the OMIES Archives | The ManifestStation

Q & A Series

Meet The Omies. The Manifestation Q&A Series.

April 14, 2012

Welcome to The Manifestation Q&A Series.

I am Jennifer Pastiloff and this series is designed to introduce the world to someone I find incredible. Someone who is manifesting their dreams on a daily basis.

Today’s guest is Rick Rondeau, co-founder of one of my favorite companies ever: The Omies. I will admit that I am semi-obsessed and own 6 Omies t-shirts.

11% of all revenue generated by the OMies goes directly to helping families dealing with the daily challenge of autism via bluecommunity.org, a non-profit organization created by Rick & Dahlia Rondeau.

Rick & Dahlia have 3 beautiful children, two of which have been diagnosed with autism. They say that until you experience the isolation and stress of autism, it’s difficult to understand just how challenging it can be for families. They understand and want to help. Having a nephew who has autism I love this about them!

The success of the OMies will change lives for the better and this is why the OMies were created. Thank you for not only your contribution and support, but for spreading and sharing the OMies among your tribe.

Rick and Dahlia, aka The Omies, are fun, loving, kind, generous, big-hearted people who happen to have an awesome sense of humor to boot. I am honored to be part of their tribe.

The following interview is inspiring, beautiful, funny and honest. Please take a moment and be delighted. Oh, and buy your Omies tee. They are the best ever!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What are you most proud to have manifested in your life?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: My wife.

I actually created a “vision board” for the kind of woman I would like to share my life with. I noted every detail including hair color, personal style, level of grace, unselfishness, interests, etc… I saved all the images and took photos of the board, so people would believe me.

I have told the story to people all over the country to help inspire them. I often think back on how amazing that manifestation process truly was.

The OMies. Tell us about it.

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: The OMies came about from a personal desire to create an image that would best represent the rapidly expanding ZEN GENeration. We affectionately refer to the members of this generation as OMies.

One of the most iconic images of all time, the smiley face, was highly representative of the experiential 1960’s generation. To me, the true beauty in the smiley face design was it’s ultra simplicity. I wanted to create an image that was equally simple, yet highly recognizable and fitting for the attitude of the ZEN GENeration.

I am confident that I achieved this goal with a simple blue circle and 3 straight lines.

With that said, I created my first collection of merchandise almost 6 years ago and was unable to connect with my intended audience. The problem as it turned out, thanks to the insight of a creative mentor of mine – Jim Benton, creator of Happy Bunny and many other highly successful characters, was that my image was zen, but my messaging was not zen enough. Jim recommended that I focus more on the zen category and as he said – “own it”. It was at this point I made the decision to add the meditative/yoga influenced OMie body.

My next adjustment was eliminating all the different colored OMies and going with the most popular color, blue. The final piece of the puzzle fell beautifully into place as my wife and I had always talked about building a brand/company that had true purpose and could really make a difference in people’s lives. This is why 11% of all OMies sales goes to helping families deal with stress and isolation that autism can create. We are a family that deals with this stress and isolation everyday (our twin boys have been diagnosed with autism). Each month, our non-profit organization – blue community, spotlights a family to help.

This is how we describe the OMies on our website:

The OMies represent the ever growing, ever glowing ZEN GENeration. A peaceful, but powerful tribe of individuals who understand that love unites, inspires and rewards. OMies encourage authenticity and integrity as essential components of life.

The OMies are a high-vibe, zen tribe who spread the power of cOMmUNITY everyday, everywhere.

Jennifer Pastiloff: A mantra I live by is “I do what I love and I love what I do.” What would one of the “OMies” mantras be?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: Celebrate your uniqueness.

Jennifer Pastiloff: I love that a portion of your sales goes to helping families deal with the challenges of autism. How did this come about?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: Our 6 year old twin boys were both diagnosed with autism in 2008. As a result, we have dealt with the stress and isolation that autism can bring every day. My wife and I would often share our frustrations about autism with each other and agreed that it would be so rewarding to be able to help people like us. This was what is known as the “aha” moment.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Who/what inspires you the most?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: My wife – best attitude ever.

My mom – most consistent ever.

My dad – best hall of fame hockey player ever.

My kids – brightest lights ever.

YOU, Jennifer Pastiloff, who connects and promotes people with your heart, not your ego!!!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What is the greatest lesson you have learned from your children?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: Be uninhibited.

Act silly.

No detail is small.

*Gifts come in all kinds of packages.

Jennifer Pastiloff: From starting the OMies company?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: *Work equals play, when you are doing what you love.

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Never, never, never give up.

Jennifer Pastiloff: From being married?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: 2 people working together can accomplish anything they choose.

Love wins.

Apologizing is not a weakness.

Jennifer Pastiloff: From autism?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies:

Humility.

Patience.

**What seems to be different is just different, not worse. If autism is looked at from a different POV, one that sees the “frequency” of these individuals, you “see” the positive gifts and the abundance of these highly-intelligent, unique and amazing kids/people. They carry a vibrant light that cannot be dismayed.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Who has been your greatest teacher?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies:

1.The Pioneer.

I am fascinated with stories of Pioneers in a wide variety of industries. I am constantly consuming great stories about great ideas that came about from great effort.

2. Failure.

Failure has taught me so many lessons, the most important being – don’t be afraid to fail!!!

3. My wife.

She had a challenging childhood, survived a near death experience at 13, and has spent her entire life helping other people. She teaches me everyday how to be a better person and reminds me that it IS much better to give, than to receive.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Facebook. I love what you post. How has social media played a part in your life and your career?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: Facebook gives me a platform to show the extent of my creativity. I love photography, design, art and inspiring people. Facebook is a tremendous resource for showing one’s creativity.

Social media plays a major role in the success of sharing the OMies all over the world. It is so exciting when someone likes a new image/post, likes the OMies page and places an order, as a result of social media.

Jennifer Pastiloff: My sister Rachel, whose one son has Prader Willi Syndrome asked me to ask the following: How does one continue to manifest your dreams while being a parent?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: You have to be MORE organized, and live life more simply. Remove the clutter from your world (everything that “gets in the way” of you focusing/visualizing on your kids and your dreams). You must dream BIGGER and manifest by TRUSTING in the Universe. With faith and trust, the Universe will BRING you what you need, exactly when you need it. And it’ll be beyond your wildest imagination; even better!

Include ALL of who you authentically are into your dreams; it’s all there for a reason and it serves a purpose. Be proud of who you are already! Gratitude is soooo important.

One of our BIG dreams is the OMies becoming a successful family business that all of our children can work with and around our entire lives; it’s a passion and not just a job! We love to help others. This fuels the manifesting engines.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Do you practice yoga?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: I meditate almost every single day, so I have my own “Yoga” which means, “Union with the Divine.” But I am developing a more consistent yoga routine that includes Hatha flow along with Yoga Nidra (prajna).

Jennifer Pastiloff: Gratitude is the greatest force In my life. Most of my classes are set to this theme. If you could say thank you right now, who would it be to?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: GOD.

My wife.

My mom.

My dad.

My kids.

Every single OMies supporter.

Every special needs parent.

Every teacher.

YOU.

Jennifer Pastiloff: When is the last time you have laughed at yourself?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: Last week.

I was out sticking OMies stickers all across town acting like a teenager and laughed at my behavior and how impossible growing up has been for me.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Which is your favorite OMie?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: RIGHT OM.

This design was inspired by Russell Simmons and his passion for yoga, meditation, fashion, etc… but it also has a bit of me in it, as I wear a black cap backwards on most days.

GIDDY OM is a very, very close second.

This design makes me and so many other people smile. It’s a classic!

Jennifer Pastiloff: Who would be your dream team of OMies ? Who would you love to see the OMies shirt on?

Spencer Paysinger #55 NY Giants and Jen Pastiloff wear their Omies tees.

Rick Rondeau of The Omies: Spencer Paysinger (#55 NY Giants) – done

Laura Donnelly (Actress / ABC Missing) – done

Nate Connolly (Lead Guitarist Snow Patrol) – done

Dr. Wayne Dyer & family – almost done?

Oprah – soon! (fingers crossed)

Christy Turlington – soon! (fingers crossed)

*Russell Simmons, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Anniston, Sting, Brad Pitt and his entire brood, Sandra Bullock and little Louis, Alec Baldwin + Hilaria Thomas, & Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Biel + Justin Timberlake….my list goes on and on but these would be some REALLY fun high-vibe OMies.

** all the above mentioned “done” OMies were thanks to Jennifer Pastiloff!!!

What it's all about!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What’s up next for the OMies?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies:

More exposure!!!

We are deciding which events, festivals, trade shows, etc.. across the country are best exposure opportunities for the OMies.

Expand the OMies wholesale business (yoga studios, catalogs and retailers).

Expand the collection to include embroidered caps, shirts, hoodies and kids wear.

We are looking to develop some product license partnerships in select categories, including:

Skateboards

Toy figurines

Plush toys

Pillows

Candles

Yoga gear

Phone case

Phone app

Animation!!!

Jennifer Pastiloff: Where can we find more OMies? How do we order shirts?

Rick Rondeau of The Omies:

https://www.theOMies.com

and our private and brand new organization that donates to Autism (bluecommunity.org).

THANK you!!! xoxoxoxox :))))))

Follow the Omies on Facebook

Follow the Omies on Twitter

Manifestation Retreats, Manifestation Workshops, Travels

From Austin, With Love

February 27, 2012

A more apt title would be: To Austin, With Love.

I led my first workshop in Austin this past Saturday.

Just look at their faces! Joy!

It was the second time I’d been to this fantastic and charming little city.

The first was about ten years ago when two of my best friends were living here and I acted in a short film they were making in Austin. Needless to say, the short film is probably somewhere in short film heaven, but one of the girls, Shana Feste, has gone on to write and direct The Greatest and Country Strong.

I didn’t really remember much of that first trip. Those were sort of the Dark Years for me, I was deeply unhappy and I have somehow managed to unglue most of those memories from my mind from that period of time.

Most of my 20’s fall into that category. TDY= The Dark Years.

I remember I had liked Austin. I had covered a few shifts from my waitressing job so I could fly out and ‘star’ in a short film being shot somewhere near the University. I remembered that the people were really friendly. We had gone out and listened to music. I think we’d eaten good Thai food. I remembered my character’s name in the short film was “Jane.” I think.

I was excited to come back to Austin during this particular period of my life. I am more alive and present and, as far as I can tell, doing my life’s work.

I figured it would make for a different experience.

I was right.

My Manifestation Workshop on Saturday was at Black Swan Yoga (which is now my yoga home in Austin, Texas.)

To be clear: I had no students to speak of in Austin, prior to this workshop. I knew only one person: my beloved friend Amy Esacove, who happens to be an incredible teacher at Black Swan Yoga.

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What can I say about the workshop last Saturday?

It was like coming home.

That’s how I described it to someone last night. The first thing that came to my mind was: it was like coming home.

The students were so receptive, so open-minded, so gracious, so full of beauty and humor that it was hard for me to process the fact that I had never met them before. That I hadn’t personally picked all my favorite people on the planet and asked them to come support me at my first ever workshop in Texas.

After the workshop ended, I jokingly suggested that I moved here. I won’t move (not yet) but I will be back. Often.

The workshop itself was beautiful, heart-achingly so. I wish I could describe it to you in words but it doesn’t work that way. As most experiences go, you simply have be there, body and soul to understand what transpired in those moments. You can get close to an experience, through words or music or art, but in order to fully live it, you must be there.

And boy, were we we ever there.

They laughed and cried and sang and danced. They did handstands and worked with partners and journaled and meditated. It was like a full experience of “Life” condensed into two hours.

It’s hard for me to describe what it is that transpires in my workshops and retreats. Here is what one student said of the workshop: “it was a blissful self immersion. Like being wrung out and reawakened.” Another said it “was a a forest of love love love.”

One woman who showed up after reading my blog said “workshop was incredible! Tears, laughter, singing, dancing, asanaing and loving every minute of it!”

(As a side note: this is what is great about social media. You can touch people you might never have touched before and profoundly affect their lives. And vice versa.)

What struck me most about this group in Austin was their willingness.

They were willing to show up and go on this journey with someone they had never met. They were willing to trust, themselves, the others in the room, and me. They were willing to leave fear and judgement at the door.

They were willing, and this is perhaps my favorite, to play.

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Regarding our dance party, one person said “I didn’t exactly expect this out of a yoga class…and yet, it was just a small part of a hugely awesome, totally perfect, much needed class. Thank you so much!”

They were true yogis, through and through.

I am honored I was able to lead this group on this journey. I am honored to say “I taught at Black Swan Yoga.”

I am not sure what is going on down there. I am not sure what sort of Awesome they’re drinking but I do know this: I want some.

I am going to steal a bit of of their Awesome and bring it back to LA with me.

Hope y’all don’t mind.

Dear Austin, I love you.

I thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

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Dear Black Swan Yoga, keep singing and dancing until I return.

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Alli Akard “Austin is a little better after such an amazing workshop. manifesting, laughter and yoga…three of my favorite things. love, love, loved it!!!”

Michael Grey, the amazing owner of Black Swan Yoga

Black Swan Yoga, Austin, Texas.

The lovely and talented Amy Esacove who teaches regularly at Black Swan Yoga

Lilyana ( who manages Black Swan and teaches there), Amy and Michael

I am proudly wearing my OMIES tshirt! " I am a Giddy Omie" The lovely Dahlia, who owns the Austin based company with her husband Rick, stands with me and 8 year old Jen, who also attended my workshop. Love both these ladies! In fact, at one point as I read a quote, this 8 year old was the only one who picked up her pen and paper to jot down what I was saying! OMIE-indeedy!

You can order your OMIES shirt here.

You can learn more about Black Swan Yoga by following them on Facebook here.

To learn more about me or to book a workshop with me email jennifer@jenniferpastiloff.com

Or visit my site jenniferpastiloff.com.

I lead workshops and retreats around the world.