Jennifer Featured on “Strength of a Woman”

Go to http://strengthofawomancanada.blogspot.com/ to see!

My Extraordinary Day with Cynthia Good and PINK Magazine

My Extraordinary Day with Cynthia Good and the PINK Magazine Staff 

Thanks again to Carissa Reiniger, Silver Lining, Mike Realba, PINK Magazine, Healthy Girl and Petite Fashionista, for giving me the opportunity to spend the day “job shadowing” CEO and co-founder, Cynthia Good!

                              

Open the large foyer doors of PINK Magazine and another world awaits you. A sunny yellow wall welcomes visitors with the words “Bright House” (Cynthia’s husband, Joey Reiman’s, world known “ideation”corporation). Complimenting the wall is that of a bright pink wall with the letters PINK. The continental-style furniture is upholstered in a cheery floral pattern and in the center of it all, sits Ashley, who radiates the décor’s sunny disposition.   

The petite and dynamic Cynthia Good welcomes Mike and I to PINK Magazine. Concerned that I didn’t have a morning coffee in hand, Cynthia whisks us into the kitchen and offers us breakfast. With drinks in hand, we walk through the beautiful exposed brick interior and proceed upstairs along the feng shey wall of awards. There are so many awards throughout the building that Mike and I lost count! Upstairs, the painted walls are accented with inspirational quotes to inspire creativity and to think “outside” of the box.

Cynthia’s office reflects the same energy as the foyer: bright, strong and welcoming. Her vision board is filled with covers of past issues, with her family photos displayed in the center of the board. Next to the photos is the quote: “Believe in the Ridiculous.”  She immediately shares a recent example to not accept any “no’s” into our lives. Recently, PINK submitted a proposal in which a “thank you, but not at this time” was given, so PINK being PINK, went another avenue with the same company on their quest for a yes! Not only did they receive a yes, it was a yes bigger than they imagined! Point taken!

Cynthia’s visionary language was contagious and her perspective on life rubbed off on me. It affected me to the point where I started matching her positive vocabulary because I was feeling so energized by it! We discussed the “wearing of many hats” (balancing family, career, and staying focused). Mike and I then excused ourselves from Cynthia and met her staff. We asked each one how working for PINK changed their lives and how they removed the word ”no” from their vocabulary. It was thrilling to be around such positive, like- minded women! Each staff member shared her philosophy of having a positive outlook in her career and personal life.

Allison Cawley, PINK’s Sales and Marketing director, became our ambassador for the day. We were thankful to the introductions and guidance she gave us, along with a ride to lunch!  Cynthia treated us to a fabulous lunch where we discussed Fit Your Style Inc, my philosophies, and my mission for the business. As I was talking, Cynthia was feverishly taking notes on a napkin. At the end, she provided me with a napkin of creative topics and asked if I would blog them for the magazine! How exciting!

We returned for a brain-storming session of ideas for “The Little Pink Book,” a free daily e-note offering fashion, business tools and so much more (www.pinkmagazine.com)!

We created about two months worth of story themes. Cynthia was at the helm; however, all staff and interns played a valuable role in the session, in which Cynthia and the staff each complimented one another on their great ideas. Talk about a positive work environment!     

Sadly, my day had come to an end. It was time to catch my carriage back to Toronto . Yes, I was in my element, like Cinderella at the ball! And I was the one thanked for my participation! I walked in as an observer and left as an expert blogger for PINK Magazine!  Everyone bid their adieus after we discussed details of our first “blogging” call.

A personal thank you to Cynthia. She is a true leader and mentor for all women. As I said to her in an email, “You walk your walk and talk your talk!” I received a lovely email from her following our meeting with specific content that showed how deeply she listened to me, where she also displayed her integrity as she fulfilled her word in answering any follow-up questions I had from my visit.

It was a day that changed my life and my career. My advice for other entrepreneurs reflects Cynthia’s, that the words “no and can’t” are simply not options! Believe and you will achieve!

In good health,

Jennifer Ettinger, Founder of Fit Your Style Inc.

Jennifer featured in “North of the City”