Geri, an author, writer and motivational speaker, is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm—always smiling and cheerful. You would think by this demeanor she never had a bad day in her life. But once you get to know this 62-year-old firecracker you learn otherwise.
Geri was born and raised in one of many little one-stoplight towns in Virginia called Lawrenceville. She has two daughters, ages 45 and 30, and two grandchildren (a 28-year-old granddaughter and a 5-year-old grandson). Geri dropped out of high school at age 16 and got married having her first child at age 17. She was divorced a year later and returned to high school where she continued her education to graduate college at age 24.
By age 30 Geri was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was that news that turned Geri’s life focus around. “Thinking you are going to die makes you want to live your life to the fullest,” she said. It was shortly thereafter that Geri became a writer and motivational speaker. After all, people often asked her to share her story. It inspired them and motivated her. Her story of survival and success against the odds impacted and interested others, and Geri felt driven to continue sharing and encouraging others.
Geri has been writing for so long that it comes as naturally to her as breathing. Her first article was published in “Style Weekly” in September 1986 when she won the cover contest for her hometown newspaper. Currently, she is a regular columnist for the “Key Awareness Publishing” newspaper in Virginia and has been since 1998. She has written for other publications, including our very own “Focus on Fabulous” magazine where she continually submits as her time allows. She also has a running blog on her website. Geri has written and self-published three books.
Her first book, “No More Tears—The Price of Joy,” is a poignant story of the challenging relationship with her then-teenage daughter and contains their letter correspondences. “Reframing Your Picture—True Life Stories Of Turning Negatives Into Positives” is a compilation of short positive stories written by Geri over the years as a newspaper columnist. Her most recent book, “There Are No Rules—Living Your Truth When All Plans Have Failed,” takes a close look at some of the things in her past that have shaped her as a writer and speaker. In this book Geri covers a series of areas in her life where she followed the rules and others where she broke them.
As you read between the pages of any of Geri’s books, you realize she is a very spiritual and positive person who strives to live a life of calm and peace and has a low tolerance for drama. She is extremely organized, and that has proven to be one of her greatest strengths. Geri loves being alone but is never lonely because she truly enjoys her own company. Her typical day begins at 7:30 to 8:00 in the morning. After a 20-minute jog, she returns home for her coffee and in-home personal Bible study time for development/motivation and breakfast. Geri is not one to sit idly and watch the day go by. By 10:30 she is dressed and ready to tackle the day, working in her home office or waiting for her Uber app to tell her of a rider who awaits transportation. No matter what, she is usually out the door by 11:00 and returns home around 3:00 p.m. for lunch. The rest of the day is spent in her home office working on her Geri Speak business, filled with planning speaking engagements, book signings and vending opportunities. Although she tries to wrap the day up by 7:30 p.m., she has been known to work as late as 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. planning her events and speeches. When Geri gets going it is hard to “turn it off,” as she loves the speaking portion, but it is the actual event planning that gives her the most energy and drive.
But Geri doesn’t stop there. She is a member of the Embracing U Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization to assist cancer survivors throughout their journey. She has a heart for the elderly and recently retired in January 2017 after serving 17 years as a caregiver for seniors, including live-in care yet still serves on the Senior ministry at her church, works full time on her Geri Speak business and drives part time for Uber.
No matter what may be going on in Geri’s world, it is that passion and drive that sets her apart from others in her field. She fills the atmosphere with her positive attitude, energy and contagious laugh. Her transparency is second to none. “I’m not afraid to tell all my business,” as Geri put it. She speaks from the heart and from her real-life experiences with a common theme that “there is always a positive to every negative.” In fact, her mantra is, “Don’t panic, find the positive!” If you’ve read anything in our publication before you know that at “Focus on Fabulous” we focus on what’s fabulous, and Geri turns every negative into a positive. We love that attitude and we love Geri.