December 2010

Dear Friends,

Amazingly, my cruising sabbatical turned into a wonderful new chapter of my life – Captain, Chief Mechanic, and Chef on m/v Aries Too.  So wonderful, that I plan on continuing to cruise indefinitely!  As a result, I am closing Bialecki Inc.

Because I so loved being a recruiter, I was astonished that the transition to full-time cruising was so effortless.  This past year has been fascinating, fun and full:  I’ve covered 6,000+ nautical miles (as far north as Baie d”Eternite on the Saguenay River, Quebec, at Lat 48.3 and south to Ragged Island, Bahamas, 60 nautical miles from Cuba, at Lat 22.2); seen incredible wildlife; and docked our 23-Ton, 55’ boat in tight quarters, to applause.

One huge difference from ‘work’ – where you drive to meet a goal no matter what the obstacle – is throwing the schedule out the window, especially if weather is not cooperating.  I’m shocked at how flexible I’ve become.

Another big change is being self-reliant, and enjoying the tremendous satisfaction of that freedom.  I’ve gotten proficient and hands-on with the mechanical systems (there is a never-ending amount of work to do on a boat).  And I’m learning how to analyze weather, current, and charts to safely get from A to B – I just passed the exams for a US Coast Guard 100 Ton Captain’s license!

Currently, the plan is to ship Aries Too to the Mediterranean in 2012.  My husband and I will cruise there for five+ years.

My fabulous colleague of 17 years, Kathryn Williams, will continue in executive search/strategic research, and expand her Christmas songwriting business (saintjanejazz.com).  We were a great team.  Our work was so much better because of Kathryn’s strategic insights and astonishingly astute assessment of individuals and our clients’ needs.

Of course, both Kathryn and I miss the special people we had the pleasure of getting to know – especially the extraordinary women we made it our mission to find.  Having worked so closely with you during key moments in your career, it is sad to think that we won’t have a regular means to stay in touch and hear how you are doing.  We took such pride in your having entrusted us with the opportunity to make a difference in your lives, and in your firms' success.  We will be forever grateful.

So while we move on to new and exciting worlds, we leave owing you a ‘thank you’ for contributing to the recognition Bialecki Inc. has achieved:

100 Most Influential Headhunters in the World, BusinessWeek.com

Stanford Business School case study: Performance Evaluations:  Bialecki Inc.

In closing I wish you, foremost, good health – a precious, and often fleeting gift.  Second, have the guts to follow your dream.  It has been a revelation meeting people from all walks of life living their cruising dream. They just simply made it happen, and are thrilled that they did.  So whatever your dream, if you’re not already living it, I urge you to act on it while you can.  Enjoy!



All the Best,
Linda Bialecki
917-838-9282