Continued...

Through our living here now for several years, coupled with my work in shipping, we’ve learned a lot that we can pass on to other folks so that they don’t have to reinvent the wheel as they move. We recently founded Gringo Survival Services, with partners Chris Roe, Louise Wittman, and Adrian Orozco to better provide that help to others through several different types of services. We have fee-based property location assistance and a wide range of transition services for before, during, and after the move.

I’m also a professional writer, regularly published at We Love Costa Rica and have a series of books, MAINERS IN COSTA RICA, to be published over the coming months telling the tale of our own move and sharing the “lessons learned” to help others in their process. 

I spent the first half of my life in the south (mostly Louisiana) and the second half mostly up north (Canada, Minnesota, and Maine) prior to moving “further south” by coming to Costa Rica. I was educated at Centenary College of Louisiana and had a “first career” after college in advertising as Media Director of one of the young, hot ad agencies in the 70s. After moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia, I “ran away to sea” and spent the next several years sailing in square-rigged ships, much of the time in the arctic, spending time ashore working in construction, both as a hands-on carpenter and managing a small building company.

After “retuning to land,” the next twenty years were spent in a wide range of enterprises, from founding and managing (with my husband) a number of non-profit educational organizations providing sail training, to web and graphic design services. Operating for a decade under the name “On The Brink” I provided direct, hands-on management and business services for a diverse group of businesses ranging from a 5-star restaurant to a natural hair and skin care company that was an early leader in the world on online marketing. I spent 3 years managing the website and communications for a major health outcomes research project for the office furniture manufacturer Steelcase. The last 3 years before moving to Costa Rica were spent as a home designer and sales person for a leading, high-end modular home builder in Maine.

I have a strong interest in natural health, real food, and personal growth. A Buddhist for many years, I enjoy spiritual studies and believe that the vibrations that we offer the world are a primary determinant of our experiences.

As a member of the Community Action Alliance steering committee and Small Business Committee, I welcome the chance to apply my past business experience and expertise to a new environment and am pleased at the opportunities for meeting with fellow life adventurers here in Costa Rica, both gringos and Ticos. I think we can all learn from each other and expand opportunities for our own business(es) and simply help make a difference in our world.