On November 15, 1996 the movie “Space Jam,” starring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny, opened in theaters.  Nick turned 3 years-old the following week so we took him to see the movie at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.  “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly was on the soundtrack and it was one of those songs that stuck.   For months after seeing the movie, we’d pop the CD in every morning on our way to Wagon Wheel preschool and sing together at the top of our lungs.  For years after that, whenever the song came on the radio and we were in the car together, we’d go right back into our full-throttle voices.

That song came to mind again this week as my new theme song.   This Monday marks the first day of the launch of my own firm, The Fagnano Effect, and the end of a 27-year career as the West Coast Sales Director for Lebhar-Friedman Publishing, the wonderful company where I experienced all the twists and turns in the world of publishing as we transitioned from a print to a digital media company.

Today, I’ve jumped out of the nest.  I wouldn’t have been able to do it if I didn’t believe that all the experience I’ve gained over the years is what’s given me my wings.  I now seek new heights, the most beaconing of which will be seeing the Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation reach its full potential in making a difference in the lives of others by encouraging and rewarding character through education and recreation.

So today, as the lyrics of the song go:

There are miracles in life I must achieve                                                                But first I know it starts inside of me, oh….                                                                   I believe I can fly

And the timing, as with so many things in my life, is directly connected to Nick.  “You can do it, Mom,” I heard him say, “It’s my Mother’s Day present to you.”

So thanks to our good friend Steve Kowalski and his associate Lucinda Yang, I’m excited to debut the official logo for our foundation:

And thanks to my good friend John Klein, the creative director of Klein Mickaelian Partners Advertising and his associate, Kathye Hicks, I’m excited to share my new contact information:

Nick has his wings.  Now he’s helped me find mine.  Just let me know if I can fly over your way to hatch any new ideas that involve writing, marketing, branding, event planning or technology solutions.