Margery's Note....
The year is ending….
And many of us are still feeling somewhat unsettled….
We’re not sure what the next few years will look like….
So I thought it would be a good idea to come up with things to look forward to!
We can’t control the world around us, but we can be proactive about our own!
So I’ll share some things I’m thinking about and I hope it helps spark some ideas for you!
I’m looking forward to our Fall / Holiday Gathering this coming Wednesday evening. See below to register. We would love to see you there!!!
I decided to take the month of December to focus on my health and well-being, so I cancelled our 2 Track meetings originally scheduled. I hope all of you take time to only do the things you really want to do this month! I’m looking forward to a slower pace and lots of relaxation, but I don’t have to do a lot of family things for the holiday season. If you do, I hope you pace yourselves and make sure to enjoy it all.
I’m looking forward to figuring out how I want to keep contributing to my community. I used to be so driven and purposeful and today I find that I just don’t have the juice to be involved in the ways I have in the past.
I’m going to use the next few weeks to re-think and re-examine my goals and desires, and see what I come up with. I feel open and free to float for a while, let ideas come instead of working too much at it. Oddly, this gives me a feeling of calm….
I’m looking forward to low-key family times. My son has a new girlfriend that I love being around, so I’m having a lot of fun getting to know her. And my grandson will be 16 in February. It seems amazing! I want to see what he decides to do with his life over the next few years.
I started a new diet 3 months ago. I became a “carnivore” which means I cut out all food except grass fed beef and lamb, duck eggs, grass fed dairy and I found some great duck halves at Costco so I added those too. I’m looking forward to seeing how much my health keeps improving. I have already cut out 2/3s of the supplements I was taking and I feel so energetic and lively. I may keep this up for years to come!
As I inch toward my 80s, and still feel like a young person inside, I’m really looking forward to seeing what new adventures life brings me. Since I don’t travel much, I’m curious to see what adventure will look like at this age!
I wish joy and happiness for all of you during this holiday season, and hope you find many things to look forward to!
Fall / Holiday Gathering!
Take a break from the “dailies” and join us for our Gathering….
This event is for all women, not just GGN Members….
If you’re a member, invite some friends to come learn more about us….
If you’re not a member, you can bring your friends and check us out!
And we are planning something special for us to experience together….
Yes, you probably have holiday networking things to attend, but this gathering is so different from those….
Our time together is all about being our authentic selves, talking about what we feel is important in our lives….
Best way to catch up on your perhaps much needed dose of oxytocin!
Nicole Garrison, certified Mindfulness & Sound Healer
Joins us for a special “mini sound bath”
She will briefly discuss the history and benefits of sound healing then play her crystal bowls and Koshe chime so we can have a taste of the sound experience.
She is certified in Sound Immersion Training thorough Breathe Meditation and Wellness here in Dallas.
What a great opportunity to truly take a breather from the dailies!!!
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
6:30 to 8:30 pm CT
At our favorite Gathering Place, the home of Toni Portmann!
Anastasia is doing the food!
Cost: Members – $10 and non Members – $15
REGISTER HERE!
Member Notes
GGN Member Glenna Hecht shares
Thoughts from her travels in her latest Emerging Leaders from Around the World Blog
Four Cousins and a Falafel: A Recipe for Success in Croatia
Nestled in the heart of Old Town Split, Croatia—a historic area that dates back almost 1700 years—there’s a fast-food gem My Kebab is serving up Mediterranean delights like falafel, shawarma, and kebabs. The story behind this beloved spot is as rich as the flavors they create. It begins with four cousins, ages 22 to 24, who saw an opportunity, followed their instincts, and built something extraordinary.
The cousins come from Macedonia, where their fathers—first cousins themselves—have been running a successful fast-food business for over 30 years. Inspired by their fathers’ work ethic, the young men decided to try their hand at business in Croatia, a place they felt was missing a quality kebab shop.
“We saw a need for a kebab shop and tried it out,” one of the cousins explained. “The first year was slow, but each year after has built significantly.” Four years later, their restaurant has become a local favorite, known for its fresh ingredients, warm service, and a customer-first philosophy passed down from their fathers.
Alongside the fast-food restaurant, three of their five sisters—supervised by their mother/aunt—opened a gelato shop just a few steps away. These two businesses are a family affair, running from March through October before the cousins and sisters return to Macedonia. Back home, they either help in the family restaurant or pursue studies in engineering, medicine, or other fields.
The Secret Sauce: Love and Relationships
When asked how they manage to work together so seamlessly, the cousins don’t hesitate: “We love each other, and the most important thing is the relationship.”
The Secret Sauce: Love and Relationships
When asked how they manage to work together so seamlessly, the cousins don’t hesitate: “We love each other, and the most important thing is the relationship.”
That relationship extends to their customers as well. Their customer service philosophy is simple but powerful:
• Smile: “We are always smiling, with good energy and vitality.”
• Service Excellence: “The service has to be excellent… the best. This was instilled in us by our fathers.”
• Problem-Solving: “If we have a customer who isn’t happy, we apologize and fix it. If not, we say we’re sorry, and they just move along.”
Their approach isn’t just talk—it’s embedded in their operations. They cater to a diverse customer base, from residents (many over 60) to tourists from around the globe. Language barriers? No problem. Between them, they speak Albanian, Turkish, French, Spanish, Polish, Swedish, Italian, and, as they joke, “pointing.” But they know the best language of all: service with a smile.
“It shows respect,” one cousin said. “We’re trying to communicate, and they love it.”
From 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day, the cousins are behind the counter, creating fresh food and delivering excellent service. “That’s unheard of in many places,” they admit, but it’s part of their commitment to making the business thrive.
Freshness Is Key
The cousins pride themselves on quality and freshness. Every topping is prepared daily, the recipes are homemade, and the sauces are made fresh each morning by their mother/aunt. “Everything is fresh. “Everything is really good,” they say with pride.
What Happens Next?
As for the future? None of the cousins are married yet, but they laugh about growing the next generation to carry on the family legacy. “We’ll see what happens when we get there,” they joke.
A Message to You
When asked what message they’d like to leave readers, the cousins’ enthusiasm is infectious:
“Come to Croatia and have a falafel or a kebab! I love that you are coming to visit us.”
Why This Matters
The story of the four cousins and their falafel shop is about more than food. It’s about vision, relationships, and the joy of creating something meaningful. Success doesn’t just come from hard work—it comes from passion, respect, and the ability to connect with others.
Next time you’re in Split, follow the aroma of fresh kebabs to the Old Town. You’ll find great food and a family who have turned love and tradition into a thriving business.
Thank you to Toni Portmann for sharing this inspiring message….
