Category — Inspirations and Motivations

It looked to be a late night at 7:30ish on a Tuesday and not a vegetable to be found in the fridge.  So I went to my favorite Subway for a footlong tuna sandwich.  What I got was an two footlongs, a tattered piece of paper with indecipherable handwriting and some new perspective on providing value to random strangers.  Zig Ziglar says “You can have whatever you want if you help enough other people get what they want”…  and I believe he’s right.

How do you give a “footlong” of value? from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

So this is what I want: I want to make great strides in the production of my budding travel show, Staycation Nation.  As a friend, fan or potential fan, of JenChicago what do you want to see in an online staycation show?  Do you want coupons?  Do you want discount travel?  Do you want staycation ideas for downtown Chicago or day trip ideas?  Do you want to know about food, dance or a mix of all of it?

Please let me know in the comments or direct message me.

JenChicago, NBC Chicago Street Team

So, I’m at SOBcon for the second year in a row this past summer and I’m meeting all kinds of cool and great people, and I meet David D. “Griff” Griffin. And he’s cool and great too! He’s talking about creating a social media bootcamp for everybody looking to leverage this style of marketing.  We all agreed it should happen.

Well, David didn’t waste any time and began planning right away!  He was then incredibly wise in asking yours truly to present.  Yes!  Video Revolution will be every bit as exciting as is sounds!

And back to David… He and his team use social media to make all the necessary connections, announcements and arrangements… Next thing you know, “Voila”, we have a conference this weekend entitled “My Kung Fu is Stronger Than Yours“.

Hmm… it’s a cool name, but what does it mean? Stick around to watch me call David and have him explain. Long story short, if you like the idea of learning about social media as if it were water coming out of a fire hydrant, then you should definitely consider coming this weekend.  Plus there’s just no substitute for the face-to-face connections you’ll make. So do it already… click here.

What’s up with “Kung Fu & Social Media”? from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

So, you know I’m gonna leave you with some ways to find me through social media here, right?

Find me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

The fun never stops in Chicago and this past Cinco de Mayo was another full night of fun! Youth Technology Corps is a local non-profit that came from extremely simple beginnings. Founder Dave Finkel gave some computers to some inner-city Chicago teens, who then figured out how to refurbish them on their own! This program now has the original teens doing outreach and being mentors in other countries like Mexico, thus the tie in with Cinco Del Soul.

As you can see, the event was skillfully executed with me as the host emcee for the night! Special thanks to Katie Bormaster, who invited me to participate and planned the entire event, including the video production! That girl called in a lot of favors with her very talented friends!

To find out more about YTC or to donate, click here.

PS: Can you hear me losing my voice?

YTC’s Cinco del Soul Party! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Find me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

Before heading out to enjoy this gorgeous Chicago day, I went to check the mail. Fun things come in the mail. I have a note card reminder to send people nice cards in the mail. We all like it. Today, I got some fun marketing tools and reading material. I love the nerdy side of me.

Also, check out the scavenger hunt that takes place online and in sweet home Chicago! And if you want to see me walk the runway and support a worthy cause, get tickets to next Friday’s event!

DUN… DUN… DUN…

…by having my Mom visiting me in Chicago for 2 weeks!

1. Find your niche and be the best
2. “I’m sorry” are 2 very powerful words
3. Stay clear and focused on your goals
4. Emulate Samson
5. Be good to yourself

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

I feel as though I have told this story a thousand times, and yet, it still makes me smile…

When I first moved to Chicago, I went out by myself… a lot. It was exciting to try new places without knowing anything about them in an effort to find “my spot” for “this or that”. One of the “spots” that needed to be found was a place for me to dance. Preferably to live music. I’m not much of a sit-and-drink kind of girl. I never really have been, unless I’m eating or watching a show. I like to keep moving. And by “moving”, I mostly mean “dance“. And the best kind of music to dance to is live music! Agreed? The energy of a great band moves me in a way that makes me feel as though I am part of the music. I love it.

So, I sauntered into The Joynt one day, a little less than a year ago, and it just felt “right”. I knew this was my spot. It is essentially four (5 in the summer) clubs in one! The Grand Bar, The Retro Club, The Lounge and The Outdoor Cafe are all fantastic rooms with different personalities for each one! And then there’s my personal favorite… The Swing Bar.

Anyway, long story short… I started shooting at The Joynt here and there until I finally asked Stan Wozniak and Pauly Babcock to let me play with an idea on the weekends. The video below is the first edition of a bi-monthly series. The premise is simple.

Everyone in Chicago has a story. The following are just a few… STORIES FROM THE JOYNT.

Stories from the Joynt: Friday, May 22, 2009 from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Come see me at The Joynt on Friday and Saturday nights!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
It’s funny how life has a way of teaching us.  It brings us the lessons that we need exactly when we need them.  Then, it is our choice, whether or not we use that insight, as we navigate through life.

How many of us were speechless and reminded not to judge a book by its cover when we heard Susan Boyle sing on “Britain’s Got Talent” this season? I personally got goosebumps and teary-eyed.

Or how inspiring is it to you to know that the man in this video, is the same Michael Jordon that didn’t make the Varsity basketball team the first time he tried out?  That’s right, but good ol’ MJ wasn’t about to let that stop him!

And when I met Mike Berkson, I was inspired again.  I met Tim Wambach, the president and founder of the Keep On Keeping On Foundation (KOKO), at the Share the Love Date Auction.  After chatting with Tim for a just a few minutes about the foundation, I wanted to know even more.  Tim told me if I really wanted to understand, that I should talk to Mike.  So I did.

I met Tim and Mike at The Gage (LOVE that place!) and we talked about life for well over an hour. I was so moved by our chat, I called family and friends that afternoon and told them how much I loved them.  I reminded them how fortunate we all really are and about my renewed perspective. Mike can’t even scratch his own nose, and yet he finds meaning, purpose and gratitude for life.

We can all find reasons to be happy.  Obstacles can be opportunities, if we choose to see them.  When we think we’ve been knocked down, we can wallow in the dirt, or we can get up.  We can brush ourselves off.  We can choose our focus… and we can “Keep On Keeping On”.

Keep on Keeping on Foundation from JenChicago on Vimeo.

PS: Help us spread the word about the Keep On Keeping On Foundation (comment, forward, digg, linkback), volunteer or donate!
Find me on Facebook! (Search: JenChicago)

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
It was a HUGE success! Arthur Murray’s Fourth Annual “Dancing with Chicago Celebrities” raised $67,000 for the Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®,and what a fun way to do it! All of the toe-tapping fun went down on Friday, March 13, 2009, when Chicago celebrities paired with Arthur Murray professional dance instructors at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The winning team included Dana Kozlov, Assignment Reporter from CBS 2, and her Arthur Murray partner Edgar Chavarria. The MVP went to Robbie Ventura, who along with his team raised the most – $4,680. Other celebrities competing included Pat Cassidy, Radio Personality on WLS 890 AM, Lourdes Duarte, Assignment Reporter for WGN 9, Daryl Hawks, Sports Anchor and Reporter for NBC 5, Evelyn Holmes, Assignment Reporter for ABC 7, and Katie Lorenz, Miss Illinois 2008. The night’s emcee was NBC 5 Sports Anchor, Mike Adamle. WGN Anchor Dina Bair, NBC 5’s Meteorologist, Ginger Zee and ABC7’s Traffic Reporter Roz Varon also returned as alumni.

Dancing with Chicago Celebrities! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Find me on Facebook! (Search: JenChicago)

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Thursday, February 5th, the ladies of the NBC Chicago Street Team were the featured “divas” at Maven’s Diva Series.  The Diva Series honors strong and confident women making a positive change in Chicago. I got to have some great chats with these ladies, that we have all come to love.

Diva Series: NBC Chicago Street Team from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Find more videos with pretty girls at JenChicago.com!
Find out about other cool events on Facebook! Search: JenChicago

When I was younger, I used to think my mom was corny. She’d say things that would make everyone laugh but me… I’m sure I resisted at times (since I was so cool and all) because she is a seriously fun lady. And to watch her laugh is one of my favorite things ever. Of course I don’t think she’s corny anymore… More like super brilliant. My dad too. He is really quick-witted and very charming… plus, he can handle anything. It’s fun to think on what I love about my parents. God sent me a lot of blessings through my folks, and I am totally stoked about it.

I was always pretty fun, or had the capability to be… when everything was going my way, at least. But then, long story short, I realized I was creating my own drama when I wasn’t having fun.  And so I decided to “grow” out of it. Mostly. I mean, I’ll never actually “get there” but I feel that I am definitely buckled into the ride. And I think that’s the whole point.  To accept the ride and MAKE it fun. It has been incredibly freeing to realize that it’s not “out there”. And it never was. And it never will be. Similar phrases or cliche’s have been used so often that I find I have to discipline my brain to REALLY think about that truth… and it usually boggles me a little.  

It’s not out there.

Whoa. I’m starting to understand that the brain can’t totally “get it”.  It’s more of a heart thing.  Which was really scary, to me, at first, though now, I find it empowering. Everything is perfect. My “mistakes” are perfect. My situation is perfect. I am perfect.

Well, yee-haw!

I am invincible! And that knowledge makes me feel so alive and vibrant and energized! I am reading and writing, learning and teaching, talking and listening, expanding and shrinking all at the same time. I have no idea what the future holds, but I embrace it because I am having such a blast! Bring it on, Life!

I intend to wring the most fun possible out of every day! I believe in listening to the little voice inside me that wants to be silly, joyful and playful even if no one else will play with me. Yes, I WILL be the first person on the dance floor, AND experience different cultures, AND try new foods, AND ask children the meaning of life… and give thanks for it all.

I am totally pumped to see and experience the world,  while being very well compensated for sharing what I have learned along the way. *Ca-ching!*  Ooo!  That will be fun too!

It is my burning desire to have fun, explore and enjoy myself. And God wants me to be happy.  That’s why he made me this way.  He loves me infinity. And having fun is how I love God right back.

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I am reading a book titled, “This I Believe“.  It is filled with stories of various authors writing about what they believe in 350-500 words.  I felt led to write my own, and at 2:22 am Sunday morning, the following is what poured out. I would like to note that this was a pretty cool exercise for me and encourage you to write your own.  It was fun to write and I can’t help but smile as I reread it to myself.  It makes me happy.  And that’s fun too.

PS: Please feel free to comment or import your own mini-essay on what you believe.