FEBRUARY 2008
www.wln-abwa.com
Empowering From Our President - Pat Kolodziej
Love Is In The Air!
Women February is such a happy time with
Valentine’s Day – roses, chocolate. What
To empower women to else can you ask for? For me, it’s more
succeed in business personally chocolate!
and professionally through
I hope you can all find your romantic side
networking and education
this month (you know, before kids and
while building key relationships work and responsibility). Spend some
and having fun! quality time with your loved ones. Take a
break from the every day and indulge.
Event Photo Collage
Inside This Issue
If you do not have a significant other to
Page 2-3 pamper you this Valentine’s Day, you
should pamper yourself! Treat yourself
January Meeting - Who
to the flowers and the candy. You deserve
Attended! it! My husband is required to bring me
Page 3 roses every year – he knows if he doesn’t, I
will buy them myself. So why not enjoy a
Wanted: You!
dozen roses this February 14th? Go ahead
Page 3
and send them to yourself – it’s been done
Member Spotlight before!
Kim Gaxiola - Yes, I know, they are totally impractical.
A.G. Edwards, Page 4 They last maybe 3 days if you are lucky.
But they are so beautiful and when I smell
Bringing Your Dreams Into them, they lift me up. I say it’s worth
Reality the money for the short time that I have
Page 4 to enjoy them. Everything we do should
not have to be practical. We do enough
Dates to Remember practical things that we should be allowed
Page 5 to break loose every once and a while. If
Meet the Board/ we have to use a holiday to do it, so be it.
Ambassadors Really every day should be Valentine’s
Page 5 Day. We should all treat ourselves to
something nice all the time, not just on a
holiday. Too many times we go without
Monthly Meetings because we may think that we should not
2nd Wednesday of each month spend the money or the time, we have other
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM things we need to be spending our money
$35.00 (includes dinner) or our time on, other more important
things. What’s more important than our
own happiness? If
we are not happy,
how are the people
around us happy?
Chocolate makes
everyone happy,
doesn’t it?
Seriously, we
need to take care of us. Of course, we
have responsibilities to our family, etc.
but without us at our best, we cannot care
for others around us. As women, I know,
it’s hard for us to put ourselves before
others. We do it all the time because it’s
our nature. Women have to work at it – we
have to work at doing things for ourselves.
It’s ok – practice makes perfect!
You may have traditions during this time
of year to spend time with family or your
girlfriends. I hope you enjoy them! If
you do not have plans this February 14th,
you should make some. Take a break and
go out for dinner or see a movie. Enjoy
the extra large box of popcorn! Feel free
to use this holiday as an excuse to do
something nice for yourself. Who knows,
it may become a tradition!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
“Love is like swallowing hot
chocolate before it has
cooled off. It takes you by
surprise at first, but keeps
you warm for a long time.”
 Phot
o Collage
January’s Life is partly what we make it,
and partly what it is made by
the friends we choose.
 e r , C r e a tive So lutions
Stac ia S k in n
Guest Speaker,

!
Don’t miss out on
the networking,
training and fun!
Plan on making
the next meeting.
We’ll see
you there!
Thank You, Stacia!

January Meeting - Who Attended! Wanted: You!

Congratulations to the following members
who made a commitment to their businesses,
and themselves, by attending the January
WLN Networking Meeting!
Anne Ward Creative Core
Bettie Siavelis Algonquin Bank & Trust
Deborah Metroka Metroka Coaching Services
Doreen Langereis Cruise Planners
Jackie Prehn T.R.I.M. Designs
Kathy Glink CABI
Kelly Vaclavek Law Offices of David Gervais
Kim Gaxiola AG Edwards
Kris Freeman Freedom Therapies
Lisa Davidson Northwestern Mutual
Lisa Miller Aflac Insurance
Pat Kolodziej PK Tax Services
Robin Braga Fine Sterling Silver Jewelry
Siree Sandberg Bakakos
SSB Financial Services, Inc.
Tracy Buterbaugh Tracy’s Touches
Vickie Thorne
Earth Heart Herbal Aromatherapy
Vicky Callaway Century 21
Beth Kautz Coldwell Banker
Kadie Tapp Creative Training Solutions
Katie Haslow Arbonne International
Stacia Skinner Creative Solutions
Virginia Spencer AG Edwards
To be included in future newsletter
recognition, please make sure your business
card is deposited in the canister when you
check in.
Get involved! Share your
knowledge and expertise!
The WLN Newsletter is looking
for members who would
like to share their business
knowledge by submitting
articles for future newsletters.
You can submit your articles
for consideration to
Jackie Prehn at
jprehn01@comcast.net
(All articles must be informational
and not promotional.)

Member
Kim Gaxiola, AAMS
Financial Consultant
A.G. Edwards
Tell us a little about your background and
your current business. What makes you
successful?
My business is about helping people and
business’ set financial goals and realize
them. I graduated in 1994 from UCLA
with a degree in Economics and an
emphasis in International Studies. I have
been in the financial services industry for
over 10 years. What I enjoy most about
my business is the ability to educate my
clients about the financial industry and
how it affects their own personal goals.
How did you get involved in WLN? Any
success stories?
I read about WLN in a women’s
magazine and thought it was a great idea.
I came to a meeting, had a great time,
and here I am! I have made some great
relationships with other professionals
in the group, which I have been able to
network with - and they have shared
ideas that have helped me grow my
business.
Bringing Your Dreams Into Reality
Here are some ideas that will assist you in
bringing your dreams into reality:
You wouldn’t have the dream unless you
could implement it.
The universe does not waste its efforts
by giving you the desire to accomplish
something ... unless you also have the
potential to achieve it. Now, no one said
it would be easy! Your goal may take
years to attain, and there may be numerous
setbacks before you can claim victory.
A positive attitude is the foundation.
You can achieve something extraordinary
only if you have a dynamic positive
Spotlight
Who is your perfect client?
Currently I am seeking clients in the
Retirement Red Zone! That means you
are either 5 years from retiring or within
5 years of retirement. This is the most
crucial time to make sure your money is
positioned well to last you a lifetime.
What keeps you ahead of your
competition?
Communication, communication,
communication! It is my experience
(especially with the volatile stock market
that we are experiencing today) that
many advisors tend to hide under their
desk in times like these. I have been in
constant contact with my clients over
the past couple of months on a proactive
basis explaining what is happening
currently, how it affects them, and what
they can do to take advantage of the
opportunities that exist right now.
Who is your perfect power partner?
My power partners are typically other
professionals in the service industry
attitude and a strong belief in yourself and
your abilities.
Don’t expect others to feel and see your
vision.
You may be able to picture your outcome
in vivid detail. This is your personal
vision. But don’t be discouraged when
you find that others (even those close to
you) can’t “tune into” that dream. All that
counts is that you see it ... and feel it.
Enthusiasm is crucial.
Bold objectives are achieved by those
who are “on fire” about accomplishing
them. So, are you excited about your goal?
“Success means
having the courage,
the determination,
and the will to
become the person
you believe you
were meant to be.”
 George Sheehan
working with other high net worth
individuals or business owners.
Accountants are great power partners.
What tip can you give to a business
looking for your services?
My advice to business owners looking
for financial services for themselves
or for their business is to work with
individuals who under promise and over
deliver! There are too many financial
professionals who like to close the
business but have terrible follow through.
You want an advisor who will be by your
side for years to come, and add value
to your business even when there is no
sale to be had at the moment. When I
work with businesses I provide a client
engagement road map which illustrates
the services I provide for them on a
quarterly and yearly basis.
You can reach Kim at:
815.338.2550 or toll free 800.323.7048
kimberly.gaxiola@agedwards.com
When you are speaking about that topic to
others, can they sense your passion? If you
are lukewarm about achieving your goal or
are just in it for the money, you probably
won’t succeed. Also, if you are trying to
achieve a goal that someone else has set for
you - but your heart isn’t in - you will face
disappointment.
By Jeff Keller
Courtesy of Belinda Ellsworth
Step into Success, Inc.
Copyright © 2008 Step into Success, Inc.
www.the-success-express.com
www.StepIntoSuccess.com
Board Members
President Pat Kolodziej
PK Tax Services
Day Phone (847) 858-5074
Email patk@pktaxservices.com
VP Programs Lisa Davidson
Northwest Mutual
Day Phone (815) 444-3779
Email lisa.davidson@nmfn.com
VP Events Lisa Krupp
Island Relief
Day Phone (847) 707-2132
Email
lkrupp@islandreliefcharity.org
VP Admin. Kris Freeman
Body Talk Practitioner
Day Phone (847) 975-9406
Email freemankris3@earthlink.net
VP Marketing Jackie Prehn
T.R.I.M. Designs, Inc.
Day Phone (847) 289-8007
Email jprehn01@comcast.net
VP Finance Anne Ward
Creative Core
Day Phone
Email
(847) 854-1111
anne@creativecore.com
VP Membership Robin Braga
Independent Rep. for a
national jewelry company
specializing in sterling silver
jewelry
Day Phone (312) 259-8032
Email rbraga1@hotmail.com
Newsletter designed by
Jackie Prehn, T.R.I.M. Designs, Inc.
847.289.8007 • jprehn01@comcast.net
www.trimdesignsinc.com
Dates To Remember
February Meeting: Wednesday, February 13, 2008
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Jimmy’s Charhouse on Randall Road and I-90
Laura Blocksom from It’s All About People, Inc. will talk about
the True Colors Model. Learn how to relate, motivate, and
appreciate people using the True Colors Model!
March Meeting: Wednesday, March 12, 2008
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: TBD
Progressive Dinner and Networking
Educational Workshop: Saturday, March 15, 2008
Algonquin Library, $10 for members and $15 for non-members.
“The Ethical Difference: Leading the Way”. The workshop is
designed to help you resolve ethical dilemmas and make
value-based decisions.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The “Run for the Bear” - Save the Date!
Commitment gets the job done.
Sure, many people are excited at the outset. But,
they quickly lose interest when obstacles appear
in their path. And, with any goal, you can bet
that the trip won’t be all fun and games. You’re
going to face some tough times. Those who are
committed have decided that they are in it for
the long haul -- however long that haul may take.
They usually have a timetable for realizing their
dream, but quitting is simply not an option. That’s
the mind set that achieves the “impossible.”
Ambassadors
Membership: Siree Sandberg Bakakos
Visitor Welcoming: Norine Wiebmer
Events: Kathy Glink, Deirdre Reishus and Kim Gaxiola
Programs:
Marketing:
Are you interested in becoming an Ambassador? If so, please contact
Pat Kolodziej at (847) 608-6451.
Women’s Leadership Network
www.wln-abwa.com