Category: Florida

Waddle over, friends, because I have a tale to quack about that’s sure to bring a smile to your beak! Nestled in Florida’s sun-soaked state is a remarkable woman named Angie who stretches her mothering instinct far beyond her children. Being a mom is a big enough job, but she’s not just a mom; she’s a paralegal prodigy, a business maven, a scrapbooking sensation, and a motorcycle enthusiast. Her story is like no other!

Everywhere Angie goes, she radiates positivity like the sun on a perfect day at the beach. I’m sure everyone has their off days (even yours truly might float a little askew at times), but I’ve yet to see Angie without that dazzling smile. And she does all of this while juggling the roles of entrepreneur, social media guru, teacher, and, of course, a devoted mom and wife. She’s like a supermom with a cape made of kindness!

Now, let’s rewind to discover how she got to this fabulous place in life. Picture this: a young Angie, only 18, living independently just down the street from her parents.  Dreaming big, she couldn’t wait to dive into the world of paralegal work. With a leap and a splash (not unlike my jumps off the tub rim), she started her journey, quickly outpacing her formally trained peers. I’d say she’s like that bright toy sailing across the water, leaving all the other ducks in her wake!

Then she met a man with a similar spirit, and they married! With dreams of raising a family, she knew she needed something to keep her at home when those cute little ducklings arrived. After some quackerjack teamwork, she joined her husband in operating a credit card processing business, but Angie wasn’t done yet!

With a passion for scrapbooking, she dove headfirst, distributing supplies and teaching others the craft. You bet she mastered it!

Soon enough, the warm Florida sun called out to her and her family. Ever the planner, Angie orchestrated the perfect move, carefully timing it so her kids could start high school in their new sunny surroundings. Off they went, and like a proud duck following her hatchlings, she helped her family take their next big leap.

Once settled, Angie didn’t sit back and soak up the rays—oh no! She launched her Personal Assistant business, gathering clients like I gather bubbles in a bath. Whether organizing insurance claims or tackling bookkeeping, her charm and relentless energy had clients lining up. Every completed project seemed to spark new needs, but she always found a way to help, pushing through obstacles faster than I float past a rubber whale!

Angie’s compassion shines like a beacon despite all the hustle and bustle.

On a recent visit, she noticed my humans struggling with populating our website. With a heart as big as the ocean, she put the brakes on what she was doing, swooped in and coached them through. Who needs life buoys when you have Angie around?

Today, she and her husband run a vibrant community for motorcycle enthusiasts, a venture they launched in 2020.  Why motorcycle enthusiasts? 

Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Angie’s Mom shared with me that Angie’s first motorcycle ride was at just six weeks old, making her passion for bikes run deep.

Raising a family took precedence over her love for riding, and even though she enjoyed being the passenger, she knew she wanted to be the rider one day. 

In true Angie style, she earned her motorcycle license within a month, pushing through obstacles faster than I float past a rubber whale!  At the start of the month, she took her beginner’s driver’s test, and about one month later, she embarked on the challenging Tail of the Dragon.

Angie is a force to be reckoned with, letting nothing stand in her way!

So, here’s a quack of gratitude to Angie, an inspiring whirlwind of kindness and determination who shows us that you can paddle through anything life throws at you with a sprinkle of passion and a dash of compassion.

Thank you, Angie, for being a magnificent inspiration! Your resilience, determination, and compassion are beacons of light for us all. Now, who’s up for a ride?

THANK YOU, ANGIE, FOR AN INSPIRED

Quack quack! Have you ever seen a squirrel darting around your backyard like it’s auditioning for a role in an acrobatic show? Well, let me tell you, this little critter is not just any bushy-tailed rascal.

The subject of my inspired human today has the energy and determination of a squirrel. His human name is Sonny, and his story is as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride on a warm Florida day!

Picture this: a fluffy ball of energy zooming up a tree.  Suddenly, he hears a delightful *clink*—a peanut drops from above! Without missing a beat, he spirals down the tree, snatches his treasure, and starts piling it high for the winter, just like I gather my little rubber duck pals after a good splash.

Now, let’s dip into Sonny’s past, shall we? This adventurous guy was dealt some rough cards.  Orphaned at the tender age of two, he found himself adopted by a loving couple who desperately wanted kids but couldn’t have any of their own.

Growing up on a charming family farm, Sonny quickly realized that while working unpaid on the family farm was good practice, earning money at the neighbor’s farm sounded much more fun—and profitable! So, what did he do? He hustled his way into a job next door. Talk about savvy!

But life wasn’t all sunshine and daisies. In his teenage years, he faced heartbreak as he lost his adoptive mom to cancer, followed by another gut punch when his dad passed, too. That’s a lot for any creature to bear—I couldn’t even imagine floating down a stream with such weight. Yet, rather than drift away on waves of despair, Squirrel took to life with a spirit meant for soaring!

This guy had talent—mechanical talent!  By the age of 19, Sonny was a master mechanic, laboring tirelessly to support his family. And Sonny became the rock they both leaned on when his dad needed him.  Sonny’s tenacity kept him bobbing along even when life delivered a blow that could sink anyone.

Now, let’s dive into his shrewd thinking! While wrenching away at engine parts, Sonny spotted something—a tool truck guy who was dapper, cheerful, and didn’t look worse for wear despite the years.  Sonny thinks, “I want that life!” He went after it like a well-timed splash!

But wait, there’s more! When Sonny was selling tools, he noticed a pesky problem: Darn credit card fees cutting into his earnings. So, being the inquisitive squirrel that he was, he decided, “I could *totally* do that!” And just like my morning frolics in the tub, he waded in and figured it out, starting a credit card processing company as a side job!

Ever wanted to chase a dream that seems just out of reach?  Sonny didn’t want to wait until he was old and gray to enjoy Florida’s sunshine. So, he packed up his family and zoomed over to the Sunshine State! Once there, what did he think?  I love motorcycles, particularly Harleys. “Why not sell Harleys?” Spoiler alert: he did!

He then realized that he needed to know more people to be successful at a commissioned sales job, so he needed to find an avenue for Networking like a social butterfly—or perhaps a rubber duck at a pool party. He discovered BNI groups. Instead of just joining one, our go-getter started five! Can you believe it?

Can you see a pattern here?  Sonny sees beyond the page, discovers what is next, and makes it happen.

Now, fast-forward to today. Sonny and his lovely wife, who share a passion for motorcycles, have turned their love into a spectacular business that unites bike enthusiasts worldwide!

It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but just like a squirrel scavenging for nuts during fall, Sonny gathered ideas—some golden, some a bit nutty—but they all contributed to his success. They blend his adventurous spirit with his wife’s creativity, their hard work, and a splash of determination, creating a recipe for success. If something doesn’t exist, Sonny detours and makes it himself!

Their latest wonder? A nonprofit that reaches out to bikers in need. How heartwarming is that?

Spending time with this incredible individual on a recent trip was like riding a wave of inspiration!  Sonny opened his home to us, took a day off work, and whisked us away on an exhilarating tour of his vibrant world.

So, here’s a big shout-out from me, Bob the Rubber Duck—thank you, Sonny, for being an inspiration and showing us how to float through challenges with style! Keep paddling forward, my friend!

THANK YOU, SONNY, FOR AN INSPIRED