their personal & professional goals for 2014.

3. All of this while interacting with each other inside of a 21st Century value-based paradigm (authentic, sincere, collaborative, collective, co-creative).

The Result?

We collectively designed a new curriculum for The Skool MeetUp for Women which will allow us to achieve our individual and group goals, as well as scale our vision for 2014.

In short, for the next 6 months, we collectively decided to immerse ourselves into intensive skill-building workshops.

If you are interested to check out the curriculum we created, and find out about our guest expert speaker series for March, please see here.

ABOUT THE SKOOL MEETUP FOR WOMEN:

In January and February 2014, Tatjana collectively designed a new curriculum with the members which will allow each woman to achieve her individual goals, as well as scale the vision for the group.

Join the movement! Women supporting Women in re-defining their lives and career while reshaping our culture and society!

So long for now,

- Tatjana

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Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

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My Twitter

My LinkedIn

My Facebook
My Google+

My Blog: Conflict - a necessity for change and progress?

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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Conflict - a necessity for change and progress?

2014-02-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

"Conflict is normal, it's human", Dorit says. "In fact, conflict is necessary to create change and progress. Most people, however, have not developed the capacity on how to engage with and transcend conflict towards generative relations".

Wow, I never looked at it this way. However, Dorit Cypis, award-winning artist and professional conflict mediator was the catalyst for that new insight and perspective I gained.

I was deeply impacted by those words.

As I was listening to Dorit, my mind travelled back to when I was a child - revisiting my experiences with conflict and its consequential associations I developed. Conflict was something negative. It was detrimental. It was black and white. It shattered my world. It hurt. When in conflict, love and relatedness disappear ... that's the belief (or meaning) I developed in childhood and repetitively re-enacted throughout adulthood.

"Adulthood is about finishing unfinished business from Childhood"

- Dr Robin Smith

As I'm traveling through my time line from childhood into adulthood, I recognize my pattern. I can see how I move into a defensive mode and withhold affection, love, connection or relatedness from the other. It's my way of instinctual self-preservation, and a form of punishment towards the other for the hurt and pain he / she caused. In that world, it's very black and white. It's either conflict, or love, but you can't mix the two of them. It's an "either or" scenario I learned from those around me. Deep down I prefer it calm, peaceful, and harmonious. However, conflict is part of life, it can't be avoided. As I continue my contemplative review it's evident that this mindset doesn't serve me nor does it empower the other. It's time to evolve and transform that pattern. It's my responsibility to do so. It's time to explore a new, more wholesome and generative approach.

What becomes possible when we really listen to the other's point of view? What happens when we can become open and deeply curious about the other's approach? What emerges when we begin to accept creative diversity (different ways of thinking and different ways of doing)? And what practices can we explore so as to integrate new, conscious and empowering interactions into our daily life when faced with challenging dynamics and conflict?

Please join me in a conversation with guest speakers:

Runa Bouius, Conscious Leadership Catalyst
Dorit Cypis, Award-winning Artist and Professional Conflict Mediator

as we collectively engage in deep conversations and integrative practices at the upcoming workshop KNOW YOURSELF:

A 7-week workshop for creative women who want to learn proven tools and strategies to fully express and empower themselves in any situation!

Every Wednesday evening for 7 weeks
Starts March 12th - April 23rd in West Los Angeles
Telecourse participation available if you live remote
For details and to reserve your ticket visit here
2 for 1 ticket at Early Bird expires Monday, Feb 24th at 11.30pm

About the speakers:

Runa Bouius
Conscious Leadership Catalyst

Runa is the founder of Runa Bouius Consulting. Born in Iceland, Runa built one of the largest importing business in the country in the field of cosmetics and perfume, representing a large portfolio of internationally known brands. She is also the founder of Runora LLC, a conscious leadership consulting firm, speaking and working as a personal guide to business and thought leaders as well as designing, producing, and facilitating transformational programs and retreats for teams, companies, and professional groups such as YPO (Yound Presidents' Organization) and WPO (World Presidents'Organization). Runa is also the co-founder of the Conscious Leader Network with focus on promoting Conscious Leadership in business and life. Runa sits on the advisory boards of the Red Wind Councils, and has spoken at conferences such as The International Conference on Business and Consciousness, Women's International Networking, and the Conscious Capitalism Institute Conference.

During our KNOW YOURSELF workshop, Runa will be joining us for one evening to share with us her experience, insights and her top 5 tips on how to identify and commit to a practice that will allow you to integrate your authentic self with your vision regardless the situation and circumstances.

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Dorit Cypis

Award-winning Artist and Innovative Professional Mediator

Dorit's work exploring identity and social relations through psychological and political screens has been presented at major museums in the North America and Europe. Through her art practice Dorit came to the study of Conflict Resolution, and in 2007 founded Foreign Exchanges to offer conflict transformation services, offering mediation, training and coaching to build bridges across personal and cultural differences.

Dorit is a founding member of Mediators Beyond Borders, has served as Chair of the Middle East Initiative and Leader of the MBB Los Angeles Chapter. Dorit founded Kulture Klub Collaborative, connecting professional artists with homeless teens to bridge survival and inspiration. Dorit has taught on the complexity of cultural and personal difference throughout the USA, Canada, Israel, Holland and France, creating innovative cross cultural tools. She earned a Masters of Fine Art, California Institute for the Arts, and Masters of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University.

During our KNOW YOURSELF workshop, Dorit will join us for an evening to discuss with us her perspective that conflict is “human” and necessary for change and progress. Dorit will share with us the top 3 tools to build your capacity to engage and transcend challenging dynamics and conflict towards generative relations.

So long for now!

- Tatjana

P.S. Are you a Cultural Creative? Check out my last blog and listen to this FREE interview by Paul Ray, social research scientist, talking about a new emerging subculture: How 50 million people are changing the World!

P.P.S. Join us for our FREE community meeting regarding the Senior Roommate Housing Project: Re-defining independent living for our seniors in our immediate community!

P.P.P.S. Words of Wisdom:
"Through inner work, our consciousness becomes a fertile condition for our conscious participation in our evolution, rather than a natural selection process driven by external conditions." - Michael Bernard Beckwith

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Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

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My Blog: Empowering our Seniors and Elderlies - Senior Roommate Housing

MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Conferences 2013
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Are you a "Cultural Creative"? If so, how do YOU navigate and thrive in the 21st Century?

2014-02-12T19:17:00.000-08:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

Well, if you are like me, a Cultural Creative, then you probably resonate with me on fostering a new culture, or even better, a new paradigm! If you are like me you probably envision a future that is a bit more conscious and mindful. That values authenticity and integrity. That honors our planet, our environment and each other. That longs for connection, community and relatedness. That stands for social justice, alternative medicine, organic food, balance, health and wellness. That respects diversity and includes women's approaches and contributions. That aims at long term sustainability, corporate responsibility and political integrity. That sees spiritual and personal growth & development as a necessity. That values self-realization and authentic self-expression. That is about personal fulfillment, deeper meaning and higher purpose WHILE making a difference and a contribution to others! Deep down you know you want to be part of this new emerging subculture! Deep below at the bottom of your inner desires you dream about redefining your own life! Deep beneath the crust of your conditioned mind you get glimpses and imaginations what it might look like to reframe & reshape your culture & society into one of health and wellbeing! If you dream like that, you are like me.

For the longest time I thought I'm the only one that thinks like this. It wasn't until 2008 that I started meeting other like-minded people that think like I do. By 2012 I completely revamped my life, and in 2013 I co-produced and moderated a series of women's empowerment conferences with Jose Caballer, CEO of The Skool. So let me assure you, if you think like I do, you are not weird, you are not crazy and you are certainly not alone! Check out this radio interview with Paul Ray, a social research scientist and author, who coined the term "Cultural Creatives" in 2008. In fact the title of his book says it all - you are not alone: Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million people are changing the World!

So how do you navigate the 21st Century as a Cultural Creative?

Well, let me share with you my strategies of how I built a series of women's empowerment conferences with my Cultural Co-Creative Jose Caballer in 2013 (MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE!)! I like to combine heart with head with body. Meaning I merge my passion for personal growth and development (heart) with User Experience principles and strategies I've been training in (head), and align myself with a (body of) partners who are experts at practical execution!

I packaged all of this into a 3 Pillar System where I work with women (and conscious men) how to get your thoughts, visions, projects or business ideas from your head down into a clearly defined strategy to help you thrive in the digital age:

Pillar 1:
Self-awareness Skills - Managing Yourself, Others & Life Circumstances
Know thyself and create your life and career! The way we know work and life is changing. Today it's not just about a degree, body of knowledge and a set of technicals skills. But rather our soft skills (or meta skills) are the key to manage and lead ourselves and others. In addition, women and men are looking for more meaning, purpose, quality and balance in their (work) life. Self-awareness around who you are and what you stand for, your values, your interests, your passion, and understanding your core needs are the base to generate personal (self-) leadership skills. At the end of the day, it comes down to authentic self-management and how we show up from that perspective...regardless the circumstances.

Pillar 2:
Defining Strategies and Structures to implement your Vision and Goals
After we create clarity and definition around who you are on an autonomous and authentic level, we then move into strategic steps. We strategically define and scale the "You" into a brand / project / movement / service or product. We define your tribe (audience), and we define and prioritize your goals to implement your aligned vision. We look at the structures of support and skill development you need, and how to cultivate sustainable and mutually beneficiary partnerships.

Pillar 3:
Let's Get Tactical - Defining Platforms, Systems and Mechanisms
After we create clarity around your value proposition, and understand and relate to your demographics needs and goals, we are ready to get tactical. Here is where we prioritize your action plan as it relates to business model, sales, marketing, social media, eCommerce, finance, legal etc. What are the platforms, systems and mechanisms you need to support your project, movement or business?

The #1 Mistake!

The #1 mistake prior to getting into action is not having clarity and definition around who you truly are at the core of your essence, your values and what you really stand for.

How many times have you found yourself full of ambition, and put in hours, months maybe years of hard work and effort? Yet once you got there the excitement didn't last! And so you find yourself again in a situation where you feel unfulfilled, unmotivated, uninspired and are wondering if you will ever find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in what you do, or whom you are with?

I feel strongly that one needs to learn how to identify and redefine (de-condition) who one is authentically and autonomously prior to getting into action. I crafted a new 7-week intensive live workshop (also available as a remote telecourse) for cultural women to help you express and empower yourself in any situation!

What you will learn in this 7-week live workshop?

(Live in-person and remote telecourse option available)

This is a Pillar 1 workshop:

How to rediscover your authentic sense of self
How to identify your real interest and passions
How to discover your true nature, strengths & talents
How to apply your unique expression & talents
How to define who your "tribe" is
How to define your bigger vision
How to transform unhealthy dynamics and cultures
How to generate a system of community, connectedness, and support
How to align & prioritize your next action steps to achieve your goals

I really want you to have support and participate at this event with a partner. To help you with this I'm offering you:

to bring one additional complimentary guest (included in the purchase of your ticket). In other words, you can "gift one ticket" to another friend you feel would benefit from being there with you.
You will also receive a step-by-step workbook
I will also offer one complementary coaching session with me
Not only do you get 2 for1 ticket, a complementary coaching session with me, a step-by-step workbook, but also I'm offering you all of this at the "Early Bird" special at $249.(Regular ticket for 1 person: $279)

This special will only be valid through the week of February 17th! Get your ticket now!

What are my events like?

My events are very intimate, it's about re-connecting with yourself, and connecting & gathering with other like-minded women to create a safe environment, to create support for one another, to catalyze inspiration, to educate and exchange information in a fast-paced, ever-changing world full of new and complex challenges!

FREE Offer for you!

1. FREE Dance class at By Your Side Dance Studio!
Don't forget, your FREE dance class with By Your Side Dance Studio expires in 2 weeks! Make sure to redeem this offer I specifically arranged for you, my community.

Here is how you do it:

To redeem your FREE class register your name online
Check out the schedule here
Simply show up to a class, no reservation or partner need (upon arrival, tell them my name: Tatjana)
Arrive 10 min early (parking, signing in, getting settled)
What shoes to wear?If you don't have dance shoes with suede soles, make sure you wear shoes that fit securely on your feet (no flip flops or slip-ons), and have a fairly smooth bottom. Avoid rubber soles as it won't allow you to spin).

Remember: This offer expires in 2 weeks!

That's it for today! So long for now!

- Tatjana

P.S. What defines 21st Century leadership style? Listen to the 40 min interview I contacted with Runa Bouius, Serial Entrepreneur from Iceland and Conscious Leadership Catalyst, who spent her first career developing internationally known cosmetic and perfume brands as one of the leading wholesale distributor in Iceland - with a feminine leadership approach!

P.P.S. What are your structure preferences for workshops?

Please take this short 2 min, multiple selection survey

P.P.P.S. Words of Wisdom:
"In this theatre of the world, whatever role you decide to perform is the experience you will have." - Baba

_____________________________

Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

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Empowering our Seniors - Senior Roommate Housing Project

2014-01-05T14:58:00.002-08:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

As you may recall, the recent experience of my mother-in-law's tragic death, Meta Buchheim (67), on November 26th, 2013, and us consequently becoming a care-taker for her life partner Bill Duff (91), catapulted me to initiate a conversation with a few people about exploring a community project in our immediate neighborhood. One person is George Chung, founder of George Chung Realty, and Jacqueline Botting, a business development consultant and founder of Wise Tribe. I met Jacqueline during one of my monthly Skool MeetUp for Women events in 2013. Jacqueline too is currently going through the experience of being a care-taker for her mom.

PROJECT CONTEXT:

Caring for our Seniors in a self-empowered way

The vision is to contribute & empower our seniors, specifically as it relates to independent living, an alternative to our current system of assisted living facilities. Most facilities are old, cold, and depressing, and or cost a fortune.

I have a multitude of ideas within that topic. However, to start out I'm interested in exploring the concept of Senior Roommate Match Making Service for Shared Housing in our immediate neighborhood:

A sense of Independence, Joy & Fulfillment:

On an individual level, I envision to match Senior Home Owners with (Senior) Home Seekers in our immediate neighborhood. The mission is to match seniors of varies age groups and with varies abilities to complement and help each other managing their daily lives, and share tasks or hired resources (cleaning, cooking, laundry, running errands, driving to doctor appointments, etc). It would allow for seniors in still reasonably good health to stay in a home as long as possible and live "collaboratively" independent.

Self-sustainability:

On a community level, the point is to generate a self-sustainable community amongst the seniors themselves, where they can empower each other with or without cash transactions (exchange). That way we are shifting the sole care-taking responsibilities and burden somewhat away from their adult children and initiate a mindset of self-empowerment within the elderly's capacities. The biggest challenge Mark (my husband) and I experienced in becoming a care-taker for Bill (and Meta) is that it heavily impacted our lives. I had to stop my work, cancel my course I was teaching, and put a hold on my daily routine so as to accommodate their needs and fulfill the tasks and responsibilities they could no longer execute. It was physically draining and took a toll on my own sense of happiness, joy and vision I had for my future. Was this my new future I'd face? And for how long?

When circumstances as such arise, the tension experienced derives from a conflict of interest, a conflict of schedule, responsibilities and life routine that is very different between those two generations. As much as one wants to help and be there, over time I began to feel resentment towards family members and towards the "patient(s)". I started feeling frustrated how it impacted my life and my work, and the nature of witnessing someone going through cancer and becoming a care-taker became rather depressing. To stay sane and healthy myself in this experience, I needed to put down healthy boundaries with family members and "patients", yet, even if you do, you can't help it and feel guilty for doing so. Especially if your loved one passes away.

On the contrary, retired seniors tend to share similar schedules and daily routines, and could certainly support one another within their "retiree schedule". Instead of stripping our seniors from all sense of responsibilities, I envision a system where they get to help themselves within the realms of their capacities. Not only does this contribute to a sense of independence, but they actually get to contribute to each other, socialize and stay engaged in the community, elevating a sense of meaning and purpose, versus "waisting away in front of the TV".

Organized Neighborhood Initiatives:

Here is a great example of Organized Neighborhood Services filling in as a response to the currently overburdened system and lack of quality-resources available - it's called Time-Banking in Senior Care: The Fureai Kippu

The Fureai Kippu refers to the Japanese Health Care currency created in 1995 for people to earn credits by helping seniors in their community to stay and live in their homes. The earned credits accumulate and can be used for services or transferred to someone. To name a few benefits:

Creating independence and a self-sustainable economy beyond the federal currency, the yen, or the dollar here in the USA. I recently joined the Time Bank Community in Mar Vista, which executes a similar concept of using credits in exchange of services.
Keep the seniors within the comfort of their home
Creating personalized relationships and community

Next Steps: Customer-profiling - exploring relevant goals and needs

To move forward I'd like to to facilitate multiple events to engage in "research" conversations with:

The Seniors in need for support: Exploring their needs, goals, fears, desires, and interest in "collective living".
Adult Children of Seniors: Exploring their challenges, fears, needs, goals, and interest in "collective living" for their parents who can no longer live alone, yet are no where near of needing to live in a nursing or convalescent home.....or can't afford Assisted Living Facilities.

How you can help I need:

Exposure: Please help me spread the vision of this project across your social media, database and communities
Location sponsors: I need organizations who will host a public event, or individuals who will organize a private gathering for me to facilitate mentioned research conversation within West Los Angeles
Media partners: to market and post the events to their social media, database and communities
Contributors / Collaborators: for now this is a loose and organic development. Specific needs and roles will be defined after the inception phase and customer-profiling. For now I need volunteers to assist me and be part of this vision. Down the road I will need to work with graphic designers, and information architect (wire framing) and developers to create a website for a Senior Roommate Match Making Service in West Los Angeles.
First meeting:
March 8th, 5 - 7pm: For details visit here

You know they say it takes a village to raise a child. I think it too takes a village to care for our seniors. It ends up being in everyone's best interest to move forward in a collaborative, and communal mindset. For at some point, we too, will be "seniors".

- Tatjana

P.S. To receive my newsletter, sign up here
P.P.S. Please support our efforts to find a cure for the BRCA Gene Mutation: http://givingpages.upenn.edu/metabuchheim

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Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

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In Loving Memory of Meta Buchheim

2013-12-31T15:32:00.000-08:00

Hi - it's Tatjana.

I wanted to wish everyone a very happy and merry New Year!

Also, I wanted to explain my silence over the last couple weeks. Unfortunately, we had a tragic death in our family.

Gone In The Blink Of An Eye
Meta, my mother-in-law, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer (stage 2b) at the end of August 2013.

On Sept 25th she underwent a Lumpectomy. However, after the surgery the doctors proposed to proceed and schedule a mastectomy as the tumor was bigger than anticipated. In preparation for the mastectomy, Meta underwent another 4 weeks of tests, scans and biopsies, and unfortunately was diagnosed with peritoneal ovarian cancer. She immediately got scheduled for surgery and underwent a hysterectomy on October 25th. Everything went well, the surgeon was happy and very optimistic.

3 weeks after her hysterectomy Meta started her first chemotherapy which was scheduled to take place every Wednesday for the next 4 1/2 months. She had her 2nd chemotherapy on Wednesday, Nov. 20th.

On Saturday morning, November 23rd, Meta started experiencing the expected symptoms and side effects of chemotherapy. Monday morning however, her symptoms got drastically worse and I brought her to the Emergency Room at Kaiser Permanente. The ER doctors agreed it would be best for her to stay until the symptoms would lessen. Tuesday morning Debbie, my sister-in-law and I arrived in the late morning. Meta's condition was worse, and her health seemed to drastically decline. Debbie and I kept on demanding for doctors to see her and were frustrated with the lack of sense of urgency by the hospital staff at Kaiser. Overall, the staff seemed to be more concerned about rules, policies and acquiring internal approval processes versus getting Meta the immediate attention and treatment she needed.

The assigned doctor finally arrived after 2pm on Tuesday, Nov. 26th, and recognized the urgency of the situation and promised to immediately submit for the necessary actions. A few minutes after the doctor left, Meta said to me that she had trouble breathing. I ran out and called on the nurses...and ran back in....Meta fell into a cardiac arrest (so we were told)...and did not survive. She died in front of my eyes. Only 67 years old, Meta was proclaimed dead at 2.27pm on November 26th...which also happens to be Mark and my 16th Anniversary.

The Memorial for Meta took place in a private setting on Saturday, December 7th, 2013, attended by her closest friends and family. It was a tragic, sudden and deep loss for everyone.

Fundraiser for the BRCA1 & 2 Gene Mutation
You may recall Angelina Jolie making headlines earlier in 2013 with her decision to get a preventive double mastectomy given that she got diagnosed to be a BRCA carrier. When I first heard about her mastectomy, I brushed it off as another one of those desperate celebrity actions probably seeking attention.

It wasn't until after Meta got diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer that she agreed to take a genetic test to check for the BRCA gene mutation associated with breast and ovarian cancers. Meta too tested positive. That's when we all learned that this gene mutation is prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish Community (descendants from Eastern and Central Europe), and unfortunately is hereditary. Meta's mom too passed at the age of 67 due to ovarian cancer.

After Meta's passing I established a fundraiser for multiple reasons:

In memory of Meta Buchheim
To raise awareness
To raise funds for the research on BRCA1 and 2 Gene mutation associated cancers
Access to genetic testing - not everyone's insurance grants approval for genetic testing as Myriad Genetics had the exclusive rights to all testing and research on BRCA Genes...Shall we call it a monopoly? In June 2013 the Supreme Court did rule in favor of the Breast Cancer Action Organization.

For details and to support the cause please visit the fundraiser below. Our entire family would kindly appreciate your contribution to the Pennsylvania Medical University. Every dollar counts:
http://givingpages.upenn.edu/metabuchheim

Becoming a caretaker
Meta had a Life partner named Bill, an eloquent and diplomatic gentlemen from England who came to the United States after WWII. They met in 1995. For the last 5 years they lived together. Meta became Bill's caretaker as he is 23 years older, meaning he is currently at the ripe age of 90.

Bill has no kids, family or relatives here in the United States, and absolutely no assets or savings, hence Mark and I became Bill's full-time caretaker after Meta's passing. Even though Bill is the most appreciative and positive natured man I've ever met, I can't say this wasn't challenging. It had its effects on me, physically and emotionally. I had to stop my work, cancel the course I was teaching and put a hold on my daily routine. It was tough but I knew this was temporary, and I asked myself how can I make this a mindful experience for both of us? How can I be present with each of the tasks and responsibilities arising?

Faced with this new challenge as a caretaker, I also found myself exploring the world of Social Services, Medical, Medicaire, driving Bill to his physician appointments and exploring potential Veteran Benefits - Bill served 4 years in the Royal Airforce during WWII. At the end, I didn't learn that much. There are endless senior services available and it's all so confusing. Most of the them are private and will eat up "most of your savings". If you are on a tight budget (which most seniors are) you can opt for a nursing or convalescent home, which are the last resort anyone would ever willingly go to.

Bill did not qualify for any additional benefits or services. As for the Assisted Living Facility, we eventually decided to go with one that is very close to our home, the amenities are nice, the staff is friendly, and my negotiation skills got Bill a new home that worked within the limits of his Social Security income (how can anyone survive on that!). In England we requested to receive his military records, still hoping that he might qualify for further benefits. In the meantime, we are helping him to make ends meet. It was certainly a big change for Bill, but he is doing okay. Given that he is super social and has a PH.D. in Psychology, he already has a flock of ladies going after him for his likable personality and his stimulating mind. But I know deep down he is grieving the loss of Meta, and coming to grips with facing "his final chapter", as he puts it.

The Future of our Seniors
Seeing the need of our seniors and elderlies through the experience I'm having with Bill, I'm playing around with a few ideas for community initiatives. I already started talking to a few key players in our neighborhood. Stay tuned for more details in 2014.

Entering 2014
2013 has been full of dualities! It has been one of my most fulfilling years and I especially enjoyed co-producing the MERGE!, MOVE! and FORGE! Women's Empowerment Conferences with Jose Caballer, CEO of The Skool. 2013 has also been a deep and profound experience as I just shared with you. However, I believe the key to Life lies in how we respond to the complexities and the difficulties when they arise.

Starting in the New Year, I will be offering a new set of courses where I will share with you systematic ways, techniques, practices and principles that you can learn and develop. This is for people who want to free themselves from restricting mindsets and learn how to stay calm and anchored regardless the circumstances.

For now I'm wishing you all a very happy and amazing 2014! Let's continue the collaboration, making a difference one step at a time for one another!

- Tatjana

P.S. The next Skool MeetUp for Women is taking place on Tuesday, January 28th, from 7.30. - 9.30pm. This is a group of women supporting women in redefining our lives and careers while reshaping our culture and society! RSVP here.

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Tatjana Luethi

Designer, Coach, Host, Producer

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My Blog: Redefining Leadership - A Woman's Contribution and Expression
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Redefining Leadership - A Woman's Expression and Contribution

2013-09-18T23:12:00.003-07:00

Heya All,

Two weeks ago I enrolled in a course called “Creativity, Innovation and Change” on coursera, a class taught by PennState University. In that class I launched a project called “Redefining Leadership: A Woman’s Expression and Contribution”. The project got featured by PennState University, and created resonance and interest amongst women from across the world.

For now, we women are corresponding and engaging with each other through deep conversations on my project thread on the coursera platform.

Secondly, I'm conducting weekly virtual calls with some of the women, which includes a wide range of women, such as clinical psychologist, civil engineer, management leader, eye doctor, an author and artist from countries such as Africa, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Philippines and the United States who all have a drive and interest in making a difference in their environment.

In addition, I'm engaging into inspiring conversations with powerful women outside of the coursera platform yet resonate with the inquiry I launched, sharing their journey and thoughts with me as female entrepreneurs and leaders - "the woman's way".

So, what is the project and inquiry I posed? Well, it's a continuation of the experimentations I've launched in 2013 and states as follows:

Overview:
I'm exploring an online & offline community project with women who are passionate about merging their personal and professional background & experience into a meaningful, purpose-driven and financially prosperous career / livelihood for personal fulfillment AND as a vehicle to make a difference and contribution to our society and culture.

The Challenge:
The way we know work is changing. Many of us are faced with constantly needing to re-invent ourselves. As a result more women are exploring entrepreneurism out of necessity. However, the conflict arises for us women in that:

We have not been trained in entrepreneurism
We do not feel aligned with the traditional training style, definition, POV and approach that is currently applied and executed by our male counterparts
Needing to generate income (do you go for passion, or financial stability? Can you do both?)
Balancing work and family
Getting paid little or none for our work and contribution to our community and society (volunteerism)

My approach is based on:

1) Being creative and generative:

Personal expression as a sense for fulfillment, meaning and purpose.
Focusing that creative expression and energy into a structure (career, project, business, movement) as a means to make a difference.
Getting paid for it - monetization.

2) Ownership versus victimization:

Pioneering new healthy and sustainable structures, rather than molding into the current systems and traditional thinking by...

3) ...Exploring a 21st Century structure / approach that:

Enables authentic and wholesome self-express and leadership
Generates new structures of leadership (that includes feminine POV, approaches and values)
Forming a new context for collaboration / culture / relatedness amongst women, as well as between women and men.

Collaborative inquiry:

So, how do we (how do men) engage women to participate as leaders? (Not confined to corporate leadership only)
In what style do we need to foster and train women to authentically embrace self-expression and leadership without fear and feelings of inadequacy?
What shift in context and relatedness to men and the current system needs to occur for women to make their greatest contribution?

So, that's what I've been up to, in addition to getting ready for the FORGE! women's conference that I'm co-producing with Jose Caballer on October 19th and 20th in Los Angeles. BTW, Early Bird tickets expire next week, so you better get your tickets now here.

To stay up to date with all the happenings, evolution and progress you can sign up for my newsletter here.

Check out the interview by PennState University featuring my "Redefining Leadership" project, as well as another inspiring coursera student named Andreea Pavel, a young entrepreneur from Romania, Founder of Successify:

So long,

- Tatjana