The Life and Times of Joan R. Berry

Life is full of interesting things to do. As a college graduate, I followed my husband to Augusta, Georgia and Seoul, Korea while he was in the Army. I applied for a variety of jobs during this time and gained lots of experience in many fields. Of course, none of them involved computers. You must remember this was in the early 70's! The changes over the years have been amazing. I'd sooner go without a telephone than email.

I seemed to drift towards marketing and moving into web design was a natural step. My son and husband, Don Berry and Don Berry (yes, same name), have been a great asset to my web design business. Son Don builds shopping carts and hosts my websites. Husband Don designs data bases and works with the "techie" side of web design.

Education

Graduated from Iowa State University
Major: Telecommunicative Arts
Minors: Music and Literature

Experience

Joan Berry Web Design
My skills continue to improve and the client list continues to grow. In March of 2007, I finished updating all my current sites using css and xhtml. My son, Don A. Berry set up a web hosting company and has been instrumental in support and the development of shopping carts. My husband, Don L. Berry has used his extensive data base experience to work on sites similar to the Forest Lake Yellow Pages.

Creation of the Forest Lake Page
This page was started in 1998 as www.wod.com. Sam Gaustad and I helped Max Stephens create this website. I took over the ownership in 1999. In May of 2001 the domain name was changed to www.forestlake.ws. Local businesses, events, churches, organizations, alumni list, campgrounds, government information and schools are featured on the site with links to sites of interest to Forest Lake.

Working Woman
Armed with education and experience I opened a retail store in the Lake Shoppes in Forest Lake. I learned a valuable lesson... that even if you do everything right, other factors can have a huge effect on a business. I lasted 6 years and spent about the same amount of money as my university education. I'm not sure which was more valuable!

Joan Berry Advertising
As an extension of the advertising representative job at Sell Publishing, an agency seemed a good step for businesses who needed more help than "sticking an ad in the paper". The marketing aspect along with the complicated task of understanding advertising budgets ratios and priority media was of great interest. The largest account was Houle's Pet Foods. I handled communication among owners, broker and distributors with a monthly newsletter in addition to advertising services which included radio, newspaper ads and appearances by Max K. Niene on Action Auction on the public television station.

Employment and Businesses

Webmaster
Joan R. Berry Web Design
Marine on St. Croix, MN
1999 to present

President and Janitor
Joan Berry Advertising
Marine on St. Croix, MN
Jan. 1976 to 1999

Part Time Advertising Sales
The Country Messenger
Scandia, MN
1995

Mary Kay Consultant
1983 to 1990

Owner Working Woman
Forest Lake, MN
Oct. 1982 to Jan. 1989

Assistant Advertising Manager
Sell Publishing Company
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Nov. 1981 to Sept. 1982

Advertising Representative
Sell Publishing Company
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Oct 1972 to Oct. 1976
Aug. 1979 to Oct. 1981

*Note: Permanent Home Oct. 1972

Receptionist
Shelter Homes Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 1972 to Oct 1972

Vacation Relief for Production Secretary
KSTP-TV
St. Paul, MN
Jan. 19 to Jan. 29, 1972

Organ Salesman
Northwest Organ and Piano
Brooklyn Center, MN
Nov. 1971 to Jan. 1972

Organ Salesman
Music Center, Inc.
Des Moines, Iowa
August 1971 to Oct. 1971

Grocery Store Checker
U.S. Commissary
Seoul, Korea
Nov. 27, 1970 to March 27, 1971

Weather Girl
American Forces Korean Network
Seoul, Korea
Oct. 3 to Nov. 26, 1970

Organist
Eroica Tea House
Seoul, Korea
May 1970 to July 1970

Conversational English Instructor
Lucky Chemical Co, LTD
Seoul, Korea
May 1970 to July 1970

Singer with the "Continentals"
Seoul, Korea
Jan. 1970 to March 1970

Promotion Assistant
KRNT Radio, TV and Theatre
Des Moines, Iowa
October to December 1969

Kirby Vacuum Salesman and Sales Manager
Augusta, Georgia
May 1969 to June 1969

Temporary Office Help
Augusta, Georgia
Dec. 1968 to Feb. 1969

Part-Time Receptionist
WOI TV
Ames, Iowa
Summer 1967

Pizza Maker and Cashier
Ames, Iowa
Jan. 1967 to May 1967

Cashier and Cook
Hungry Cy
Ames, Iowa
1963 and 1964

Corn Detasseler
Jewell, Iowa
1963 and 1964

Volunteer Activities

Masquers Community Theatre
Board of Directors 1990 to 1994
Successfully wrote a grant for "Amahl and the Night Visitors" for $1000 in 1993. Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Washington County Arts Regranting Program.
Served as President, Vice President, Treasurer and worked on ticket sales, program design, ad sales, data bases and volunteer coordination.
Also involved on stage and in the orchestra for various performances. Continue to play for a variety of Community Theatres in orchestra pits. Instruments include clarinets, saxophones, oboe, English Horn and flute.

Lake Shoppes Merchants Volunteer Positions
1983 to 1990 - Advertising Chairman
1985 to 1990 - Treasurer
1986 to 1990 - Secretary
1988 to 1990 - President

American Pheasant Waterfowl Society and IWWA Convention 1981
Served on the Advertising Promotion committee. Put together a convention program which was mailed to 2200 people throughout the U.S. and other countries.

Editor of the MN Pheasant and Waterfowl Society Bulletin 1983-1986
Revamped the old newsletter type format into a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 booklet.
Published bi-monthly. Responsible for printing, keeping up the mail list on computer, sorting and bulk mailing.