Esther's Blog

A twist on outdoor living

They call him homeless.

It’s almost said with disdain. Not overtly because that goes against some unwritten social moral code but it’s there. I recognize the undertone because I used to emanate the same one.  It’s crazy if you think of it.

Phantom: the cat’s meow

If this blog post makes it to your eyes it means our Marketing department has cut me slack for not following their edict. Specifically, I am supposed to be writing about Persons who have influenced me but for this post I have to bend the rules and change “person” to “animal”.

Does business coaching really work?

There are some people in life who have extraordinary abilities.

Not in the able-to-paint-the-Sistine-Chapel or wrestle-a-polar-bear-and-win sense. More in the subtle art of people skills. Take my friend Karen Thrall for example.

But Why Does It Have to Hurt So Much?

The man who started it all (Phantom Screens, that is), Dr. Ernest Rooke.

He was always just Mr. Rooke to me though, as I met him far past his chiropractic days. When I started working for him and his two sons at the Panago Pizza Franchises as their inside accountant in 1988, it was to help Mr. Rooke do the books.

All because two people fell in love…

His name is Mr. Adversity.

I know for a fact that everyone who reads my “Person” of Influence blogpost this time has met him before too. Regretfully, he is alive and well with no fixed address.

What servant leadership really looks like

I first met this man of influence on my life when I was nominated to serve on World Vision Canada’s Corporation Board (www.worldvisioncanada.ca). Dave Toycen was at that time, the much-loved President and CEO of World Vision Canada and an author – among many other esteemed positions.

It all started at a roller-skating party. In grade 12.

Who?

My first husband, John. He also happens to be the only husband I have ever had.

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.”

So many of you who know me already guessed my person of influence today – maybe even from the quote in this blog post’s title. Hailing from the deep South in Montreat, North Carolina it is none other than the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham.

A Happy Childhood Makes a Happy CEO

Although I have had business partners during Phantom Screens 25 years in existence, for the last 12 years I am the only one who shows up for work every day. Obviously, my partners are much wiser than I as they wholeheartedly enjoy their time elsewhere! Well, okay, truth be told they are also a lot older than me and have earned their retirement years.