Hi to all my Women out there! I am Erica Diamond. I am 34. I am Wife. I am a Mother of 2 young boys. I am an Award Winning Entrepreneur and Businesswoman. I am a Reality TV Show Writer. I am a Hockey Mom. I am a serial Volunteer. I am a Woman On The Fence.

This blog was created for all of us women who are on the fence… In Life. In Business. In Love. In anything. Period.

We are bright. We are dynamic. We are educated. We are perfectionists. We are tired. We love our husbands. We hate our husbands. We love our kids. Our kids annoy us. We want to work. We can’t juggle it all. We expect two dozen roses on our anniversary. We give. We get. We’re happy. We’re discouraged. We’re intuitive. We’re funny.

We’re women. Black. White. Asian. Hispanic. Through it all, we stick together.

Therefore my ladies, my goal of this Blog is to unite all women. To let you all vent your frustrations about living life on the fence. It’s time to make a move. It’s time to GET OFF THE FENCE! It’s time to make up or break up. It’s time to quit your job. It’s time to enroll in medical school. It’s time to come out of the closet. It’s time to speak your truth. It’s time to start LIVING YOUR LIFE!

I want to hear from you… OFTEN! You will be my guide. I will abide by the laws of supply and demand. I will give you what you ask for. I will let you set the tone.

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!”

Oh The Places You’ll Go!

DR. SEUSS

Now, here I go. I’m getting off the fence…

xoxEDxox

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ERICA’S BIOGRAPHY:

With 18 years sales experience, and 14 years marketing experience, Erica Diamond is a born entrepreneur. Using a small savings from her first job as a Marketing Manager at a large corporation, Erica built her Promotional Products Company, Unique Corporate Gifts from scratch in 1999 at 24 years old.

After enjoying seven years of great financial success with her Company, Erica sold her business in 2006 to Canada’s Largest Bag Retail Chain. Her business journey along the way has awarded her a ProMontreal Young Entrepreneur Award, Top 30 under 30 Entrepreneur Award, Top 40 under 40 Entrepreneur Award nomination, among numerous others, and finally, The Profit Hot 50 Award – One of Canada’s 50 Emerging Growth Companies. She was the only female CEO on this list. Erica has also been featured on the cover of the Business section of multiple newspapers, amongst other publications and TV appearances.

Fast forward to September 2009, the birth of Women On The Fence. This is the Blog that Erica was only dreaming of creating, and is now finally a reality. The women come from all around the world by the thousands to feel connected and inspired, to better understand their own life experiences, to laugh, to cry.

In a short while with her Blog, Erica has been featured on Blogher.com, Wordpress.com, Woman.ca, and TwitterMoms.com. She Blogs for celebrity mom Brooke Burke’s ModernMom.com. Her Blog was recently monetized by one of the world’s largest Media Companies, Glam Media. Erica was also recently appointed a Brand Ambassador for ABC’s The View to represent the Mom community.

Beside her successful Blog, Erica gives Sales and Marketing Conferences for Entrepreneurs and young businesses, speaks publicly, and mentors other entrepreneurs.

Erica has written three children’s books, and recently completed a television show. She is a board member of her son’s school and a serial volunteer, whose ongoing work with various charities never tires her. Erica loves everything women, business and entrepreneurship related. She is also a die hard music lover.

Erica is currently writing a book, which is part of the first ever to be launched 10-Book Women’s Series of Self-Help Guides, The 99 Things Women Wish They Knew… Before Starting Their Own Business.

Erica Diamond, 35, holds a BA in Psychology and Marketing from McGill University and completed the Canadian Securities Course. Erica is a wife and mother of two young boys.

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CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE ERICA’S TV APPEARANCES

Erica’s 1st Video Blog 2010

Erica’s Global Interview 2004

Erica on Global TV Morning Show 2003

Erica on Global TV Morning Show 2002

Erica’s Business Profile 2001

If there’s one thing that no one in this world is exempt from, no matter how rich, how poor, how thin, how nice, how evil, how generous, WHATEVER… it’s AGING. Yes, we are all aging. And we are all fighting it at the exact same rate as the next person. Some will age better, some will age worse, but it’s a process we all must face whether we like it or not.

2010 is a big year for me. In April, I will turn 35, and in August, I will be married 10 years. Yet, it all feels like yesterday that I met my hubby (I was 17), and then pushed out a couple of kids. And although I think I keep myself looking pretty decent – I work out, I eat very well (minus McDonald’s which I LOVE and don’t deprive myself of), I am mentally quite sane, and the eternal optimist, I do notice the aging process happening. Not in a major full on wrinkle kind of way, rather the “Wow, I’m just not 25 years old anymore” kind of way.

But if there is one thing I am not on the fence about, it’s my desire to age gracefully. I am not against plastic surgery at all for those who so choose to go that route (and I have a couple of friends my age who have had “work” done), but for myself, I have a feeling I will opt out, even as gravity pulls me lower and lower. Now I know you’re saying, “Wait until you’re 60, you may feel differently then,” but I really don’t think so. I thankfully have a husband who loves me (and my big nose) for who we are, regardless of a few sagging things or imperfections here or there, and I happen to have pretty good self esteem. But my goal is to age properly, continuing all the good things I’ve been doing thus far- even the wine!

As women, we all hope to age gracefully, whatever that may mean to you, be it allowing mother nature to take its course, or faking her out a little with a little help from Dr. 90210. Regardless of your avenue, here are a few tips to live by:

• Let aging sink in. It’s a reality, and it ain’t just you! We’re all gettin’ older and misery loves company. This is not a bad thing. Grey hairs will come, and so may the desire for Botox. Whatever the route, make peace with the aging process. Let it be your friend, not your enemy. Look at Lauren Hutton.

• Go the healthy route. There’s nothing like heavy boozing and smoking to totally speed up the aging process. And if you have other bad habits that have been with you up until now, it’s never too late to kick ‘em. I have about 3 glasses of wine a week. I smoke about 6 cigarettes a year. I eat junk food once every so often. I don’t do drugs. I don’t overeat. My biggest vice is anxiety, which I know AIN’T GOOD FOR AGING! But lord knows, I try!
• Which bring us to WORRY AND ANXIETY. Life is about how you INTERNALIZE your stress, it’s never about the stressor itself. So when exams in school would put me into total overwhelm and keep me up all night, that cortisol rush in your body is terrible for the mind, and the aging process. You have to keep your nerves in check. Stress does terrible things to your body, both inside and out. Yoga, Pilates, a healthy diet full of omega 3’s, and hitting the gym all help in this department. Also, lavender is an anti stress herb and smells great. Vitamin B6 and B12 are great vitamin supplements to fight anxiety.
• Sleep. Make sure you get enough. This is crucial to your overall well being. You need enough shut-eye time. Everyone requires a different amount, but generally, it should be about 7-9 hours.
• Don’t isolate yourself. Get out there and be social. Having that connection of friends and women to bond with, laugh with, and bounce ideas off of, is great for your spirit. Keep up your friendships. They do wonders for your body and mind!
• And finally, DRINK WATER! 8 glasses a day. Make the toilet your friend.

The bottom line is that as long as we’re breathing, we’re going to age. Some of us will be lucky enough to live old enough to see our grandchildren get married. Some may not. But aging requires preparation and acceptance. Your body parts will give out, and when you slide your jeans on one day, your belt may wrap around your boobs! Shit happens! But I really do think that age is just a number. I look at my mom who turned 60 last month, and she looks amazing. Gorgeous skin and a healthy attitude. So even if you’re only in your mid thirties like me, I say, start aging gracefully now. Take care of number 1. Enjoy life no matter how old you are, because aging gracefully is a choice, and it’s fully your own.

xoxEDxox

Ladies, what’s your take on aging? Is age really just a number? How do you plan on fighting mother nature?

Ps – Enjoying the week off with the boys. Skiing, bowling, and overeating.

PPS – Don’t forget to fill in this quick survey for the chance to win a trip to New York City, and watch a taping of The View!