Debra Gudema

Writer and nonprofit consultant Debra Gudema hails from Boca Raton, Florida. She founded Well&Co to promote and inspire a life filled with generosity and abundance. Kindness advocate Gudema and the Well&Co team encourage their followers to learn, be motivated, and be inspired.

She has also long been a supporter of many charities, nonprofits, and other deserving causes. The Christopher Reeve Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association are a few of these.
She is an accomplished novelist, a self-proclaimed smoothie queen, a classical music fan, and a loving mother of two children, in addition to her professional and humanitarian activities.

Debra Gudema works as a nonprofit consultant and writer from her office on Florida’s southeast coast. She is devoted to encouraging a blissful and tranquil life.
She has written a great deal about wellness and health as an art. Direct access to her work is provided through the Well&Co website and Thrive Global.

Gudema’s responsibilities as a writer and nonprofit consultant are many and varied. These responsibilities include but are not limited to writing quality blog posts and taking expert photographs online. Additionally, she provides guidance to nonprofits and other organizations on a variety of crucial marketing and communications-related issues.

Gudema has had a number of significant positions throughout the course of a storied career in consulting, marketing, and communications, including her most recent role at Well&Co. She is in charge of Well&Co’s Soul Sessions in which participants explore their passions through hour-long, one-on-one conversations.

Author Debra Gudema has written scores of highly regarded articles for numerous publications. The topics of these widely praised writing pieces include postpartum and mindfulness, mobile phone addiction, the effects of social media on mental health, family wellness, and tools for preventing professional burnout.

Numerous other subjects have also been explored by the author, such as fertility, pregnancy, orderliness, self-care, stress management, personal development, and the use of mindfulness in the classroom. She has previously created and promoted collections of clothes, accessories, and other products for Well&Co and other brands.
She is a supporter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and currently serves as a nonprofit consultant on the organization’s board. The APDA is the most prominent grassroots organization in the country fighting Parkinson’s disease. The group, which was established in 1961, has raised and allocated more than $225 million for patient care and educational initiatives.

Debra Gudema has a university master’s degree and was just admitted to a doctoral program in education. Programs leading to a doctorate in education are academic degrees created for professionals working in research who want to hold leadership positions in education.

She has also studied extensively throughout the years in a variety of subjects, such as meditation, health, wellness, professional writing, communications, marketing, and photography. She also boasts extensive knowledge of both classical music and art history.

Gudema, a co-founder of Well&Co, learned how to inspire and encourage others to live generous, caring lives on her own. Here, she gains an unrivaled understanding of the significance of education and motivation as they relate to the promotion of compassion and well-being more broadly

The Boca Raton-based professional’s knowledge in the aforementioned fields includes faith, the assessment of self-care, understanding of mental health issues, personal growth, and emotional fitness. She is respected as a writer on a number of themes related to wellness, financial advice, health, and food, as well as classical music.

Gudema is exceptionally proud to support a variety of nonprofits, charities, and other deserving causes.

She is equally proud to provide her support to a number of organizations that fight against bigotry and antisemitism while also promoting equality. Gudema, a lover of classical music, is also a fervent supporter of the Opera Foundation in New York City as well as the New York Philharmonic, formally known as the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York.

Gudema has begun a doctoral program in education but hasn’t wavered from her commitment to outreach work and ongoing advocacy for underserved and vulnerable populations. She uses financial donations, as well as volunteering of one’s time and resources, as outreach strategies.

Gudema strives to encourage and aid others by constantly lending a hand when necessary. She has also earned a lot of love and admiration for her work, both personally and professionally.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I have been utilizing yoga and meditation since the early 2000s and have never looked back. The practice has encouraged me to find ways to live a sustainable and healthy lifestyle as tied to fitness (stretching, yoga, meditation). I recognized my love for the yoga and meditation arena was as hearty as my love for fine arts, and that is where Well&Co came to birth. How we live our life is an art…you are the ultimate curator of your world, and if we can find ways to help and assist others or share a tad of wisdom that worked for you, then find ways to give that gift of knowledge to others.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I write in my journal every morning and reference a tarot card in my writing. Each morning I pull a card from the desk of choice (decks alternate each month) and write based on the card’s message. I always play meditation or relaxing music to help set the tone of the morning and day. Insight Timer is my go-to!

How do you bring ideas to life?

I practice what I preach, but I am human and often miss a day of writing or have fallen trap to life stressors. Covid19 and the pandemic was the most significant challenge I have faced. By default, humans are imperfectly human, and we will have bumps on the road, and while my bump was grand, it does not define me; it only empowers me to be a better version of what I was before. In life, how we face and handle our challenges is what matters. Keep your head high, as those who judge are often unhappy in their own skin.
Each day, like everyone, I strive to be better in so many ways; better at eating more vegetables, better at drinking more water, better at getting more fresh air, and better at my writing, both professionally and academically. Self-growth never stops as learning never ends till our final breath; thus, it is through this thing called life that ideas are born.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Indulgent smoothie recipes. For example, I love smoothies with chia seeds, peanut butter, berries, avocado, almond milk, and, if the craving is there, a sprinkle of paprika. A touch of spice adds a little morning boost (or mid-day boost) to the smoothie.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I have learned that it is okay to ask for help. Help has allowed my work world to grow and enable my other arenas to prosper both professionally and personally. Enlisting help in the family sector has enabled me to work more in my various career roles. As a woman, it is often hard to ask for help. We get judged too quickly for being unable to “handle it all” when in reality, so much takes a team to make things happen either at home or on the job. So, kudos to my fellow mamas (and daddies) who are down with asking for help. Help is nothing one should be ashamed of as it’s actually a huge game changer with mad props.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Stop, Drop and Meditate over and over and over. And, as the book goes, “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” because it truly is small stuff. It is so easy to fret over things out of our control, and thus we propel into a cycle of anxiety. No bueno! This is where journaling and talking to a professional come in handy. Again, nothing anyone should be ashamed of. Why is therapy not as cool as going to the gym? We need to flip the narrative because our mind deserves all the healthy nutrition and fitness as our bodies do.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Yoga really does help the mind, body, and soul connection. It’s not fluff. What’s fluff are those that perpetuate unhealthy items or less than desirable habits to distress or to heal pain. What I love about yoga is that the practice incorporates deep breathing and meditation, and if you’re lucky, your yoga teacher will read inspiring quotes and hammer healthy, positive messages into your psyche. Stretching the body does wonders as it helps release the tension we all hold. And, no, you don’t need to belong to a fancy gym or boutique yoga studio to reap the benefit of the practice. Just hop on YouTube or download a yoga app.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Daily writing in my journal, and if time permits, twice a day. Writing is very cathartic. The practice helps release so many thoughts rummaging about in your mind. Putting your thoughts to paper helps slow your brain and allows you to take a step back and process. I often like to spritz a bit of lavender before I write while reflecting on an affirmation card. Combined, it nourishes the entire experience to a place of zen.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Talking openly about myself, about life, and about self-development. Being true to yourself and believing in yourself are the primary ingredients in life, no matter your venture or journey. You have to be your ultimate supporter, your ultimate backbone, and your number one cheerleader. We have to be willing to accept failure as failure opens the door to a new opportunity or a new chance. Giving up is so easy, almost too easy. So, don’t! You have to believe in yourself, and the rest will follow.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

It is, by default, easy to give up. You can’t. You must keep trying and trying no matter who is against you. You know you. Do not let others or the past define you. Keep moving forward with integrity, grace, hope, and kindness.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

A good wealth of your content you can discover from your own life journey. Sit back and just reflect, either good or challenging; it can be content that may inspire or motivate your key audience.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

For graduate studies because I love the world of academia, and knowledge is something no one can take from you.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I have been using WordPress forever. When they make site updates, it is very easy to learn. Tech updates help keep me on my toes in terms of learning. I like how WordPress is also accessible as an application on my phone, as very often, I use my mobile when I curate writing materials, photography, or other word graphics.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Any book by Brene Brown is a solid choice.

What is your favorite quote?

“Great Minds Discuss Ideas, Average Minds Discuss Events, Small Minds Discuss People.” – Eleanore Roosevelt

Key Learnings:

• Mistakes happen. You are humanly imperfect
• Relying on guidance or assistance is key in both professional and personal goals
• Taking care of your mental wellness is just as important as your physical health