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 FACILITYCalgary publisher Mark Kolke, in conversation with Shelley Goldbeck

 
 
December 31, 2013
 
For this last interview of the year I wanted to select someone outside my norm – not a commercial real estate person, not an oil & gas person – someone who struck me this year as more than merely interesting, but fascinating.  Someone who had an influence on me (OK, so my waistline isn’t shrinking as fast as it should, but she’s been an influence on my changed eating habits), someone worth our readers investing some time to know, someone a little bit provocative, someone who looks and acts like someone who fits into any crowd – yet someone who stands out and stands proud from that crowd. Meet Shelley Goldbeck : 
 
 
We have much in common – a golden retriever, 2 marriages, 2 divorces, 2 daughters, a love of public speaking (Toastmasters), both grew up in Red Deer, attended the same high school (she was quite a few years after me), have some common family issues (alcoholism) and writing. 
 
Last spring, at a convention banquet in Saskatoon – you know the situation, everyone is herded to tables and you look for a table where you know someone but find yourself at a table for 8 where you don’t know anyone. There I was, seated next to someone I didn’t know. Lucky me! And three hours went by so quickly. I’d met Shelley Goldbeck.  It turns out we grew up in Red Deer – she was a rural kid, I was city. We have many common interests, she is charming and a very clear thinker – and direct. Time flew . . . 
 
Her career resume covers a wide range – recruiter, auto industry marketing, radio advertising sales, recruiting again, most recently with Golder until the recruiters outnumbered the vacancies, when the inevitable soft landing followed. She’s exploring opportunities – with no shortage of irons in several interesting fires.
 
She speaks of our ignorance – lack of awareness of what goes into our bodies - “I would like to lead a revolution that leads people into growing their own food.” Her business card describes her as ‘Thinker, Writer, Speaker, Marketer’, her current newest business adventure – Whole Real Food – focused on food and wellbeing. Shelley is focused on educating people about food issues. Her ambition - to market books, consulting services, writing and speaking . . . and to do it ‘virtually’ all winter from Phoenix where she and partner Doug have a 2nd home.

  
 

 

Why the interest in food and health?
… I’ve always been interested. I wanted to be a doctor. But I needed my sleep! I couldn’t imagine making it through residency . . . 
 
I asked Shelley how she sees the market for her business over the next quarter; what’s the marketplace like for the next 90 days?
… Optimism. I have a new book coming out 'Vern the Worm' about Vermicomposting. I have 4 book projects in the works and will be re-publishing an auto leasing manual I wrote a number of years ago.
 
And over the next 5 years?
…. more of the same. There are hundreds of thousands of new works being published every year!  Working, writing, speaking … winters in Phoenix.
 
What qualities distinguish your preferred colleagues, collaborators and suppliers?
… integrity is #1. I’m interested in ethical products. I won't buy food products from China. I don’t believe we can rely on quality because we don’t know the source or process. Closer to home, I won’t buy feed-lot produced meat.
 
What distinguishes you that causes people choose Shelley to deal with, why do they choose her?
… I’ve learned I can’t be all things to all people. For my clients, everything I do is about ‘you’, my client. My goal is for ‘you’ to be a better human being. Good questions make a difference – good questions can reveal the world. My skill – getting people to feel good.
 
What do you lose sleep over, what do you worry about?
… I sleep like a baby. I don’t believe in worrying.
 
Who or what influenced you most – that has made a difference in your life, or that was a major turning point?
… my grandmother. She influences me every day even though she’s been gone 5 years. My father – smartest man I’ve ever known – both positive and negative influences. By many people I’ve met who’ve convinced me that life long learning is a reason to be.
 
Work life balance?
… I work from the time I get up in the morning till I go to bed at night. If you find something you love it isn’t work. Golf. Gardening. Walking my golden retriever. In 2000 we flew/golfed across Canada – 14 of the best courses in 21 days; biggest disappointment was Glen Abbey, best value, was Kananaskis.
 
What do you read?
… 2 books a week. Whatever inspires me. 50% novels, 50% business and health related. Recently I’ve  been reading books on religion and philosophy – like the Book of Mormon, The Holy Quran to name a few.
 
Her ride?
… 2006 Ford F150 4X4

  
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