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
“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.”
co-author: Heart Politics
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
(Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education & Research)
“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
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."
“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
American Hospital Association
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."
Running a One-Person Business: Business as Lifestyle
Endorsements from Thought Leaders
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
“When I think of you, I think of a nice warm hug. You are the most mental and emotionally satisfying of my tribe, I believe. You ask very little and give so much to all of us. Thank you for being related to me.”
Donna Allan
Claude's Mother
More About Me and Meaningful Work