As I made the list of 35 women I wanted to feature I found family, close friends, sorority sisters, professional friends, advisors and more. Today, the blog is about to take a new direction I want to feature a professional friend who has become a personal friend, someone that will be a surprise to many people, including her. This woman came into my life more recent than the previous two. Janine Driver President of the Body Language Institute and I met only about 2 years ago. She was the keynote speaker at the MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Cascadia conference. And, well… Janine doesn’t like it when I tell the story this way and it’s true. I didn’t like her “Boson Moxie” as they call it. I walked out of her talk actually.
Now I consider Janine a dear friend and role model. You see I was encouraged to give her a second chance. A friend told me you learn the most from the people who “push your buttons”. So I did I attended the Body Language Institute program. Two days with Janine that truly changed my life. In the class you participate in a variety of activities to learn about how you use your body language more effective and read that of other people. At the end of the two days I was more confident so confident actually I presented the winning “mock” sales presentation on Why Coke-a-Cola should provide body language training for their sales teams. Over those two days I learned to own who I was, what I wanted in life and how to demonstrate that confidence in the clothes I choose, the jewelry I wear and how I hold my body. All the things I learned were small things that combine to make a big difference. I am a better speaker, entrepreneur, and woman as a result of the experience. What I know now is everything that was "hard to take" about Janine is what I so desired and wanted for my life. To be confident, own my message and share that message with the world.
It was a gift to be able to go back to the Body Language Institute and participate in BLI 201 with Terence Noon, the producer of the Dr. Oz show. Thanks to Janine I walked into that program an unsure entrepreneur and walked out confident in my brand, my focus and what I needed to do to be successful. Janine spent one on one time with me really giving me great tips on my next steps. What I love about Janine is she uses her “Boston Moxie, to connect to the somewhat insecure girl from a trailer park.” When you work with Janine you get the real deal, flip flops, language and all.
All of this is the more public side of Janine Driver, I admire her for this and more deeply, what even she doesn’t know is I call her one of my 35 most inspiring women because of her ability to grow her business while being a mom. When you get to know Janine she is one of the most dedicated family women I know. Janine is supporting her mom through cancer while raising her angel son Angus and growing her global business.
What you should learn from my friendship with Janine, give everyone a second chance, connect to people who are different than you and women no matter what should support the growth of other woman. We are not in competition, people!! Every woman should find the role models, the mentors and the silent cheer leaders. Janine lives clear across the country from me. I may only see her once a year face to face, and a few facebook posts during the year.
Janine, thank you for giving a little lost girl from small town Oregon a chance in your program, for giving me strength beyond measure and the courage to keep reaching for my dream. To be a bit like you a mom-preneur and professional speaker/trainer. I am in debted to you for giving me that second chance. I can’t wait to be back with you at the Body Language Institute.
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