Author Archives: Elaine Sycks

How do you feel about cold weather? Having grown up in western New York and then having lived in Minnesota for 20 years, I have had my fill of cold weather. I prefer it over hot temps any time. The air is fresh, I can breathe and think. However, I have gotten to where IContinue reading “The Cold Weather Yes, the snow…not so much”

Have you ever broken a bone? When I was 13 years old, I was bike riding with my friends and zipping along a street that was lined with trash cans ready for pickup day. We were having a great time and I was too busy looking backwards talking.  I hit one of the cans ,Continue reading “A bike, a trash can and no situational awareness”

How do you balance work and home life? Balancing work and home life reminds me of playing on the old teeter totters as we called them when I was young.  Trying to push off the ground hard enough to fly high but not so hard you catapult off and crash 😂 I have found learningContinue reading “Try not to fall off the teeter totter”

What sacrifices have you made in life? One of the biggest sacrifices that still feels like it was yesterday….in 1992 my sister in law died in her sleep just six short days after giving birth to her second child. Her death was right before my husband and I were to be married. I dropped everythingContinue reading “Sacrifices that turned into blessings”

What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today? My intangible oldest things are my smile and positive attitude.  I strive to have those on every day no matter what.  My tangible thing is a faux pearl necklace that was my husband’s grandmother’s.  She gave it to me and told me “it’s not real but will stillContinue reading “The tangible and intangible”

Are you a leader or a follower? I have found that to be truly effective I have to be both. In following the verses in the Bible on humility, compassion, grace and patience, I am a better leader to my kids and in my community.  In following other successful business leaders and their example ofContinue reading “To be balanced, both!”

List your top 5 favorite fruits. Raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries, and blueberries. Actually I love eating just about any fruit except for kiwi.  Sorry kiwi.  It’s not you, it’s me. We’ll just have to start seeing other produce.

What’s one small improvement you can make in your life? The improvements I am trying to make can be summed up with one word:  Focus. Focus on reading 30 minutes a day, focus on saying no more often so I have time with family, focus on the positive around me and not the negative.

Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life. My positive impact salute goes out to the “everyday Joes” trying to do their part to make the world a little bit better. I have met customers this week making handmade curtains for veterans’ housing, a lady running a homeless shelter throwingContinue reading “Everyday Joes trying to make the world a little better”

What does freedom mean to you? Freedom.  A powerful word. Even more so depending upon which preposition after it. Freedom from stress, grief, burdens, debt, low self esteem, doubt.  Freedom to pursue one’s dreams and aspirations, to travel, to love.