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by Dr. Alexis Macklin Smith

Dr. Shellie Hipsky, was recently honored as the “2013 Best Business Women in Pittsburgh” by the Women’s Small Business Association for her company Inspiring Lives, LLC.  A skilled networker, she knows that the key is to find the right people who understand your vision, and can benefit from it.  As was featured in Inspirational Woman Magazine, when launching her TV talk show, Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie, she organized her Inspiring Lives Team to help bring her dream to fruition.  Realizing she needed a photographer, she asked her friend Gail Lace who took beautiful pictures if she would do the job.  Initially, her colleague refused saying that she was not a photographer, but Dr. Shellie responded, “Just stick with me.  You are who you want to be. We will be able to fill a photography portfolio with the pictures from the red carpet to the TV set.”  Now, her colleague is taking pictures for a major Chicago newspaper.  As Dr. Shellie says, “You really never know where you will go until you put yourself out there!”

She attributes jumpstarting careers to being a teacher at her core.  Years ago, she taught children with special needs in the elementary classroom and her teaching has spanned to the doctoral students she currently works with as an Associate Professor at Robert Morris University. Her international presentations include the United Way Powerful Connections for Women, The University of Oxford in England, and she will be keynoting on cruise ship in Cozumel for Women on Board for Success. Dr. Shellie lives her mission statement of globally educating, entertaining, and inspiring people as she looks for the unique skills and that each person has to offer.

EPN Magazine stated to Dr. Shellie, “You are the role model to thousands of young women and currently branching out internationally, what advice do you have for the countless women and teenage girls wanting to following in your footsteps?” She replied that it is vital to see that you have innate gifts and skills inside that that when paired with a strong vision can make amazing things happen for yourself and others.

One thing she stresses is the importance of good mentors who can help you identify your strengths, and accept your weaknesses.  One of her books, which was co-authored by her doctoral student, Claudia Aramani-Bavaro, is Mentoring Magic: Pick the Card for Your Success.  This book shows how to find, form, and sustain mentoring relationships and how to network. She explains you should, “Seek out people who have done what you want to accomplish and pair up with them as you achieve your own goals.”

A volunteer since a very young age, she was shown the beauty of helping others from her mother Libby Jacobs who engaged her family in helping people with HIV/AIDS. Even though she collaborates daily with incredible women to serve, she will always recognize her mother as her top role model for giving back to others.

Now Dr. Shellie dedicates time and energy to raising awareness for multiple organizations for women and children here and abroad (such as Milagros Day Worldwide, Treasure House Fashions, and There Is No Limit Foundation). The charity that she has raised the most money for is the Homeless Children’s Education Fund and she does this by hosting and headlining fabulous Broadway-style performances at galas. She loves to pass on the passion for volunteering with her young daughter who plays and reads to the babies in the homeless shelter as her mother does Mommy Makeovers and other volunteer work.

This often beautifully-styled fashionista is truly a master networker. She knows the art of finding likeminded people who have a passion for helping others.  Her latest book, Ordinary People Extraordinary People focused on those who conquered obstacles and supported others in their goals through charities. Her 6^th book, in progress, is about how to build collaborations based on commonalities and strong networks. Clearly, she has done this in building her own company and she wants to share the stories and tips from her guests on her respected radio show Empowering Women.

Dr. Shellie Hipsky is constantly asked how others can help with her many missions to help women and children. Fortunately, she created a new way to look fabulous and give back through Inspiring Lives.  “Shop for a Cause” raises money for the Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF) by providing fantastic European styles that are featured on the cover of this EPN Magazine. Women around the globe can participate by purchasing the incredible Italian line of shoes and accessories from Primadonna Collections PrimadonnaCollectionUSA.com (which launches its English version this month). Also, she is the “Travel Woman of the Month” for Anatomie European Travel Clothes for Women  and they are also giving back a portion of proceeds to help the homeless children. By aligning Inspiring Lives with unique brands that women want and love, she is helping others while keeping us looking and feeling great! www.anatomiewear.com

Learn more or contact Dr. Shellie Hipsky through ShellieHipsky.com.

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