“Be your own boss”
Love is an all encompassing word that defines Linda and her life, from family, friends, animals, nature, art and teaching, to all things visual.
Linda received her BFA in Fine Arts from Syracuse University in 1971 with a dual focus in painting and illustration. She pivoted to Display so she could earn a living while being creative. In the early 80’s, she was invited to write a textbook for John Wiley & Sons on Visual Merchandising which automatically positioned her as an expert in her field. There was a magic moment on a hill in Malibu overlooking the Pacific when a friend asked her “what do you want from your career?”.She answered “to be considered an expert in my field.” She received the offer to write the book one week after stating her desire. To this day she still wishes that she had also said “and wealthy!”
After the book was published in 1984, she started Toastmasters to help her get over fear of public speaking. Within a year, she was giving seminars professionally. The seminars and book led to writing Visual Standards manuals for Lancome, Saks Fifth Avenue, Singer Sewing Machine Company, AMEX TRS, and United Rentals plus half a dozen additional companies. Thanks to her work in visual merchandising, Linda has traveled to over 36 countries and presented over 450 seminars nationally and internationally. She also taught visual merchandising at Parsons School of Design for 12 years in NYC and at The Art Institute of Portland for 8 years. During the last 26 years she has been a columnist for five B2B magazines on retail design topics. Currently, she writes for three magazines.
Being an entrepreneur by nature since she was a teen, Linda is continuing to work because she loves it. When Covid hit, her business lost strength, followed by the death of her husband in December 2020. At this point, she had to refocus how and where to put her energy. 2020 was an awful year – but Linda finds that life has gotten progressively better. She is working on two non-retail related books as well as a coloring book of her black and white artwork. She would like to accomplish these tasks while sprinkling in more retail design consultations, seminars, and psychic counseling – which she has been doing since 1977.
Linda tries to do what she loves in her work and life. Leos are ruled by love and Linda is no exception to that rule. Time spent with friends is vital to her happiness and she wishes her family lived closer. When not in extrovert mode, she loves spending time with her two cats that barely tolerate each other. She is hoping for a true love for this next chapter in her life to add to her daily joy.
