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 Elinor
Robin, PhD & A Friendly Divorce
7300 Camino Real, Suite 203
Boca Raton,
FL 33433
Phone: 561-394-9226
E-mail: Elinor@AFriendlyDivorce.com
Web sites:
ElinorRobin.com
AFriendlyDivorce.com MediationTrainingGroup.com
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Co-founder, Mental Health Professionals of Boca Raton
Florida Academy of Professional Mediators
VP - Family Mediation
BNI Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators
Past President
Women's Executive Club
Awards:
Presidents Award, Florida Academy of Professional
Mediators, 2005
When and why did you start your business?
I became a mediator in 1989. At the time, I was
a student at PBCC. I heard about mediation and
it sounded like something that I would enjoy. Over
the next few years I tried to learn everything
I could about mediation and I mediated every time
I had the chance - mostly within the small claims
courts. I went back to school and got a Masters
Degree in counseling at FAU so that I could mediate
divorces. I worked for the courts in Broward and
Palm Beach. In 2000 I started a mediation training
business with a business partner and eventually,
I retired from the courts. Today, I still train
others to be mediators and I have my own mediation
practice. I mediate workplace, small business and
family disputes. Additionally, with my husband,
I mediate divorces at A Friendly Divorce.
Please provide a brief overview of your company.
I
mediate workplace, small business and family disputes.
Additionally, with my husband, I mediate divorces
at A Friendly Divorce. A Friendly
Divorce offers couples going through the divorce
process a unique mediation model that
promotes problem solving. We work with couples,
without attorneys, to design an agreement that
will guide them (parenting, finances, child
support, etc.) in the future. We prepare
the agreement and then fill-in the forms that
need to be presented to the court. Ultimately,
the case is set for a final hearing as an
uncontested dissolution of marriage.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
After spending 20 years as a student, I received
my PhD in Psychology with a Specialization in Conflict
Management.
My marraige. Its not easy but we make it work.
I have come very far. In 1986, before I went back
to school, I owned a shoe repair shop (on Yamato
Road). Years later I met one of my old shoe repair
customers. He was amazed at how far I had come.
What advice could you offer women looking to get
into business for themselves?
Don't go into a business you know nothing
about. Get a job doing it first, learn all
you can, go to trade shows, ask questions,
interview successful people in the field. THEN, go
for it. |
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