1. What was your first day like working for The Unified Group?

Janet:  I started two days prior to the 2008 SMF, I was on a plane my third day.   It was crazy, hectic, and a bit overwhelming. We were trying to get the binders finished and shipped and of course people were still late with their homework back then.  For a moment or two I thought what did I get myself in to?

Allison: It was exciting. Julie had sent out an email to all the members the week before I started. On my first day I read all the warm welcomes from people I had never even met.  After the excitement wore off I remember sitting at my desk and I had no idea what I should do first. Glad I figured it out!

Julie: I cried.  I know, hard to believe, but true.  I was very excited and more than a little bit nervous to take on a brand new role in a brand new organization, but I knew that Jim and Tim would be great leaders and mentors.  Their enthusiasm and desire to do something exceptional for the industry was so heart-felt and contagious.  Best decision I ever made!

2. What’s been the most exciting change since you started?

Julie: The most exciting change has been the way the meetings have evolved, both in the way we prepare for them (we used to fax everything when the group first began, and don’t get me started on those binders!) to the member involvement at the sessions.  The willingness of the members to share and help each other is truly amazing and just gets better every year.  To see the relationships that have developed is so touching, and I feel blessed to be a part of this amazing group of people.

Allison: Entering the social media world has been the most exciting change for me. I love learning more about what’s going on with our members and their businesses. It’s also great to be able to immediately upload pictures and quotes from the meetings. We have more than 100 fans on Facebook and twice that on LinkedIn and I hope it keeps growing.

Janet: Technology has been the best change, sharing files and information on the website and doing away with binders.  Allison and I have saved a lot of money on Band-Aids the last few years. No more paper cuts for either of us – YEAH!

 3. Favorite Unified Group meeting moment?

Allison: So many to choose from, but visiting Niagara Falls at the Annual Meeting is up there. I’ll never forget seeing something that amazing and beautiful with my Unified Group family.

Julie: There are too many to count.  But some of my favorite memories have come from the member consultations, where a small group of members comes together to help another member work through their challenges.  The truly amazing part is the thought and caring that is put into every consultation.  Even when we’re up past midnight putting together an action plan to present the next day, we laugh and learn together.  Quite the bonding experience!

Janet: In Orlando at my first SMF (my fifth day on the job)  one of the nights we went to “Howl at the Moon”  the next morning in the meeting a few of the attendees were a bit foggy and Woody had the whole room stand up and howl - loudly.  I again thought what did I get myself into?  These people are crazy.  I have learned that all of you are wonderful, fun, caring people who only want the best for each other and I appreciate every minute of being a part of it. Sitting next to Kevin Almon in Boca Raton, trying not to make too much eye contact and tearing up as I saw the light bulb go off when he realized Vital was our Member of the Year!  Also later finding all of the items he had hidden in my purse.