Ode to 2011

Posted on 23rd December 2011 by lmessenger in Life Matters

This is a quick off the top of my head, running out the door, five min wrap of what has been a truly incredible year!

I turned 40 (decided  28 in attitude - 40 in experience – good trade off!). The Messenger Group turned 10.  We had MASSIVE white parties for both.

With the help of my gorgeous team I authored three more books – Books to Boost Your Brand; Property Investing, The Australian Way; and Social Media to Boost Your Brand.

We added two new businesses to the Messenger fold – Messenger Property and Messenger Interiors bringing us up to eight.

Our awesome 2011 clients included Lorna Jane (winner of the BRW Retailer of the Year); Toby’s Estate; CBA; Pollenizer; Mortgage Choice, Sugarlove; Contiki; Residex; Bell Partners; Raine and Horne; Hamptons; Shannah Kennedy; Dogue and Empire Property.

I did a national Australian five city speaking gig on Social Media for Vodafone’s Horizon Series with the very talented Mike (Wally) Watkins and made some lifelong friends – Hayds and Greg :-)

I bought two more properties (off-market and distress sales…) in Birchgrove and Bangalow (seems I only buy starting with “B”) and had an absolute ball with my bestie Donna turning Bungalow 3 (Bangalow) into the most gorgeous holiday getaway www.bangalowescape.com.au

I spent a week in Bali with the gorgeous Donna and a month in Europe (London, Amsterdam, Sweden, Paris) catching up with extraordinary friends old and new (Maurice, Gags, Darain, Maxy, Saul, Karina, Mats, Huib, Simon, David).

I attended the EO University in Amsterdam with the theme “Change the World” where we heard from Muhammad Yunus, Kofi Annan, Julian Assange (from house arrest) and a dozen other inspirational speakers. Energy, innovation, conversation and four day dance party…bliss! Am looking forward to Istanbul in 2012! Have loved spending time implementing lots of initiatives and playing  our little part to really make a difference in this world.  The bigger the issue, the bigger the change. Sometimes the solutions are simple.

After incepting an idea whilst spending two weeks in a raw food vegan commune in Costa Rica, Janie and my documentary, 40 Women was picked up by a global production company (to be revealed in Jan 2012). Pre-sales to global networks across 80 countries begin in Jan 2012 and we begin filming in June 2012. This will see us travelling to 40 countries over a 12 month period with an underlying theme of global economic empowerment and bringing more consciousness and social change to the Western World.

We had quite a run in the media this year with the Telegraph, Your Money, Property Investor, the SMH, Sun Herald and Open House (Benny and I made the cover) running stories on my property investing.  Bungalow 3 was featured in an 11 page spread in Real Living (and my house in Birchgrove will run in Feb) as well as Sample Magazine.  We also appeared in the Telegraph, SMH and various other media for TMG general rants and raves.

The Messenger Group made it to the top 50 Cool Companies in Anthills Cool Company Awards.

I spoke at events for the very fabulous Janine’s Little Black Dress Group www.littleblackdressgroup.com.au  and did a couple of web TV interviews with Suzy for In Her Shoes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NISepCkO5bo as well as numerous other fun events on the topics of entrepreneurialism, business and general positivity.

We gave away over $420,000 retail value of books at various charity events. We supported our friends Denver, Matt, Geoff in their ride to cure cancer www.tourdecure.com.au; and donated my silver sequined 21st dress to Greg to support www.onegirl.org.au. We also supported Variety, Oasis, Little Girl Big Dream, Aim for the Stars and The Premier’s Flood Disaster Relief Fund for QLD.

We welcomed to the team new staff Jade (from QLD), Iris (from Amsterdam) and Kendall (from Geneva). Claire C had beautiful baby Maxon and Claire L got engaged.

I ended the working year partying with a few mad Dutchies who travelled to Australia from Amsterdam, my team dying Benny (dog) pink and one huge office dance off!

Christmas is upon us in two short days and I’m looking forward to hanging out with my family,  friends and Benny and looking forward to the sun coming out for a little bit of fun filled spontaneity with the only plan to have no plans.

Its been one kick arse fun filled larger than life year.  So many deep heartfelt connections. So many inspirational clients.  So many beautiful and supportive friends.  So many wonderful holidays and mind expanding journeys. So much opportunity when I stay open and thankfully I do. Life is good and I’m incredibly grateful.  Thank you to all who have been a part of it.

Here’s to 2012!! The gauntlet has been thrown … x L

 

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  • About Me
    No matter where in the world I am, I think I'll always remain a country girl deep down. Growing up galloping around the countryside on my horse with the trees stretching around me, it always stays close to my heart. But since leaving Coolah, I've done things and been places I only used dream about. I've trekked the Western Ghatts in India raising money for charity, inspired inmates in women's prisons and spent time in a raw food vegan commune in Costa Rica. I've been married and divorced to a man who entered my life with an esky and left with an esky, and I'm that much stronger for it. I've authored and co-authored 14 books, been a three-time finalist for the Telstra Businesswoman of the year and even though I never ran away to join the circus, I've worked with the Wiggles and Cirque du Soleil. These days I'm either whipping up a storm in my tiny kitchen, learning a new sport (read: three black eyes after my first three weeks of surfing), or breaking into the property market. I spend a couple of months out of every year chilling out in Byron Bay and another couple of months living it up in New York. Yet my favourite time in the world is when I'm running along Bondi Beach at 10pm at night, with my faithful pooch Benny at my side. There's something about being the only soul in a place that's packed with 40,000 people during the day. At times like this, you could imagine you're anywhere in the world. I have no idea what life is going to throw at me. I do know, however, that whatever happens I'll grab it with both hands and take whatever it has to offer. I'll be inspired, humbled, moved to tears and laughter, and I'm OK with that. In fact I'm looking forward to it. Not too bad for a country girl.
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