GRAND Magazine - July/August 2018 - 18

cover story

Highlights from our conversation with Judy...
Hiring a banner plane to get a job? - I buzzed the CEO's office for a

Click here for the unabridged
interview and Judy's full bio
18 GRAND

MAY JUNE 2018

and bring joy and happiness into my life. I never dreamed I would get to go to
week with a banner saying "Hire Judy George, She'll Make You Money" until the all their sports games or teachers' meetings. I was so busy with the struggles of
police came to inform me to cease and desist whereby we all started to cry and running a business I didn't have the time or the opportunity to do that. Two of
my grandchildren have already exhibited entrepreneurial tendencies and have
the policeman winked at me and told me "it might have gotten you the job!"
helped with the launch in social media of our newest
On what motivated her - As a middle child I needed
concept, Envie.
and wanted recognition and dreamed a lot about being a
On being a good grandmother - I had to let go
movie star like Tarzan and Jane only I wanted to be Tarzan.
and let their own families guide them. It was difficult in the
On her talent for interior design - Because I shared
beginning but I learned quickly that I had my chance as a
a room with my two sisters I needed to escape into my own fanparent and it wasn't my place to tell any of them how they
tasy world and needed textures and colors that made me feel
should live their lives. I loved them so much I wanted to
good so I created a tent-like atmosphere, a fairy land of sorts with
save them from the pain of the mistakes I made but everygauzy-like fabrics and textures - a dreamy place where I could live
one deserves the opportunity to make mistakes that's how
out my fantasies.
you learn about life's lessons good or bad.
How to find your interior design style - Before
My own children Robert, Simon, William and Jennifer
you can even think about decorating I think anyone, even
have been amazingly supportive, and with gentle nudging
if they're on a budget, can do what I call a scrapbook. I still
reminded me who the parents were, and I love them for that.
have my scrapbook from when I was a young teenager. I
On causes in her life - I am passionate about
called it Ideas by Judy. I'd wrap up every idea that I loved and
Alzheimer's, having lost my mother to this unforgiving
then I would go searching. It's no good to do that without
disease, and am in a study, Project Hope, to see if I can
identifying what you really want the environment to look like.
add value to their significant studies as a high-functionOn being an entrepreneur - Because both my paring woman.
ents had to work to survive I was left home a lot to babysit
I also go to schools, universities and health groups to speak about addiction.
my beautiful baby sister and it was then I dreamed about making money and
having my own business. For my first major new business venture, I took out a Having over the years been involved with food addiction, I have been blessed
with conquering this disease and want to give back this great understanding.
mortgage so I could bring my passion and vision to the customer. I longed to
I have a lot more to do before I wander off out of this world and I'm so enersell my vision of what a home should look like.
On business failures - When I finally raised a considerable amount of gized and passionate about sharing my hopes and dreams with those who care
to listen.
money, I made lots of mistakes like hiring everyone who had the exact same
On the value of grandparents and elders - Grandparents offer the
talents as I did. Not until I had failed a few times did I learn to bring individuals
most special communication that children will ever experience. To take that furin who could do those jobs much more effectively than I could. Today I know
ther, there's no reason why we can't be normal contributors to the workforce.
a lot more about talent and have learned that great employees are the most
People our age saved my career. Grandparents and people over 65 bring value
important part of any business. Without them, succeeding is impossible.
in every aspect of home, business, life, social media. They bring a vision of hope
Being a grandmother - I got a second chance of unconditional love.
Even though I'm sometimes their ATM machine, each and every one are unique and love that isn't available anywhere else in the universe.
Continued on next page

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GRAND Magazine - July/August 2018

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