Turning Passion into Action with Forrestall Consulting

Kind Business #16

Forrestall Consulting is a successful social media marketing firm in Pasadena, CA. Led by Shanna Forrestall, the company has been incredibly successful, producing digital content for major TV networks, from TruTV to the History Channel. Shanna brings a special energy to her work. In all of the content she produces, she works to highlight the humanity in others. Her company has even created projects that work to humanize social media marketing, including her presentation on “Finding the HUMANity in Social Media & Marketing.”

Shanna has made it her mission to make Forrestall Consulting a force for social good.  Most notably, Shanna has involved her company in a number of domestic disaster relief efforts in Southern Louisiana and Texas.  Born and raised in Louisiana, Shanna has a special place in her heart for those affected by natural disasters.

By partnering with organizations like Crowd Relief, the Texas Navy and the Cajun Relief Foundation, Forrestall Consulting has been able to gather supplies, solicit corporate donations, and create films targeted at motivating potential volunteers.  Shanna’s ability to see the humanity in others has allowed her to create moving content from these disaster situations. Her videos have been integral in recruiting on-the-ground volunteers and necessary aid for these disasters.

Between September 2016 and December 2016, Forrestall Consulting raised $150,000 in resources and cash donations to assist flood victims with recovery though Launch Louisiana due to the 2016 floods.  

During a natural disaster, Shanna feels that it’s important to focus on low-income areas first, as the people living in these areas can sadly be the first to be forgotten. Shanna explained to Envision Kindness that she tries to mobilize her team and others to work with special needs individuals, the elderly and veterans when doing her on-the-ground disaster relief efforts.   Shanna also frequently hires her camera crew from Actors for Autism, an organization that works to empower those who are on the autistic spectrum.

On top of their disaster relief efforts, Forrestall Consulting is constantly looking for new projects to get involved in. After taking a trip to Honduras with her father as a young girl, and seeing poverty up close, Shanna has made it a priority to help those in need.  Shanna recently organized a large art sale donation with international artists and she serves as the Glendale Hills Launch charity events coordinator.

Inspired by the work of Forrestall Consulting?  Think about how you can turn your passion into action. You can be the difference you want to see in the world.

Southern Connecticut Wine Company is Crushing Grapes and Creating a Better World

#NiceWork! Amanda Brackett, owner and founder of Southern Connecticut Wine Company in Wallingford, CT, creates some of the most interesting wines on the East Coast (try their blends).  But when you meet Amanda, you’ll notice that she loves more than a good Merlot: she loves people. She’s made her company into a force for social good. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a small-business this active in their community, this generous, and this fun to be around.

A Monterey Peninsula, CA native, Amanda loves making wine. “Making it keeps me creative, correcting faults keeps me learning and innovative, drinking it keeps me social and selling it keeps my husband happy,” she explained (My Record Journal). That passion, combined with an amazing team of all women, is leading this business to success. Southern Connecticut Wine Company is entirely owned and operated by females. They frequently use the hashtag, #girlsmakewinetoo. Amanda´s passion for female empowerment doesn’t end there – she´s a member of the the Killingworth Women’s organization too.

When she isn’t crushing grapes, Amanda is also involved in an enormous number of causes. As her business is growing, so is it’s list of charitable donations. Inspired by her husband, a veteran who was deployed the first year of their marriage in Kuwait, she serves as Chairperson of the Soldiers Box initiative, a program that sends local soldiers care packages while they are deployed. Southern Connecticut Wine Company also offers discounts to veterans, active duty service personnel and first responders.

The winery has given thousands of dollars to charity through donations including barrels of wine, winemaking classes and wine baskets to non-profits including: JDRF, Channel 3 Kids Camp, Make a Wish, Helo Haiti, Killingworth Refugee Resettlement Coalitions, Middletown Cooperative Preschools, and more. Amanda supports causes both in her neighborhood and abroad. If she hears about a group that needs assistance, she’s quick to jump in to help. Those closest to Amanda explain that she donates to so many groups, and so often, that it’s hard to keep track of them all. She’s also known to donate her space free of charge to a number of non-profits.

Want to support Amanda and SoConnWineCo.?  Stop by for a tour! And stay tuned – their online store will be up soon: http://soconnwineco.com/