Nancy Behrman

With a longstanding reputation as an agent of change and innovation within the field of public relations and brand building, Nancy Behrman has spent over 30 years at the helm of Behrman Communications, a firm she founded out of a studio apartment with just a single client. That client was Kiehl’s Since 1851, and the Behrman PR strategy succeeded in elevating the brand to a status that greatly exceeded expectations and heralded the beginning of a new era in brand building.

In the more than 30 years since she founded the company, Ms. Behrman has constantly reminded her staff that the key to delivering consistently exceptional results for the firm’s clients could only be accomplished through a deep commitment to the development of new and innovative PR strategies and techniques. Advocating for the use of “surround sound” platforms, Behrman Communications has been able to effectively and impressively leverage creative initiatives along with a strong presence across social media and exceptional strategic account management to elevate and support a brand.

Specializing in fashion, health and beauty, Ms. Behrman has worked diligently to ensure that the approach utilized by Behrman Communications is specifically tailored to the client’s brand and the unique goals they have outlined. Incorporating a combination of advanced brand building practices and techniques with traditional and complementary strategies, Ms. Behrman’s public relations firm has routinely been able to take a brand and elevate it from an early-stage concept to an immediately recognizable brand and multi-million dollar venture.

As the founder of a firm with so many internationally renowned clients, Ms. Behrman has had the opportunity to travel all over the world for both business and pleasure. While most of her time is split between the East and West Coast of the United States due to her professional responsibilities, Ms. Behrman has often been able to enjoy extended periods of time visiting some of the great cultural centers of Europe.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

Having the opportunity to explore a new and unfamiliar culture.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

It’s certainly a lifestyle. I still make frequent business trips all over the world and have been able to return to some my favorite destinations with my family.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Mallorca, Spain.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I’m looking forward to an upcoming trip to Tokyo, Japan.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

Always having a great travel agent has helped me throughout my career.

Where would you like to go?

I’ve always wanted travel to South America.

Where would you like to revisit?

Tokyo, when I visited for the first time a few years ago for business, I truly fell in love.

Do you travel alone? Why?

It really depends on the circumstances. If I go for business, I usually go alone. When I travel for leisure, I go with my husband and/or my children.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

Paris, London and Barcelona

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I’ve always preferred to travel light. I try not to check a bag, even when I travel internationally.

Learn more about Nancy Behrman on her

Mike Munter

mike munter in hawaii 2016Mike Munter was born in 1965 and grew up in Reisterstown, Maryland. His parents moved there in 1972 when his Dad got a new job at Westinghouse in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Mike was raised there with his two younger sisters Michelle and Melanie, until later when he moved out and purchased his first home in Annapolis.

A self-proclaimed “workaholic,” Mike didn’t do much travelling until he was in his 40’s. Prior to that, he was focused on establishing himself in his careers as an IT technician and later as a front office executive in minor league baseball.

He recalls one trip taken with his family in the late 70’s:

“My Mom had an uncle in Roanoke and so we set out in my Dad’s 1973 Ford Maverick. Me and my sisters were in the back seat, each of us probably between the ages of 7 to 12. I remember we were stocked up with toys back there – we had “Etch-A-Sketch,” “Merlin,” and things to draw on. I’m sure Mom didn’t want us getting bored.

reisterstown md to roanoke va directions

“As you can see in the map here, the trip should take about 4 hours or so, but somewhere around the 6 hour mark, I remember Mom and Dad deciding they were lost. Who knows where they got off track, but I remember us not arriving at my Great Uncle’s house until the early evening. It took us 8 hours.”

Munter adds: “I didn’t know it then, but that would be the only family vacation we ever took.”

These days, Mike has taken two cross country road trips, the first in 1992 and the 2nd in 2007. He has travelled abroad to Mexico, Canada, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Australia.

He is a frequent visitor to Hawaii, as that is where his daughter and granddaughter currently live.

Tell us about a favorite trip you’ve taken.

I’d say my trip to Peru was my favorite.

What attracted you to Peru?

At the time I went to Peru, I was in the midst of what you might call a mid-life crisis. It was 2009, I wasn’t working, and I didn’t know what I would do next. I was spending all the money I’d save from prior careers, but now I had no idea what I wanted to do.

So, I went to Peru for a couple of reasons:

  1. I went to work with a shaman who I thought might help me find my purpose in life
  2. I wanted to overcome my fear of travelling alone to another country

Please share your memories from the trip.

The trip was 2 1/2 weeks along and it took place in January of ’09. I flew into Lima and then to Cuzco. From there, it was a 45 minute cab ride around the mountain to a little town called Pisac. This is where I was staying and this is where I met Javier, the shaman I’d setup to do work with.

The ‘work’ I’m speaking of is drinking ayahuasca. I did three ceremonies where I drank the awful tasting root and waited for healing visions. Of course, ayahuasca is referred to as “the purge,” so I got sick and had diarrhea, along with the others who were in the temple with me.

My first ceremony was difficult. I was shown how I tend to focus on the negative side of things. I was incredibly sick – I felt like I had food poisoning. I remember writhing in pain until about 3 or 4 in the morning. I was sick 3 times and felt like “Why did I come here? This is horrible?”

The next morning, I joined the other 5 or 6 people and we each shared our experience and what we learned from it. Javier, much like a therapist, gave us each feedback.

My second ceremony was the exact opposite. I went in with the intention of resolving my relationship with all 4 of my parents (two birth parents + two adopted parents). I had emotional visions of my birth mother and my Mom who raised me. These visions were powerful and still with me today. They helped me see that my birth mother put me up for adoption out of of love, not rejection. I saw how much my Mom who raised me loved me and how some of the things I did hurt her. I laughed and cried and had an amazing experience.

The third and final ceremony I have to admit, I sort of ‘went through the motions.’ I got sick twice and probably could’ve drinken more ayahuasca to try to deepen the experience, but I was done. I was exhausted. I had done 3 ceremonies in 7 days and I knew I had one more final ceremony to go.

The last ceremony was drinking San Pedro, which is a cactus. It’s called “the heart opener” and helps get you in touch with nature. And boy did it. I lay in a corn field for hours admiring the strength of the stalks. I felt at one in the garden.

As I look back, it’s no surprise I became a big gardener later that spring of 2009. I felt a strong urge to grow food and know where my food came from. That strong sense is still with me today.

After all the ceremonies were complete, I visited Machu Picchu, which was incredible.

So, I had a very memorable trip and in addition to all this, I made new friends who I’m still in touch with today. I got to go face to face with my fear of travelling alone, and I got to see one of the wonders of the world. So, it was a very spiritual and beautiful trip.

What other places have you visited? What’s next?

I’ve got a trip booked to Iceland in May of 2016. I’ll be travelling there with my friend Matt. We’re spending a couple days in Reykjavik to get acquainted and then we’ve rented a car and plan to see the island. I’m excited to see the landscape and look forward to learning more about the culture.

What advice would you give to a first time traveller?

For me, it’s important to know where I’m staying and to have a lose plan of what I’ll be doing. I don’t like “feeling” like a tourist. I yearn for a more authentic experience where I get a feel for the culture. I don’t like to be booked every minute, every day. Be safe and follow your gut, but be open to new experiences and new people!

Contact Mike Munter:

Travel Profile: David R. Gray Jr.

A frequent world traveler who has spent extensive time traversing each of the Scandinavian countries, David R. Gray has returned to the southern part of Norway on several occasions and intends on returning there again in the near future. While David has expressed a clear fondness for the culture and the people of Scandinavia, he has certainly not limited his travels to Northern Europe and has indicated a desire to continue to explore a variety of unfamiliar locales all across the globe.

During David’s first trip to Northern Europe, he spent time staying in hotels, hostels and as a guest with several local families, a travel plan that allowed him to socialize in a variety of unique settings. Given his frequent return trips, it is clear that David found the south of Norway particularly appealing in spite of the difficult winter conditions that are relatively common to the area. Of course, David has also enjoyed trips to Sweden and Denmark over the years and has even developed a conversational understanding of Danish and Swedish in addition to his fluency in Norwegian.

In addition to his frequent travels to Northern Europe, David has also spent a lot of time in Australia and New Zealand. After business brought him to Auckland several years ago, David made a point to travel back for a personal trip for a more in-depth exploration of both New Zealand and Australia. Fascinated by the unique wildlife in both countries, David identified the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House as the highlights of his trip and even intends to give surfing another try the next time he visits Bondi Beach.

About me—Jody Rookstool

Recently I have been approached by customers who are curious to know more about me. I thought about what details about who I am that I could give to make myself and my business seem more personal to my customers and thought I’d just start at the basics. If you’d want to know more, feel free to ask any questions.

Just in case anyone doesn’t already know, my name is Jody Rookstool and I come from the never-ending land (no joke) of Texas. Currently, I reside in beautiful Utah with a family of my own. I don’t know a stranger and I suppose my range of interest and topics I enjoy talking about are to thank for that.

I have always had big dreams and wanted to accomplish so much in life, such as travel, start my own blog, build my own business. If I were to summarize life in a few words, I’d say that life really is what you make of it. Life will give you what you put into it, but it will also give you what you deserve.

Travel Agents for Travel, Ralph Slaske for Homes

The internet has been around for multiple decades and since then, business as we know it has changed. Websites such as Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline make it more easy to book a flight, hotel, rental car than bobbing for apples and all it takes is just a few clicks of a mouse. Boom! Finished! Isn’t it interesting that even though we have these conveniences and technology to make it fast and easy, people are still hiring travel agents? They might not be as silly as  you think because working with a travel agent has some awesome benefits.

Why work with a travel agent? Probably the same reason you would call Ralph Slaske of Slaske Builders to have a home built. That one-on-one relation with someone can make all the difference in a clients experience. Travel agents are salespeople, not so much business owners, but they still are required to have an understanding of the services their agency provides and to be able to provide the best possible customer service. From travel dates to providing transportation, the travel agent is in charge of absolutely everything. The goal is to give you (the client) a stress-free traveling experience.

Travel agents are available at all times for any cause, so it doesn’t matter if you need to book travel plans for a large business trips or even just simply visiting a new area. You might be curious about those benefits I mentioned earlier. Working with a travel agent can get you some extra information. For example, there are those who are knowledgeable about geographical areas or might know your travel destination like the back of their hand. Also, travel agents work closely with vendors and if you happen to get lucky and get the right tagent, they can assist you in gett the best deals possible.

Travel and the Increasing Reliance on Technology

As someone who has spent many years traveling all over the world, I have long been accustomed to thoroughly planning trips well in advance. Preparing in this way has helped me determine how to maximize my time by prioritizing destinations and activities, and it has likewise been helpful in allowing me to recognize the obstacles I might encounter along the way. Since my friends all refer to me as “Jody Rookstool, World Conquerer,” I am often asked to help others plan out their travels as well. While I certainly enjoy offering my assistance, I find myself increasingly concerned over how technologically reliant travelers have become.

Obviously, technological advancements have made traveling so much easier for many, many reasons. This is true when traveling at home and abroad, and it is rarely the case that drivers are pulling over to unfold unwieldy maps or to ask for directions and advice. It is quite convenient to just pull out a phone, open an application and allow technology to do the work.

In most instances, relying on technology in this way is perfectly acceptable, but my concern stems from the lack of prior planning. We are not always able to count on technology to be available whenever we need it, and travelers who forgo planning in favor of just figuring it out along the way will likely find themselves wasting time while trying to decide where to go and what to do. It may seem silly or even antiquated to create a loose itinerary for a vacation, but a little planning can go a long way.

Hiking on Vacation Requires Proper Footwear

17_HikingThere are a great deal of travelers who find themselves taking long hikes while on vacation despite not really being used to this sort of activity. While it is certainly not ideal to go on a two- or three-hour hike when you haven’t been on a long hike in several years, many vacationers compound the mistake by wearing the improper footwear while doing so. Even if you are just doing some urban hiking through the city of San Francisco, California and its many inclines or even the relatively flat streets of Washington, DC, the proper footwear is of extreme importance to ensuring that your vacation is not ruined by an easily avoidable foot injury.

According to Dr. Andrew Carver, a podiatrist, there are far too many people who make easily avoidable hiking-related mistakes while on vacation. Trying to do more than you are used to is enough for you to ultimately require a visit to a podiatry clinic, but trying to do it while wearing shoes that are not designed for hiking makes an injury even more likely. The foot doctor points out that while it is possible to enjoy an injury-free hike while wearing a pair of sneakers, it is much less likely in a pair of sandals or some other inappropriate footwear choice. There is a reason that most serious hikers wear hiking boots on every hike they venture out on, and even the less rigorous hiking trails feature elements that make specialized footwear an intelligent choice.

Nobody wants to be laid up with an injury while on vacation, so Dr. Carver suggests reading up on the various reviews of any potential hiking trail to see if it will require specialty footwear. Even if it doesn’t require specific hiking boots, it is always best for you to just pack a pair of boots in case the need ultimately arises. If you do not have boots or they are not available, then you should at least make sure that you are wearing athletic sneakers and not a pair of sandals or a type of shoe that is clearly not appropriate for a lengthy hike outdoors. Abiding by these simple hiking guidelines should prove helpful if you wish to avoid dealing with foot pain or a foot injury during your vacation.

Travel Destinations Made Possible Through TIE Institute Trading

One of the most obvious benefits of a wise investment strategy is the financial freedom that is ultimately afforded by a strong return on the investment. As TIE Institute trading strategies point out, one of the most common goals among investors is to save enough money so that they can reach retirement age and have enough left over to afford to travel to all sorts of tropical destinations. While there are countless options that hold appeal for one reason or another, many investors who get the travel bug are increasingly intrigued by a handful of small South American countries, including Belize.

The country of Belize is small but has proven to be a haven for those who enjoy crystal-blue waters that reveal coral reefs brimming with life. Scuba divers and snorkelers often head to Belize simply for the opportunity to discover the rich diversity of life that thrives all along the coast of the South American country, but there is much more to discover in Belize aside from just its underwater inhabitants.

Many smart investors have found that the arts and culture of Belize are quite appealing, and there are many who see real estate in the country as a unique investment opportunity that works just as well as a vacation property. The wildlife of Belize is captivating, the people are accommodating and the cuisine is unique yet delicious. Visitors to this country rarely leave disappointed, and the possibility of frequent travel to the country is motivation for consistently strong investment strategies.

RV Travel

untitled (238) untitled (237)RV travel is like no other.  I am full time in my motor home for the last ten years.  It has been a real adventure.  We tow a Buick Enclave behind the motor home and explore in it.  Where ever we go I have everything with me.  The storage in the motor home is limited but we found a way for it to work for us.  If you are considering going full time you should do it while you are healthy.  Many wait too long and miss out on the dream.  Kim Bettasso is a fellow full timer and loves it.