“10% of sales.” Twenty-five years ago, a non-profit I valued was having an annual dinner event, and one could pay $150 for a pair of admission tickets or get credit based on advertising sold to local businesses. I did the math, and I set my sights on selling enough ads, $1500 worth, so that my husband and I could attend for free. As a self-motivated self-starter, this was more fulfilling than pulling out my checkbook.During college and graduate school and beyond, in my spare time I tutored math, selling my abilities to my students whose coursework ranged from special needs elementary to SAT and Calculus. When I wanted to purchase a quantity of Tupperware, I became a dealer and held “parties” both of the “live” and “book party” variety to acquire for free or at a very discounted rate a ridiculous amount of their products, much of which I still have.While an undergrad at SUNY Stony Brook (prior to graduating magna cum laude), I performed both as a teaching assistant and then as a course instructor for a mid-level Economics courses. I was offered the opportunity to do so again by my department chairperson due to my effective teaching style. After graduating from SUNY Stony Brook with an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics with a high GPA, I worked as a Systems Manager at Citicorp, and then a QA Analyst at a 4GL software company called Information Builders, Inc., earning stellar evaluations and accolades along the way. Fast forward to 2009 when I entered the Expo Planning industry, which is when I really hit my stride. Having coordinated approximately 75 expos and events in my own business, I have earned the respect of my colleagues and clients. Since 2014, my companies have earned 11 industry awards. I am known throughout this community for running quality business-to-consumer events that I am proud to have my name and my business names associated with. Pivoting because of COVID-19, our first virtual expo was in September 2020 where 100% of the gross profits benefitted a wonderful local non-profit.I am a trusted networker who has made many valuable introductions to my clients. One of my business names is Specialty Connections. Its tagline is “Connecting businesses with their audience” which applies to both professional contacts as well as getting the right audience to my events.It has been many years since that I raised $1500 for that non-profit. My dedication and success with whatever I set my mind to hasn’t waned, and I continue to help non-profits when I can along the way.