Ninth Wave featured on FOX 4 Morning Blend, April 2, 2010
Cape Coral women's motivational group bonds for balance... By Terry Brady/News Press 01/07/09
Each of the 25 women were handed a balloon and asked to write down things about their life they’d like to rid themselves of.After much thought, and laughter, they finished and headed outside with their baby blue, problem-littered balloons and proceed to stand in a circle.
One by one the women of Ninth Wave released their balloon and watched it loft upward and away.
They are all aware it will take much more than a symbolic gesture to rid themselves of their problems, but that’s why they have each other.
On Monday, Ninth Wave, a nonprofit motivational group for women, kicked off its 2009 motivational speaking series at Designer Shoe Gallerie on Cape Coral Parkway.
The evening’s topic was overcoming tragedy. Designer Shoe Gallerie owner John Baumbach, whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver in July, discussed his path to recovery from his loss.
Ninth Wave founder Stacie Harmon said she created the Cape Coral organization with the goal of building a supportive group of women who offer each other friendship, motivation and balance.
“It’s our lifeline,” she said.
The group meets once a month and has a motivational speaker at each meeting. Harmon picks a different small Cape Coral business each month to hold the meetings to give that business owner a little exposure. Each meeting is equipped with enough food and alcohol to call it a party, but Harmon says it’s about more than a good time.
“It’s a party with a purpose,” she said.
Cape Coral resident and teacher Lorraine Pisano said she joined the group for added motivation to excel in life and in her professional career.
“Stacie is an inspiring person to be around,” Pisano said. “She believes women can reach their goals even with burdens, running a household and holding a job. She’s driving.”
Ninth Wave is entering its third year of existence and has expanded to include a Fort Myers chapter. Each chapter has about 20 to 25 members. Harmon said she came up with the idea of the organization when she was faced with her own barriers.
Harmon said she was working in real estate in California and was miserable. She said her job was making her depressed and she needed a change. A co-worker asked her what she wanted to do and encouraged her to go for it.
What she chose to do was create a cartoon and pitch it to Cartoon Network. Through her cartoon, which is based on a five culturally diverse surfers all on the hunt for a common goal (the perfect wave), she founded the organization’s concept.
The name Ninth Wave was taken from the surfing world as well. She said it means perfect wave.
Harmon said whether someone is looking to overcome a something as large as a tragedy or something as small as planting a rose garden, the group’s members lends its support to see that the goal is achieved.
Pull up your anchors and grab your boards, we're going on an adventure. Call it the expedition ... of life. Searching out the best waves to show off our ability to balance it all! Published by Tammy Whaley/Cape Coral Breeze/Lifestyle Section
Aug 25, 2007 Like many women, Stacie Harmon was caught in the riptide of life, she struggled to be the perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect friend, perfect employee, perfect everything. Realizing this was an impossible feat, she challenged others in Cape Coral by asking if anyone else was overwhelmed and under"wow"ed? If so to join her and set a new goal for themselves ... Focus on yourself so you have more of yourself to give!
Read More in the Cape Coral Breeze Archives
Lee County Parenting and Family News
The Power of Ninth Wave...
Published in October, LEE COUNTY Parenting and Family News
(Cape Coral, FL) October 2007 -- On the first Monday of every month proactive women seeking more from life than the same old, same old, leap into unknown waters together. They gather, share, encourage, and inspire. They often invite guest speakers to discuss various topics (Examples: money and health, strip aerobics and organic make-up).
They serve wine and nosh on tasty treats. They laugh, they argue. They set goals, and they grow.
This group is a fun, UN-intimidating place where women support each other and get over our life hurdles with a sense of humor. Fees are ridiculously minimal to join and an open door policy makes for a warm, welcoming group that acts like a committee of life coaches.
Surfers know the NinthWave represents the best of the Best; hence the chosen name!
If you'd like to check out the group in action the door is open for anyone to visit, free of charge at no obligation to join, purchase or partake in anything other than an open heart and mind.
Stacie plans to make the Ninth Wave available nationally to anyone who dares to take the Ninth Wave plunge with a group of friends and sisters. www.NinthWaveMotivation.com or call Stacie at (239) 560-3550.
