A Bostonian by birth, Ginny and her husband Paul Costello moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1997, where he is a Tech Crew Chief with American Airlines, based in Miami. Though prior Florida positions include Property Manager at American Express, Senior Real Estate & Facility Manager with Spherion, and Project Manager with PRC, her expertise is in Lease Portfolio Management for businesses with a large number of leased locations. Ginny determines if and where new sites should be located, negotiates leases, designs the buildouts, manages construction and installation of furniture and voice/data connectivity, moves in the occupants and manages all aspects of the lease thereafter. In 2007, Ginny was named by Florida Real Estate Journal, as one of Florida’s Top 20 Women in Real Estate, and was interviewed in the May 7, 2007 issue of Business Week on the advantages of utilizing Executive Suites in corporate lease portfolios. Currently in transition between firms, Ginny is working as an independent consultant. Sailing, enjoying cruises, and independent travel to such exotic destinations as Hong Kong, Greece and Australia is her favorite "therapy", keeping Ginny and her husband quite busy.
I am grateful for Jan Herard’s awesome assistance to sell my home. Her suggestions and frequent feedback have been hugely helpful in preparing the house to look and show its best. Thank you, Jan!
I am a professional costumer with 22 years experience. My background is in theatre, starting with a BFA in Design and Technical Direction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I have worked as the chief costume designer, costume shop head, milliner (hatmaker), dyer and other positions for various theaters back and forth across the USA. I have designed and built costumes for an Off-Broadway production entitled "Dubious Oysters, Questionable Pearls". All of these jobs led me to work as the wardrobe mistress on the SS Norway cruise ship, where I met my husband. My wandering days were over and we settled in Florida to raise a family.
In Florida, I worked at a "normal" job in an office until I gave birth to my first child. I incorporated my seamstress business and threw myself into it full time so I could stay at home with my new baby, Eleanora. How silly I was to think I would now have time to devote myself to the business fully! After not sleeping for about 2 years, the business began to establish itself… and I became pregnant again with my second child, Daniel. Eleanora is now seven years old and Daniel is four.
My business, Lassalle Designs, Inc. is keeping me pretty busy now. I have made a good foothold into the Celebrity Impersonator community and now also offer custom wedding gowns. I am constantly expanding my bank of skills to increase the services I offer. I enjoy helping people to realize their projects. It is exciting to take a sketch of an outfit and make it come alive.
I also work as the seamstress on set for several production companies, shooting film, television and commercials. Some of the commercials I have worked on have starred San Marino, Tony Stewart and Papa John (of Papa John’s Pizza).
My family includes my husband Christian and our children Eleanora and Daniel. We have three cats, a fish won at a birthday party and a weaver spider in our front shrubbery. My hobbies include reading, gardening and keeping an eye on the weaver spider.
I want to give Diana Fairbanks a personal, heartfelt “THANK YOU” for helping a childhood friend handle an emotionally difficult short sale of a Fort Lauderdale condominium. He and his family members were so impressed by Diana’s professionalism, and felt very reassured by her throughout the entire process. They are continuously thanking me for introducing Diana to them. Thank you so much, Diana!
Kudos to Myriam Cohen of Crazy Good Deal, who put my one hour anti-stress tune-up for a half-off ad, online for me. She spent so much time helping me decide all the necessary details and I really appreciate her efforts!!!!!!!!!!!!
Life led me from Michigan, to Colorado, to South America, to California, to Ohio, to Maine, to SW Florida, and finally, to Fort Lauderdale. A couple months ago a friend asked me, “So, Judith, if you didn’t live in Fort Lauderdale, where would you live?” For the first time, ever, I didn’t hesitate. It took me half a heartbeat to answer. “Nowhere!”
Three years ago, my husband, Chuck Schwabe, and I bought a condominium in Marine Tower on Las Olas. I have one adult daughter; Chuck has three adult daughters. That leaves us with our princess cat, Zoey, living in a home and city we love. Until this month, I thought: Life can’t get any better. It did. I was introduced to WEC and am more than proud and excited to be a new member.
Professionally, I am a personal historian. My business is Memoir Shoppe. I am privileged to travel worldwide writing beautifully designed, heirloom quality books that preserve and protect stories of exceptional families—and every family is exceptional.
Thank you for the opportunity to become part of this dynamic group. I look forward to many years of active participation, personal and professional stimulation, fun, and new friends who will become dear friends.
