Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan J. Farese.
Susan J., can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
‘It’ all started with having entrepreneurial roots in my family in NJ. My Mom, (now age 83), was a talented professional singer and dancer at a young age and became a dance teacher with her own business at age 17 (followed by her homemaking- an amazing Mom and homemaker). My Dad is 82 and still an entrepreneur (Real Estate/Insurance & Financial Services), plus my deceased Paternal Grandfather (advertising) and Great-Grandfather (Shoe-Shining Business) were business owners.
Being creative and entrepreneurial is in my blood. I can’t deny my extremely strong intuition either! Plus, having to move geographically many times in my adult life, due to my diversified military and civilian professional experiences and career, my spouse’s challenging executive career opportunities (and the joys and challenges of motherhood), I reinvented as time and circumstance dictated!
Backtracking in regards to my creativity: I took dance lessons throughout grammar school. High school activities were chorus, concert choir, dance and drama/theatre. I continued some theatre and choreography in college. Most recent interests: I enjoy photography, acting and poetry.
I studied pre-nursing at Elizabethtown College (PA), received my Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Widener University (PA) and joined the military (Navy Nurse Corps and Army Nurse Corps) after college for a total of 12+ years, attaining the rank of Major. My experience included working in several clinical areas (Medical-Surgical, Orthopedics, Emergency Room, ICU, Recovery Room) as well as Chief, Nursing Education/Staff Development, and Management roles (chief nurse of outpatient clinic and inpatient advanced care). I was stationed in several states (California (twice), Georgia, Virginia), as well as overseas in South Korea. I received my master’s degree in nursing at Seton Hall University (NJ) while still on active duty after 8 years as a nurse.
I had taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) a few times and was fascinated by it and how I was an ‘apple’ in a basket in ‘oranges’ basically atypical, creative, entrepreneurial, so I gave myself a present by becoming a MBTI Consultant (and ultimately life-long entrepreneur) as I transitioned out of the military. The MBTI was indeed an eye opener and to this day I feel it changed my life and opened the door to working with many types of personalities. Plus, my husband (of 28 years this year) has always been extremely supportive of me as an entrepreneur.
My first business was Prosper Development Systems, which I created in 1990 after leaving the military, until 1998. Prosper stood for PROfessional Staff and PERsonal Development. I was a consultant with MBTI. I also became a provider and presenter of Nursing Continuing Education as well as seminars for the general public. I taught the RN NCLEX examination review course for graduate Nurses, did voiceovers, and audited medical bills. Clients included hospitals, long term care, home infusion care, medical devices, public health departments, cost containment agencies, professional associations, attorneys, chamber of commerce, universities, non-profit organizations, and video production companies.
During the early 1990’s I also started a company “Creative Diversity…Rhymes for All Reasons & Seasons” which provided personalized poetry services for individuals and organizations for all occasions (retirement, birthdays, sympathy, etc.). That fueled my creativity, made others happy, reflective, you name it.
In 1993, I wrote a nursing poetry book “Poetic Expressions in Nursing…Sharing the Caring” and gave numerous presentations to nurses and the general public, sharing the cathartic, stress management, therapeutic values of poetry. I became a Distinguished Lecturer for Sigma Theta Tau, the National Honor Society in Nursing and taught lectures on the Image of Nursing and Nursing Poetry.
With another move I worked at Duke University Medical Center in Research (Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery and Headache and Anticoagulation Clinics) for several years (while still owning Prosper Development Systems as an independent legal nurse consultant).
I became a Mom to our wonderful daughter in 1998 and took a few years off to savor motherhood. Fast forward to SJF Communications which I started in 2002 (more about SJF Communications a bit later below)!
Has it been a smooth road?
Yes and no. I have reinvented myself several times in my life, all adding to my wisdom. Some things worked, some didn’t! I simply move on. I take risks after doing my ‘homework’. I am extremely resourceful. Sometimes the market has been saturated with others doing what I do. I keep overhead low. Graduate school enabled me to think more as a change agent. I feel as though my integrity, diverse work experiences, veteran status, motherhood all contribute to who I am today
Struggles? Only that my frequent geographical moves necessitated reinvention! But that’s also a challenge that I enthusiastically accepted!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with SJF Communications – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I started SJF Communications in 2002 and have been fortunate to provide diverse roles: Public Relations, Publicity, Marketing/Promotions, Legal Nurse Consulting, SAG-AFTRA Actor/Model, Author, Blogger/Writer, Social Media Provider, Event Promoter and Coach. In terms of recently ‘giving back’, I am a Mentor in the San Diego State University ‘Aztec Mentor Program‘ as well as an adjudicator with the Broadway San Diego Musical Theatre Awards. I was a Board Member & PR/Marketing Director 2011-2016 for San Diego Musical Theatre and since 2016 have been doing freelance PR for theatres and musicians.
What are you most proud of as a company?
My intuition, dedication, integrity, tenacity and personalized approach and motivation to each client, whether an individual or a company.
What sets you apart from others?
My diverse professional career as a nurse and entrepreneur as well as military service and veteran status and numerous geographical moves!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the geographic diversity, Pacific Ocean (which has always been my favorite), along with the mountain and desert environments.
Favorite places to visit and take visitors to?: Torrey Pines State Reserve and Beach, Cabrillo Monument, San Diego Zoo, Torrey Pines Glider Port, Mount Soledad, Downtown, Liberty Station.
I love the fact that we have terrific regional theatres and other cultural opportunities and events.
San Diego State University is one of my favorite places too!
Least? Drivers going too fast on the freeways. Traffic!
Contact Info:
- Address: 3525 Del Mar Heights Rd. #1038
San Diego, CA 92130 - Website: https://www.sjfcommunications.com
- Phone: 4083985940
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjfcommo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjfcommunications/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfcommo?lang=en
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Susan J. Farese
May 18, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Thank you SD Voyager!