"It’s always great to honor people who have done plenty to deserve it. And then there are people who don’t stand out in quite the same way, but they’re working on themselves in a significant and quieter way….and sometimes those people need the spotlight, just because it will help to boost their self-esteem, when they don’t see it coming.

Sarah Wheeler is one of those women.

Sarah has come a long way since first joining Chicks, (Early Birds Chicks of Lake Oswego). She was shy, self-conscious and undecided and unclear about her future. Chicks held her accountable and asked her to meet an October 4th date (with Sarah’s cooperation) to make some decisions to move forward with something, any decision, even if it was wrong.

“I am nominating Rachelle Freegard for the Spotlight Chick. During our meetings, we can mention that we’d like additional training on a particular topic and bam! The next week Rachelle has arranged for someone to provide that training. She opens her home to our group for group activities that nurture our spirit and our sense of community. She has brought in guests and brings a wonderful calmness to the group that works perfectly with my (at times) frenetic management of our meetings!! I love her!”  ~Linda Rutledge

I’m a licensed architect, local artist, product broker and real estate investor.I reached the top of my profession in architecture (airport facilities & high-rise condos throughout the U.S.) and felt unfulfilled.  I needed to do something different. As an owner of a medium sized firm, all of my time was spent caring for my staff and clients. I had nothing left for my own family, and I had left my creative side behind.

My joy comes from helping others and being creative.In this economy financial freedom seems to be an elusive dream for most.  Through my unfranchise I can help others to make a monthly income, as well as passive income.  Through real estate investing, I help others to grow a nest egg and make retirement a possibility.  All of this engages my creative side, with out of the box thinking at every turn.  Personally, this gives me the financial freedom to spend unlimited time with my family and creating art.    
I’m in Chicks Connect promoting my very talented husband with my Chick friends. Tony is the president of ALF Solutions.  He is a handyman extraordinaire.  Everyone has a honey do list of things that need to be taken care of, so we can be productive in our businesses and in life. He is on time, cleans up when he is done, and goes the extra mile for his clients.  His work is of the highest quality at an affordable price.  He is licensed, bonded and insured.  Accountable, reliable and trust worthy.

Chicks Connect has been a great resource for my personal and professional life.  The circle created is safe, all questions are valued, and nothing is ever to big or small to discuss.  In crisis I know I’m not alone.  8 heads working on an issue are always better than one.  My words of wisdom for other Chicks, is to be open, honest and let go of fear within your Chicks circle.  There is room for mistakes and if you fall there will be a hand to help you up.  I’m honored to be a spotlight Chick and plan to get to some of the bigger events, so I can meet more of you and broaden my circle.

If you want to learn more don’t hesitate to call or email:
Rachelle Freegard / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 503-246-2878

Karla always has a smile on her face and is full of good ideas for Chick events and adventures.  She exemplifies the Chick philosophy of being available to help others at any time or place.  Karla is also an inspirational business person~ molding her jewelry business into a cruise business that fills a need for the cruise industry.  Goal oriented, visionary, kind-hearted, and fun!  Seems like a perfect Spotlight Chick to me!  I am so proud to have met Karla through my affiliation with Chicks Connect!  She has enriched my life as well as the lives of The High Desert Chicks.

I’ve always been involved in the gem mining business... since 1968!! I grew up in Southern California (North San Diego County). My Grandfather mined gold in Calif. During the Depression as a means to make ends meet. He never lost his love of mining…and introduced me to digging for gems by the time I was about 5. I grew up in Fallbrook, a town near some famed gem mining areas. On the weekends we would go to the old ‘mine dumps’ and look for bits and pieces of gem tourmaline crystals. I was hooked!

In 1968 I met my partner/husband who also grew up in the area. We both had a dream of opening up the old mining claims. With $1000. we were able to lease the old Stewart Mine and the Tourmaline Queen Mine... and our mining adventures began! In 1972, we hit what has been termed “The find of the Century” of fine tourmalines. The most important gem specimen we found is now in the Smithsonian Hall of Gems in Wash. DC.

With our big gem find... doors opened for us. We opened three fine jewelry and natural history galleries in La Jolla, Fallbrook and Beverly Hills. The stores were unique at their time and named “The Collector”... Natural History Galleries.

We also took this time to travel to East Africa, Kenya and Tanzania to partner in Green Garnet and Tanzanite mines. Trips to Namibia took us to rare earth mines to collect crystal specimens. The next 10 years were all about ‘adventure’!!!

In 1980, I moved on... to Honolulu, Hawai’i. I owned and operated 2 fine jewelry/art galleries and found 5 master goldsmiths to work with me in my manufacturing company. In the mid 80’s I opened Bijoux Soleil in the Ginza, Tokyo, Japan.

I’d finally had enough of retail by 2005 and moved to Bend, Oregon with my husband, John Proud. The move to Oregon was partly to ‘romance the Oregon Sunstone’... market and promote Oregon’s state gemstone worldwide. There is a website,  www.oregon-sunstone.com and an office in Bend. I’ve had the pleasure of selling my gems and finished jewelry on exclusive cruise ships! I get to have my own ‘store’ for a week at a time and enjoy the travel as well!

Early in my career, we hired people who had no experience in our field but were excited to learn more. Two of our hires were in the early 1970’s and both had spent time in the Peace Corps. They both had learned special skills and appreciations in the Corps but had no real direction. I’m pleased to say that both of these individuals are still involved in the gem business and have made real successes of their lives. We’ve remained friends to this day.

CHICKS CONNECT
I’d mentioned to my husband about a year ago…that I’ve been here in Bend for five years now and know very few people! I’d been so focused on building this new chapter of my business life... the personal life got left behind!! I first heard about ‘Chicks’ from my friend, Pamela Smith and was intrigued... but her group was already filled up!! Then Terry Robertson asked me to meet with a group of potential Chicks that didn’t pan out... finally I seem to have connected with the  current group... High Desert Gems!! This has been such a positive direction for me. I now have friends in Bend... Wow! I’ve taken these new friends on rock hunting adventures and have called on them when I’ve had a need of a friend! Thank you Chicks!

Words of wisdom... It’s great to have friends! Nurture the friendships, they are invaluable!

Karla Proud
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ph: 541-633-6301

Rhetah Kwan is an innovative coach with a solid commitment to healthy living and conscious business. Her success is built upon her key core strengths of consulting, intuitive coaching and innovation. And, as a leader in Univera with thousands of business partners in the US and Canada, Rhetah is the calm, focused voice, providing consulting, mentoring, coaching, tools and processes to support them to be their highest and best. Rhetah's personal health success inspires people to live their dreams and get the body they want... Visit www.choice.myunivera.com! Rhetah is also President of the Portland Chapter of Women of Visionary Influence, a non-profit woman's organization focused on mentoring and leadership for women.

Lesa Stewart has been with Chicks Connect practically since the beginning. Her philosophy of accountability, support, love & FUN found a perfect partner with Chicks Connect, and gave her the opportunity to focus on what she believes is important... Building stronger relationships based on support and encouragement, and self-improvement through accountability to her goals. We salute Lesa, her vision and her commitment to Chicks Connect. Please welcome our new Spotlight Chick, Lesa Stewart and congratulate her by sending her a shout out on the website!

The vision of Chicks Connect was clearly seen by Toronto Canada Chick; Raya Kelly. Raya got on board with Chicks Connect right away and set out to build her local Chicks Connect Chapter. She also signed up as an affiliate to help spread the word. She even went as far as securing a domain name... www.ChicksConnectToronto.com!!!! Raya is a perfect example of someone who “Gets it”! She understands the power of joining together with a common purpose; to support one another, to grow personally and professionally and to remain balanced. All of these things are important as we move forward in life with purpose and passion assisting others and providing massive value to the world. Chicks Connect Toronto has put us on the map Globally and we will be forever grateful for Raya, her vision and commitment to Chicks Connect. Please welcome our new Spotlight Chick, Raya Kelly and congratulate her by sending her a shout out on the website!

The vision of Chicks Connect was clearly seen by Lake Oswego Chick, Linda Rutledge. When Julie Muller stated that she needed to remove herself from the group to roll out Chicks Connect World Wide, Linda wasted no time at all volunteering to be the Chair Chick for the group. Her leadership and Toastmasters background made her a perfect fit and the transition was seamless. Linda also sings in a choir and our very first ever Chicks Connect Fun Event was when we visited her choir group singing their Holiday Concert.

Ali Davidson is an amazing chick indeed. Her passion for life and her love of helping others is out of this world. Ali heard about Chicks Connect and wasted no time inviting all of her connections to an informational meeting where she had members sign up right away. It wasn’t long before she had her membership solidified and the other women in her area started an entirely new group. There are now 5 different groups in the area of Central Oregon. Ali’s excitement and leadership is what has grown Chicks Connect in the Central Oregon area. Her compassion and coaching, as well as her business experience and expertise prove a valuable asset to her chapter and the other chapters in the area. Ali tells us a little bit about herself...