Sherry Blinkhorn

An Accomplished Real Estate Broker and a Passionate Advocate for the Mentally Ill

It is easy to say be the change you want, but it is quite difficult to really understand the struggle one goes through to change oneself. We hear stories about people who have achieved success and paved their way to the top of their field, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Numerous factors drive one to make desired changes to be the change they want.

In our search to find such a persona, driven to adapt to change, we came across Sherry Blinkhorn, who perfectly fits the definition of 'be the change you want.' Currently, Sherry passionately leads her venture, Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd., with her dedication to being the best of the best.

The Thorns and The Roses

Sherry's journey hasn’t been an easy one. She came up through the foster care system and went through many challenges in her life, but she made some conscious decisions that would change her life for the good after her children were born.

Sherry began her professional journey as a commercial and residential property manager in her initial years then in 1998 she pursued getting her salesperson’s license. She began to achieve one milestone after the other by utilizing her extensive knowledge and experience to accumulate record-breaking sales. It resulted in her receiving national recognition in 2002 and 2003 and in 2004 she received the 'Platinum Award' for her sales achievement, placing her in the top 5% in Canada's total sales volume with Royal LePage National Franchise.

Subsequently, embarking on the success, Sherry's adaptability to change led her to the quest of incepting her independent real estate firm, in 2005, Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd., and she has never looked backed since. She sowed the seeds of efforts and dedication, forming a team with likeminded colleagues that reaped her and her firm the fruit of gaining a solid reputation for providing exceptional services and supporting many non-profit charitable organizations.

Adding Different Ingredients to the Recipe of Success

Plunging forward in her path of success, she says the learning process never stops. Sherry holds a diploma in adult psychology, social work, and counselling skills. Being amply trained in the mental health field, she understands how stressful it can be to buy or sell a house.

Sherry has fostered an environment where she puts people first and encourages her colleagues to do the same. She’s created a caring and natural positive atmosphere in her workspace. She knows how crucial it is and is humbled to be part of the most significant transaction of one's life and is overjoyed to help it to become a reality. “We don’t see ourselves as good salespeople – we are good Realtors; there is a big difference,” says Sherry.

Sherry has focused her work approach around her buyers and sellers making them the utmost priority. It was vital to

her to create a familial workspace which gives a feeling of comfort and smoothens the work process. She truly cares about her clients and understands their real estate needs, which is why she implies a friendly and professional atmosphere in her unique way. She has sculpted a valuedriven team that strives and implements effective marketing strategies with honesty and hard work.

Cherishing The Victories

The amount of hard work and dedication Sherry puts in her work is commendable in itself. Her work ethic has set an example, and her efforts have been acknowledged with numerous awards, including the ‘Community Mentor Award’ from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County. She also received the prestigious ‘Business Leader of the Year award at the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce Gala in 2012. Sherry is the first female to receive this honor since its inception in 1991.

Her achievements don’t stop there and go further; in 2018, Sherry received the ‘Volunteer Vision Award’ from the Nova Scotia Mental Health Foundation. The following year she was also recognized with the ‘Women in Business Award’ at the Chamber Business Achievements Gala. Aside from awards, Sherry was featured in 2020 in the International ‘Top Agent Magazine’ and her life story in the Nova Scotia ‘At Home Magazine’.

Blinkhorn Real Estate is dedicated to selling your home or nding you that dream home creating the best possible experience throughout the entire real estate transaction. Professionally we serve, personally we care! ‘‘

Leveraging Technology to Provide Upscale Services

At Blinkhorn Real Estate, Sherry has created a work culture driven by values to make client's lives easier and delivers high-quality products. The company implements innovative technologies and offers virtual reality tours and drone videography to enhance the listings services. They do their best to ensure that clients get the best prices for buyers and sellers by through their experience and expertise.

Above and Beyond for the Community

The journey that Sherry embarked on has been a challenge in itself, she’s worked hard to forge her path to be at the position she is today. Her experiences have all contributed to finding transparency in her life. She has been a passionate advocate for the mentally ill for years. She was also the public relations director for the Canadian Cancer Society, Pictou, volunteered for years on the Palliative Care unit and made it part of her life to give back to her community.

Sherry has built Blinkhorn Real Estate from the ground up and contributed to many community organizations in various ways along the way including sponsoring sports teams and is routinely involved with multiple non-profits and other organizations across the county.

The Guiding Flame

Unfolding the pages of Sherry's life, it is crystal clear that despite hurdles she’s faced, she always has come out on top. She always empowers, inspires, and encourages a TEAM environment at her work. She ensures an ambiance of professionalism, integrity, and superior client service. She leads with a positive attitude, high ethical values, and hard work and says she will persist in doing the same into the future.

Last but not least, Sherry has asserted herself in a firm spot being a leader in the field of real estate. She is an inspiration to numerous people and continues to change many lives. Her compassion, dedication, and her drive to change have made her a successful businesswoman. She is truly an example of taking charge of her own life and being the change, she wants.

Tracy V. Green Engraining an Innovative Eyewear Culture

nown for using the phrase, "Challenge Kyourself...once you've reached a new place, challenge yourself all over again," Tracy Vontélle Green has amassed a robust professional career which has developed her leadership skills, business, and financial acumen.

Today, Ms. Green is the CEO & Co-Founderof Vontélle, LLC – Vontélle Eyewear - a luxury bespoke eyewear company showcasing print designs and textiles from the African Diaspora (African, Caribbean, and Latinx cultures). The company offer sizes that complement diverse faces, fulfill prescriptions, and custom lens (color/tints), including blue light blocker lenses.

Born in New York, Tracy earned a bachelor's degree from Morgan State University and Master of Public Administration degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Tracy has been involved in funding procurements as a Budget Analyst for the New York City Mayor's Office of Management and Budget; wrote grants for the New York City Department of Health; managed bank mergers as a Consultant for Accenture; and oversaw the NYC public assistance budget of $6.1 billion (Medicaid, Food Stamps, Housing) as the Deputy Commissioner at Human Resources Administration. Tracy worked at Harlem and Bellevue Hospitals in key financial positions before becoming the Chief Financial Officer to the Department of Education School of Support Services and at Health + Hospitals Corporation at Metropolitan Hospital Center and at One Brooklyn Health System at Interfaith Hospital Center.

Additionally, Ms. Green is a licensed real estate agent in New York and she and her husband own rental properties. This steady income afforded her the opportunity to retire early due to some health challenges and start her own business. Ms. Green has always been committed to improving the quality of life for others and wants her life and career to further advocate for the next generation and all cultures worldwide. In an interview with Insights Success, Tracy Green shares her journey and talks about what comes next for Vontélle.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Enlighten us on how you have impacted the eyewear niche through your expertise in the market.

Vontélle Eyewear has conducted a small sample research to create its current collection. From our research (including our own experiences) many cultures have had a challenging time finding eyewear that fit – Size Matters. Vontélle understands that eyewear is essential and realizes the importance of quality, thus using the most luxurious materials while creating bold looks for diverse faces. This includes a wider bridge for the nose, a longer temple (arm) for a comfortable fit on your ears and wider lens to fit over high cheek bones. The goal is to change how you see and be seen.

Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you leveraging technological advancements to make your solutions resourceful?

We have invested in a Virtual Try-On Program. This allows our customers to try on our eyewear using their phones, desktop, and/or laptop from the privacy of their homes/home offices/cars, etc. The technology is excellent. It's exactly like you are wearing them in person. Eyewear is subjective and now, the customer can see themselves in the glasses.

What, according to you, could be the next notable change in eyewear industry? How is your company preparing to be a part of that change?

Think about this: In 2020, the global eyewear market was valued at approximately $140 billion and estimated to grow to $200 billion by 2027. Yet there are less than a handful of Black

eyewear makers. According to the Vision Council, 164 million American adults wear glasses and 218 million Americans wear non-prescription sunglasses.

This is the first-time multi-ethnic cultures are being included in sizing and design. We are about inclusion. For centuries, African Americans, Hispanics, East Indian, Japanese, biracial and multi-racial individuals were wearing ill-fitting glasses. I always had a line across my nose. Many of my colleagues had an indentation on their cheeks and pain behind their ears. While, we know some companies are now making "extralarge" frames, it is only 1 or 2 in a collection. We are making full collections dedicated to better fit and cultural pattern designs.

The next significant change is custom glasses for each customer. Currently, this is very expensive and only the rich can afford custom eyewear. However, as technology and machines get better and faster, making perfect fitting eyewear for each customer is the North Star.

Tell us something more about your company and its mission and vision.

The concept for Vontélle was born out of a need of both founders, Tracy Vontélle Green and Nancey Harris, who each lost their expensive eyewear within the same year and decided to focus their efforts on making their next purchases from a Black-owned brand. After searching high and low for glasses that were stylish, better fitting, and had an ethnic flair, they realized it simply did not exist. That is when Tracy suggested we start our line, and Nancey booked our fate-determining trip to Paris where we met our manufacturer. Due to their loss, the company offers unique protection for consumers by providing a one-year/one-time replacement warranty from the date of purchase if your eyewear is lost, stolen, damaged, or broken.

Eyewear is not only an extension of your wardrobe but a necessary medical device. Vontélle understands that eyewear is essential and realizes the importance of quality, thus wanting to help with eye health disparities. The National Institute of Health's National Eye Institute reports that African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to have cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy than any other ethnic group. Most importantly due to these medical factors and high astigmatism, many people cannot wear contacts. Befittingly, the Co-Founders have partnered with WIN (Women in Need), the largest provider of family shelter and supportive housing in New York City. The eyewear company has partnered with local optometrists to offer free eye exams, vision companies and non-for-profit foundations to provide free eyeglasses and to pay for the prescription lenses.

Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals forVONTÉLLE?

We aspire to change the landscape of the eyewear industry and change the world. Vontélle will sell out of our initial stock, create new designs, and re-produce top sellers. Successively, designing has started for our children's collection coming soon - Spring 2022. Vontélle is the first Black women-owned and operated eyewear business to obtain a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon ViacomCBS to create glasses in beloved characters: SpongeBob, Baby Shark, Rugrats and more.

With the right partners and marketing, Vontélle [the company] is limitless. This includes growing the brand in 10 years to include clothing/apparel, other accessories, or a home collection. Vontélle is committed to celebratory cultural designs that represent global textiles, boldness, and beauty from the African, Caribbean, and Latinx diasporas. There is no doubt that the co-founders will transform the eyewear and fashion industry.