I'm So Proud Of Rene!

[Daryn Kagan]

Do you have any friends you've never met in person?
That's the case with Rene and me.
When she left CBS weeks before facing double mastectomy, I thought, "I need to meet that woman!"
Wouldn't you know it? She came to meet me.
She reached out for some pointers in rebuilding her brand and her career.

I was just a few steps ahead of her, as CNN let me go in 2006. CNN was a rockin' place for me to anchor news for 12 years. I can honestly tell you, the best thing they ever did was show me the door.

I've rebuilt my career all around telling inspiring news stories. No more doom and gloom for me. I can honestly say I haven't looked back a single second or wished I was back in the anchor chair in the last 2 years.

I hope you'll stop by my "baby" DarynKagan.com is the web's one-stop destination for inspiring news. Every day I post stories that fit the theme, "Show The World What's Possible!"

And we're talking inspiring news over in our social online community. I hope you'll stop by there, too. Rene is there! You can share your own inspiring stories, photos, videos, etc.

But this is really about Rene, who has such passion and trust me, does NOT let the grass grow under her feet when she gets inspired. She has taken that old life, which in many ways she feels was taken from her, and created a wonderful brand and space to serve mothers all around the world.

Rene-I'm thankful for your friendship, all that you've created, and YES, I do look forward to one day soon meeting in person. I'll be in NYC end of January!
YAY!

[Rene Syler]

Daryn:
You made me cry!!!!! You are such a special, wonderful person. I thank God for all the crap I had to go through because had it not happened, we would have never "met". Please, please we MUST meet in person when you come up in January. I have a thank you and a HUGE hug for you!
xxoo

[DawnKA]

Wow, how wonderful! I guess this is the founder of the site Rene posted the link to on facebook. I was under the impression that Rene left the show until I read her post. I love stories like these they serve to inspire so many of us. Rene - the best is yet to come! I'm off to check out the site.

[Rene Syler]

Hey Dawn:
No CBS got rid of me and it was such a horrifying time in my life. I feel like I am just emerging from a two year fog. But Daryn, who I have never met in person, was there for me, as were so many other friends.. truly gifts from on high.. and I am so lucky. Of course I count you and all my little GEMs in there too :)

[Deena Pierott]

Wow - this is amazing. I didn't know you went through that Rene, and also Daryn. I went through the same exact thing for the company that I dedicated my creativity to for 15 years. I know about that fog Rene, went when I think I'm out of the fog something will remind me that it's still lingering. Being an opinionated, creative and forward-thinking woman of color in the Pacific NW isn't viewed too highly. Even after all the positive things I brought to the table. The hardest thing was watching the people I championed for over the years steer clear of me when they heard I was on the chopping block. I was literally dead-man walking. But what I didn't realize at the time was that it was a blessing to leave, and if they didn't cut my position I would probably still be there wishing of other things.

Well, I decided to start my own company, is it scary? Oh yes, very..But I will always be idealistic and optimistic - I'm going to make it, and on my terms. Please enjoy the quote that I found while making my leap of faith, it goes:
"Once considering all the ways to fail, I finally took the leap of faith and found myself flying"

This is what you're doing Rene - there are so many people out there that love who you are, what you're doing and what you represent. At this point you can send CBS a thank you note for releasing you to find your path which is very very bright.