:::::
"... It was a great experience talking and brainstorming in your classes this summer... I feel I have a much clearer picture in my head on how to complete the last two chapters of my dissertation. Thanks for your help. You're an inspiration to me." - Mandi Batalo, Chair, Art Department, San Bernardino Valley College.
:::::
"Your two classes taught me so much about what I wanted and needed out of a career. In part two you had a section that asked to describe your perfect day now and in five years, ten years and on. Working with my mom as a realtor enables me to have the flexibility to still be there for my kids. She was always there for me growing up and I now know that I will continue to be there for my kids even though I am working. Tony, thank you for everything!!!" and then, "...You really got me through a turning point in my life!!!" - Suzanne Weinstock, Graphic Designer, Real Estate Consultant
:::::
"Hi Tony- Thanks so much for all you do. You are so generous and last night was yet another highlight of the year for me as well as all the Tony-ites. It's so fascinating how the sharing and collaborating goes on and on. What great people to be a part of. Does Art Center realize how fantastic your group is? I hope so. What a great work/life philosophy every one of us have gained from your classes. If you need a testimonial or a fan for the class on facebook or linked in or anything please let me know." - Marcia Loots-Serna, Art Director, in thanks for another successful SchmoozeFest networking and inspiration session.
:::::
"Tony, Thanks so much for passing along the Kickstarter link on your blog. I think about you every day. Because you inspired me, way back at that first Photo Expo seminar I took with you, I find myself pursuing my dreams and they are becoming realities. Best, Gail"
- Photographer, Film Documentarian, and Humanitarian, Gail Mooney, Director of "Opening Our Eyes" an extraordinary documentary film about individuals around the world who make a difference.
:::::
"Hi Tony, Hope all is well, thank you for writing on my FB wall. Well, since I left (Editor's note- my previous corporate job) in June, I have gone wild chasing my dream as you know it...
On the 4th day I picked up two new baby peregrine falcons and started a new journey in uncharted territory. After the initial training period, I went up to central CA drumming up bird abatement work at the vineyards. (As the grapes ripen, the starlings and blackbirds come pouring in thousands at a time and cause millions of dollars of crop damage to large corporate wine operations, and traditionally they are controlled by shooting, poisoning, trapping, netting and so on. These methods are not only not (in)effective, they are considered environmentally unsafe and politically incorrect...) After a short period I was fortunate to land a few big corporate contracts with Berringer, Merridran, Taz, Rancho Real and Goat Rock, protecting their grapes with falconry birds; it is a natural predator/pray relationship that the nuisance birds want no part of. I was out on the vineyards 12 hours a day 7 days a week for two months straight flying 5 falcons... It was a true dream come true for me, training falcons, playing with them all day and making big bucks while I was at it.
I could be doing this six months out of the year and not have to worry about working the rest of the year, and if I do, it will be all gravy. The best part of it is that the harvest season ends in Oct. and that is when my falconry season starts, so here I am in WY for a month flying sage grouse and I will be going to MO in pursue of sharp-tailed grouse and partridge soon. I am living the life I always dreamed of...Best regards,"
- Vahe' D'Ala, Falconer, Photographer, Entrepreneur
:::::
"Hi Tony, Yesterday, John and I spoke before some 200 advertising students of 399-year old University of Santo Tomas in Manila. John started his presentation by talking about dreams. While showing pictures of you with students at your school (more of Art Center because his audience was composed of advertising sudents), he mentioned the dreams that your students expressed during our brief meeting with them. He told them that visiting Art Center College of Design made him wish he had gone through school. He told them that he, too, has a dream - and that is to make Adphoto world class, and himself, instead of retiring as he was considering before we left on this last trip, he dreams of becoming a world-class photographer. He encouraged them to dream.
Of course, he talked also about Photography with a Difference, and he also challenged them to make a difference. (Editor's note: PWD is a worldwide movement started by John and Harvey Chua in which photographers volunteer their time to work with people with special needs)
Best regards,"
- Harvey Chua, co-founder of Adphoto Studio, Manila, The Philippines
:::::
"Just wanted to let you know that one of your fledglings is about to fly the nest and begin 'living the dream!' On April 20th I am beginning a new position at the University of Oxford, as the communications and marketing manager for their department of continuing education. I'm terrifically excited at the opportunity to broaden beyond web communications, and to utilize not only my graphic design skills but also do some writing and strategizing. It's a brand new position, and I will be the first holder of it. It makes me remember all the wonderful work we all did in your 'Crafting a Meaningful Career' class. That was a few years ago now, but it was definitely the starting point for the discussions, dreams and actions that led to the desired outcome! So hats off to you for being one heck of an inspiring friend and teacher."
- Gail Anderson, Communications and Marketing Manager, Oxford University, Department of Continuing Education
:::::
"...I am wondering if everyone understands the value of taking this amazing class (Crafting a Meaningful Career-Part 2-formerly Living the Dream). Those who have taken Crafting a Meaningful Career and even those of us who have taken living the dream once but are still working on the dream and could use it to be in a collective that is the 'dream' class. I think of the class more like a creative health club where instead of going to achieve a specific goal (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.) and go away, or you join up to work consistently and have that extra support, opportunity to gain knowledge about how to do something now that you're at a new level. All with the goal toward making your dream or getting more traction...on having the life on a day in and day out basis that you want. If you need anyone to come speak to your current 'craft' for a few minutes as to the benefit I received by 'dream' I'd be happy to. ...(It's) an ongoing workshop/collaborative of fabulous peers like bloomsbury group/algonquin roundtable and a rockstar at the helm.
- Alena St. James, Creative Director
:::::
"Thanks to Tony Luna's class I came to the realization that the only thing between me and my aspirations was my lack of taking initiative. Tony's class opened my eyes to what might be possible and what was once a dream has now become a reality“
– Maureen Thurston-Chartraw, Founder/Principal, Access International; Second Road Pty, Ltd., Sydney, Australia, Design Leverage Consultant
:::::
“Seems the class ('Living the Dream' ) itself is living, breathing testimony to your 'Living the Dream.' You’re like the pitch man for the Hair Club for Men –‘I’m not only its president, I’m a client too.’ (Editor's note: Part of Randall's objective was to move to a more creatively conducive place.) We bought a place last week...downriver of Portland. Our place is 5444 square feet–lots of room for me to work!”
– Randall Jahnson, Screenwriter
:::::
“Tony, I have another update for the year. First I set my website as my first goal and reached that in January. Then I set a goal to have a showing of my work. I have been involved in two small shows a already this year. The next goal was to be accepted into a juried show. Saturday I submitted three pieces to be considered… All three of my pieces have been accepted. Just thought you would like to know what you encouraged.”
"Tony is a great mentor. Through his guidance I was able to realize where my gifts were the strongest. Opportunities opened up, and as long as I stay focused on my passion, I create successfully. Tony helped me take the first step and I will be forever grateful."
– Robin Neudorfer, Artist
:::::
"Tony, Thanks so much for passing along the Kickstarter link on your blog. I think about you every day. Because you inspired me, way back at that first Photo Expo seminar I took with you, I find myself pursuing my dreams and they are becoming realities. Best, Gail"
- Photographer, Film Documentarian, and Humanitarian, Gail Mooney, Director of "Opening Our Eyes" an extraordinary documentary film about individuals around the world who make a difference.
:::::
"Hi Tony, Hope all is well, thank you for writing on my FB wall. Well, since I left (Editor's note- my previous corporate job) in June, I have gone wild chasing my dream as you know it...
On the 4th day I picked up two new baby peregrine falcons and started a new journey in uncharted territory. After the initial training period, I went up to central CA drumming up bird abatement work at the vineyards. (As the grapes ripen, the starlings and blackbirds come pouring in thousands at a time and cause millions of dollars of crop damage to large corporate wine operations, and traditionally they are controlled by shooting, poisoning, trapping, netting and so on. These methods are not only not (in)effective, they are considered environmentally unsafe and politically incorrect...) After a short period I was fortunate to land a few big corporate contracts with Berringer, Merridran, Taz, Rancho Real and Goat Rock, protecting their grapes with falconry birds; it is a natural predator/pray relationship that the nuisance birds want no part of. I was out on the vineyards 12 hours a day 7 days a week for two months straight flying 5 falcons... It was a true dream come true for me, training falcons, playing with them all day and making big bucks while I was at it.
I could be doing this six months out of the year and not have to worry about working the rest of the year, and if I do, it will be all gravy. The best part of it is that the harvest season ends in Oct. and that is when my falconry season starts, so here I am in WY for a month flying sage grouse and I will be going to MO in pursue of sharp-tailed grouse and partridge soon. I am living the life I always dreamed of...Best regards,"
- Vahe' D'Ala, Falconer, Photographer, Entrepreneur
:::::
"Hi Tony, Yesterday, John and I spoke before some 200 advertising students of 399-year old University of Santo Tomas in Manila. John started his presentation by talking about dreams. While showing pictures of you with students at your school (more of Art Center because his audience was composed of advertising sudents), he mentioned the dreams that your students expressed during our brief meeting with them. He told them that visiting Art Center College of Design made him wish he had gone through school. He told them that he, too, has a dream - and that is to make Adphoto world class, and himself, instead of retiring as he was considering before we left on this last trip, he dreams of becoming a world-class photographer. He encouraged them to dream.
Of course, he talked also about Photography with a Difference, and he also challenged them to make a difference. (Editor's note: PWD is a worldwide movement started by John and Harvey Chua in which photographers volunteer their time to work with people with special needs)
Best regards,"
- Harvey Chua, co-founder of Adphoto Studio, Manila, The Philippines
:::::
"Just wanted to let you know that one of your fledglings is about to fly the nest and begin 'living the dream!' On April 20th I am beginning a new position at the University of Oxford, as the communications and marketing manager for their department of continuing education. I'm terrifically excited at the opportunity to broaden beyond web communications, and to utilize not only my graphic design skills but also do some writing and strategizing. It's a brand new position, and I will be the first holder of it. It makes me remember all the wonderful work we all did in your 'Crafting a Meaningful Career' class. That was a few years ago now, but it was definitely the starting point for the discussions, dreams and actions that led to the desired outcome! So hats off to you for being one heck of an inspiring friend and teacher."
- Gail Anderson, Communications and Marketing Manager, Oxford University, Department of Continuing Education
:::::
"...I am wondering if everyone understands the value of taking this amazing class (Crafting a Meaningful Career-Part 2-formerly Living the Dream). Those who have taken Crafting a Meaningful Career and even those of us who have taken living the dream once but are still working on the dream and could use it to be in a collective that is the 'dream' class. I think of the class more like a creative health club where instead of going to achieve a specific goal (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.) and go away, or you join up to work consistently and have that extra support, opportunity to gain knowledge about how to do something now that you're at a new level. All with the goal toward making your dream or getting more traction...on having the life on a day in and day out basis that you want. If you need anyone to come speak to your current 'craft' for a few minutes as to the benefit I received by 'dream' I'd be happy to. ...(It's) an ongoing workshop/collaborative of fabulous peers like bloomsbury group/algonquin roundtable and a rockstar at the helm.
- Alena St. James, Creative Director
:::::
"Thanks to Tony Luna's class I came to the realization that the only thing between me and my aspirations was my lack of taking initiative. Tony's class opened my eyes to what might be possible and what was once a dream has now become a reality“
– Maureen Thurston-Chartraw, Founder/Principal, Access International; Second Road Pty, Ltd., Sydney, Australia, Design Leverage Consultant
:::::
“Seems the class ('Living the Dream' ) itself is living, breathing testimony to your 'Living the Dream.' You’re like the pitch man for the Hair Club for Men –‘I’m not only its president, I’m a client too.’ (Editor's note: Part of Randall's objective was to move to a more creatively conducive place.) We bought a place last week...downriver of Portland. Our place is 5444 square feet–lots of room for me to work!”
– Randall Jahnson, Screenwriter
:::::
“Tony, I have another update for the year. First I set my website as my first goal and reached that in January. Then I set a goal to have a showing of my work. I have been involved in two small shows a already this year. The next goal was to be accepted into a juried show. Saturday I submitted three pieces to be considered… All three of my pieces have been accepted. Just thought you would like to know what you encouraged.”
"Tony is a great mentor. Through his guidance I was able to realize where my gifts were the strongest. Opportunities opened up, and as long as I stay focused on my passion, I create successfully. Tony helped me take the first step and I will be forever grateful."
– Robin Neudorfer, Artist
:::::
