Joyce Sophia Jones & Robert Cortez Jones Sr.

Toledo Wedding Date: June 4, 2022.

Are you located in Toledo now? Yes, in North Toledo.

How did you meet? We met at the Hilton on the University of Toledo Health Science Campus at the swimming pool.

Who popped the question, and how? Robert did at our Angel Grace’s gender reveal on August 23, 2020.

How long was the engagement? 22 months.

What made your wedding day special? Having all my family and friends there.

During the wedding planning process, did you ever want to elope and just get it over with? Yes, we both did!

Did you have a bridal shower, lingerie shower, and/or bachelor/ bachelorette parties? Yes, I had a bridal shower and bachelorette party. Robert had a party with his guys.

Was there anything in the wedding that didn’t go according to plan? Not being on time.

Your top moments: My fatherdaughter dance and Robert’s grandmother being able to be there. Also, my matron of honor’s speech.

Three words to describe your wedding expectations: Smooth, fun and stress-free.

Three words to describe your wedding reality: Stressful, fun and lovely.

Where did you get your dress and/or suit? My dress was from Atlas Bridal Shop and Robert’s suit was from Jack’s Men’s Wear. Who was your officiant? My cousin, Lead Pastor Dr. Calvin Sweeney, Sr.

Caterer: Morenos Catering.

Baker: Kimberly Thomas.

Music: Deejay-biglou.

Describe your wedding venue: Over the Top Occasions. Other wedding vendors you’d like to mention: Gesu’s Sullivan Center. Where did you spend your honeymoon? We haven’t had one yet.

Tips and tricks for other couples: Do a destination wedding! What we learned from the whole experience: To save and plan far ahead.

Some of our favorite women in business who keep this city healthy, balanced, creative and prosperous share what they’ve learned in their careers and their lives allowing us to benefit from their wisdom, inspiration and expertise.

By Kelly McGilvery

What advice would you give to another woman entering your industry?

Know that often your vulnerabilities are really strengths.

What do you do? I am the owner, and one of the therapists at Bloom Women’s Coun seling. We provide mental health services to women and female identifying clients who have mental health needs due to infertility, postpartum mood disorders, adjustment, parenting, relationships struggles, trauma, depression and anxiety.

What are some traits you think great leaders possess? Good listening skills. When you can listen, and truly hear, then you can actually solve the problems people are faced with.

What’s one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way?

The most important thing that makes or breaks any company is its culture.

What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) in the early stages of your career? My personal comfort. I started Bloom sitting on the floor of a spare bedroom meeting with clients over telehealth until the business could afford an office and chairs. You have to start small.

Who do you most admire? Mothers. Mothers are some of the hardest working, dedicated, loving, amazing people I’ve ever met.

Also, providing a wide selection of premium loose leaf teas, essential oils, diffusers, yoga mats and other accessories, premium CBD and Delta-8/9, air plants, and much more.

What’s one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way? People lie!

Mary M. Cianci Owner

Sew-N-Such

1242 Sylvania Ave., Toledo. 419-478-5455 sew-n-such.com

What do you do? Mend, alter, design - oddball stuff. What advice would you give to another woman entering your industry? Be willing to put your all into your work.

What’s your mantra? We can fix it!

How do you achieve work-life balance? You don’t.

How did you overcome any gender-related roadblocks in your career? By becoming the best tailor, alterationer and designer.

What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) in the early stages of your career? Giving up time off, vacations, Sundays off. What challenges do you face in your industry, and how are you addressing them? Bad sizing from foreign websites.

What do you do? I am the owner of Smith Bonds & Surety. We write all court ordered/ government ordered bonds. And have over 40 agents in three states.

What advice would you give to another woman entering your industry? Study the laws, rules and regulations and make sure you don’t bend them.

What’s one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way? I am not now or ever will be above anyone. I still clean the toilets and make the coffee.

How do you achieve work-life balance? I believe in being devoted to both my family and my career. I have my phone with me always but never want to miss out with the kids’ activities, yet I have been known to run out on Christmas Eve at midnight to help a client so that their family can be together.

Who do you most admire? I admire my family. I watch my daughter-in-law and how she handles her family and career, and I am so proud of her and really look up to her because she is building her life with much more calmness and patience than I could ever have had at her age.

What do you do? I am the owner and winemaker at Urban Pine Winery. I make wine from crushed grapes grown all over the world in my wine manufacturing facility in Maumee. What’s your mantra? I can do anything I put my mind to!

How do you achieve work-life balance? Very intentionally. My husband, kids and family will always come before the business. What gender-specific assumptions do you encounter, and how do you respond to them? Women are better off at home, watching kids, cleaning the house, holding administrative or support professional roles. I live with the assumption that women can achieve anything they choose to achieve, regardless of what society thinks. I personally am more gifted with working than being at home in a stay-at-home mom capacity. I have business/entrepreneur lessons to model and show my kids.

Jen McAlear

What

Owner,

Winemaker,

FOR

What’s one thing every entrepreneur should ask themselves?

If what you are doing is for the good of the people.

Jo Feltman Formulator & Founder BuchuVida,

LLC

24124 Front St., Grand Rapids. 419-830-3055 buchuvida.com

What do you do? Formulate, manufacturer, bottle, label and distribute natural products made from the Buchu extract. Blend herbal teas with the Buchu leaf and also provide teas from around the world. My purpose is to try to help people naturally.

What’s one thing every professional woman should remember? Remember your “mission statement” and the definitive reason why you decided to start your venture and business and be patient.

What’s your mantra? To provide our customers with the highest quality buchu products, provide the highest quality of loose-leaf teas from around the world and open the minds and hearts of individuals through yoga to fulfill their wellness goals.

What are some traits you think great leaders possess? I think great leaders possess staying strong in your belief. Having people around you that believe in you and your mission. Staying true to yourself, having faith and being humble.

What gender-specific assumptions do you encounter, and how do you respond to them? See my answer to the above question. I just ignore them. I know who I am and my worth and the value I offer by encouraging others.

Read the full interviews online

What do you do? The best way to sum up what I do is that I am responsible for building the best team possible to take care of our guests while maintaining our financial goals. This ranges from building great menus to organizing awesome events for the community, with lots of other stuff in between.

What’s one thing every entrepreneur should ask themselves? Is this working? If so, what can you do to make things a little better every day. Better for the business, better for the staff, better for your family and yourself.

What advice would you give to another woman entering your industry? Have patience and remain calm at all times. Sometimes we are helping people celebrate big milestones in their lives and it is hard for them to convey what their vision of perfect is. Yes, we have hundreds of special events here every year, but for the guest this is their only wedding, shower, 50th birthday party, retirement party etc. Focus on every event like it is the most important event we have to do today.

What’s one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way? Never assume anything.

How do you achieve work-life balance? I am the varsity volleyball coach for Sylvania Southview and I have the most supportive and fun-loving friends. What gender-specific assumptions do you encounter, and how do you respond to them? It is not gender-specific, but work associates who have never met me assume I am older.

What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) in the early stages of your career? That is easy: sleep and fine dining.

What are some patterns you’ve noticed over the years about women at work, and things they could be doing better to advance their careers? Growth can be uncomfortable. I see colleagues retreating when challenged. Stay the course.

Who do you most admire? Dr. Jon Frankel is not only a dentist. He is an incredibly creative and inspirational business leader.

What’s one thing every entrepreneur should ask themselves?

Does this create a TRIPLE WIN? A win for the employee, a win for the customer and a win for the company?

Victoria Perry, Jessica Johnson, Jennifer O’Connor, Leah Wilson Owners

Soto Signature Salon & Spa

Shoppes at River Place

580 Craig Dr #6, Perrysburg. 419-872-5555 sotosalonspa.com

What do you do?

Inspiring the evolution of beauty with elevated salon and spa services. How, if at all, has being a woman impacted your career?

Women want to look and feel their best. As a woman, I relate to this and understand that beauty is uniquely defined. My goal is to help women experience what beauty means to them personally. – Jennifer O’Connor

What advice would you give to another woman entering your industry?

The beauty industry is a relationship business. If you are beginning your career, it is important to understand that referrals are essential to growing a sustainable business. – Victoria Perry

What challenges do you face in your industry, and how are you addressing them?

Big box stores and Amazon sell some of the products we recommend to our customers. Our focus is creating an experience and educating our customers on what would work best for them. We get to know their hair and skin to give our professional recommendation, so the customer makes the absolute best purchase. That helps the public remember to shop local and support small businesses as it goes right back into our team education! – Jessica Johnson

340 N. Erie St., Toledo 419-304-1099

What do you do? I’m a candy pantry queen. I’m always shopping for new and old candies that excite my customers.

What’s one thing every entrepreneur should ask themselves? Do you love your business? Do you think about how to make it work all the time? Do you dream about it? Do you constantly plan for it?

What are some traits you think great leaders possess? They possess persistence; they continue on toward their goal despite setbacks. They’re energetic; they seem to accomplish more than most people accomplish. They strive for excellence; they try to make that last point just right.

What’s one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way? You have to do the paperwork.

What do you do? Massage therapy that focuses on relaxing the body and mind. The sessions are one of a kind, unparalleled, calmative and healing, or OUCH! for short.

What are some traits you think great leaders possess? I think a great leader should be able to lead themselves before considering leading others. I think a great leader should be confident, encouraging, determined, motivated, focused and strong.

What’s one thing every entrepreneur should ask themselves? Are you willing to start a business and live each day not knowing how much money you will make that day, week, month or year?

How, if at all, has being a woman impacted your career? Surveys have shown most people prefer a female massage therapist. It’s a built-in advantage (sorry guys).

What do you do? Being a manager has many responsibilities but you’ll usually find me up front, welcoming you once you enter the doors. Throughout the day I can go from helping food run some tables to making some drinks at the bar.

What’s one thing every professional woman should remember? You are capable of accomplishing any task on your own, even if they tell you that you can’t.

What’s one thing every entrepreneur should ask themselves? With every high there comes a low and every low means you’re coming back up. Keep going. How, if at all, has being a woman impacted your career? My mother is the most hard working and fair woman I’ve known in my life. Most of who I am comes from her and I know I still have a lot to learn.

What advice would you give to another woman entering your industry? Don’t dull your personality because some don’t like it. Be yourself and express yourself how you want. It’s 2023 and respect is earned.

Who do you most admire? The three closest people in my life are tied. My father, Carlos, my mother Lupita, and my boyfriend Travis. They push me every day to be better and I have been by my side through it all.

They started off as classmates, then ended up friends... In a town so dear to their hearts.

If you’re told you can’t do something, do it better than them.

Caitlin Williams Owner, Piercer Piercings

What do you do? I am a professional body piercer! I have had a passion for piercings since I was young and it has carried on into a dream career. My goal is to educate the public on proper, safe piercings and implant jewelry. I strive to always update myself on proper aftercare and problem shooting solutions and always have my clients health and safety in mind. I love attending piercing conferences and meeting other piercers to share knowledge.

How, if at all, has being a woman impacted your career?

Unfortunately, misogyny is often displayed within the piercing community. Thank goodness there are more professional and well respected men and women in the industry than not, but it still occurs. I find more men are hateful of women who make a statement with their work, as if they are challenging them at their craft. It’s disappointing that there is such a disconnect, but it makes it easier to fuel your inner fire to do best at what you’re passionate about!

What are some traits you think great leaders possess? Definitely patience, having great customer service, foresight to change policies or procedures to help benefit your business and having compassion and understanding for your workers. Empathy and strong morals are key to being successful.

What’s your mantra? TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED!!

What’s one thing every professional woman should remember? xx? xx xx? xx

Marcy Fronk Owner Whitehouse Inn Crust Pizzeria Howard Hanna - Realtor

What do you do?: Oversee operations at both restaurants. Come up with new creative ideas. List & sell homes.

How, if at all, has being a woman impacted your career? It becomes very personal due to all of the juggling with being a mother & wife.

What is one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way? Every human is fighting a battle in some way. BE KIND.

Caitlin 306 Conant St., Maumee. 419-740-0381 toledobodypiercing.com ANNOUNCING THE UNION OF

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

— Edward Everett Hale

Whitehouse Inn 10835 Waterville St, Whitehouse, OH (419) 877-1180 thewhitehouseinn.net

Crust Pizzeria 6792 Providence St, Whitehouse, OH (567) 406-3800 crustpizzawhitehouse.com

What challenges do you face in your industry and how are you addressing them? Being on top of ever changing expectations.

Who do you most admire? My daughter. She has endured more in her 16 years of life than most adults will ever experience and has dusted herself off and moved forward. And God.

Your favorite stylists from Attitudes will be available for previously booked appointments at their new home beginning March 27, 2023.

What do you do? We design and create a storage system that elevates every space; marrying design, convenience, and organization, creating a more peaceful lifestyle.

What’s one thing every entrepreneur should ask themselves? Do you really love it?

What advice would you give to another woman entering your industry? Be confident in who you are and in the knowledge you have. Be willing to learn and to grow and never accept the status quo.

How do you achieve work-life balance? Boundaries! We will let you know if we ever achieve them.

What are some patterns you’ve noticed over the years about women at work and things they could be doing better to advance their careers? Speak up, baby! Your words and ideas mean something.

What’s one thing every professional woman should remember? Confidence –no matter what.

Taylor Rachko & Kate Bernyk Designer and Owner, Designer Distinctive Design & Storage Solutions

7944 W Central Ave., Ste. 2, Toledo. 419-517-4458 distinctivedesignstoragesolutions.com

What’s one thing every professional woman should remember?

As women, we must understand “the power of our purse.” Women now represent the biggest emerging market opportunity in the world. Therefore, choose wisely to use that power to strengthen the economy with the opportunity to create wealth for others (especially supporting other local women-owned businesses).

What’s one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way?

You can’t teach what you don’t know. You cannot give what you don’t have. You can’t learn if you don’t ask questions. You can’t get something without taking the risk of losing it. Perhaps, you find these statements obvious. There is a deep-rooted meaning hidden in it. And the most important words are ‘YOU’. Who do you most admire?

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with passion, compassion, humor and style. Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya

Angelou