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“Claude Whitmyer is an invaluable consultant who harmonizes matters of the marketplace with those of the spirit. Without him, I still wouldn’t know that ‘right livelihood’ is a practical reality, not just a philosophical ideal.”
Maureen Redl, Sausalito
psychotherapist
What "Students" Say
“I met Claude many years ago in [one of his] business training programs. Being more oriented to the emotional world and the invisible world, and being shy about marketing myself, I felt overwhelmed by what is required in business.
Claude simplified the business aspect of things and made me feel that, indeed, I could earn the money I needed doing the work I love.
Claude has a lovely combination of Heart and business sense that he presents in a way that feels normal and do-able.”
Meg Siddheshwari Sullivan, R.N., M.S.N.
Reiki Center of the East Bay
“Claude is a thorough teacher and a knowledgeable mentor. Under Claude’s tutelage and supervision, I experienced dramatic growth, both professionally and personally.”
Roberto Aponte, MAB
Founder, Visionary Events
“Claude was my instructor at CIIS in the MA Business program which was conducted in large part over the internet. He showed patience, humor and wisdom. Claude is a maverick — a real entrepreneur, smart, creative and determined and working with him offers many benefits. “
Debra Amerson, MAB
Founder, Plantris
“Seeing you today reminded me of how much of the MAB program I’ve integrated into my thinking and current vocation over the years, especially the triple bottom line. I’ve been teaching my own business planning course for over 15 years before COVID shut down my in-person classes. Switching to Zoom, for the past 4 years I’ve been a trainer and business coach for Enterprise for Equity and their business planning program that integrates the triple bottom line throughout its content.
“All of this I link directly back to you and how you developed the MAB program. For this, I owe you a deep sense of gratitude. Thank you for pointing ‘The Way’.”
Jim Williams, MAB
Business Coach and Trainer
“I was just thinking how much you are a pivotal factor in why I’ve been successful. The confidence I gained in the MAB program, with our unique constellation of good souls exploring good ideas, opened me up and pointed me in a direction to choose a creative and abundant life, far beyond what I could have imagined before I met you.”
Mary Schmidt, MAB
Fundrasing consultant and NLP practioner
“I truly enjoyed the seminar, both for its content and for the insights it gave me about a certain “quality” of being in business that you certainly embody.
Christian Forthomme, MBA
College Administrator
“I still think about the circles and intersections exercises from our ‘Art of Business/Business of Art’ workshop. Yes, 20 years have passed, with lots of little things and one feature documentary, ‘Mrs. Judo”, in the can. I am working on another feature now and hoping to have it out soon. Thanks to your early foundation work, I’m still around doing this.”
Yuriko Romer
filmmaker, Flying Carp Productions
“What I get from your workshops is a chance to assimilate what right livelihood means. You were always guiding, but you were also thinking, wondering, listening, observing — and applying what you were getting from the businesses we visited.”
Deanna Marquart
Legislative Analyst
“You gave me a profound experience of receiving services from a business conducted in the spirit of right livelihood. I am now both further along and more solidly on a new and gratifying path.:
Ron Feldman
Start-Up Service Business
"I learned a lot from our session. You answered questions I'd had for years. It was good to have someone so knowledgeable to work with."
Zack Stewart, San Francisco
Canessa Park Architects
“You recognized something in me, Claude, that I didn’t recognize in myself!
“Yours is a voice in my Vermont woods. Just this business of being able to sort through things: this, this, and this.“Its very difficult to recognize stuff in ourselves, but some of us can do it in others. That’s how I see what Claude does. It’s a great gift and invaluable. Claude certainly practices what he preaches, giving much of himself.”
Lisa Kippen, Vermont
fine artist, art teacher, community organizer
"Thanks for the session on Friday. It has turned my outlook around completely! I'm very excited! I'll tell you more when we meet next week."
Charlie Varon, San Francisco
performance artist, teacher, producer, director,
co-author: Heart Politics
co-author: Heart Politics
“I first came in contact with Claude Whitmyer’s work when I graduated from college. He had already been out there for a while. It felt like I had discovered a voice in the wilderness about how to discover one’s true work.”
Barbara Saunders, Berkeley
business and technical writer
"It felt good to talk about the issues I'm facing and to be understood. I appreciate the concrete suggestions and look forward to another session."
Kat Gootee, San Francsico
market researcher
"Thank you for your good energy and help. I enjoyed it very much and appreciate your good ideas and commitment."
Dyanne Ladine, East Palo Alto
community organizer
"Claude, you genius . . . you probably don't remember me, but I remember you -- with fondness. And with gratitude for getting to hear what you had to say to the world. And to me. . . . Long live Right Livelihood!"
Deanna J. Marquart, Sacramento
legislative analyst (retired)
What Good Business Consulting Clients Say
“You took the time to understand the business before contributing your clear and effective advice. Your ideas were really helpful and you pin-pointed the key problems with our company. Thank you for all your help over the last two years.”
Tom Asher, Mill Valley
Art Venture, clothing manufacturer
"I first met Claude in the early 90s. I consider Claude as my mentor (one of only two people in the world). I feel incredibly helped by Claude and his Good Work Guidance, helping me devlop my teaching of writing through my independent online school."
Andy Couturier, (entrepreneurial writing teacher)
The Opening (a private writing school)
"We have learned an incredible amount about personnel benefits, what it takes to create a business, how banks function, what our limitations are, and how we thrive on being challenged. We greatly appreciate your support and willingness to help during our gestation period. Thanks for everything."
Nina Weisbord, San Francisco
Frame of Mind (small chain of framing stores)
"Thank you so much for our wonderful exchange! Your wise presence and spirit offer guidance beyond words! You are a real joy to work with/together. I look forward to more discoveries, blessings, and business challenges! Thanks for being the best and bringing out our best!"
John Ingle, Austin, Texas
Ty & John Wellness Cuisine
"Thank you Claude for all your pearls of wisdom and love and support. I really feel that you are a great mentor to us. Thanks so much."
Ty, Austin, Texas
Ty & John Wellness Cuisine
"Your visit yesterday was a real shot in the arm. I am busy beginning to follow up on your suggestions and reflecting on your very perceptive and useful comments."
Helen Miller, San Francisco
art gallery owner
"Thank you, Claude. for your list of recommended security apps. I'm using two of them now for my business/home computers and will look at adding the others. You folks are a great potential fit for FAIMER and its culture. I hope to see you involved in both near-term and longer."
Ray Wells, Ph.D., Philadelphia
leadership education, FAIMER
(Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education & Research)
(Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education & Research)
"Thank you for your excellent job as the facilitator of our board retreat. Attendees agreed that the retreat was quite successful, thanks in part to your skills, warmth, and, of course, good humor."
Jewish Family & Children's Services, San Francisco
social services agency
“It is helpful to look at my business with your kind of overview–to see where things have been missing and make the changes needed. I appreciate your help.”
Anne Subercaseux, San Francisco
commercial artist
“The consultations I did with you were definitely an important factor in the rapid gains in my business. I have taken your suggestions and support to heart and they have greatly strengthened me and my work.”
Don Propstra, San Francisco
psychotherapist
“We are impressed with Claude’s ability to educate and understand. He has a good feel for the special needs of non-profit organizations. We especially enjoyed the collaborative and cooperative manner in which he works.”
Nina Sazer, San Francisco
non-profit development professional
"You’ve done a terrific job! The Company and I thank you! My first and stronger reaction to the Quick Guide is EXCELLENT!!!"
Keith Butler, San Francisco
manager corporate communications, Pacific Bell
What Professional Peers Say
"Claude is a creative, forward thinker with excellent leadership qualities and organizational skills.
"I've known and respected him for many years."
Irene Kane, San Francisco
wedding and celebrant minister, Ceremonies and Celebrations
"Claude Whitmyer is one of the most thorough, versatile and effective consultants I know. The breadth of his business knowledge and his demonstrated commitment to integrity and social responsibility make him a uniquely gifted business advisor and management consultant . . . . Claude truly makes a high-value contribution to each project he undertakes."
Christian Forthomme, MBA, Aptos
founder, RealChange Network
“Claude is a deep water community builder and networker. He was in on the ground floor of the PC revolution in the '80s and has learned his way up with it, inventing and evolving many useful solutions. He has tirelessly supported right livelihood approaches to business, and other sensible strategies for the new century."
David Sibbet, San Francisco
founder of The Grove, developer of "group graphics" and author of Visual Meetings, Visual Teams, & Visual Consulting
"The work you've been doing all these years has been an incredible contribution to our common work in building community and introducing participatory ways of becoming wiser together."
Juanita Brown, Mill Valley
co-creator "World Cafe", organization consultant & co-author of The World Cafe: Shaping our Future Through Conversations That Matter
“At this particular moment in history, it feels incredibly valuable to have Claude Whitmyer’s voice as a counter point to certain other voices in the world. It’s also a gift to have access to Claude’s incredible cheerleading skills and his responsiveness to others. His quick reactions can be brief or they can be long, but they are always deep and to the point.
“When I meet people like Claude, I wonder how he can survive, what feeds him, why he doesn’t seem to ever ‘run out of gas’!”
Sarah-Jane Lapp, Sekonk, Massachusetts
fine artist
jigsaw puzzle designer and manufacturer
co-developer of puzlkind.com/
“To find the truth of who you are and to make a living at it depends on your being honest with yourself, honest with your money, honest with everything. Its all connected as one thing.
“Claude is one of the few people that carries that torch. It’s what he does in the world as a creator”
John Ingle, Austin, Texas
well being & spiritual guide, trauma relief expert
“Claude Whitmyer is a facilitator.
“Michael Phillips, the founder of Briarpatch, introduced me to Claude because he is the carrier of the torch of the legacy of the Briarpatch business community and all that it has given to the world.
“To do what he does, Claude is a little bit of an outsider but at same time he is open and sharing of his spiritual knowledge, using it to help propel people forward in their careers or businesses.
“Claude also uses his skill to write about it all, to offer counseling sessions, to hold regular meetings for members and their friends, and just generally facilitate interactions.
“Claude, you’re a great facilitator! I hope you will just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s clearly affecting a lot of people in the world.”
Bert Gold, Ph.D., Falmouth, Massachusetts
entrepreneur and consulting geneticist
What Training Clients Say
"Many thanks for sharing your knowledge about the value of online communication with this year’s Fellowship class. With your inspiration, these Fellows will no doubt continue to strengthen the online community they have begun to build."
The Fellowship Staff, Chicago
Health Forum Fellowship,
American Hospital Association
American Hospital Association
Mindfulness and Meaningful Work explores mindfulness and ethics in the workplace. In these pages some of the leading thinkers and doers of our time—Thich Nhat Hanh, Joanna Macy, Sam Keen, E.E Schumacher, Gary Snyder, Shakti Gawain, Shunryu Suzuki, Robert Aitken, Tarthang Tulku, Marsha Sinetar, Rick Fields, Ellen Langer and many others—share their insights on the practice and value of working mindfully and of finding work that is meaningful, life-affirming, and non-exploitative.
A Reviewer Comment
"If you have the greatest job in the world, read this book.
"If you're unemployed, read this book.
"If you question the value of your work, read this book.
"You'll learn about yourself and about different ways of approaching not just your work, but your life."
Mountain Record
The Zen Practitioner's Journal
Running a One-Person Business: Business as Lifestyle
Running A One-Person Business provides a comprehensive approach to the needs of the solo entrepreneur, with or without employees. With interviews of many successful entrepreneurs who have struck out on their own and stuck with it, this book is brimming with practical information needed by those currently in business for themselves or those who are planning to be.
Endorsements from Thought Leaders
[Running a One-Person Business is ] ". . . . a fabulous testament to creating a rewarding lifestyle through your work, whether gardener, physicist, or dressmaker. It's also a no-nonsense, one-step-at-a-time primer to getting there from here . . . I wish I'd had it . . . when I wiggled out of the corporate cocoon."
Tom Peters, author and consultant
In Search of Exellence, Liberation Management, and many others
[Running a One-Person Business] ". . . will rank with the top ten business books of [the 1990s] in importance and usefulness. Long after the most recent crop of corporate cheerleading manuals have been remaindered, Running will provide the kind of information people truly need to know in order to express themselves and change their lives through commerce."
Paul Hawken, author and economist
Growing a Business, The Ecology of Commerce, and many others
" Running a One-Person Business is wonderfully practical and easy to read. I have recommended it to other people.
"The advice you and Ms. Rasberry provide is simple and to the point. The respective backgrounds which you [each] brought . . . reflected a sense of competence. I have read several other books which you referenced. I figured if you referenced them, they are likely very good also."
Michael Riley, San Francisco
reader and fan
In the Company of Others: Making Community in the Modern World
A Reviewer Comment
“Creating community and making it work is one of the most powerful imperatives of American life. While many social critics have been lamenting the loss of this precious resource in today’s world, few have really treated the subject with the breadth and depth it deserves.
“In the Company of Others: Making Community in the Modern World gathers together 32 essays on this important aspect of contemporary life. Editor [and contributor] Claude Whitmyer draws on his experiences as the coordinator of the Briarpatch Community to introduce the sections of this paperback on seeking, making, finding, and living communities.
“New forms of shared life, connectedness, and common purpose have come to the fore in our heterogeneous and pluralistic world. Essayists such as M. Scott Peck, Ram Dass, and Gary Snyder comment on the challenges of communication, authority, decision-making, and purpose in the maintenance of community.
“One thing is for sure: there is no shortage of variety in the forms of association covered in this book. Some of the types include:
- neighborhood service clubs
- business support teams
- food co-ops
- men’s and women’s ritual groups
- intentional spiritual communities
- electronic networks
- intellectual salons
- artists’ groups
“In the Company of Others is one of the best books on community published in many a moon.”
[https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/7132/in-the-company-of-others 
– as of March 13, 2023]
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys
A Reader Comment
Anne Willkomm
On Good Reads
More About Me and Meaningful Work
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