Business to Bees:
Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin, Business Writer & Bee Keeper
By Melissa Palmer and Ian Reece
Major in the field that interests you
“If you want to be a journalist, do not major in just
journalism. Major in another field that is of interest to
you, ” advises Business Journalist Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin.
Ever since Cabanis-Brewin was young, she has always enjoyed
reading and writing poetry. At the age of 11, while reading
about Haiti’s violent dictatorship, she developed a
true interest in journalism. Stories that exposed the violence
and corruption Haiti had endured made her want to use journalism
to investigate the world of hate and corruption that the United
States is sheltered from. This interest and curiosity led
Jeannette to acquiring a major in the English field.
First job in business journalism
Cabanis-Brewin began her schooling for her bachelor’s
degree at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
however, before graduating she left to begin working in the
publishing industry. At the age of 40, Jeannette decided to
go back to complete her degree in English at Western Carolina
University. She was inspired by teachers, especially Dr. Railsback
and Dr. Nicholl.
She got her first job in business journalism as a co-op intern
while at WCU. Being around others who shared the same passion
fueld her interest in English. Jeannette graduated summa cum
laude from WCU in 1995 and was hired by the same company at
which she completed her internship. She later did graduate
work at WCU in Organizational Change.
Publishing books and poems
Today, Cabanis-Brewin works for the Center for Business
Practices (CBP) where she is the editor in chief of the research
division of a management consulting firm. CBP does original
business research and publishes the results in a variety of
formats. Jeannette, with the help of others, publishes one
to three books a year and writes an online newsletter, a blog
and articles for the business press.
Working with a virtual company allows her to work from home
and enjoy more leisure time. Jeannette has published a variety
of books and poems outside of her work as well. These articles
and poems are environmentally themed and center on the land
and animals near her home.
Secret of her success
Cabanis-Brewin still lives in Western North Carolina with
her husband and has four daughters. She owns an orchard, maintains
a vegetable garden, and keeps chickens and bees. Jeannette
finds inspiration in the world around her. She is very passionate
about the environment, which motivates her poems and writing.
Jeannette won the Longleaf Press award in 2007 with her book
of poems, Patriate.
Cabanis-Brewin has been very successful in the world of journalism.
Her passion and love for English is apparent in her work.
Jeannette advices anyone majoring in English, “Don’t
just learn the nuts and bolts of writing. Be an expert in
some field. Have background in what you’re writing about
and be open to the other side of the story. As a writer you
must have curiosity and pay attention to details, while always
asking, 'Why?'”
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