Books

Shake It Off Leadership: Achieving Success Through The Eyes Of Our Labels

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“Shake it off!”, shouts my coach and teammates from the sidelines after I missed a point.

Whether on the court, field or professionally, this phrase has motivated Betsy Cerulo to shake off the losses and get back up to give it her best. Being a successful business owner for 30 years has brought a myriad of victories and setbacks especially navigating the business playing field as an LGBT woman. Betsy takes on her labels of diversity with great pride and has been relentless in guiding employees and colleagues to never, ever give up, even when the odds are not in your favor. Betsy transformed her failing company out of the 2008 recession to a thriving 8(a) federal government contractor with a culture driven by collaborative compassion.

Betsy chronicles her journey to overcome discriminating barriers from childhood through business. Her courage to be vulnerable in revealing the tears and fears that she overcame, teaches the reader that with fire in your belly, you will tap into your own greatness to live your dreams.
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Miss Crabapple and Her Magical Violin

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The bell rang for the next class to begin and the 5th graders walked into Music class. Miss Crabapple stood with her back to the class as she wrote her name on the chalkboard. “There will be no talking while in class unless I am asking you to answer a question, “came the directive. Everyone sat up straight. Some kids rolled their eyes only to be discovered by the tall and lanky teacher. “If there are any comments or looks, you will be sent to the principal’s office immediately. Now, open up your music books to page one and we’ll get started. How many of you have played a musical instrument?”

That was the first day of 5th grade with a student who everyone feared. As the school year went on, we see the class learn to play music. We hear a quiet student come alive through the magic of Miss Crabapple’s violin. And we see a new side of our feared Miss Crabapple.

When you put children together with music only magic can happen.
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Shake It Off Leadership: Achieving Success Through The Eyes Of Our Labels

Miss Crabapple and Her Magical Violin

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“Shake it off!”, shouts my coach and teammates from the sidelines after I missed a point.

Whether on the court, field or professionally, this phrase has motivated Betsy Cerulo to shake off the losses and get back up to give it her best. Being a successful business owner for 30 years has brought a myriad of victories and setbacks especially navigating the business playing field as an LGBT woman. Betsy takes on her labels of diversity with great pride and has been relentless in guiding employees and colleagues to never, ever give up, even when the odds are not in your favor. Betsy transformed her failing company out of the 2008 recession to a thriving 8(a) federal government contractor with a culture driven by collaborative compassion.

Betsy chronicles her journey to overcome discriminating barriers from childhood through business. Her courage to be vulnerable in revealing the tears and fears that she overcame, teaches the reader that with fire in your belly, you will tap into your own greatness to live your dreams.
Image
The bell rang for the next class to begin and the 5th graders walked into Music class. Miss Crabapple stood with her back to the class as she wrote her name on the chalkboard. “There will be no talking while in class unless I am asking you to answer a question, “came the directive. Everyone sat up straight. Some kids rolled their eyes only to be discovered by the tall and lanky teacher. “If there are any comments or looks, you will be sent to the principal’s office immediately. Now, open up your music books to page one and we’ll get started. How many of you have played a musical instrument?”

That was the first day of 5th grade with a student who everyone feared. As the school year went on, we see the class learn to play music. We hear a quiet student come alive through the magic of Miss Crabapple’s violin. And we see a new side of our feared Miss Crabapple.

When you put children together with music only magic can happen.
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To order discounted bulk orders: email Betsy directly at

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ABOUT ME

Biography

Betsy Cerulo is the CEO of AdNet/AccountNet, a successful 8(a) management consulting firm based in Baltimore, Maryland. AdNet is a Small Business Administration (SBA) certified 8a federal government contractor.

Betsy and AdNet have been recognized as a Baltimore Business Journal Top 50 Woman Owned Business in 2021, 2020 and 2016; The Daily Record Top 100 Women in Maryland in 2020; Business Equality Magazine LGBTQ Legacy Leaders over 50 in 2019; Top 100 MBE/DEB in the Mid-Atlantic Region in 2018 and 2009; Baltimore Business Journal Leaders in Diversity in 2018; The Daily Record Most Admired CEO’s in Maryland in 2017.

Betsy is the Co-Founder of the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland LGBT Foundation. Betsy is the author of Shake It Off Leadership-Achieving Success Through the Eyes of our Labels, Miss Crabapple and Her Magical Violin, a children’s book which was inspired by lighting up a child’s dream through their imagination. She is also a contributing author of two compilations Women Living Consciously and Keys to Conscious Business Growth.

Betsy lives in Baltimore with her wife, Susan and their dog, Grace Kelly. Their son, daughter and 3 grandchildren complete the picture with lots of creativity and laughter. Betsy is originally from New Jersey and holds a Master of Science Degree in Integrated Health Science from the Capital University of Integrative Medicine and a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from the Catholic University of America.

An Invitation

To contact Betsy for virtual or in person keynote speeches and strategic sessions with your management and leadership teams, please reach out to Betsy directly at info@betsycerulo.com, bcerulo@adnetp3.com or call directly at 443-629-9046.

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