About Handy Ande
Also read our
Founder's
Philosophy.
HANDY ANDE is
Andrea Reynolds, nicknamed "Handy Ande"
as a child in Erie, PA because she could take care of a
home from the age of 6. The
Ande part stuck through high
school. Then she studied Family and Consumer Sciences (Home
Economics Education) at Kent State University and became a
home economist for Sears, McCall Pattern Co., and Ryerson
University in Toronto, Canada. Self-employed since 1977 her
varied career has included wardrobe counseling, a concierge
service, pet-sitting, home and business sitting, appliance
demonstration, radio and television broadcasting,
commercial voice-over work, newsletter and column writing,
book publishing, bed & breakfast hosting, public
relations and publicity, investigative journalism, and
author-publisher of a number of practical how-to books.
In 1997, her Author's Bed and Breakfast in Toronto suffered
a home invasion and she had to close down her business
after only 6 months of operation which had taken 10 years
to start. She had courageously confronted the intruder and
was able to help police apprehend and identify him in
court. As a result, she received death threats and daily
harassment from his buddies in prison - one of whom was her
landlord - and when he was acquitted and released, police
urged her to disappear. She left everything of value behind
and went into hiding for 7 years. Afraid for her life, she
could no longer generate new business for her public
relations firm for authors by public speaking or appearing
on television or radio. She suffered rejection after
rejection and couldn't generate enough income to live.
In 2005, she returned to Canada on a mission of kindness
only to face more rejection as a woman who stands up for
justice. Her motto
is "Stand up for what is right... even if you're
standing alone." She created a business in
which she helps others who have been mistreated, but was
demonized for charging for her services. The only clients
she had, were, ironically, based in the United States. The
board of directors of her condo association even sent her a
letter forbidding her from operating her online business
(web sites) from inside her home, even though the former
owners of her home ran a business there.... while sitting
on the board!
Despite other people's recommendations that she "suffer in
silence", Reynolds believes openness and truthfulness are
the first steps to standing up to bullies. In her other
online business, CrisisBrainstorm.com, in which she acts on
behalf of those who do acquiesce to public pressure to
remain quiet, she utilizes her skills and training as an
investigative journalist, a creative problem-solver in
crisis situations, and a publicist. Not only does she
assist the individual client and conclude the assignment
with positive results, but she creates public awareness
so that no other individuals in the future have to
suffer the same indignity or cruelty. The maltreatment
stops with Reynolds' methods. She is the "Ralph Nader"
for individuals who want to stand up to authority. And
when necessary she will act as her own client.... as she
is doing now.
As she has finally sold the condo Andrea Reynolds is now
free to promote her e-books and her services:
Angel Attraction Kit: Raise capital with private investors
25 Unconventional Ways to Raise the Funds You Need
to Build Your Advice
Empire... without credit cards or selling a kidney
No More Empty Relationships: A Handbook for Single Adults
Who Want to Break the Pattern of Going Nowhere
NOT
AVAILABLE
Let's Do Something Besides Dinner and a Movie Creative
Date and Activity Ideas for Singles, Couples and Groups
of Friends.
Romantic & Playful
Toronto: 750
Things to Do in Toronto
Cheap Thrills: Low-Cost and No Cost Romantic Things
to Do
No Surprises: 365 Critical Questions You Need to Ask Each
Other Before You Marry... and How to Ask Them
No Surprises: 20 Questions You Need to Ask Each Other About
Love and Romance, article reprint (Wedding Bells
magazine) NOT
AVAILABLE
The Language of Love: 3 Articles on Romantic Body
Language NOT
AVAILABLE
101 Surefire Places Where Singles Can Meet Other Single
Adults NOT
AVAILABLE
Speaker Contract Template
and Private
Tutorial Package
Speak Professionally
Trilogy
33 Amenities That Speakers
Deserve
Secrets for Setting and Quoting Your Speaking Fees
The Speaker's Kit: Promotional Materials You Need to
Make Money as a Professional Speaker
Make $1000 to $5000 by Writing Articles for
Magazines
Self-Syndicate Your Column
to Newspapers
Publish Your Own Profitable, Paid Subscription
Newsletter
Writer's Fortune Cookie Predictions NOT
AVAILABLE
Let's Book This One: 77 Secrets for Writing Unforgettable Press
Releases that
Excite Editors and Producers
The
Bed and Breakfast Guest Etiquette
Quiz
Jump-Start Your Creative Genius
to Generate Ideas Answers,
Solutions
Stand Up! Be More Assertive by Addressing Others' Critical,
Manipulative, and Controlling Behavior NOT
AVAILABLE
Start a Mutual Self-Help Support Group NOT
AVAILABLE
OutSmarting Sweetheart
Swindlers:
Protect Your Heart and Financial Assets from a Romantic
Con Artist
Staying Safe from Stalkers: Smart Things to Do When You're
in Imminent Danger (Large size booklet) NOT
AVAILABLE
Charity Begins Next Door: Much Needed Gifts For Anyone
Facing Financial Crisis (Booklet) NOT
AVAILABLE
Sell Your Advice and Knowledge: 250 Smart Ideas for
Consultants and Specialists
Successful Consulting: How the Best Independent
Professionals Get That Way
Start Your Own Personal Services
Business
Sell Your Mobile Home in 60
Days
Purchase Agreement
TEMPLATES: When
you're selling your mobile home you'll need to put it
all in writing
Wardrobe Planning: How to Make 9 Pieces Stretch to 30
Outfits NOT
AVAILABLE
Andrea's 3 most requested
recipes
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BUSINESSES CREATED BY ANDREA
Andrea Reynolds International Public
Relations (Toronto, Erie)
www.CrisisBrainstorm.com
Rent A Writer (Toronto, Erie)
Handy Ande
www.CommissionFreeSpeakers.com
www.BuyMyMobileHome.org
(sold)
Crash Courses (Toronto Erie)
Author's Bed and Breakfast, Toronto, 1997-1998
Experts Who Speak, speaker agency, 1990-2005
The Butler Did It (Toronto, Erie)
TEACHING
EXPERIENCE
Instructor, Hamot Women's Health Connection, Erie
Instructor, The Learning Annex, Toronto
Instructor, The Network for Learning, Toronto
Teacher, Jane Junior High School, Toronto
Supply Teacher, York Board of Education, Toronto
Supply Teacher, North York Board of Education, Toronto
SPEAKING
EXPERIENCE
See page on
Audiences
PUBLICATIONS
WRITTEN
See online store
QUOTES
AND PROFILES
• USA Today
• Canadian Business Magazine
• The Financial Post
• The National Post
• The Globe and Mail
• The Toronto Star
• The Toronto Sun
• Industrial Management Magazine
• Sales and Marketing Magazine
• New York Air Magazine
• Canadian Living Magazine....
MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Radio host, WFLP 1530 (predecessor of WJET 1400), Erie
Freelance Radio Co-Host, CFRB 1010 Radio, Toronto
VOICE-OVER EXPERIENCE
See voice-overs page
AWARDS
Ontario Milk Marketing Board Recipe Contest (Second Prize: $500 value)
Canadian Business Magazine, Connie Award (named for publishing magnate Conrad Black)
EDUCATION
Continuing Education (Fashion Art), Ryerson University (Toronto)
Graduate courses (Education), Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC)
Bachelor of Science Degree, Double Major, Kent State University (Ohio)
1. Family and Consumer Science (Education)
2. Marketing and Communications
Summer Abroad (Comparative Education), Oxford University (UK)
Undergrad work (Education), Edinboro University (Pennsylvania)
Undergrad work (French, Liberal Arts), Hiram College (Ohio)
Diploma, McDowell High School (Erie)
MEMBERSHIPS (Past)
National Writers Union
Periodical Writers Association of Canada
Society for Intercultural, Education, Training and Research
Toronto Home Economics Association
Ontario Home Economics Association, Founding Member
Professional Image Consultant's Association, International, Founder