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This week, iLean-Pan was named one of The Story Exchange’s “15 Brilliant Business Ideas from Bold Women”. People see the frying pan. I see the years before it. The frustration. The noticing. The tiny irritation that most people walk past without questioning. Why does cooking one meal require juggling temperatures,…
I haven’t written here in a while. Not because I ran out of things to say — anyone who knows me knows that’s never the problem — but because I was living inside a question that wouldn’t leave me alone. Why does cooking still feel harder than it needs to…
By Ilene Marcus Originally written on April 1, 2025 and released on SixtyandMe that you can link to here. In this age of instant gratification, where a meal can be summoned with a tap on a screen, I often forget the simple pleasure of being in my kitchen. I find…
Short Answer: Managing Annoying People: Solving Everyday Challenges with Bold Ideas and a Sense of Humor and creating the Ultimate Solution for Home Cooks the ilean-Pan. And I talk about it all on my podcast appearance with Robert Plank. Robert asked great questions, here is a quote from the show…
George Foreman wasn’t just a boxing legend—he was a master of the pivot. After dominating the ring, he stepped into kitchens everywhere and changed the way we cook. Not by accident, not by luck, but by seeing an opportunity and running with it. Like so many people, my first George…
Ever wonder why some people are on fire at work, while others are barely there? As a podcast guest on Mads Pleman Rossau I dive into the three distinct ways people show up in the workplace and, more importantly, how we can meet them where they are. Because let’s face…
Why I Love to Speak and Why I Guest on So Many Podcasts on Managing Annoying People You know that feeling when you’re stuck in a conversation with someone who just won’t stop being… well, annoying? Yeah, I get it. And that’s exactly why I’m passionate about speaking and why…
A big part of my brand and identity is sharing lessons learned. Straddling retirement and thereafter I am writing more and more about what worked in my career and how that shows up now in my personal life. Sometimes, it works great, and other times, well, let’s just say, big…
The world is more complicated than ever before. Every day is a reminder that hurt people hurt people. Relationships are hard. We struggle to find our balance and our purpose. There is a truth. Through peace or war, personal or professional, today or tomorrow, someone will annoy you. Even though…
Admit it. We all LOL, even though we hate the term. When we find ourselves actually laughing out loud it feels good. Laughter produces an immediate major positive impact on our entire well-being. And the effect lasts. Popularized in 1989, “LOL” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2011….
Hidden Gems are rare. If you know how to spot them, you are ahead of the game. If you know how to manage them, your team will vastly improve. This article in Expeerter Magazine – tells you exactly how to spot them. Timely as we see situations where legacy employees…
What a Paradox. I believe I am paid for my advice when in fact I am here to listen. Hosting a table at the Berkshire Small Business Expo was a great reminder of how important it is to meet with clients. Talking to prospective entrepreneurs, solopreneurs and future founders, I…
Time it right or you will miss blueberry season. Hint, hint, it is right now. Waiting for those plump, fresh, delicious purple jewels to reach full flavor. I picked, ate, and baked. Who could wait? Fresh blueberry muffins, right out of the oven. Delicious. Four hours later, a second blueberry…