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In her latest book, IT’S IN THE BAG, Gayle Martz, entrepreneur, pet-travel advocate, and lover of animals, refers to her raison d’être, or her reason for existing, which she found through applying her passion for both animals and travel to every aspect of her life. We all need a raison d’être, a true purpose, to be whole in mind, body, and spirit. Living a life rooted in purpose is linked to strong mental health, physical well-being, and even longevity. According to an article published by Frontiers in Psychology, having a strong sense of purpose helps reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. It has also been found to be “related to a decrease in mortality across all ages,” according to XX. Further, research published in the journal Health Psychology, also suggests that people with a strong sense of purpose make healthier choices. People living with purpose are happier, healthier, less stressed, and live longer. It’s kind of a big deal!

An article for Greater Good in Action, a resource offering science-based practices for a meaningful life published by the University of California at Berkeley, outlines how to practice life crafting. Here is the gist: Read more

Looking for a last minute gift for your dog (or cat!)? Check out “The Best Holiday Gifts of 2021 for Dogs and Dog Lovers” via @BringFido. 30 years later & I’m still proud of my #SHERPA Bag and hard work to allow pets to travel with us wherever we go.

The Best Holiday Gifts of 2021 for Dogs and Dog Lovers

On the 8th day of Christmas, Fido gave to me … a slobbery wet kiss and a toppled Christmas tree! “Santa Paws” has made his list and he’s checking it twice, which shouldn’t be a problem if your pup has been nice. Reward your furry elf with one of these holiday-themed gifts.

1. Sherpa Original Airline Approved Pet Carrier

Gayle Martz, a former flight attendant, isn’t just the person behind the Sherpa bag. She’s also responsible for petitioning major airlines to allow dogs to travel alongside their owners in aircraft cabins around the world. The first officially approved pet carrier has evolved over the years to match changes in airline protocols, but the essence of the product remains the same: an affordable and durable soft-sided carrier to transport dogs safely. This Sherpa Delta Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag is a great gift for any pooch looking to scratch his travel itch and travel in style. Your best friend can fly by your side in the original soft carrier or even cruise in the car with you, safe in the knowledge that he’ll be protected if you hit any speed bumps along the way.

2. BarkBox Home Alone

BarkBox, one of the best subscription services for dogs, pays homage to a classic Christmas movie with this limited edition festive offering inspired by the classic caper, Home Alone. The bumper box contains a variety of toys based on Kevin’s unfortunate Christmas abandonment, including the Oh-Kay Van, Marv, Harry, Kevin’s paint can, and Buzz’s tarantula. Your pooch doesn’t need to “eat junk and watch rubbish” with his bag of Marv! Duck! Treats in the box. If you sign up for a monthly subscription now, you’ll enjoy a reduced rate, plus offers like a double box first month. Each month, Fido receives a totally unique and customizable box with a different awesome theme.

See the entire list at BringFido.com

What do you do when you hit rock bottom? If you’re Gayle Martz, author of IT’S IN THE BAG, you use it as foundation to propel yourself to the top. Martz openly shares her entrepreneurial struggle to turn an idea into a multi-million-dollar business at a time when she had just lost her fiancé, job, and home. “This period of my life was rough, but in retrospect I can see that it was fundamental in making me the kind of person who is able to rise above, create a business from nothing, and move forward,” says Martz. Starting a business is not easy and the truth is businesses do fail. Which is why it is important to learn from other people’s experiences (and mistakes). Martz is the founder and former CEO of The SHERPA Pet Trading Company, where she designed, manufactured, and marketed the iconic SHERPA Bag. While she ultimately had a very successful career, it didn’t come without failures, which she discusses in her book in hopes of helping those who might be interested in starting a business of their own or inspiring those currently struggling as an entrepreneur.

While Martz’ book is chock full of valuable information, she shares three tips to help people who might be struggling. Read more

While offices are opening back up, many employees don’t want to return after experiencing (and loving) a flexible work schedule for the last eighteen months. In a recent survey highlighted in a Fortune article, 2,700 office workers across nine countries were polled and more than a third would quit their job if they were forced to go back into the office full time. What does this mean? “To me, the eternal optimist, this spells opportunity, specifically for the would-be entrepreneur who wants to build a home-based business and is willing to do the hard work necessary to turn it into something wildly successful,” says Gayle Martz, an entrepreneur and author of IT’S IN THE BAG, a business book that outlines how she started a multi-million dollar business from nothing. Martz built the Sherpa Pet Trading Company into a major international business and the name SHERPA into a recognizable global brand at a time when she had virtually no home, no money, and was out of a job as an airline hostess.

If you are entrepreneurial-minded, Martz offers advice that could help you start that business in her book IT’S IN THE BAG. While she doesn’t have an MBA, she did survive and thrive in the pet industry for over thirty years. “I began at the bottom, was knocked around, and kept on climbing the mountain until I achieved success. Believe me, if I could do it, so can you—and if you have a home, you may be starting with more than I did!” says Martz. Read more