Be Joyful

Alex Mangini is OBSESSED. She’s a social media consultant who manages a dental practice full-time. She just turned 60 and looks 40! Learn how Alex developed a lucrative side biz while working full time in a different field and how she’s maintained her youthful appearance.

• Alex is a twin. Her brother always excelled at everything while she believed she felt short.
• Majored in communications/journalism. Developed a passion for medicine and cures after her second son was born prematurely.
• “I was obsessed w his health, prior to the internet. Happened in my late 20s. I was a stay at home mom while my sons were young. When they were in school, I went back to work. I always wanted to make my own money.”
• 17 years managing dental practice. Started promoting on social media. Have 15 clients who were all referrals. She is self taught. Learned on Google, You Tube, all trial and error.
• Alex tries to make social media user friendly. Unique posts. Very interactive with her clients.
• At 60 she loves technology and learning new things and is a self proclaimed social media addict.
• Alex firmly believes in any facial or body rejuvenation and plastic surgery that helps people feel better about themselves.
• “Plastic surgery provides instant results. Do your research.There are affordable solutions. It’s all about taking care of ourselves.”
• Her secret to staying young is peels, lasers, vitamins for skin, healthy lifestyle, use moisturizing cream at night, what you put in your body, exercise regimen.
• Learn about Winston her dog and his instagram page @Winston_thecav. Over 16k followers, an influencer and earns money. He’s a superstar.
• Alex is Mimi to two grandchildren, Hailey and Blake and baby Jack due in September.
• “Don’t be afraid to try something new. Focus on you.”
• “If you don’t know it, Google it”
• “Don’t sleep your life away.”
• “Be open to making new relationships later in life.”

Contact Alex by calling 914.907.6763 or email at [email protected]

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Jan’s foolproof lessons to be a successful entrepreneur and how she learned to succeed in a male-dominated field and continues to live her dream everyday.

Early years and her unusual college experiences:

• Kid from the NY boroughs, growing up in a concrete jungle
• Always fascinated w plants
• Steered toward botanical illustratration by HS guidance counselor
• Attended Friends World College, run by Quakers, created her own studies
• Studied in Japan, lived in Kyoto and transfixed by Japanese gardens
• Japanese boss said “you’re not an architect, you’re a landscape architect.”
• Studied landscape architecture at University of Hawaii and studied hydroponic gardening, without soil. She was the only woman in her class

What was Jan’s next endeavor?

• Realized she was not suited to working in an office
• She wanted hands on training and worked at Mohonk Mountain House in NY
• Worked for a French master gardener who was reticent to work w her since she was a woman. But Jan was persistent and persevered
• Learned professional horticulture
• Jan believes in experiential education, learn by doing

How did she start her biz?

• With not much money, rented one room from a man who ran a small tree service, who became her mentor
• “I knew what I knew, but I didn’t know how to run a business and luckily had a husband who knew how to.”
• Her mentor coached her, told her what courses to take. He started Sav-a-Tree, a first class and very successful tree business.
• Your thoughts and attitudes are key to your success. Set sites high enough
• Have a goal and see it through Jan’s goal is to create beautiful outdoor settings
• Her mission is to pay it forward, share what she’s learned

Author:

• Jan started writing books because she loves sharing what she has learned and believes that having a serene outdoor environment can uplift people in this crazy world
• 7 books including Spirit of Stone, Flowertopia, Gardentopia, Heaven in a Garden

What advice do you have for women looking to find their passions, and her “brass ring” for success?

• Get your business systems in place first before you start out. Being talented in your specific field is not enough, your passion I will be the key to your success.
• Work with people you align with
• Get yourself out there
• Make time for yourself, even something as simple as a walk
• It’s ok to be the only woman in the room
• You have to love what you do

Where can listeners learn more about Jan?

• Instagram @johnsendesign
• Subscribe to janjohnsen.substack.com for landscaping tips
• johnsenlandscapes.com
• Books can be purchased on Amazon

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Christa Ross is a trailblazer in real estate coaching and hosts the podcast "The Uplift" offering simple thoughts for complex times. She is a masterful thinker, writer and marketer. Christa's most significant achievements and recognition have come after 50. Her journey serves as a powerful testament to the idea that life's most remarkable chapters are often still to come.

Notes from podcast:

1. If I could go back and hug Christa Ross and tell her everything will be ok, I would.
2. Product of a single mom who suffered bipolar depression. She always wanted to be normal and prove she was not her mom.
3. I’m not good enough. Story of building self confidence.
4. It was not until I was 50 that I had any sense of self confidence or career.
5. My mentor pushed me out of the nest to spread my wings which was a real gift.
6. Working in marketing for real estate firm taught her different ways to speak and fulfill the needs of a target audience.
7. I wanted to have that picture perfect life with white picket fence and picture of family over the piano. I worked part time to have that kind of life.
8. My grandparents were pivotal in raising my children especially after my divorce.
9. I will be the best risk you ever took. It was the first time I ever sold myself. I’ve been with the same real estate company for over 20 years.
10. I was getting good at selling but I was shining at marketing. It was very creative and fun. People responded to it. People noticed I was good at something.
11. If you recognize a lane that no one is doing, do it. That’s how The Boost came to be and started during Covid. It turned out to be a full time thing. The most rewarding and fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.
12. You got me thru Covid” is the reaction of so many agents. She helped them feel connected. It brings me joy. It’s been my biggest blessing.
13. Having the trust of someone so smart and successful to be behind me, gave me so much self confidence.
14. The Uplift is a motivational podcast that focuses on what’s bright and what’s possible.
15. I love decorating, cooking and feeding people. That’s part of my love language.
16. Homemaking is an art.
17. Take your power, push forward, be less cautious, less self conscience, less critical of yourself. Find the joy and come for the ride.

Find Christa’s Uplift on YouTube and on Instagram @christa_clear_coaching

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

For her next podcast, Jean decided to interview her husband Duncan Hill, and how they have navigated marriage, travel, communication, God and Africa. Duncan spent 17 years rescuing children in Uganda. It was after he heard from God that this became his mission. So with his own $$ and lots of donations and a lot of faith, that’s what he did. They recently traveled back after a 7 year hiatus to reunite with his kids. What a blessing and adventure. Jean is so proud of the work he’s done and continues to do.

Notes on podcast:

1. In 1981 Duncan became a Christian. He was a stock broker up until 1997 when he started a small retail business, then he heard from God in 2002 that he was suppose to go to Uganda. He paid attention to the signs. God told him to go!
2. His heart was completely broken by the Aids crisis in Uganda. In the summer of 2002, Duncan started the Uganda Orphans Fund.
3. Duncan built homes for Ugandan churches to house orphaned children. Some local Ugandan families donated land and he started Kasozi (Hill in their local language)Village with a school, dormitories, a chapel and staff quarters.
4. Kasozi Village housed 150 kids. The school had to do their due diligence when accepting applications.
5. Kasozi school was based on the British school system with its own elementary school up to P7. If the kids had the acumen to go on to senior levels, the school would fund their education. This was all done by donations.
6. In 2018 Kasozi Village was given to a Ugandan non-profit school. In exchange for the land, buildings, vehicles they promised to take care of the Kasozi kids.
7. In Jan/Feb 2025 Duncan and Jean went back to see his kids. It was like magic. It was a personally gratifying time but there were some kids who were languishing and needed help. Duncan is now supporting 30 kids with their school fees, requirements and needs, to keep them moving forward toward success and self-sufficiency.
8. Duncan is funding this with his own money, but as their needs get greater and the number of kids in need increases, he’ll need to ask for financial help. His plan is to create the Kasozi Fund for just this purpose. Stay tuned.
9. Duncan and Jean pay their own expenses. Every penny in donations will go to help the kids.
10. Duncan believes that you need God’s direction to make your calling a success.
11. Duncan and Jean met in college but didn’t say a word to each other. They met 45 years later on FB in 2002, and married two months later.
12. They work well because they communicate. They care how the other person feels and they work things through.
13. Keys to their success are communication, acceptance and laughter.

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Francesca has been creating jewelry for over 30 years and creating ‘stuff’ since she was 16. Previously a clothing designer, she has always collected interesting stones and pearls and has a particular love of turquoise, as those who wear her jewelry will attest. Her work is characterized by a sense of adventure and exploration and inspired by nature, love and people. This comes from her love of imagining the lives of those who wear her work. As an artist her biggest challenge is finding the connection. So far, she loves sharing her journey with the women who are lucky enough to wear her jewelry made from beautiful materials.

Excerpts from podcast:

1. I have been so blessed with opportunity and by being in the right place at the right time. It’s important to recognize that this is not true for everyone.
2. You spoke about how challenging it was for you as a single parent and that is absolutely correct. I always worked part time, but was fortunate to have partners where I could do that, and where I didn’t get confused about trying to monetize the art - whatever form that took. Sometimes I get paid to be a creative consultant. Sometimes I made stuff and found a way to sell it - and a lot of that was by being in the right place and moving with it.
3. I really dislike the lack of distinction between making art and “being successful” about it. It seems really important to come to terms with- and this is ongoing - about what success means. Art is hard work - not always, but enough of the time that it’s important to recognize what it takes.
4. Maybe the real expense is the outlay of energy it requires.Thinking it up, refining the idea, exploring the idea, testing it in the process of making it, and then figuring out what to do with it all takes energy.Marketing and selling takes a lot of work!
5. I think people have done a huge disservice by not recognizing this. Also - a lot of art is not really viable commercially - either for money or for recognition.If you are stuck following those things, you miss the opportunity to think up and make art.
6. What is my advice? Only I can say what’s worked for me-Cultivate a quiet brain—Find a passion—Pursue it for its own sake - the questions about monetizing it or getting recognition from it are separate. If they are what is really important to you, figure out how to get those things--It may never be a package deal - sometimes you get bits of things
7. I don’t have just one message for a brand.—My hope is that people may get interested in something I put out there and it sparks a conversation. —I’m always looking for good connections.—I hope my message is ultimately one of love.
8. Love yourself, love the ideas, love the time to make things or not, love it if you connect with someone else in love. Especially love it if you help them move through their lives a little bit better.

To connect with Francesca follow her on Instagram @flkjewelry.

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.