Kimberlie Dykeman Enterprises- alive and kicking!

I am having a good-ole-time getting back to business… and it doesn’t hurt that I have a pulled in a fabulously sharp, driven and insightful marketing mind to support my efforts.

Chris Sommella is one helluva great asset to Kimberlie Dykeman Enterprises (hint, hint: look for more developments between our two businesses!).  Take a peek at his background as a media creation specialist as well as fellow producer and marketing buzzsaw.   www.linkedin.com/in/chrissommella

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One client on the docket now that KDE and Sommella have been collaborating on is an up-and-coming restaurant named Fork & Vine, an Austin Kitchen & Wine Bar launching this Fall.  KDE is managing and directing market research, marketing plan design, website consulting, content creation, media coaching and all social media, PR, and community event initiatives.

In a nutshell, F&V will be a totally refreshing addition to the Shoal Creek scene, and promises to shake up bygone traditions by pairing Austin-inspired (meaning eclectic!), multi-layered cuisine with an incredible selection of off-the-grid wine, crisp sake and craft beer in a down-to-earth, feel-good atmosphere.

Running the kitchen is part-owner Chef Camden Stuerzenberger, described by Austin Style Magazine as an “architect of culinary innovations at newer Austin icons.  He is the former Executive Chef and COO of Bess Bistro and Walton’s Fancy & Staple, and former Executive Chef of South Congress Cafe and Hickory Street.  Chris Howell is the on-site Sommelier who represents today’s modern wine expert. He’s an adventurous and sophisticated connoisseur with an accessible, laid back street trailer foodie persona. (FYI: he is the man behind Fat Cactus.  Yumm!)  Running the front-of-the-house is Christopher Diehl (lovingly referred to as the “&” in Fork & Vine) who strives for excellence from doorway to dishwasher, first sip to last bite.   He is a former Manager of Austin’s Perry’s Steakhouse and 15-year industry veteran.

All the details you want are here:   @forkvine   www.facebook.com/forkvine  Plus the first press releases are out!  http://forkandvineaustin.blogspot.com

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Another client is one dude you would never forget meeting!  The man is a whirlwind of optimism, ideas, activity and curiosity… which is of course why I just adore him and working with him!  Paul Hekimian and I met years ago when I lived in L.A. – a friend in Texas said look this guy up, and it turned out that Paul lived literally right down the street from me in Santa Monica!  But it wasn’t until I moved back to Austin that he had an “aha” to ask me to coach him in developing a platform for his public speaking dreams.  I had an absolute blast helping develop everything from his brand to pitch to presentation and marketing initiatives for about a year.  Come full circle in 2014, Paul reached out again for my expertise in relaunching his brand to encompass his growing breadth of business pursuits and continuation of his speaking platform, now in niche market.

Besides overall business coaching, KDE is assisting and directing market research, marketing plan design, website consulting, content creation and media coaching, plus social media, PR, and community event initiatives. Again I engaged Chris Sommella to  collaborate on the development of a fresh brand and killer website that encompasses all Paul can deliver!  Additionally, we had to figure out how to include Paul’s speaking offerings and tie in additional companies and nonprofits with which he is deeply integrated.  And so… World, meet the new Paul Hekimian…with his new umbrella company Pacific Street Inc., a consulting firm that empowers law firms and legal entities with cutting-edge technologies for business development, logistics, shipping, and court reporting.    And so much more!   Check him out here too:  @paulsitive   https://www.facebook.com/paul.hekimian

Copyright by Kimberlie Dykeman

About Kimberlie Dykeman: Kimberlie Dykeman is an on-camera personality, marketing buzzsaw, producer, media coach… and entrepreneur for OPTIMISM.

Getting back to business: on the road to recovery

In a recent post I chose to spill the beans about my battle with mercury poisoning, wherein toxic levels of mercury from fish (and God knows what else) have taken have taken their toll on my physical health and mental capabilities.  The journey to reclaiming my total wellbeing is still an uphill challenge but I am happy to feel so much more engaged with LIFE!  And that includes my CAREER!  (After all, KD ain’t a trust-fund-baby nor lottery winner… plus I love being an entrepreneur!)

Reevaluating the important things in life and what I want to accomplish next though my business as a whole was a recurring effort last year that had me spinning in circles much of the time.  It wasn’t until just a few months ago that I felt a new awakening and slow-growing clarity around what I really want NOW and how do things a little differently.  Admittedly, this is still on-going, and I’m sure you can dig why… there’s a boatload of mossed-over stuff to sift out when you step back!  All this said, I am committed to being an active, connected and (hopefully) inspiring citizen again and look forward to sharing the results both in the virtual and real world.  (There are a few surprises just around the corner!)  Thanks to everyone who was there for me and who continue to support me!  Here’s a little reminder to those who are also going through rough times…

“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.”     ~ Gospel of Thomas, the Bible

 Our entire lives, we’re consumed with acquiring “the right gear” to survive “the game of life.”  We prepare for rough terrain, erratic weather, restless natives, and, of course, limited supplies!  Then we create safe havens in which to hide and hoard our gear.  It’s always all about “the stuff’ you can “stuff” around you.  Yet, when it comes down to brass tacks, the toys and tools aren’t your saving grace.  What is…is the “stuff” within you.  Gut instincts, a sense of humor, personal faith, the drive to succeed, integrity and the ability to love.  Trust that it’s exactly what you need to navigate safely, and your abundant stash will never run out.   ~ KD

Copyright by Kimberlie Dykeman

About Kimberlie Dykeman: Kimberlie Dykeman is an on-camera personality, marketing buzzsaw, producer, media coach… and entrepreneur for OPTIMISM.

Dykeman is back in the art studio- making a fabulous mess with…doors?

So, when I first started created my 3D art (ala my crosses), it was an extension of the oil and acrylic canvass painting I have done on and off since college.  Plus an expression of my faith and love for nature.  When I found the courage to call on galleries and show them my larger pieces…they were a little worried (meaning off-put) about a collection with the bulk of pieces being crosses.  Of course…I get it, because gas masks on animal sculptures and profanity in images is what society is more comfortable with!   THAT SAID… I have realized that I love being creative regardless of the damn shape of the finished product!  And so the challenge to find unique foundations to my technique began.  My last few were 1930s frames from a home… and I loved creating them!

The shots below are my largest works thus far- this is the first of a set of old doors that I just dig, if I do say so myself!  Here is a play-by-play of the whole creation process.

FYI:  You can peruse my latest creations and past works (many are sold) here: Facebook Albums

And invest in pieces for your home, office, large space or as a gift:  www.etsy.com/shop/kimberliedykeman

Including hearts, crosses, large composites, frames plus prints and cards of the works are also available… they are close-up shots that reveal the brilliance from paint seeping through the crevasses of the plaster!

Each piece is truly one of a kind and goes through several stages of creation.  Solid woods are rough sanded then a layering and drying process is repeated with 2-4 different types of plasters and other compounds.  When painted with layers of colorful of oils and acrylics, the result is a gorgeous, weathered neoclassical, abstract or Renaissance look.  Varnish seals the work with a stunning high gloss and adds long lasting protection. All are ready for display and hanging and are signed, titled and dated.   Included with each piece of art is a note from yours truly and one of my signature, published motivational vignettes that personally delivers perspective, optimism and purpose!

As for what’s in the studio under construction now…. OOOOHHH just you wait!

Copyright by Kimberlie Dykeman

About Kimberlie Dykeman: Kimberlie Dykeman is an on-camera personality, marketing buzzsaw, producer, media coach… and entrepreneur for OPTIMISM.

If it ain’t Freddie, mercury just ain’t cool.

     Sooooo… it’s been a while since I was a blip on the social media scene and writing things of purpose, possibility or influence.  (I know folks take short virtual unpluggings all the time- after all, FB and TW can get annoying, political, all-consuming, and downright pathetic sometimes.)  Needless to say, it’s been a while since I was truly involved in the online social space, and after months of hearing folks call or write or say “Kimberlie, where have you been hiding?” or “I miss your updates and motivational stuff!” or “Geez, I thought you left Austin!” or even  “Are you avoiding me??”…I thought it was high time I spilled the beans. Because OFFLINE it had been a while since I was truly involved in my LIFE, career, the community, charity activities and even my friendships.  Here’s why.

In September 2013, I was lucky to have been diagnosed with MERCURY POISONING– or high mercury toxicity.  Now let me be the first to say, if it ain’t Freddie, mercury just ain’t cool.  But I say lucky because I found a bright, curious and determined doctor who helped deduce what was making me so ill…and perhaps saved my life from future devastating disease.  And I’m writing today in hopes that my story might plant the seed for others to review their own health situations and investigate to find answers and solutions to what they thought were just things that they’d have to live with.

Here’s my backstory:  Fifty bucks says you’ve experienced a day in the past year wherein you felt like…how do I say?… absolute shit.  Like you got run over by an 18-wheeler on I35.  Body and brain = mush.  Now there’s a chance you know the WHY behind said situation –and even “earned” it.  Regardless, it ain’t fun.  Well, that’s a succinct yet spot-on summary of how I felt throughout the entirety of 2013;  wherein I spent most of my days staring at the ceiling of my loft- that is, when I wasn’t fast asleep.  I couldn’t stay awake for more than a few hours, let alone even focus on a task or have clear thoughts.  I was constantly exhausted, thirsty, cold, fidgety, in pain; had numbness, ringing in my ears, anxiety, weakness in my muscles, no sex drive (what!), and loss of balance…did I mention tired?!  I’d forget names and places; forget where I was going or driving; couldn’t make a clear decision on anything, and felt underwater and overwhelmed.  In a nutshell I felt like hell -inside and out- like I’d been run over by a Mack Truck and was recovering from emotional and mental drain every single day.  From the outside you couldn’t really tell that there was anything wrong; but what went unseen was attacking my body and mind from the inside-out.  And not knowing WHY was killing me too!  www.epa.gov/mercury/effects.htm  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning 

The roller coaster of health crap, beginning back in 2008 when I was first diagnosed with thyroid issues.  Meds were not the answer but I should have paid attention and dug deeper!  Hindsight, folks, hindsight.  The years following led me through low white and red blood cell count, a flat line of progesterone/estrogen/testosterone (meaning no cycle for TWO YEARS!), a thyroid under attack of antibodies (Hashimoto’s), heart palpitations, and adrenal failure (flatlined cortisol levels).  Yup, I was the life of the party.

The culprit of all of this was one f*#ing simple word:  FISH.  Since my days of old as a personal trainer through the past few years (where I excluded meat, dairy, poultry and eggs) … my diet has revolved around fish for protein.  And, long story short, after a slew of docs, research, and my own experimentation, in late 2013 I was blessed to finally have found one physician who was insightful enough to ask a very simple question: what does your diet look like?  A question most MDs NEVER care to ask, let alone investigate.  Revealing my eating habits pointed straight to my fish intake, and then the connecting-of-the-dots revealed a very clear picture.  Expensive tests further showed highly toxic levels of mercury in my body that had built up over the years and was nesting in my brain, central nervous system, organs (incl female organs), and thyroid.  And so the long, painstaking process of getting that evil stuff out began…

 “Your body is the only thing you are guaranteed to keep for a lifetime; if you have your health, anything is possible.”   – Dan Millman, author

 Today, I am still chelating the mercury out of my body, taking a crapload of supplements and concoctions, drinking purified water, avoiding fish (still), caffeine, alcohol, candy (and a bunch of other delightful things that make life more yummy at times)… but I feel LIKE A MILLION BUCKS compared to where I had been!!  My body and brain are beginning to function at a higher level and I find peace in knowing that I may have staved off some devastating issues in the future.  Once I knew what was wrong, I knew I could find out how to make things right… if I invested the time and resources.  And I did. 

So, beware, my friends!  I’m getting back in the swing of things and will be firing it up online soon: launching a new site, creating more art and readying for a gallery showing, self-publishing a few new books, and hitting the town again!  I hope to see you out there, hear from you and be able to help you… now that I have the energy to give again and be play a role in the game of LIFE again!

 Cheers to your health and all the possibilities that life has!     ~  Kimberlie

*** P.S.   If any of my story prompts questions or thoughts you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to ping me.  I’m not one to pimp doctors or solutions but wanted to at least share some basic ideas that might get you thinking about MERCURY POISONING and perhaps being proactive in addressing those lingering questions in the back of your mind: why don’t I feel good? What’s wrong with my body? Where do I begin?

SUGGESTIONS:

Write down what you eat (and I mean everything, including what kind of water) for at least a week.  Be specific about the fish and protein powders and any foods with additives/preservatives/artificial colors and stuff.  Write down all of your vitamins and medications.  Think through how you have been feeling over the past 6-12 months and what has changed negatively…then journal notes to share with your doc. Apps can be a great help here!

  • GET THEE TO A SPECIALIST!  I am happy to tell you about my doc (Dr. Sellma Vllasi @ www.wisemanfamilypractice.com) and also share the research I found to point you to other/alternative practitioners.
  • Have extensive blood work done to check WBC, RBC, thyroid, female hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), metal levels (mercury, arsenic, lead), cholesterol, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B-12, folic Acid, C-reactive protein.
  • Take a saliva cortisol test to assess your cortisol rhythm and levels throughout the day. Cost ~$125 which your doc or www.peoplesrx.com can provide.
  • Get a tissue mineral analysis (a.k.a. hair analysis test) to more thoroughly examine all levels of nutritional elements and toxic elements in your body.  Invaluable information includes: explanation of toxic elements and their sources; ratios of good elements to bad elements in your body; how your metabolism type comes into play; complications from toxic metals; possible sources of toxic metals in your diet and suggestions of what to eliminate immediately; dietary suggestions and supplementation.  Cost ~$125. The gent my doc referred me to is Anthony Passeur, CCH @ www.harmonyhealthaustin.com.
  • Check your dental history.  Get new x-rays to see if there is leaking and talk to your dentist about removing and replacing those metals fillings with something nontoxic.  I am happy to tell you about my dude, Matthew Steinberg, DDS @ www.designerdentist.com.

Copyright by Kimberlie Dykeman

About Kimberlie Dykeman: Kimberlie Dykeman is an oncamera personality, marketing buzzsaw, producer, media coach… and entrepreneur for OPTIMISM.