Gary grew up in upstate New York, and later lived and worked in the Los Angeles area for twenty years as a cinematographer and camera operator. As a kid, his family vacationed on the Cape. His mom bought a house in Dennis Port and he has fond memories of paddleboarding and kayaking in the summer.
Later in life, he and his wife decided they needed a change after their children graduated from school. They bought the Dennis Port summer home and moved here. When I asked how the Cape had changed since his youth, he responded cheerfully that the perennial characteristics that make the Cape special -- the oysters, the beach, the ice cream stands, and the enchanting summers -- are still here.
Gary opened Affordable Mattress of Cape Cod, a start-up business, 7 years ago. He cites his mother as an important role model for him. She taught him to treat others the way you would want to be treated and to have a positive and open-minded outlook on life. His business is located in the same plaza as the Calmer Choice Headquarters, and that’s how he first learned about Calmer Choice. He decided to become a donor because he believed mindful awareness training for kids would be a positive force in their lives. He’s had his own daily mindful awareness practice for about 4 years.
When asked if what advice he would give his younger self, he emphasized:
“Do your own thing. What the crowd encourages you to do is often not what’s best for you. And try to get outside as much as you can.”
If you are interested in joining Gary in becoming a Business Alliance Partner, please reach out to us at info@calmerchoice.org