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Build Your Village

Join us as I welcome Florence Ann Romano to discuss how to build your very own village (community).

Florence is a personal growth strategist, author, philanthropist, and seasoned businesswoman. With over fifteen years of experience as a childcare provider, Florence, is a beacon of knowledge on childcare, family support, and the value of community in the modern era. Hailing from the outskirts of Chicago, she brings to life the adage “It takes a village,” emphasising the critical role of communal bonds in every stage of life through her latest work, “Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life.”

“It’s about everyone having the support and connection they need to thrive” – Florence Ann Romano

During our conversation, we explored the profound importance of community and communal bonds, especially crucial in today’s disconnected world. Florence’s insights were incredibly impactful, and I’m thrilled to share some key takeaways with you:

🔹 The Power of Connection: Florence emphasises that community goes beyond just raising children; it’s about everyone having the support and connection they need to thrive. Covid-19 has heightened our awareness of how vital it is to foster meaningful connections for mental and emotional wellbeing.

🔹 Building Your Village with Intent: Florence introduces the six archetypes of villagers: The accepting one, the dependable one, the cheerleader, the communicator, the organiser, and the healer. Understanding these roles and ensuring a balanced mix within your community can significantly enhance support networks and personal growth.

🔹 Human Needs and Boundaries: One of the most crucial points made was the importance of setting personal boundaries in relationships. Florence highlights that boundaries are not about withdrawing but, rather, ensuring the relationship’s longevity by addressing and understanding each other’s needs and capacities.

In an era when it is easy to become isolated and lonely, we discover how to cultivate your village for a joyful, interconnected life both personally and in building your business community.

You can listen to the Business Elevation interview with Florence Ann Romano and Chris Cooper here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).

More about Florence Ann Romano:

Florence Ann Romano is a personal growth strategist, author, philanthropist, and businesswoman with a sparkling personality.

After spending more than fifteen years as a childcare provider, Florence Ann, formerly known as The Windy City Nanny, is the authority on childcare and family and village support in this new millennium. Born and raised just outside of Chicago, she wants to show people that not only is the saying “It takes a village” true, but also how important the need for community is. Her latest book is Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life (Beyond Words).

With an eye for marketing, Florence Ann flourishes as both an advisor for and the Vice President of Business Strategy for Yakkety Yak. A proud member of the board of directors at the Children’s Research Fund and Female Strong, she is also a founding member of Sesame Street’s Leadership Council.

Florence Ann has been featured on over 500 national and local media outlets across the country, including SHERRI, ABC/CBS/ NBC and FOX TV affiliates, Home & Family, The Jenny McCarthy Show, SiriusXM, and more. She is also a regular expert on over 10 national TV affiliates across America!

She is the author of Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life (Beyond Words, February 2023).