Clelia Somers-Theodorides was born in South Africa to Greek parents. She grew up in a large Greek community and enjoyed many cultural traditions. She lives in Luxembourg with her Swiss-British husband Gilles and son Constantine. She is an interior designer (who speaks 6 languages!) with a flare for house restoration. Learn how Clelia developed a nose for business and real estate and leveraged her multi-cultural background to create wealth. 

Clelia’s early years :

• Grew up w rich culture and many traditions w Greek parents. Traditions are important to keep family together 
• Born during apartheid; today she considers herself a more tolerant person 
• She was curious about the world beyond SA
• Decided to take a gap year to travel; worked as airline stewardess for Lux Air
• Spent half time in Luxembourg and the other half in SA
• Traveled to Italy to speak Italian, France to speak French and of course her native Greek 
• By speaking different languages you become an enriched person 
• Moved full time to Lux and became engaged a Lux/italian man who was a restaunteur like her Dad and an interior designer. 

Her next career moves:

• Wanted to find something for herself and away from her fiancé
• Got into banking w 350 banks in Lux 
• Broke off engagement 
• At JP Morgan met her husband who had similar qualities as her Dad. 15 years older 
• Married after 6 months
• Gilles wanted her to stay at home but she needed to work
• Banking crashed and she had to recreate herself. Renovated their 18th century country home 
• She felt the financial bubble in 2008 was the time to sell. “My nose told me something was going to happen.”
• Sold before the financial crisis
• Made a nice profit and poured profits into purchase of more projects in Lux and two homes in Milos, Greece
• Felt an urge to purchase a large apartment in Lisbon, and has tripled in value 
• Properties are rented for cash flow 

Design Firm: CGA

• Started when her husband retired and wanted to get out of the house 
• With two partners from Greece to bring Mediterranean influence to the dark, Germanic Lux. Wanted to bring some sunshine to Lux
• Networked w Gilles’ banking contacts to grow her clientele
• Clelia feels more confident than ever at age 56 
• She has trusting and personal relationships with her clients and feels intimately immersed in their lives as she designs their homes and is brought into their lives 

What advice do you have for individuals considering a different direction? Like your “brass ring”:

• Women need to be inventive-even if they are not working in a traditional paid role when they raise a family, they will benefit significantly from having fundamental skills beyond motherhood 
• Working women are great role models; she believes in always working and setting an example for your children. Be a strong female figure 
• Go w the flow. One road leads to another; be open and flexible in your personal journey. Take risks, and don’t worry so much about the consequences. Think long term-big picture, 
• Travel opens your mind and inspires you. 

Where can listeners learn more about Clelia?

On the CGA website www.cgastudio.lu, @cgastudio on Instagram, Facebook: CGA Studio Luxembourg and on LinkedIn

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.

Greta Hanson Sohmer is a modern day renaissance woman who has reinvented herself many times in her multi-faceted career path from corporate sales and marketing to wedding planner to real estate agent. Learn how to be the best version of YOU and how you can earn additional income for travel. Be prepared to laugh when you listen to Greta’s podcast.

What were your early years and early adulthood like?

• Grew up in a close knit family that loved reunions and welcomed strangers to their gatherings 
• This thread of hospitality was cemented early on which I’ve  carried through my life 
• Close relationship with cousins was forged with annual cousins camp that met on my grandparent’s farm 
• When cousins grew up, I organized cousins camp for my children and my cousin’s children 
• Shy until high school when corp group of 6 friends brought me out of my shyness 

What kind of work did you start out doing?

• Graduated with a degree in theology and taught theology ad English in private all girls high school
• Has a competitive edge and when I saw my male friends succeed in business, I decided to enter the corporate world 
• Started in sales at Xerox, moved to Silicon Valley start up, moved w company to Boulder for management and sales training 
• Promoted to vertical sales where I met my husband who was “the client from hell.” He became my internal coach and biggest supporter
• Being competitive helped in sales, developed “stick with it” attitude and tough skin; woke up every morning with a positive outlook 

When did you decide to have children?

• I had a daughter from a previous marriage and after several  IVF attempts our son was born when I was 40
• Paul and I wanted to share our blessings and loving family life so we decided to adopt twins from Bulgaria. 
• My husband said, “If not us, who” and “At least it’s not triplets!”
• I put my career on hold and became earth mother, vegetable gardener, and my hospitality took root.
• Our home was the go-to for class parties, holiday reunions 

What motivating factors led you to change direction?

• When the twins were in boarding school, I decided to rent out a portion of our property on AirBnB for additional income.
• Created an AirBnB business, hosted yoga retreats, family reunions and weddings
• I’m still in touch with all my brides and bridegrooms with growing families 
• My decision to become a real estate agent began when they asked for help with finding homes 

How do you feel you have changed from the younger version of you?

• More realistic; still positive, hopeful and loving 
• Everything that is worthwhile takes hard work 

What advice do you have for women considering a significant life change and what is your “brass ring”? 

• Go for something that you’re a little bit afraid of 
• Unplug your brain as your brain can be wrong
• Take walks in the woods and listen to your gut

To get in touch w Greta, you can email her at [email protected]

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

Bryn Cammy Williams has been an artist for as long as she can remember. She paints to understand the natural world around her, to appreciate and to celebrate wildlife. It gives her joy to express through creativity and she loves to share that joy through her art work. 

Topic #1: Early Years

• Family loved to have fun and has stayed w Cammy as a way to spread joy
• She was her own rescuer and listened to her inner soul
• Her collection of friends “wouldn’t try to fix me unless I asked for it.”

Topic #2: Professional Life after College

• Wasn’t career minded; focused on admin and working w people 
• Needs her own creative outlet; it feeds you
• Self published Whiskers the cat and gave as gifts  
• Taught an art class w the same core students for 7 years and bonded over shared experiences 

Topic #3: Alchemy Ranch Studios

• Met husband Al (woodworker) on a website of like-minded people 
• They work well together as they understand the ebb and flow of creativity
• Created Alchemy Ranch Studios from their names; it was magic 
• Cammy sells acrylic paintings and prints of her wildlife artwork, mugs, cards, pillows; fun and playful art. She  also does commission  work 
• Al sells his woodcarvings
• Goal is to be able to donate to wildlife conservation groups 
• Made in America is a priority

Topic #4: Color of Woman and Helping Women

• Intentional Creativity www.colorofwoman.com
• Self healing work 
• Put your trauma on paper, journal about it
• As you go thru painting process, healing begins
• It’s a way of journaling
• Loves to watch people grow 
• See and value your own work 

Topic #5: What is your Brass Ring to Success

• Wait for your green light
• You just need to know the  next step
• Be curious and keep challenged
• Live in the present; the problems of the past are in the past and are just ‘fertilizer for growth.’

Where can listeners learn more about Cammy and sign up for blog posts?

www.alchemyranchstudios.com

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

Krysty Krywko helps women explore their relationship with alcohol so they can live bigger, bolder more brilliant lives. Krysty launched her company Purple Dog Sober during the pandemic when there was an uptick in alcohol abuse among moms struggling to balance their work, their homes and the education of their children. Krysty’s mission is to help others, to break down the stigma and remove the shame of “gray area drinking.”  Tune in to learn how Krysty transformed her life when she made the courageous decision to stop drinking and start Purple Dog Sober in order to help other women on a similar journey.

Learn more at www.purpledogsober.com and sign up to receive her top-notch blog posts. 

Topic #1 What were the specific moments or events that brought about change for you?

• Moving to NYC from Canada; I had to reinvent myself 
• Divorce
• Sobriety

Topic #2 What  were some of the rough patches in your life?

• Husband traveled a lot and home w 2 kids
• Under stress w working full  time, getting doctorate 

Topic #3 What  brought about Purple Dog Sober?

• Did not connect  w/  AA
• Steps were too formulaic
• Wanted  to create a space for women w no stigma, shame
• One on one work, very private 

Topic #4 Gray area drinking 

• Alcoholic is an outdated term
• Alcohol disorder, gray area  drinking
• Any level of drinking that affects your personal or work life, your health
• Abstinence is just easier 

Topic #5 Sketchbooking 

• Part of my coaching
• Fun place to do some deep work 
• Bringing joy into your sobriety 
• Who are  you?

Topic #6 Brass Ring for Success

• Sobriety 
• Life is too short 
• What is your indecision costing you?

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

Faced with the challenges of being a single mom, Soli Pierce just put one foot in front of the other and had faith that things would work out. She is an interdisciplinary artist working with natural materials and sound to create thought-provoking art. Soli honors herself, respects how she wants to live and doesn’t focus on what others want. Today, she has a standard to be respected, honored and treasured in all her relationships. Tune in to learn how Soli has navigated the twists and turns of life.  Learn more at www.sherwoodforestdesign.com  and www.solipierce.com

Topic #1 Describe your background, how you were raised and life before family

• Raised in the midwest and the eldest of four children, Soli felt like the little mom early in her life and a sense of responsibility for her siblings
• Her father sought to groom her for a specific path but she wasn’t buying it
• Soli studied art for grad school 
• Went to Afghanistan for a month 

Topic #2 How did you handle hitting a rough patch in your life?

• Getting divorced from spouse with mental health issues and becoming a single mom with no financial support and mortgage to pay
• Soli needed to find a way to support herself and son; “How am I going do this?”
• “I could collapse into my story, or pull myself up by bootstraps”
• Sent a  prayer to the universe and the next day she decided that bowls were the answer 

Topic #3 Why bowls?

• When she decided to create her bowl business, Sherwood Forest Design, her Dad’s initial reaction was to “get a real job”
• When we don’t limit ourselves, some of the best things can happen’
• Bowls represent a universal circle theme and her them is “Recipe for a good life”
• “We’ve gathered in circles around fire”; its a nurturing shape
• She’s mentored young women who have become family 

Topic #4 What’s next?

• Sound forest was developed when she saw the discarded wood at her bowl factory 
• “I wanted to create totems from the discarded industrial waste” 
• Partnered with a sound engineer “so we can hear the sounds that come out of the totems”
• Possibilities for installations in public spaces in NY
• Encaustics painting with beeswax; “my art has been on display in Venice, London and NY; I love working with natural materials”
• solipierce.com and sherwoodforestdesign.com
• “I’ve let myself come out of the box to be a kid again”
• In a new relationship with a man who “sees me and gives me time to create”

Topic #5 What is your “brass ring” for success?

• Don’t restrict what will  happen; there are no boundaries
• Don’t get caught up in the moment; it can happen if you dream and think about it
• While she acknowledges that she  doesn’t always know how something can get done, she has faith that things will align
• Never lose sight of your dreams

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

From growing up in the old south to living in Manhattan, Europe,Japan, Africa and traveling the world, Jill has experienced a lot of life. But nothing compares to her walk with God, her acceptance of Jesus as her saving Grace and how the Holy Spirit touched her on August 5th 1996. She attends an African American church which is a far cry from the Episcopal church of her youth. Jill recounts how her agnostic father was saved on his death bed and how the Holy Spirit said “now” on her last visit with him. Her parents were buried with their passports and instilled in Jill the gift of travel and experience. “I want to be purposeful, be fruitful. I feel like I have a burlap bag filled with seeds, spreading them wherever God shows me.” JOY is mentioned 450 times in the Bible. Happiness is only mentioned a handful of times. Choose Joy, speak it. Trust God, for He can give you JOY.

Topic #1: Is this all there is? 

• Grew up in the narrow and unwavering old south
• Decided not to be confirmed at 13; “I wasn’t ready”
• I didn’t understand 3 powers in one 

Topic #2: How would you sum up your early adult years?

• We each had to go through what we had to 
• Impulsive reckless searching like tarot card reading, past life regression, etc 
• I was chasing vanity 

Topic #3: What motivated you to change your way of thinking?

• In the 11th week of my second pregnancy, I realized empathy was lacking in my marriage
• I felt alone, until I met my baby nurse; she answered her phone, “Praise the Lord….Hello.”
• Can I go to  church with you?
• It was on fire and it ain’t no Episcopal church 
• Whatever these people have, this is what I want
• God put His Spirit in me

Topic #4: God always sees our promise 

• Don’t let me miss the opportunity 
• Words are powerful 
• We all want love 
• Trust God for He can give you JOY

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

In this premier episode, podcast author Jean Cameron Hill shares how she found her happiness in her 50’s through a radical shift in her life. She narrates her journey from her early years as a 10-year-old entrepreneur through her struggles with alcoholism, divorce, and single motherhood. She walks through her successes as a real estate agent and her radical decision to move out west and remarry. Tune in to hear what Jean's brass ring to success is and the eight lessons she learned to get there.

Topic #1 My early years

• Life lessons learned
• My entrepreneurial spirit is born 

Topic #2: The Tough Times

• College life and my 20’s
• AA
• First marriage/divorce
• Single motherhood 

Topic #3 Finding success in Real Estate

• Search for the right fit
• Build a real estate team 
• Offer marketing that other agents don’t offer

Topic #4 How I rediscovered joy

• Reconnected with college crush
• Moved across country & gave up my f/t real estate career 
• Establishing my brass ring for success

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