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b'Laura Gray is the director of client services and business development at Maloney + Novotny LLC, a leading accounting firm based out of Cleveland. She is also the founder and executive director of IPride, a self-esteem program for youth that focuses on meditation, mindfulness and creative expression, as well as a published author and mother of three sons. Laura driving principle is \\u201cWho can I help today?\\u201d, drawing on painful and traumatic past experiences to help others love themselves and be the best and most generous people they can possibly be.
\\nShow Notes:
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\\nWhat is Laura most excited about right now?
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\\nLife in general, and the energy she feels in her professional and non-profit work.
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\\nWhat was Laura\\u2019s first step in her career?
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\\nWorking in marketing for the United Way in Cleveland, which introduced her to non-profits and compelled Laura to work to help others.
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\\nHow did she transition from non-profit United Way to the for-profit private sector?
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\\nGeneral Electric recruited her through the United Way campaign she was working on for them.
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\\nDid Laura know she was going to return to the world of non-profit organizations?
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\\nShe did not have any plan, but it was destined to happen because of her innate drive to help others.
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\\nWhat was the most challenging part of restarting her career following a period of temporary retirement?
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\\nGetting hired in the first place and establishing trusting, working relationships
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\\nHow does Laura\\u2019s \\u201cWho can I help today?\\u201d philosophy manifest in her regular interactions?
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\\nThinking of ways to serve or be of service to others.
\\nHear her talk about how one good deed came back around to help her later.
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\\nHow did IPride come to be?
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\\nLaura drew on her prolonged, horrific experience with abuse as a child .
\\nTook up activities and participated in programs that allowed her to build up physical and emotional self-esteem, and wanted to bring the joy they brought her to others.
\\nCreated a program that embraces fun.
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\\nWhat is Laura\\u2019s advice to those looking to heal from trauma and love themselves?
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\\nDon\\u2019t try to diminish your pain by comparing it to someone else who has endured \\u201cmore.\\u201d Everybody\\u2019s pain is equally valid and real.
\\nJournaling and meditation help a lot.
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\\nHow does IPride operate?
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\\nStarting off with establishing calm and mindfulness, then moving to physical fitness and art therapy.
\\nChildren learn how to visualize and present their inner thoughts and ideas.
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\\nWhat was the most challenging part of getting IPride off the ground?
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\\nHow personal a project it was to her.
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\\nWhat is Laura\\u2019s advice for those looking to start their own non-profit?
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\\nTo do it, but also listen to your heart to figure out the best time.
\\nMake use of the networks and connections available to you.
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\\nWho has been the most impactful person in Laura\\u2019s journey to do well and succeed professionally?
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\\nHer father.
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\\nWho has been the most important person in feeding her drive to do good and make an impact?
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\\nHer mother.
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\\nWhat does she do to get herself out of a negative headspace?
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\\nSinging and dancing (Michael Jackson helps a lot).
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\\n* What book does Laura find herself recommending to people most often?
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\\n* Diana Herself: An Allegory of Awakening by Martha Beck
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\\nWhat is the best piece of advice Laura would like to hand off to our listeners?
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\\nBest: Be humble
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\\nDo Well & Do Good Challenge Nomination:
\\n\\u201cIPride is a self-esteem building program for...'