The “things” we have will come and go, but the memories... will be with us forever.

SNE WOMAN (THE MAGAZINE); Speaks two trends; the importance and value of promoting local businesses, products and services and the general growing concept of living one's best life.

SNE WOMAN (THE BLOG); Touches on general issues facing women today. Like the publication, it's meant to help you come away with a renewed sense of self. To encourage you to learn something new. A tip or suggestion that makes you say... “I need to try this.”, or, “I never knew that before”. Hopefully this blog will become another tool for you to use, that will help you focus on finding the right questions, in order to make your life better, live your dream easier, and become a happier you.



My name is Pat Paolino Cruz and I am the creator here. I am a single mom with three kids and come from a loud Italian family. My kids are Italian and Hawaiian. Very cool combo if I do say so myself. I wear many hats and have created several different businesses which have kept me very connected to women. I am not a blogger or a writer, however, I thought it was important to chat directly to you. We are all different, but at the same time, are all the same. It isn't easy to do what we do. To wear all the hats we wear. There are so many topics that we can discuss here, together, that will help us along our paths. My hope is that you find something in one of the posts to comment on and share your own views. To offer your insight and personal stories that may in some way, help create clarity in another woman's life who may also be reading this blog. And, ok, here is a bit of information upfront... Sometimes I get so busy and I before you know it, another week is over. I know you can relate. Those are the times I may not be able to give you my own personally written story, however, I will give you something I believe has equal importance. A topic that helps us discuss something I really didn't know that much about to begin with, but believe it's something we can all benefit from by reading.

You know how the Seinfeld episodes were described... “The Show About Nothing.” Well, I think this blog will probably go in the same direction. There is nothing earth shattering I want to say. Nothing that will be “breaking news” for the week. Just stuff. Stuff about us. Stuff for us. Stuff to help us become better women. And I say “us” because I am in fact, a woman, with the same issues you have. Possibly more...lol.... In any event, it isn't easy being a woman today. Sometimes I find myself up at three in the morning (as I am now), researching, writing, responding or doing general follow up work I wasn't able to get to all day. I did take a little nap from about midnight (when Criminal Minds, my favorite show, was over) until about 2am when I woke up and thought... ugh, I forgot to...(fill in the blank). I'm sure you do the same thing. It's not that I was busy all day long, working 24/7. It's that, I have kids. It's summer and they are home with me. I have a home office which makes it easy for me to work on my own schedule. It may be the middle of the night, but it allows me to sit and hang out with my kids, take them to the beach on a hot day or just enjoy a movie together before they go to bed. I don't remember my parents spending much time with me when I was a kid. They were busy, they worked a lot. I don't want my kids to have “un-fun” memories. I enjoy being the “go to the beach mom”, or the “go camping (yes, in a tent) mom”, or the “let's go to the fireworks tonight mom”.

I know it's hard because we all have so many responsibilities.... Chef, maid, worker, bank, taxi service, mother, daughter, caretaker, teacher, activities specialist. Sometimes I slack off. I know I am completely at fault when it comes to putting off work to spend a little time with my kids. I know. Terrible thing to do when you have your own business but you know, I decided a long time ago that I didn't want to punch a clock. I wanted to be accessible for my kids and be a little more of a free spirit if I could. If I have to choose what's most important to me, it's to let my kids remember fun times. Like any kids, they will probably still think I worked too much anyway...lol... and I do work a lot, however, I want them to also remember that I wasn't afraid to get dirty. To sleep on the ground in a sleeping bag with them or to take off on a moment's notice for a quick picnic in the middle of the day. I know lots of women don't have the luxury of taking off in the middle of the day to do something special possibly by themselves (a long pedicure, an hour in the park with a blanket and a book), with friends, a spouse or with their kids, however, nights and weekends count and no matter what time you do have, you need to make the best of it. If you want to do it, you will find the time. In the end, no matter what you do in life, you learn that people and the moments are all that matter. Do what you can, to make them good ones.

Ok, I see already that I wrote about nothing. Actually, I wanted to just spill a bit of what was on my mind and give you a bit of the way I am. Maybe you've gotten the gist of the way I am in previous posts but for some reason, I felt like I wanted to start from scratch and take you from this point on. Maybe it's because I am getting ready to go to press with the next issue of the magazine and it's like a new beginning all over again. What ever it is, I hope that you stay with us and take some time once in awhile to write a few comments down yourself about what's going on in your life and what you would like to chat about. It really is all about us... women... the glue that holds everyone around us together.... and we do it with four bones that we women sport so fabulously... Our Funny bone, our backbone, our cheekbones and most importantly our wishbone...

Choose your priorities carefully... Wishing you happiness in your day!

Exactly where I should be at exactly the right time.

A friend had a post on FB that I felt was important enough to share with you. It seems as if the words ring true if you really think about how the world responds to your actions and wishes.

I have been put in a place to create something that was of meaning to myself (Southern New England Woman Magazine) and coinsidentely became beneficial to those who have chosen to be a part of it as an advertiser, writer, photographer, reader, event attendee. My goal was to bring something to women that would encourage and inspire them to be the best they could be. I was truly overwhelmed by the response I have received from so many regarding the magazine and my personal posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc which reflected me and my thoughts which have gone into the publication. It has meant much to me to know that what I have been tring to create has not gone unnoticed.

There was a time this summer and part of the fall in which I had to take a step back and reevaluate the meaning of what I was creating and the value it had to it's readers was not to be taken lightly. It was time to relect and regroup for the future of the publication. I am comfortable and happy now to be able to move forward with even more excitement on the next issue of the publication. For those of you who have been waiting patiently, thank you. You will see the publication released within a few months time. I couldn't be happier that time was taken to evaluate. Because of that, I am prepared to bring you the most spectacular issue! The words below, written by a friend, have confirmed my very thoughts and I am proud to share them with you. I hope that you will find his words just as encouraging as I have and be able to reflect on your own sense of self.

"I am exactly where I should be at exactly the right time. We are always positioned at the most precise point possible to evolve and find resolve. The key is so simple: surrender to the moment, forgive the past and visualize the future. When you can visualize something, it exists. To obtain it, you merely have to ask for it and truly want it and the responsibility and consequences that come with receiving it."

Best,
Pat

Believing in Your Own Abilities!

‎"There is no limit to what you can imagine. And with commitment, with effort, what you can imagine you can become. Put your mind to work for you. Believe that you can do it. The world will tell you that you can't. Yet, in your belief you'll find the strength, you'll find the ability, to do it anyway." Ralph Marston

If I listened to everyone who said that this was no time to start a print publication with the economy the way it is, I would have never proceeded with my passion to publish Southern New England Woman. The critics were everywhere. "Advertising money is down" they said. You won't be able to print a "high quality" magazine because "it's too expensive". How did they know that? Did they already try it themselves? Not to my knowledge...

In my opinion, it turned out to be the best time to start a publication. You have to believe that things are always going to get better and to leverage yourself in the best position possible for when they do, to me, was the key to making Southern New England Woman work. Being a "how" thinker gets alot more accomplished than being an "if" thinker. That and treating people with respect and a personal commitment to do your best.

I have been fortunate in a way that I am most grateful for my own persistence. I have created several long term businesses. A photographer and makeup artist for seventeen years having no official training or formal education in the industry. Pageant director, trade show and event producer for fifteen years, also with no official training or formal education in the industry and now publisher of this fabulous new magazine. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, what I
"am" trying to do is explain to people that it "can" be done. You can create your dream job if "you-yourself", have the will to do it.

It's exciting to take something, an idea, a thought, and build it. If I didn't believe in myself and go forward to pursue my dreams, where would I be? What would I be doing? The one question I asked myself in every case was "what's the worst thing that could happen if I did this". My answer was "as long as my family was safe and healthy, it would only cost me a life experience if it didn't work". To me that was a win - win!

I've learned alot by doing my own research and step by step learning every aspect of the industry from the ground up. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Don't be anxious to get things done quickly. Success takes time, effort and the fortitude to put your heart and soul into what you really want. When you rush to get things done fast, or just to get them "done", you prevent yourself the advantage of utimatelty accomplishing much greater things and missing out on the many life experiences creating something new has to offer.

I guess the point of this post is this...
I hear from many people on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, etc., who ask questions like, I have a business idea but I don't know if I should go forward. Not sure how to proceed with 'my" dream job. I lost my job and am looking to start my own business but I am not sure if I can.

Now, I certainly don't consider myself a professional business coach in any respect, however, if I could give one piece of advice that is as important as anything else, it would be this. Ask yourself, what "your" passion is, what can "you" do to learn everything you can about your industry of choice and... "what is the worst thing that could happen if you try"?

I love this quote: Real confidence comes from knowing and accepting yourself, your strengths and your limitations. I was once afraid of people saying, "Who does she think she is?" Now I have the courage to stand and say, "This is who I am."--Oprah Winfrey