Joyce Bolanos - VIVA Life

I always think people do not get me or understand what I am saying, because when I ask them if they did their assigned project or they ask me where we are going to film the day of the shoot, I actually go a bit nuts! Why do I loose my patience? Because I actually do make sure I send instructions in advance in an e-mail out to all the crew describing in great detail, event, time location and I actually expect people involved in the project to get it, read it, study it and ask questions in advance and not wait until the last minute. Is this too much to ask?

Which brings me to the subject of my friend Rita Sauerberlich and the subject of expectations. Rita was the General Manager of H Stern in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Rita had that strict on time Austrian upbringing and I am sure that helped her be a leader in her field. Rita had a reputation of being a strict you know what, unfriendly, tight-lipped, and demanding. Like I said a “reputation”; until you got to know her.

I got to know her when I was voted President of the Virgin Islands Retailers Association (VIRA) when I managed Louis Vuitton back in the day. Paulette Keffas-Chasin was Vice President and Rita Sauerberlich, treasurer. So while everyone was a little taken aback by Rita, I had no choice but to get to know her. I got to know the super efficient Rita, who was also funny, warm and friendly. Rita, Paulette and myself would organize, plan and strategize events for VIRA , manage the books, plan meetings with the Commissioner of Economic Development of the Virgin Islands to advocate for business. We were a solid team. You see, Rita had expectations of people that she worked with. If you wanted to rise up in the company you had to fulfill expectations. Many want to be “stars” but few actually do the work that is needed to become one, she had no patience for mediocre work; she expected your best.

Sometimes I do think of her and how she helped me expect the best from the people that I work with. So I won’t take it personally when someone says that I am demanding and expect too much from people. I only expect what I know they can deliver, so it comes again to the same dilemma;” most people want to be the stars but they don’t get there because they don’t work on expecting the best they can be.

So Rita Sauerberlich you will always be my inspiration when the going gets tough.

So VIVA LA VIDA LOCA AND VIVA TO YOU RITA!

Rita Sauerberlich, 64, of St. Thomas, died July 15, 2005, at her home after a long battle with cancer.

Joyce Bolaños has over 12 yrs management and program development working for Louis Vuitton Malletier and the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce and currently as the Co-Host of VIVA HARTFORD! A Cultural, Arts and Entertainment Hartford Public Access Television Show.

Joyce Bolaños was born in Peru. Her family moved to St. Croix, U.S.Virgin Islands and eventually settled in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico where they still live. During her high school years Ms. Bolaños represented Puerto Rico as a member of their National Fencing Team and traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, South America and Europe in International Fencing Competitions.

Ms. Bolanos commenced her studies at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania and graduated in Political Science and Marketing from Interamerican University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After college she took a year off and lived in Paris, France to practice the sport of Fencing. Ms. Bolanos returned to the islands and settled in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She currently lives with her two sons, Andres and Michael in West Hartford, CT.