Matt Perelstein, M.C. P. entrepreneur, provacateur, instigateur

@MattPerelstein on Twitter | Facebook | Blog | EQ Trainings | Sign-ups

I like to stay busy.

• I learn.
• I lead classes.
• I design and develop computer database programs.
• I investigate and research emotional intelligence.
• I am actively involved with my kids and grandkids.
• I stay involved with past students from New Directions.
• I have lots of friends & family whom I stay in touch with.
• I play racquetball 2-3x / week.
• I referee high school soccer games and tournaments.
• I have an active blog.
• I am active on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
• I am run a non-profit mental health agency.
• I have a coach and I am a coach.
• I run an online business selling Eucalyptus products.
• I volunteer for various non-profits.
• I built a 2-story garage and workshop.
• I live in some of the most beautiful country on the planet.
• I manage 4 businesses.

Business Name	Role
Directions Unlimited Computer Database Consulting	Computer consultant and database expert, for the State of California, and businesses and agencies, large and small.
Emotional Intelligence Trainings &Workshops	Lead-instructor for our intensive Emotional Intelligence break-through weekend workshops
2GetHelp Wellness Center "Where People Go 2GetHelp With Their Lives"	Leading a new non-profit mental health and education agency, on a mission to bring the joy and wonder of emotional intelligence to the world
EucProducts of California Fresh & Dried Eucalyptus	In charge of all production, marketing and internet sales of fresh Eucalyptus leaves and branches to bird, sugar glider , koalas, stick insects and other pets/uses.

Here's a breakdown of current business projects:

Directions Unlimited Computer Database Consulting

• I've been a database analyst and programmer dude for over 20 years now Resume (in Adobe .PDF format)
• I'm officially a Microsoft Certified Professional, so my initials are: MCP, MCP (!)
• I do database design and development (primarily in MS Access and SQL Server), Business Process Engineering & Project Management
• Right now, I'm contracting with Autodesk world headquarters, the makers of AutoCAD software, and part-time for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in San Francisco.
• I haven't taken many computer classes, but I've taught a few, some at the college level (College of the Redwoods here in Fort Bragg and at Heald College back in Sacramento)

Emotional Intelligence Workshops site

• We teach an amazingly powerful, get-to-the-heart-of-the-matter workshop called the New Directions Emotional Intelligence Workshops. About every 6th weekend, we travel to our office/courseroom in Fresno to teach. We keep doing it because these workshops and teachings have changed mine, and so many people's lives, so completely! I've been blessed to be able to teach many people to truly take control of their lives, emotionally. I've learned so much about myself, and watched others make such profound shifts in their lives, quite simply and inexpensively, that I have chosen to spend my life screaming from the rooftops about the joy and wonder of Emotional Intelligence!
  • Hundreds have hugged me and told me, "You have helped me feel better about myself and my life." ... and more than one person has hugged me and said "You have saved my life."
    • We've led over 200 weekend workshops, in 4 states.
    Over 2,000 happi(er) graduates over 20 years... and some still hang around with us!
  • Testimonials about this awesome experience (I'm constantly amazed - Probably the proudest I am of anything in my life) Clearly, this is my calling here... to go explore our feelings and emotions, and come back to report it to you!
  • We also offer a year-long, 6-weekend EQ course, Advanced Relationship Training (ART): that teaches "advanced" relationship skills in the same weekend group-immersion format. Huge life changes happen here, as well. Our current course is graduating in October, 2009.
    
• Emotional-Intelligence101.com is a blog of writings, quotes, tips -n- tricks, challenges, break-throughs and research on how we take control of our Feelings & Emotions.
  • Posts: 862 | Lifetime page views: 110,000 | RSS feed Subscribers: 500
    
• I manage an online Support group of members who truly try to support each other as best they can!.People actively love, trust, encourage, empower and challenge each other, in a safe, kind, empowering environment, in a way in which EVERYONE WINS. The group has been going since 2002 is managed by myself and Shannon Rahn, one of our HUGEst success stories to date.

2GetHelp Wellness Center site

• We run a therapeutic mental health agency committed to EQ enhancement thru therapy, support and lifeskills training.
• Supervising Therapist: M.K. Doc Downing, Ph.D., LMFT
• Doc and his interns do individual and group Cognitive -> Affective -> Behavioural (CAB) therapy, including free Sat. morning "Huge Group Therapy" sessions.
• We specialize in emotional intelligence, providing both therapy and training in the management of anger, depression, and anxiety, using practical communication, relationship and life skills.
• We have been certified by the State of California to award Continuing Education Units (CEU) to therapists (LMFTs and LCSWs) for trainings in feelings and emotions (I'm extremely proud of this honor!).
• Doc has written 4 books, three of which I helped edit:
  • "Taking Control of Your Life" the textbook, 233 pages of ground-breaking EQ work
  • "Taking Control of Your Life" the workbook
  • "PARENTING: The Early Years"
• 2560 W. Shaw Ave, #105, Fresno, CA 93711 (559) 431-9995, fax: (559) 431-9996 map
• Email: -- info @ 2GetHelp .org

EucProducts of California

• EucProducts.com -We sell fresh Eucalyptus leaves & chew sticks to birds and sugar glider owners and breaders.
  
• We found out that Eucs are really good for birds, and sugar gliders and, are you ready for this... Walkingsticks (yes, the little, super-skinny insects eat nothing but fresh Euc leaves). For some pets, Eucs help them physically, they keeps fleas out, they smell GREAT, help in breeding, act as an anti-oxidant, and more--there are all kinds of magical properties about Eucs! many, many testimonials are here.
  
• For me, the products we sell are totally 100% free (COGS = $0.00), as we have at least a hundred Euc trees right here on our property - some babies, some over 100' high! The biggest expense is shipping, and the customer pays that. Even the boxes are free from the US Post Office. The rest is just my time.
  
• I've always wanted to offer a 'product' along with all our many 'services' (teaching and consulting). We've now shipped over 800 orders in 4 years so it's not big bucks, but profitable enuf to be a legitimate side job. Plus, I'm learning a ton about packaging, shipping, pricing, websites, eucalyptus, growing and especially, marketing on the internet, which I believe will be a large part of my income throughout my life!

Site Recap

• Fresh Eucalyptus Sales | http://www.EucProducts.com
• Non-profit 2GetHelp Wellness Center | http://www.2GetHelp.org
• Llife-changing Emotional Intelligence Workshops | http://www.NewDirectionsWorkshops.com
• The most loving emotional support group on the planet | http://2GetHelp.ning.com
• Teachings, trainings and how-to's on the most important subject there is | http://www.Emotional-Intelligence101.com
  

Personal

We have 3 kids (18, 24, 37) and 4 grandkids (11, 12, 14 & 16) all of whom live with or near us and they are the joy of our life!

In 2001, we moved to Fort Bragg, on the the Mendocino coast of Northern California to open a B&B. It didn't work out, but we stayed on, for the small-town atmosphere and the fresh beauty of the land and ocean. Since then, I have either a) been able to telecommute (yay!), or b) willing to travel (so-so).

In 2003, we bought 13 acres of beautiful land in the woods, 1/3 mile from the ocean, cleared some trees and installed a double-wide manufactured home (see pic below).

Since mid-2006, Paula and I have been building a 2-story, 1,600 sq. ft. garage / office / workshop off our house (mostly ourselves, by hand). We're about 98% done now -- structure, roof, and all walls are in place -- some siding, and a bit of drywall and flooring still to do. What a project it's been!

Drop me a note and say Hi.
Remember, your Feelings & Emotions are your friends, not your enemies (EQ > IQ) and improving your emotional intelligence is probably the #1 thing you can possibly do for yourself, and your loved ones!

- Matt