Category: Q&A

On The Job – Susan Terzakis

Susan Terzakis

Founder and CEO, Terzakis & Associates

Susan Terzakis is a professional certified business coach and founder and CEO of Terzakis & Associates, a team of small business advisors based in Bedford.

Explain your job and what it entails.

We work with small businesses, exclusively [ones with] under $10 million in annual sales volume … referred to as microbusinesses. We support, nurture and guide their leadership with two key programs: ‘Seed’ and ‘Growth.’ Seed … is for folks in the concept and idea stage. We help them [with] vetting and proving the idea, making sure there’s an appetite for it in the community and creating a market. … ‘Growth’ is where we put the pedal to the metal; they’ve proven the concept, and now they need to [develop] systems and processes, build out their team and delegate.

How long have you had this job?

Since 2014.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

I was a business banking director … and then a staffer for Sen. [Kelly] Ayotte’s office, [assisting with] the senator’s efforts on small business, treasury and HUD issues within the state. … Then, I had a health event … and had to slow down a bit. … There was an opportunity for me to assist at the Center for Women’s Business Advancement at SNHU. It was a perfect transition … but it was only a year-long gig. After that contract ended, I was consistently [hearing] from clients I had worked with at that center, and what started as ‘Sure, I’ll meet you for coffee and help you with your strategy’ eventually turned into my realizing, ‘Hey, I think this might be an enjoyable business.’

What kind of education or training did you need?

I grew up in a family-owned business, so I got to witness and be part of a growing business … and in banking, I got to learn the financial [aspects] of business … but I felt that, to round out the experiential portion of my resume, I should get some technical knowledge, so I went and got my Professional Coaching Certificate at the UNH business school. That took two years.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

I’d say, pre-Covid, business-casual, and during Covid, casual-business. If I have [an important] meeting, then I’ll break out the full suit, so it really depends on what I’m doing.

How has your job changed over the last year?

The first three months, everything was really confusing and overwhelming [for small businesses]. Once we got into May and June, the energy started to move from panic to ‘OK, let’s figure this out. How do we keep this business afloat?’

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

Patience. Patience is a virtue, but we entrepreneurs are a rather impatient group, so that’s something I had to learn.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

You’re constantly going back and forth between the personal — [the business owner is] scared, overwhelmed, freaked out or lacking confidence — and the professional, where things are more technical. You have to have the ability to guide and support business owners in both [of those ways], and that’s one of the greatest joys of my job.

What was the first job you ever had?

At our family-owned restaurant in Salem, Massachusetts, I had the true joy of being the busser and honorary potato peeler.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

Your word is your bond. Nobody can take your name away from you, so guard it preciously.

Five favorites
Favorite book: The Bible
Favorite movie: The Godfather trilogy
Favorite type of music or musician: Elton John and AC/DC
Favorite food: I love all of it. Food is my love language. Except for mayonnaise. I really hate mayonnaise.
Favorite thing about NH: The variety. The coast, the mountains, the suburbs, some cities — we have it all here.

Featured photo: Susan Terzakis

Zooming in

Festival showcases plays created for virtual performance

Laconia-based theater company Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative is giving a new meaning to virtual theater with its Zoom Play Festival, featuring a series of short plays written specifically for the Zoom video chat platform.

“It’s not like these are just readings of plays,” Powerhouse manager Bryan Halperin said. “These are plays that are actually being performed as they were intended.”

The festival, produced in collaboration with the Community Players of Concord, will be pre-recorded and available to watch for free on YouTube from Friday, April 16, through Sunday, April 25.

There will be seven original plays, all written by New Hampshire playwrights who participated in a 10-week playwriting workshop hosted by the two theater companies last fall. The workshop was open to playwrights of all experience levels and covered the basics of playwriting, such as developing plot points, characters and dialogue, as well as how to write a Zoom-based play.

“If they came up with an idea that wasn’t really workable, I steered them back to how we could make it work to fit into this format,” said Halperin, who instructed the workshop.

Featured playwright Douglas Schwarz of Concord has been active with the Players for years, acting, directing and doing backstage work. Recently he’s taken an interest in playwriting.

“I’ve done a very small amount of playwriting in the past, and it’s something I’ve been sort of wanting to get better at,” he said. “I thought the workshop would be an opportunity to get some more perspective on how playwriting works and give me the confidence that I can really do this.”

Schwarz’ play, titled Choices, follows four people at various stages in their lives, talking over Zoom and reflecting on the choices they’ve made.

“I’ve thought a lot about how decisions can change our lives and really [determine] what direction our lives are going to go,” he said. “I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if I could do [a play] that somehow expresses these thoughts I’ve had?”

The plays In Boxes, Boys in Boxes and Girls in Boxes are three different versions of a play by Sharleigh Thomson, each with a different director and cast. Set in May 2020 during the pandemic, it centers on a video chat between two college seniors as they consider the next chapter of their lives and realize their romantic feelings for each other.

“You’d never make a captive audience sit through three versions of the same play back-to-back, but since it’s on YouTube, they can choose which one they want to watch, or they can watch all three at their leisure,” Halperin said. “It’s a bit of an experiment.”

Other plays include Couple Seeks Extrovert by Brenda Wilbert, a comedy about an introverted couple who step outside their comfort zone when they rent out a room to an extrovert; Ship of Fools by Chuck Fray, an interview between an oblivious newscaster and an author of apocalyptic fiction; and Here We Go by Doreen Sheppard, a look at how families come together and cope during hard times.

More than 30 people are creatively involved in the festival.

“That’s what we’re most happy about,” Halperin said. “It’s great to be able to give [theater artists] an opportunity to be appreciated during this time when theater is so limited.”

“Theater is so important to us, and going without it has been difficult,” Schwarz added, “so this was really a gift to us from the Players and Powerhouse.”

Zoom Play Festival
Where: Virtual, via YouTube.
When: Pre-recorded, available to watch Friday, April 16, through Sunday, April 25.
Cost: Free, donations appreciated.
More info: Visit communityplayersofconcord.org, belknapmill.org or Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative on Facebook.

Featured photo: Joel Iwakiewicz and Adam Beauparlant in Boys in Boxes. Courtesy photo.

Strong families, safe kids

Children’s Trust defines child abuse prevention

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month. To bring awareness, the New Hampshire Children’s Trust has launched its “Prevention Is” campaign, focused on defining prevention and showing how strengthening families by giving them basic needs and emotional support is a key factor in preventing abuse. NHCT executive director Cliff Simmonds talked about the campaign and what individuals and communities in New Hampshire can do to help.

What is National Child Abuse Prevention Month all about?

Last year it was about reacting to the pandemic, but this year it’s about really defining what prevention is. … Primary prevention is about strengthening families [by] giving them the basic needs, emotional support and sense of community they need to be successful, because we know that drastically reduces the occurrence of child abuse and neglect.

What does child abuse look like?

As many people know, child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or neglect, but what’s also important to know is that these [types of abuse] don’t show up exclusively. A lot of times it’s a combination.

What is the impact of child abuse on a family?

It’s disruptive to a family unit, and it lessens the odds of success for that child because they aren’t getting the social and emotional growth that they need to be successful. Ultimately, [abuse] can translate into some lifelong psychological consequences, like feelings of isolation, fear, distrust, lower self-esteem, depression [and] trouble forming and maintaining relationships.

What is the impact of child abuse on a community?

A community is defined [by its] family units. … If you have these cases of abuse or neglect going on within a family, [abuse] can cycle through multiple generations … and through a specific geographic area and disrupt the whole idea of success within that community.

How has the pandemic affected efforts to prevent and end child abuse?

It’s been challenging, to say the least. It created a lot of concern when the schools shut down, because that’s where the eyes on kids are. Teachers are one of the major reporters of abuse. They know these kids; they see these kids every day, so they can see if there are any behavioral changes, physical changes or emotional changes. … Reports [of abuse] started dropping significantly when the schools shut down. We got together with different community organizations and state agencies and put our heads together [to think of] creative ways that we could keep eyes on kids and keep families strong. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of reaching out to families, making sure their needs are being met … and pivoting to being more virtual to get the word out about the resources and services that are available.

What is the “Prevention Is” campaign?

Throughout the month, we’re highlighting the factors … of primary prevention — parenting education, social and emotional development of children, basic supports and building a sense of community — through videos, podcasts and other digital [media]. We’re trying to elevate the conversation around these factors and what people can do as a family member, a neighbor or a community member to help strengthen those factors.

What can people do in their everyday lives to help prevent child abuse?

Reach out and say, ‘How are you doing? How are things going?’ It can be as simple as that. If you have a neighbor with young children who is struggling between getting work done and going to the grocery store, maybe you can go over and say, ‘Hey, why don’t you have your kids come play at my house for a bit so you can do what you need to do.’ … It’s not about catching [a parent] doing something wrong; there’s no such thing as a perfect parent. It’s really about having that ‘It takes a village’ mentality and attitude and contributing to create that sense of community that strengthens families.

Featured photo: Cliff Simmonds. Courtesy photo.

Rebecca Wheeler

Rebecca Wheeler is the owner of The Traveling Taco ([email protected], and on Facebook and Instagram @thetravelingtaconh), a food trailer specializing in multiple types of tacos, taco salads, nachos and soups that she runs with the help of her friend Olivia Turcotte. Since launching the trailer in December, Wheeler has dabbled in a variety of her own creative takes on tacos, from Jamaican jerk chicken to chipotle orange pulled pork and roasted sweet potato and black bean, in addition to those with more traditional fillings like seasoned ground beef. The Traveling Taco was a weekly mainstay at Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker throughout the winter season. In addition to being available for catering and private events, Wheeler is planning to participate in several events later this spring and summer, including Taco Tuesday nights at Lake Shore Village Resort in Weare, as well as at select shows at Northlands (formerly Drive-In Live) in Swanzey.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

Hands down, it would have to be my knife.

What would you have for your last meal?

King crab legs and a delicious salad, probably an arugula salad with some kind of goat cheese and a balsamic drizzle.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Harlow’s Pub in Peterborough. I like the Blairwich sandwich. It’s a roast beef sandwich and it has pepper jack cheese, horseradish mayo and jalapeno peppers.

What celebrity would you like to see ordering from your food trailer?

The first person that came to mind was Snoop Dogg, so I’m going to go with him. … I feel like he’d be smiling and ready to eat some tacos.

What is your personal favorite menu item that you have offered?

My favorite … has been the black bean and sweet potato tacos, [which also] had guacamole and a drizzle of salsa verde.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

Food trucks, especially now, because I feel like you can dine out from a food truck and it feels more normal … than when you go eat inside of a restaurant.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

One of our favorite meals in my family is surf and turf. A really nice grilled steak and then maybe crab or seared scallops to go with that.

Jalapeno tomato cheddar bisque
From the kitchen of Rebecca Wheeler of The Traveling Taco food truck

5 jalapenos (depending on size and spice level desired)
5 shallots
2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 pint heavy cream
1 cup cheddar cheese
Splash of sherry
Sea salt and black pepper
Slice shallots and jalapenos and saute in a soup pot with a little olive oil. When they start to caramelize, add a splash of sherry and diced tomatoes, then simmer. When the flavors all come together, blend until smooth. Finish by adding heavy cream and cheddar cheese. Season with sea salt and black pepper.

Food & Drink
Farmers markets
• Cole Gardens Winter Farmers Market is Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cole Gardens (430 Loudon Road, Concord), now through April 17. Visit colegardens.com.
• Downtown Concord Winter Farmers Market is Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 20 S. Main Street in Concord, now through late April. Find them on Facebook @downtownconcordwinterfarmersmarket.
• Salem Farmers Market is Sundays, from 10 a.m. to noon, inside the former Rockler Woodworking building (369 S. Broadway, Salem). Visit salemnhfarmersmarket.org.

Featured photo: Rebecca Wheeler

On The Job – Beth Daisy

Beth Daisy

Occupational therapist, Future in Sight NH

Beth Daisy is an occupational therapist and supervisor of occupational therapy at Future In Sight NH, a Concord-based nonprofit providing services for the blind and visually impaired community in New Hampshire.

Explain your job.

We work with people to help them be able to do the activities and things that mean a lot to them, and to increase their independence. For example, if it’s important for somebody to keep cooking despite their disability, we can help with that. … We also help people with reading, paying their bills and participating in leisure activities.

How long have you had this job?

I started with them in January 2020, and I’ve been supervisor since September.

What led you to this career field?

I was in the Marine Corps for 21 years … and I spent 18 years flying helicopters, including medical helicopters, so I saw a lot of harsh realities. … I wanted to find an organization with values that were similar to mine, where I could really capitalize on my experience with technology to help people overcome disability.

What kind of education did you need?

The base-level education nowadays for occupational therapists is a master’s degree. … I also got a graduate certificate in assistive technology, and that’s what really opened my eyes to how much technology is benefiting people with disabilities. … I’ve taken advantage of a lot of continuing education courses offered through the American Occupational Therapy Association to really connect the dots between the theory and the practice. … Future in Sight also does a great job of providing job training. I was able to go out and shadow another occupational therapist, then ease my way into evaluating and treating clients on my own.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

It’s casual attire. Sometimes I have to get down on my hands and knees to plug in or set up [tech devices], so I have to wear something practical.

How has your job changed over the last year?

I think Covid and isolation [have led to] more emphasis on technology and have really pushed more people, especially seniors, to get a little more motivated to start using technology and smart devices. Now, around a third of my older adult clients have some sort of smart device.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

Rarely are you seeing a client with just … vision impairment. Oftentimes, there are also underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. You need to … include the person’s emotional well-being and mental health needs in your treatment plan.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

I think there’s a lot of hesitation, especially from older adults, about receiving help for their vision loss. You see them trying to figure out how to rehabilitate on their own, and I think that’s because there’s just a lack of awareness that there are services out there for individuals with vision loss and their family members. Nobody should have to try to deal with that on their own, because there are experts out there who can help.

What was the first job you ever had?

I was a sailing instructor at the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program on the Merrimack River.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

If you’re ever thinking about sending an angry email, don’t do it!

Five favorites
Favorite book: West with the Night by Beryl Markham
Favorite movie: The English Patient
Favorite type of music or musician: Musicals. I’m currently obsessed with Hamilton.
Favorite food: Indian
Favorite thing about NH: All the outdoor opportunities — hiking, biking, kayaking, you name it.

Featured photo: Beth Daisy

Live to tell the tale

Storytelling Festival features traditional and personal stories, poetry, music

The New Hampshire Theatre Project’s annual Storytelling Festival returns to the stage — and to the screen — on Saturday, April 10, with six storytellers telling traditional and personal tales inspired by the theme “What Are You Waiting For?” The performance will be held for a live audience in person at The Music Hall in Portsmouth and virtually over the live video platform Crowdcast.

“There are several [storytelling series] in the area that honor personal stories in the Moth [Radio Hour] tradition, but in terms of telling different kinds of stories, telling traditional tales and [highlighting] storytelling as an art form, there’s really nothing else like [NHTP’s Storytelling Festival] in the area,” said NHTP executive director Genevieve Aichele, who is hosting and performing at this year’s event.

Featured storytellers will include Boston-based award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb, presenting a comedic story from her early acting career; British storyteller and humorist Simon Brooks, performing a traditional tale from northern England; Seacoast jazz musician and entertainer Sharon Jones, sharing a story about a special moment on stage at Portsmouth High School; Seacoast storyteller and emcee Pat Spalding of the storytelling series True Tales Live, aired on Portsmouth Public Media TV, telling tales of her time as a majorette with the Leftist Marching Band; and poet Maya Williams of Portland, Maine, telling stories of suicidality, racial identity, religion and healing through the art of spoken word poetry.

Additionally, world fusion musician Randy Armstrong will perform musical interludes throughout the festival with an eclectic mix of instruments.

“If you like Moth Radio Hour and you want to hear those types of personal stories, there will be some of that, and if you enjoy traditional tales, there will be some of that, too,” Aichele said. “Poetry, music — there’s something in it for everyone.”

Aichele will perform her original adaptation of “The Elephant and the Ant,” a traditional tale from India, with musical accompaniment by Armstrong.

“The music is really part of the storytelling,” she said. “It helps to set the mood and gives it that cultural atmosphere and flavor of the culture where the story begins.”

The theme “What Are You Waiting For?” was inspired, Aichele said, by the innovation of the arts community throughout the pandemic.

“It’s a new world; we can’t do art the way we used to,” she said, “so why not use Covid as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves? What are we waiting for? That’s really what these stories are about — not waiting to act or make a change.”

While experiencing a performance virtually is “not quite the same” as experiencing it in person, Aichele said, there’s still a “feeling of excitement and energy” that comes with watching any kind of live event.

“No matter where you are, you’re there; you’re in the audience,” she said. “You’re a part of that community of people who are seeing this thing happening live, and that can be really exciting.”

New Hampshire Theatre Project’s 5th annual Storytelling Festival
Where: Live in person at The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, and virtual livestream via Crowdcast
When: Saturday, April 10, 8 p.m.
Cost: Tickets cost $36 for the performance at The Music Hall and $15 for the livestream performance
More info: Visit nhtheatreproject.org and themusichall.org

Art

Call for Art

• FIBER ART EXHIBIT The Surface Design Association’s (SDA) New Hampshire Group invites New Hampshire fiber artists to submit work for its upcoming exhibit of fiber art and textiles, “Tension: Process in the Making.” Exhibit will run July 24 through Sept. 4 at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen). Submission deadline is Fri., May 1. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

Classes & lectures

• GENERAL ART CLASSES In-person art classes for all levels and two-dimensional media. held with small groups of two to five students. Private classes are also available. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Students are asked to wear masks in the gallery. Tuition costs $20 per group class and $28 per private class, with payment due at the beginning of the class. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org.

Exhibits

• “BODY OF WORK: SERIES I” New Hampshire Art Association presents an exhibition featuring artwork in a variety of media by eight local artists. On view now through May 2. Online and in person at the NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth. All works are for sale. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• 35TH ANNUAL OMER T. LASSONDE JURIED EXHIBITION The New Hampshire Art Association presents a group art show featuring works in a variety of media by NHAA members and non-members. NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth). On view now through May 30. A virtual opening reception and awards ceremony is planned for Thurs., April 15, at 6:30 p.m. Call 431-4230 and visit nhartassociation.org.

• “THE BODY IN ART: FROM THE SPIRITUAL TO THE SENSUAL” Exhibit provides a look at how artists through the ages have used the human body as a means of creative expression. On view now through Sept. 1. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• GALLERY ART A new collection of art by more than 20 area artists on display now in-person and online. Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford). Call 672-2500 or visit creativeventuresfineart.com.

• “TOMIE DEPAOLA AT THE CURRIER” Exhibition celebrates the illustrator’s life and legacy through a collection of his original drawings. On view now. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Special events

• MAGNIFY VOICES EXPRESSIVE ARTS CELEBRATION Youth artwork showcased to help raise awareness and decrease stigma of mental illness and effect change to ensure social and emotional health for all children in New Hampshire. May, date TBA. Visit tinyurl.com/magnifyvoices2021 or email [email protected].

Theater

Shows

• THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE Filmed live in London 2021. Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Now through April 11. $25 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• DON QUIXOTE Performed by Safe Haven Ballet. Thurs., April 8, and Fri., April 9, 7 p.m. The Music Hall, Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Tickets cost $50 for adults and $45 for children, seniors and groups. Visit themusichall.org or call 436-2400.

• THE ART OF CIRCUS Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Thurs., April 8, 7 p.m., Sat., April 10, 8 p.m., and Sun., April 11, 2 p.m. $25 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• FIFTH ANNUAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL New Hampshire Theatre Project presents. Five storytellers tell traditional and personal tales inspired by NHTP’s 2020 – 2021 MainStage theme “What Are You Waiting For?” Featuring Diane Edgecomb, Pat Spalding, Simon Brooks, Sharon Jones and Maya Williams; with special guest host Genevieve Aichele and musical accompaniment by Randy Armstrong. Sat., April 10, 7 p.m. The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Tickets cost $36. Call 431-6644 or visit nhtheatreproject.org.

• KINKY BOOTS Recorded live in London. Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. April 14 through April 21. $15 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• COX AND BOX Performed by New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Thurs., April 15, and Fri., April 16, 8 p.m., and Sun., April 18, 2 p.m. $20 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• ZOOM PLAY FESTIVAL Presented by Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative and Community Players of Concord. Features short original plays by New Hampshire playwrights. Fri., April 16. Virtual. See Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative on Facebook.

• THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW: A PUPPET PARODY at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Sat., April 24, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35.

Classical

• CONCORD COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL FACULTY CONCERT Part of Concord’s Walker Lecture Series. Virtual, via Concord TV (Channel 22, or stream at yourconcordtv.org). Wed., April 21. 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 333-0035 or visit walkerlecture.org.

Featured photo: Featured storyteller Diane Edgecomb. Courtesy photo.

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