When I first started LocalsGuide I had a basic idea. Create media online, then put it in print!

Last month in my article with Bill and Darlene Welch of Deluxe Awning, I began discussing  some of my ideas behind how a media democracy can function. I specifically brought up the idea of individuals stepping forward to tell their own stories and creating their own media.

I also mentioned that this month I would be introducing you to Joy & Larry Marshall now shown in the photo to the left.

I had initially received a phone call from Larry Marshall who began by giving me a little bit about his and Joy’s background of their company, Marshall Fundraising Management, being involved in helping support and connect nonprofits (aka NPOs) around the Rogue Valley with donors. 

The Marshalls had moved here from Malibu, CA, about 5 years ago. They had met there 10 years ago and committed themselves to the concept that they would have a “new life adventure” every 5 years. After their Malibu lifestyle ended, they researched moving up to So. OR and did so, initially in their RV towing their Land Rover, along with their ‘kids’, Toby, a Cockerpoo and Sebastian, a Ragdoll cat. They now reside in So. Ashland, where they have both their home and office.

In Malibu, both had taken an early retirement hiatus from their business careers and traveled on the Concorde’s only “Adventure Around the World
Beyond First Class” (it ceased flying shortly thereafter), as well as other special trips. While in a retirement mode, they created their own foundation, “Marshall Family Foundation to Make a Difference”, supporting their personal causes, including children, animals, healthcare, fine and performing arts and the environment.

When they settled here, however, they became inspired to go back into the business mode and formed 2 businesses, Fun Lifestyles (www.FunLifestyles.com), marketing “fun and functional lifestyle toys 4 big kids” [such as portable spas and pet strollers, etc. for travelers, (primarily sold on Online)], and relaunching Larry’s former business, Marshall Consultants, the first PR-oriented executive search and management consulting firm with regional, national and global clients. However, Joy was not being fulfilled by these ventures and felt compelled to re-enter the non-profit field. “Once you have non-profit blood in your veins (it’s a little different red than normalJ), you’ll always need to feel like you’re making a difference”. Larry has joined her and, while their other businesses continue to a limited degree, they are now focusing on their fundraising and events management enterprise as their next lifestyle adventure.

Over the past two months I had the opportunity to meet with Joy and Larry several times to discuss some of these issues. One of the ideas that we came to was the creation of a monthly column, “Doing Well By Doing Good” (which is their consulting firm’s slogan), that would highlight some of the issues and opportunities confronting NPOs and offer some creative solutions, thus creating connection and networking with the public and the local nonprofits. In a new approach for LocalsGuide, I have invited Larry and Joy to share their own voice first person within this introduction, so that they can share a little bit more about their own background and services that they are bringing to the community.

I will conclude by saying, JOIN UP!
Create a group online and begin to communicate with one another. As communities grow and change, technology is enabling us with creative ways to stay connected--Use it!  Now for Joy & Larry.