October 11, 2004

The OC Register

SPOTLIGHT // California Future Focused Inc.

Author: HILARY SMITH

Edition: 1

Section: BusinessMonday

Page: IYB2

Article Text:

Co-Owner: Jennifer Connellan

Business address: 31882 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano

Telephone: (949) 842-0804

Web site: www.futurefocused.com

Type of business: Motivational life coaching for students.

When opened: September 2003

Describe your business: We basically help kids move from where they are now to where they want to be in the future. They start with a free consultation to see which suits them best, individual or group coaching, if any. Then we set goals, create action steps and hold them to those goals.

Where did you get the idea for the business? I was doing academic counseling in the public school system as an intern therapist. While I thought therapy had a tremendous benefit, the kids were more interested in the present than the future. That is more life coaching and that is exactly what I do.

How long did it take you to get from idea to open doors? 1 month.

What did you do during that time? I already had relationships with people who started referring kids pretty quickly.

How much did it cost to start the business? $5,000-$10,000

Where did you get the money? Personal savings.

Is this your first business? Yes.

Whom did you seek for advice? From SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), an organization that helps young entrepreneurs. I sat down with them and went over the business and a direction in which to head. I continue to be in contact with them as well as talk to therapists in the area, guidance counselors, teachers and school officials on what they think would be beneficial to their students.

How are you marketing yourself? I think personal referrals are going to end up building the business. We spend a lot of time building those relationships. We've also had contact with the police department diversion program and gone into schools.

The biggest thing you didn't think of before you started? The kids succeeded way beyond my expectations. Eighty-sevenpercent ended improving their GPA significantly. I was surprised to start a program that worked so quickly and was so effective . I think they like coming here; that makes me happy.

November 6, 2003

The OC Register

BUSINESS WATCH // Business targets teens for life coaching    services

Author: NELLENE TEUBNER

Edition: 1

Section: DanaPoint

Page: T

Article Text:

This week's business spotlight features an interview with Jennifer Connellan    who opened CA Future Focused, Inc. in June. Connellan and Anne Luke, her business    partner, recently completed graduate school (Cambridge University, Pepperdine    University and UCLA) and have returned to launch the business.

Type of business: Life coaching for teenagers

What is the best thing about your business? Future Focused enables teenagers to better understand the consequences of their choices and    actions. Since we are both young and were raised in Orange County, we have a unique ability to connect with our clients and understand how challenging it can be to think beyond the present.

Definition of success?  Having the desire, commitment and dedication to achieve one's goals and the ability to find a passion and translate it into action. It is the ability to realistically evaluate all aspects of life and maintain balance and high standards throughout.

Future Focused helps teenagers to define success in their own lives and provides an environment in which they will be accountable to their futures.

Person in your profession you look up to?  Dr. Phil McGraw is a self-proclaimed life strategist and has become renowned for his `Get Real' approach to the demands of life. We respect his ability to be honest with himself and others, and to formulate action-oriented plans to solve life's dilemmas.

We adhere to this same philosophy in our work with teenagers. We believe that true positive change does not happen without action.

Motto? Our business motto is ``Taking action today to ensure a better tomorrow.'' With so many negative influences facing our society's teens (i.e. drugs, alcohol, violence, etc.), it is essential to expose them to more positive outlets. Future Focused helps clients to connect with their own unique    passions, creating a healthy environment in which they will thrive.

What's one of your most valuable assets? Growing up in Orange County taught us the incredible value of parent involvement. It seems that parents    here are always willing to make the sacrifices necessary to help children reach their potential. Now, we've seen the parents' dedication in action. Just as that helped us to succeed as teenagers not so long ago, we have seen the same results in our clients today.

CA Future Focused, Inc., Jennifer Connellan, owner, Information: 842-0804 or Jennifer@futurefocused.com