85 minute read
SAVON SPEAKS
YOU ARE ENOUGH. BECOMING H.E.R.
BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO BY SAVON HOLT I PHOTOS BY KAMERON ASHFORD, ALBERT JONES & ROB DANIELS
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The word “become” means to undergo a change or a development. At some point in your life, you will have to decide who you want to become. I heard a speech by Steve Harvey where he made the following statement, “there are two types of people born in the hospitals every day. One is the person who is going to get a job, and the other is the person who is going to give that person the job.” At some point in life, you will have to figure out which one you want to be, the leader which I define as Heroic, Empowered and Refined (H.E.R). Or do you want to be the sheep, a follower with no sense of direction?
Some women may feel that they are not good enough because of unexpected life circumstances or may feel underservant. But those life challenges set the blueprint for your success. Learning how to navigate through hardships brings forth a strength that you never knew existed. By showing great courage and resilience, your determination will inspire so many around you, sis, take that risk and bet on yourself. Be a rose that comes up from the concrete.
You can’t wake up every day doing the same things but expect different results. You must become the woman who takes the good and the bad and still strive for greatness. Set goals, meditate on your dreams, plan and execute. To become that woman, you must be willing to put in the work.
Eliminate distractions, stop old and bad habits, and end toxic relationships. We must create new patterns to produce new outcomes. Many women are scared to live up to their potential. They are okay with being sheep and living mediocre. No one understands how hard it is to be a sheep. A sheep follows the crowd and is easily led and distracted. You are more than a follower, channel your confidence and influence to become the leader you were meant to be.
Plant your seed, nurture it, and blossom. Don’t be afraid to become that flower. Even a seed must undergo a change and a development to become a flower. When cared for properly, with nourishing soil, sunlight, and water, the seed will transform and bloom into a flower.
To truly experience positive change, you must let go of your past and embrace the transformation that’s about to take place. Have confidence in yourself and know you will take on a better form, even if it takes some time.
After the seed blooms into a flower, everyone appreciates it for whatever it has to offer because of its authenticity and radiant beauty. Each seed has something to contribute. Go out there, start planting seeds in your life, speak things into existence, and believe they will come to fruition. No matter how challenging or pointless it may seem at that very moment, trust the process. With time, patience, and hard work,
what seems like an empty flowerpot will grow and be filled with beauty.
Like beautiful flowers that attract butterflies and bees, your life will become a magnet to the right kind of people that will genuinely add value to you. You can’t be afraid to Become H.E.R. It takes courage to stand on your own and lead your own way.
Fear works two ways when connecting it to success. You can fear failure or fear the responsibilities that come along with success. I’m not saying the process won’t be bumpy. I’m asking you to trust the journey although challenging moments occur along the way. Use your momentum to plow through those rocky moments. Moments of feeling defeated do not last long. Failure is merely a detour to success. Reaching a new level of success will be mentally stressful, but I would rather be successful and learn how to sustain it than failing and staying down.
I hope that as you travel through this journey of life, that you find your way and create your own lane. Be the lion and not the sheep. Please make your own rules and live by them. Create your happiness and with like-minded people. Become that leader you are destined to be. Don’t allow anyone to take away your happiness. Remember, you are a seed in moments of darkness, planted beneath the dirt, where it’s dark, but surrounded by what you need to grow, soil. Always remember, a little rain doesn’t hurt a flower. Become H.E.R and own your boldness.
You can find out more at WWW.SAVONSPEAKS. COM/ or send a message to savonspeaks@gmail.com
dwell in it. Never be afraid to be in a room, surrounded by people smarter than you. Seek those opportunities to gain knowledge and personal development. Make connections
SPECIAL INSERT
SHE HUSTLES TALKS WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES
FEATURING:
- BOBBI JO DONDORFER - BUSY BEE PAINTING - ARDENA GARNER - DIANA KLEPS - ANGIE’S BOUTIQUE - ANTONIA WYNTER - 585 SUBSCRIPTION BOX - TARA HUMPHREY - RHEA PARKS
Yasmeen Gumbs
YASMEEN GUMBS
PHOTOS BY FADIL BERISHA, JULIA RABKIN, CARLOS VELEZ, ALICIA SHI & DIEGO VEGA PHOTOGRAPHY
This month’s edition of She Hustles Talks features Mrs New York America 2020, Yasmeen Gumbs gracing our incredible cover. She is clearly hustling, considering she is not only a corporate attorney and legal consultant, but also and international model and even a social media influencer.
We couldn’t have asked for a better queen to help straighten all of our lady boss crowns! Hope you enjoy our Q&A with her and stay tuned because this is just the beginning of her journey and we are excited to see where it all leads.
Tell us about yourself, and your background. What do you do when you are not Mrs. New York America 2020?
I was born on the beautiful island of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Island. I relocated from St. Thomas to New York City with my family at a very young age. I attended college on a Division I Track & Field Scholarship. I have been recognized as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Leadership recipient and Sunbelt Conference Track & Field finalist in the 100-meter dash, 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays. I furthered my education by attending law school in Virginia. I was recognized as Who’s Who Among Law School Students, Vice President of the Black Law School Association and winner of the Appellate Advocacy Competition. I am a Corporate Attorney and Legal Consultant, admitted to the New York State Bar, United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York State. I defend high exposure cases against corporations in court and during mediation. I also volunteer my time
as an American Bar Association Law School Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition Judge. I was recently recognized by the American Bar Association for my contribution to the practice of law and being crowned Mrs. New York America 2020.
What makes you hustle?
Living in New York City instilled perseverance and dedication to serve others. I surround myself with positive and professional individuals, which allows me to continue striving to achieve all my goals.
Tell us about what made you decide to run for the Mrs. New York America pageant.
In 2017, I unexpectedly lost my father and best friend, the late Basil Gumbs. My father dedicated his life to serving his community, specifically his military family. Members of the United States Virgin Island Coast Guard spoke about the positive impact that he made. That was the moment I asked myself what kind of legacy I wanted to leave. I have a longstanding partnership with the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club and the Salvation Army of Greater New York. It was a lifelong dream for my father to see me compete in a pageant and I knew that winning the title of Mrs. New York America would afford me a greater audience to advocate for my platform #ConfidenceComesFromWithin.
What did you choose for your platform and why?
My platform #ConfidenceComesFromWithin was formed based on my personal story. My platform focuses on building confidence through mentorship in all children, especially those living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods. With mentorship programs, there’s a greater probability that children living in these neighborhoods will become successful both academically and professionally. I have a longstanding partnership with the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club where I actively serve as Council Member, volunteer, and mentor. I also proudly serve as Board Member, volunteer youth mentor with the Salvation Army of Greater New York (Harlem Temple Corps).
It is important for me to volunteer because I truly believe in the importance of giving back to your community. Sharing my personal story have a direct positive impact on the future of many inner-city youths living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods and experiencing economic hardships.
What does the word empowerment mean to you?
When I think of the word empowerment, I think uplifting others. Uplifting others so that they can see their potential and achieve personal greatness. Achieving greatness both personally and academically.
What was it like hearing your name called as the Mrs. New York America 2020 winner?
Hearing my name called as the Mrs. New York America 2020 winner was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. I was very excited! I remember waking up the next morning looking around to see if I was dreaming. It took a week before it fully hit me that I had won. The year of 2020 has definitely been a challenge worldwide and wearing the crown during that time is not something that I took lightly.
What do you feel are your greatest strengths? What about some of your weaknesses?
My greatest strengths are the ability to appreciate professional criticism and public speaking. The ability to take professional criticism and turn it into professional growth and success is a great skill to have. I think when you train your mind to think that way, you will become more successful. Some of my weaknesses are being critical of myself and a perfectionist. However, I have learned how to find a balance between them both.
What have you accomplished during your reign?
As a result of Covid-19, my hometown of New York City was tremendously impacted. It was important for me to use my voice and crown to reach a greater audience and spread awareness for those living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods. During my reign, I helped raise thousands of dollars for the Boys & Girls Club members, served as a mentor, volunteer and Council Member. In addition, my daughter and I volunteered with the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club Thomas Murphy Clubhouse Summer Literacy Program. I served as a special guest speaker during the Camp-in-a-Box counselors and campers meetings hosted by Captain Antonio Rosamilla of the Salvation Army of Greater New York. I volunteered and appeared as a special guest during the Salvation Army of Greater New York (Harlem Temple Corps) Back to School event. I mentored youth members virtually, by providing professional and college development. I also served Thanksgiving meals to New York City residents. As a result of my service, I was recently named a Board Member of the Salvation Army of Greater New York (Harlem Temple Corps).
What did you take away from your pageant experience?
Pageantry can be a wonderful experience if you align yourself with positive women and use your voice to make a difference within your community and beyond. I was fortunate enough to have gained lifelong friends through the Mrs. America and Mrs. New York America organizations. Having a hands-on director, Diane Hardgrove (Mrs. America 2006 & Mrs. World 2007) helped steer me into the path of success. Despite the challenges that were brought in 2020, I am proud to have won the title of Mrs. New York America 2020 and I am forever grateful for all the wonderful experiences I have gained during my reign and beyond.
What was your first job and how old were you?
I was in my senior year of high school when I got my first job at a shoe store in the mall. It was a perfect excuse to buy new shoes at a discount rate
Who are some of the people that empower and inspire you and why? Growing up, my late grandmother Idalia taught me the importance of giving back to my community and making a long-lasting positive impact in the lives of others. She would always say to me, “Yasmeen it is better to give than to receive.” Those exact words remained in my heart and helped shape me into the successful woman and advocate that I am today. Being able to positively impact the lives of others throughout the state of New York, America and the United States Virgin Islands. In addition to my grandmother, my sister Nailah Gumbs-Fahie is a living testament to putting others first for the greater good. By profession, my sister is a forensic licensed social worker in the state of New York and successfully help those incarcerated land back on their feet after being released from jail and prison.
If you had to start over from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
My life experiences helped shape me into the woman I am today. I would not necessarily change my past experiences if I could start over from scratch. However, I would change the methods and strategies that I used in the past to achieve my dreams and goals.
“What is your ‘why? ‘”
My road to becoming successful was not an easy journey. This led me to creating a mentorship program (#ConfidenceComesFromWithin) directly after graduating from the University of New Orleans. I have impacted the lives of hundreds of families by raising funds for the clubhouses, creating events and activities for the clubhouse members. As a board member with the Salvation Army of Greater
New York, I am a strong effective contributor and leader. I help steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting ethical and legal governance as well as making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
How did working through the pandemic change you for the better or worse? How did you get creative? How did it effect your reign as Mrs. New York America? The year 2020 has definitely been a challenge worldwide. But if there is anything that the pandemic has taught me is the importance of family, which is what the Mrs. America pageant system stands for. Despite the challenges that were brought in 2020, I am proud to have won the title of Mrs. New York America 2020. I was fortunate enough to have my long-standing partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club and The Salvation Army of Greater New York prior to winning the title of Mrs. New York America 2020. Therefore, I was able to continue my obligations, just in a virtual manner for the most part.
What role do you think social media plays for you personally and professionally and what is your favorite platform?
Social media plays an instrumental role in my daily life both personally and professionally. As an advocate for my platform #ConfidenceComesFromWithin, I have young children and aspiring attorneys looking up to me. It is important for me to lead by an example. Therefore, I am very cautious about what I post on social media platforms and the partnerships that I commit to.
Name the one special moment during your career that has stood out to you.
Winning my first trial was by far a special moment in my career. There is no greater feeling as a litigator than winning a case where the odds were stacked against your defense.
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful as an attorney?
I am a very focused and goal driven woman. When I set my mind on achieving something, I give it 110% and make it my obligation to see it come to fruition.
What was it like handing off the crown this year the new Mrs. New York America?
My goal during my reign was to leave a legacy that far outlives my reign with a commitment to highlighting all the joys and blessings that were prevalent in 2020. I accomplished that and more as Mrs. New York America 2020 and was excited to hand off the crown to a new queen.
What was your favorite moment of the 2021 Mrs. New York
America pageant and why?
My favorite moment of the 2021
Mrs. New York America pageant was spending time with the Mrs.
New York America pageant family.
Especially my sister queens Miss
New York for America Strong,
Gabby Wright and Mrs. New
York American, Marjorie Vail.
We have a special bond that I am grateful for.
What do you have planned for the next year? What about five years from now?
I am in the process of creating my own
non-profit organization founded on the beliefs and principals of my platform #ConfidenceComesFromWithin. Five years from now, I project that my non-profit organization will expand throughout America and the United States Virgin Islands. I am also signed to two modeling agencies and have been working on some upcoming national projects.
What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was leaving my corporate job as a partner in a national law firm. At the time, it was difficult to feel like you have achieved something most attorneys aspire to become and to just walk away. Looking back, it one of the best decisions that I have made. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that continue to be presented before me.
What motivates you?
Being a mother to my amazing seven-year-old daughter, Saige Olivia motivates me. I know that she watches everything that I do so I make sure that I am setting an example of the woman that I would like her to aspire to become and more.
What’s the most important discovery you’ve made about yourself in the past years during your pageant journey?
I discovered how important it was to become vulnerable in sharing my personal story, which inspired others in the process.
Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
One of my biggest failures was not making it to the finals in the 200-meter dash Sunbelt Conference during my collegiate athletic career. I place most of the blame on myself in terms of training on the level that I needed in order to elevate to that level of success which I had tremendous capability to achieve. That experience taught me the importance of preparation, which I transferred to my personal life and legal career.
How do you make sure people see you as more than just a pretty face?
I have been told that when I walk into a room, I command attention. One of the first questions people always ask me is “Who are you? You are somebody.” It’s really funny to me because I don’t see myself that way. Being personable is a character trait that I have been blessed with. For the most part, people that I meet have already read my biography or looked at my social media pages so they are aware that by profession I am an attorney.
Where will we see you next?
Although I passed on my crown this past July, my passion and mission for building confidence through mentorship of children and young adults who live in low socioeconomic neighborhoods has not stopped. I will continue to be a lightening force throughout America and the United States Virgin Islands through my national partnerships and non-profit organization. As mentioned above, I sit on the board of the Salvation Army of Greater New York (Harlem Temple Corps) and will continue the work that I started in addition to branching out internationally. I will also continue branding myself as an international model, social media influencer and attorney.
BUSY BEE PAINTING
Tell our readers a little bit about yourself and your background, and why you decided to open your own business with a painting company.
I am a mother of three beautiful boys. I am a pretty easy going person who enjoys the simple things in life. I enjoy the great lakes and visiting family down south. Shopping is a fav of mine too, but finding good deals is the best part. I am an avid supporter of small business and people persuing their passion in life. That is ultimately why I followed my dreams and started Busy Bee Painting Company. I truly enjoy making things look nice for others and ultimately helping my customers turn their houses into a place to call home is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
How did you come up with Busy Bee Painting as the name of your business?
I grew up in N. Chili, N.Y., growing up my grandparents were always doing some sort of DIY project. My grandfather was a self taught carpenter and my grandmother is a realtor. We spent a lot of time together and every time I would come to visit them I looked forward to seeing what new project they had completed. My family is full of artists. We all have our own unique abilities when it comes to being creative. My mom is a culinary genius and my aunt is also as equally talented. As I grew up it made sense to me as to why I ended up owning a painting business. I got started early on I was seventeen and I started that job while in college which was with a local paint company. That
PHOTOS BY MURRAY YARAVITZ
business was woman owned. I always admired my boss for being able to do all the things a man could do. I honestly thought it was a cool job that I could do while I finished my nursing degree. I didnt think much about it being a career at that point.
What made you decide to open a business lin such a male dominated field?
I wanted something different that kinda represented me and made it obvious that I was a female. I also stay pretty busy so that came into play. It was fun and catchy so I went with it. I also saw a need for more women in the field.
As a business owner, what are your top three priorities for your business that set you apart from your competition?
Customer satisfaction. We want to always be transparent throughout the entire process
Quality workmanship. We want to always provide the best service possibilties
Customer relationships. We want to create customers for life
How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful, especially during a pandemic over the past year and a half?
We use a multitude of including facebook and google. I have learned over the years how to market and create adds that are desirable. We also have a lot of referalls from previous customers and realtors that we work with frequently.
What was your key driving force to become a female entrepreneur?
I had three children who were depending on me and a desire to be the best I could personally be! I never gave up and they ultimately where what kept me going when times were tough.
I think after going thru a lot of personal trials I just decided one day I only wanted to depend on two things and that was God and my own talents/abilities. I was consistent with doing all the things I knew would help grow my business.
I know we all have our beliefs, for me I know I am not lucky, but truly blessed. new build on conesus lake ! we are finished.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My mother she went thru a lot trying to raise me as a single mom and was always a voice of reason when I was struggling to believe in myself.
How do you define success and being a successful woman owned business?
I think a lot of people define it in dollars, for me its about being happy and at peace with what you have achieved. I think that might vary for others, but for me I feel like I have achieved becoming a successful woman owned business.
Is word of mouth working to your advantage, or is social media where it is at now?
I think its a good amount of both. Social media undeniably helps and we all can benefit from a good business profile.
Have you always wanted to paint and create amazing spaces for people? How did you end up here? Do you think being a minority (being a woman owned business), has helped or hindered you in business?
I have had so much support from the community ! So for the majority it has helped, but I also know I have also lost jobs because of it.
What is one thing you have done that not many people know about you?
I am also a nurse but decided after having my youngest I wanted more flexibility and that also another reason I started Busy Bee!
For more information, please contact Justina at: busybeepainting4@gmail. com
What has been your favorite project to date and why?
There has been quite a few but right now we are working on a beautufil I never thought as a child I wouid be doing this but my side job turned into a huge passion of mine and I love seeing the final outcome when
DIANA KLEPS
Tell us about yourself, and what exactly it means to be the Head of Business Development Operations for an international company like 33Floors?
I am the Head of Business Development Operations for 33Floors.
33Floors is a consulting firm specializing in designing, implementing, upgrading, and supporting the industry-leading Yardi real estate investment and property management software. Yardi is the property management software leader for all-size real estate clients worldwide.
As the Head of Business Development Operations, I am responsible for revenue growth initiatives for the organization, overall business development strategy, and sales process execution for the company. Additionally, I manage the sales team, oversee special projects, and lead marketing initiatives. 33Floors has offices across the United States and has it’s also international. We also have offices in London, Sydney, and Ireland.
My career started in the financial industry thanks to a great mentor who advised me to apply to a teller job when I was in college. After working in retail banking I transition to commercial banking where I moved through the ranks to earned the Vice President Business Relationship Manager title. During my years in banking, I managed hundreds of commercial clients across all industries.
PHOTOS BY MURRAY YARAVITZ
Some of the firms I’ve worked for include J.P. Morgan, HSBC Bank, and Capital One Bank.
I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. I am an immigrant and English
is my second language. At the age of 14, I moved to the United States to live with my dad. I earned a B.A. in Communications, with a concentration in Corporate Communication and a minor in Phycology from Baruch College from the City University of New York. I also have an A.S. in Cinematography from Borough of Manhattan Community College. I am Afro-Latina and Dominican- American. The combination of physical traits, attributes, my gene pool is all thanks to my African, Native American, and European ancestors. I am many things, and I come from many places. I am married to an extraordinary man and we have two amazing active and outgoing children ages 4 and 6.
What makes you hustle?
My constant desire for growth and my family. I believe in the power of now, resiliency, and making progress, not excuses.
Tell us about what made you decide to get into this field and what exactly are the services you provide.
My current field is a mixture of consultancy, Protech, and Real Estate and it combines negotiation, sales a relationship building. I graduated from Murry Bergtraum High School in Manhattan. At the time it was one of the first specialized business schools in New York City, and inclusively, the entire nation. There I learned leadership concepts, aptitudes, and was exposed to a curriculum that geared my education and passion towards a business career. From an early age I’ve been interested in working with
people at the corporate level and that’s exactly what I’ve done throughout my professional life.
At 33Floors we provide solutions to our client’s needs as it relates to their Yardi system usage. Our expertise and broad Yardi knowledge benefit clients in the commercial and residential management markets as well as in the development, asset, and investment management industries, including multi-family, singlefamily, office, industrial and retail market segments. Some of our clients include small and large investment funds, as well as publicly traded REITs and global real estate investment corporations with billions of dollars of assets under management.
We are highly experienced and our reputation has contributed to the success we have today. 33Floors’ experience spans more than 60 countries and five continents. We work with companies of all types and sizes that utilize Yardi. We provide Yardi implementation, upgrades services, reports, data visualization, data science services, training, documentation support services, and more. This broad exposure, coupled with our dedication to custom-tailored service, is what makes 33Floors a great place to work and unique in its services.
What motivates you both personally and professionally?
I am motivated by the dynamic team of people I surround myself with. We always aim to make each other better and encourage constant development. Also, I’m motivated by tangible results. For example, I have lead business deals that have surpassed all goals and expectations in terms of revenue, deliverables, team collaboration across the organization, and meeting deadlines.
Personally, the fact that situations can always improve and you can always get better regardless of the level of expertise you possess.
What does the word empowerment mean to you?
To me empowerment it’s when you allow someone to decide, act or choose. It’s when you give someone permission. I believe in fostering the right environment where everyone can excel without the notion that someone needs to allow for that to happen. We need to own our voice and will and know when and how to use it. Not because someone should empower us, but because we already have that ability.
My focus is on creating opportunities where individuals can be themselves, a culture of continuous growth, where I can add value, assist others to thrive, provide guidance where needed and where everyone matters.
What is one word your clients would use to describe you and why?
Character. I believe my character fuels all components of who I am and how I collaborate with my clients while delivering results. Possessing the ability to do the right thing, being accountable, and being able to navigate through different situations including challenging ones, being resourceful is how I believe the clients we work with would describe me.
weaknesses?
My desire to help is definitely one of the areas I will continue to work on. At times I submerged myself in situations where my help could be needed but not wanted.
In terms of strengths, I will say my ability to influence. I do not focus on the problem but rather on solutions, what works and what could work best. I think my relatable persona; I can be in any setting and find someone to talk to and make connections with. Adaptability, decision making, time management, and looking at the world and my environment with an open mind would top my list.
How did you reach your level of success, especially in your leadership role?
Valuable help has been key. Having the right people by my side and knowing how and when to ask for help has been essential. I’ve been exposed to a great deal of learning and setbacks, where persistency and adaptability have taken what seemed difficult, to achievable and doable.
The support I’ve received in my personal and professional life is beyond measurement. My father brought me to live in the United States. Thanks to my parent’s sacrifices I was able to study, live and start my career in New York City. Creating possibilities for me, exposing me to a vast network of industries, contacts, ideals that would not have been possible otherwise, and the contagious grit I have often seen in other New Yorkers have been part of my success.
#9 How do you balance work and life responsibilities?
Can that be done? (smiles) It’s never balanced!
Some days work takes priority, late nights, late meetings, missing dinner with the family to attend conferences that are required, and some days health takes priorities, and other days family takes priorities for example when you need to take a half-day off to attend your child kindergarten graduation or to be there for a friend when they need you. We can never have everything on the same scale, it’s more about setting boundaries and prioritizing what is important at the moment than balancing.
Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you. Many industry leaders inspire me. But my greatest inspiration comes from those people I spent most of my time with while growing up: my mom, step-mom, and my grandparents. My grandfather worked in the Tabaco fields from sunrise to sundown and taught me the pride in earning things yourself and staying goal-oriented. His passion for hard work stills motivates me to always aim high.
“What is your ‘why? ‘”
My why is What if I try? Why Not? Why not get better? What if it’s possible? If the upside is an opportunity to get better at anything, that becomes the why. My why is always changing and evolving, and that’s what works for me.
How did working through the pandemic change you for the better or worse? How did you get creative? How did it affect you personally versus professionally?
I have to admit that we all have had our struggles through this pandemic. We canceled all interactions with the outside world and went from being active and social to not. My father-in-law passed during the pandemic, and also my uncle. The sadness and heartbreak we have suffered due to their absence in our lives will never be filled. I didn’t know how to grief, or how to support my family during those moments of hardship when we didn’t see each other. The pandemic has been a reminder to me to use my time wisely. Say more thank you, be more gracious, and remind those around me why they matter and why I love them.
The pandemic affected all families, and in my community parents needed help with their children’s schooling. I developed a program for children ages 4-8 to assist them in their reading needs; The Ready to Read Initiative. It opened an opportunity for kids to safely interact with other children, for us to support each other and learn to read together. This is an ongoing program that I hope continuous to offer the help many children entering grades K-2 need.
Name one special moment during your career that has stood out to you.
When I earned my first real paycheck. I used the money to help my mother fixed her house. That moment will stay with me forever.
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career?
The executive’s titles have been dominated by males counterparts or other individuals not from a diverse background, in the finance and consulting industry. Too often I’ve been the only woman in the room when decisions are being made. Now I’m in a position to change how we do things in the boardroom to knock down barriers and make sure that the only barriers there are those we tend to set for ourselves.
What makes a good woman leader?
Embracing who she is. For an individual to demonstrate leadership qualities it has to be genuine. Everything you are is what’s needed for you to be a leader. Leaders have different styles, different approaches, abilities, and capabilities. It’s about finding what works for you, and what works for your setting, those around you, and the environment you are in.
What do you have planned for the next year? What about five years from now?
Hopefully a vacation (more smiles)! I am an avid hiker and hope we can go to some awesome peaks over the next 12 months.
I plan to stay present and in the moment. For the past year, I have developed a few interests and hope to get better at them. I’m working on my golf swing for example and I’m working on building a 5-year plan for my team where we can continue to excel at what we do best.
I hope my family can start a foundation one day. Volunteering is a big part of my life and also necessary. I volunteer for several local non-for-profits organizations including Children Awaiting Parents where I have served as a photographer, Meals on Wheels where I’ve assisted in
meal preparation, The Center For Youth Rochester Fashion Week for which my family has been active participants, especially my daughter Kennedy who has been a model for them since age two. I’ve also worked with Upwardly Global assisting the organization get job placements for refugees, we participate in fundraisers for local nonprofits such as Intervool and Borinquen Dance Theater among others. We are blessed in so many ways, and sharing my time and resources with others, partnering to raise awareness, leading events, and being part of meaningful causes are of utmost importance to me.
My interest to work with and for others has pushed me to be involved with different organizations and advocate for causes that impact my community and why I started the Ready to Read Initiative. My family as whole volunteers, my children support the causes I’m passionate about and they also want to get involved. I hope they have a cause of their own very soon, where we can participate together and get others to get involved as well.
What do you want your life to be about?
I am the first in my immediate family to graduate college and the first one in my maternal family history to do so. We are talking about years, decades of hard work, and not much education in my family history. I want to be different and explore the options that those that came before me, couldn’t. Progress while embracing my history and ability to turn around and motivate and help others. they are headed in life. That you can be and achieve anything is a constant motivator for me. Being decisive while analyzing the outcomes and making choices that would help me achieve the life I want has allowed me to accomplish many things. Knowing that you need to be flexible with your timeline, goals, and dreams has helped me in my career, my relationship, and my life as a whole.
What goes through your mind when you think of women who joined the workforce before you?
Gratitude. If it wasn’t for trailblazer women who dared to challenge the status quote I wouldn’t be here talking to you today. Or have the ability to be in a room implementing strategies and leading with vision. I think of strength, courage, and the network that those women built to make things happen. Just amazing.
Where will we see you next?
The focus today is on my current role, as head of business development for an international firm. I would like to continue surpassing our revenue projections, brand expansion, and increasing our global footprint in the Asia Pacific region, North America and Latin America. I know that’s something that I’ll have an opportunity to do here. I’m also really excited to continue my involvement with causes that are closed to my heart. One of my goals and dreams is to build a library in the village of Navarrete, Santiago, in the Dominican Republic, and also in communities in Haiti. Currently, the closest library in Navarrete is one hour away in a community where we desperately need more access to books. I never had access to a library when I was in elementary or middle school, and decades later we still don’t have a safe haven for children to get together and explore the wonders of books and the benefits of reading.
What would you tell young women who are just starting to work? What would you like them to know?
Don’t do it alone.
Successful individuals that operate effectively, and that makes it far admit to themselves that they can’t do it alone. Think about corporations, world leaders, no one does it alone. Why would you? Ego and fear have no room if you want to succeed. Regardless of your path, you don’t have to do it alone. If your relationship needs help, get help with the kids if needed, ask a relative, a friend and go out and talk things through. If you are on a mission to get yourself into a healthy lifestyle get a trainer, coach to motivate you. If you need emotional support or mental help get a therapist or a good friend you can count on. If you are switching careers get someone to advise you. Communicate what’s needed, and find the kind of help you need. Wherever it is. Find allies that are willing to support you. When you get where you needed to be, turn around, and help others. You are now a champion and others need you.
LAW OFFICE OF HEIDI E. LADUCA, ESQ.
SPECIALIZES IN WILLS/PROBATE AND TRUST WORK, ALONG WITH REAL ESTATE AND NURSING HOME COLLECTIONS
1900 EMPIRE BLVD. #172 I WEBSTER, NY 14580 I (585)217-9390
YOU ARE ENOUGH. ARDENAY GARNER
BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO PHOTOS BY
Tell our audience who author ArDenay Garner is and what makes you hustle.
ArDenay Garner is a woman over 40 with a passion, purpose, and mission to empower 79,000+ women to develop their purpose through writing their personal story. I am a personal development trainer, motivational speaker, and bestselling author. I am the owner of ArDenay Innerprize LLC and founder of Develop Your Purpose Academy. Although I have earned several degrees and certifications, my greatest accomplishment is surviving a 10-year domestic violence relationship. I AM A SURVIVOR!
My desire to please and obey God is what makes me hustle. As soon as I discovered my life’s purpose, working a “job” ended and I began to work in my ministry. When I’m operating in my purpose, I consider that to be my ministry and the beauty of it, is that I get paid to do what I love.
What made you decide to become an author?
God put it on my heart to write a book about the lessons I learned from my significant relationships with men. I journal, so I had more than fourteen years of journal entries detailing my emotional landscape, lessons, prayers, and blessings that occurred throughout my life. After God gave me the vision to write a book and the book title, I made a commitment to complete my assignment. I knew the book was supposed to be written to encourage women to transform their pain and suffering into meaningful work that promotes healing. I had to write the book and it took me seven years to do it.
What is the inspiration behind your new book “Divine Invitations”?
My inspiration for writing this book is that I want to teach women how
to practice the spiritual principles of forgiveness, passion, unconditional love, honesty, trust, faith, and courage to move through the daily challenges of intimacy. In Divine Invitations, I use examples from my life along with specific strategies to foster spiritual and personal growth. I teach women how to take responsibility for their feelings and LEAD: Let go of hurtful memories from the past; Express compassion for yourself and others; Awaken your inner creativity and entrepreneurial spirit; and Discover lessons in self-betrayal that are counterproductive to the life you desire.
What are some of the pros and cons of being a female entrepreneur, especially in 2021?
At this stage in my life, being a fulltime female entrepreneur has allowed me to be the most authentic, creative, courageous, purposeful and servant leader that I could possibly be. I am no longer restricted or confined in a ‘corporate’ box. I get to flow with the spirit and build my business and brand according to my spiritual vision. My passion, purpose, and mission are finally in alignment, and I am truly living the life of my biggest dreams. I am grateful for this level of freedom and the ability to profit from my purpose.
The biggest challenge with being a female entrepreneur in 2021 and in general is the expectations, specifically gender roles, that society assigns to women. We are expected to maintain the home, rear the children, push others forward, and sacrifice our dreams and goals until our spouse’s career is established, our children are grown, our household can be maintained with minimal effort from us, and we’ve established a nest egg to absorb the financial risk of pursuing our ambitions. Unfortunately, this is significant for many women to overcome, in addition to the fear of failure, overconcern with other people’s opinions, and the guilt women feel for
for wanting “something more” than what they currently have especially when it appears that they already have everything. Add a pandemic coupled with children being home schooled unexpectedly and it magnifies the challenge for women to become entrepreneurs.
However, in 2021, I’ve noticed more women taking a leap of faith to start a business because they have had the opportunity to develop a new talent or strengthen their current skillset while they were in quarantine.
What are some of the things you find help you to be successful?
Reading personal development books, following the guidance of other successful people, investing in myself, allowing myself to make mistakes, hiring a business coach, and sharing what I’m learning about myself and business with others.
At the end of 2020, I adopted The Miracle Morning routine, based on the book The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, that includes, sitting in silence and prayer, reciting affirmations, visioning my completed activities for the day, exercise, reading, and journaling for at least one hour before I start my workday.
What do you want to achieve next?
I want to raise $42M dollars for my Campaign 42 Foundation to award $42,000 scholarships to one thousand Black students in college pursuing a degree to become a licensed social worker or other licensed mental health professional. Most of my inspiration comes from legendary authors Iyanla Vanzant, Brenẻ Brown, Jack Canfield, Robert Kiyosaki, Gary Keller, Hal Elrod, and Napoleon Hill. However, I am just as inspired by the less known authors like myself that I meet on Clubhouse and Facebook that are diligently working to share their message of hope, perseverance, and survivorship with the world.
Have you ever been discriminated against?
No, I can’t recall a time when I have been discriminated against.
What have you found to be the most successful in marketing your books and who is your ideal audience?
Word of mouth marketing has been the best strategy so far for me selling my books. I know it’s simple, but it works for me. When I connect with people, in-person or virtually and talk about the spiritual principles that I teach in Divine Invitations, people can relate to my story and they feel connected to me – a woman driven by a personal mission to empower other women as a result of surviving abuse and becoming an entrepreneur.
My ideal audience is high achieving women over 40 who have a burning desire to fulfill their purpose before it’s too late. These women typically feel misunderstood, undervalued, and is used to putting other’s needs before their own. They have overcome trials and triumph and are now willing, ready, and able to STAND UP and reclaim their personal power to create the life of their wildest dreams by serving others with their gifts and talents.
What challenges have you faced this year and how have you overcome them?
My challenge has always been defining my niche and understanding my ideal client. Back in December 2020 after I started working with a coach, I finally felt crystal clear on my niche and avatar and started running Facebook ads. My ads were effective in getting people to watch my webinar and schedule a call with me, but after talking with many prospects, I realized my niche was still too general and I wasn’t attracting prospects who needed my specific service which meant that I wasn’t making any sales.
So, how did I overcome it? I cried, prayed, and begged God for guidance and on June 12, 2021, He answered my prayer and told me to pivot my business. He instructed me to coach aspiring nonfiction authors who want to develop their purpose through writing their personal story. I listened and began following’s God’s instructions exactly as they were given, and I have acquired 16 new clients.
My suggestions for anyone who is struggling as an entrepreneur would be to pray, meditate, consult your higher power, ask for help and support and TRUST and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.
How do you balance your entrepreneur life with family life?
After reading The ONE Thing book by Gary Keller, I discovered that being in “balance” is unrealistic. We like to think that we are balancing family, chores, business, recreation but we are not. It becomes a matter of prioritizing the one thing or area in your life that needs your
r immediate attention so that you can move on to the next important thing.
My answer to this question is I don’t balance being an entrepreneur with my family life. I am grateful that I can focus on my business for excessive periods of time and my family supports me and then when I reach a point when I can pull back, I am then able to give my family my undivided time and attention for a while. It’s like a game of ping pong, I go back and forth to each side, never neglecting any side for too long. But this is something I’ve had to learn and accept over time, that my life will be unbalanced for me to get things done and achieve extraordinary goals.
What do you do for encouragement or to be motivated?
When I need encouragement or motivation, I ask for support from my close friends and prayer warriors. I watch inspirational movies and documentaries, listen to motivational speakers, and do walking meditations around the lake. But when all else fails, I get my favorite salad from Chipotle and dose it with three vinaigrettes and all becomes well with my soul.
How many hours a day do you work on average?
I work an average of 10 hours per day, Monday through Friday.
What are some of the challenges you feel female writers face, especially minority women?
Whenever, I’m asked a question about “challenges” I really have to pause and think about what is being asked. Oftentimes, I don’t see challenges. As an extreme optimist, I am trained to see the opportunities, lessons, and blessings. So, in thinking about this question, I want to respond based on the opportunities I think nonfiction female writers have.
Nonfiction female writers have an opportunity to heal at a deeper lever with their writing. They get to reflect on their experiences, write about their transformations, and share their process with others. And in sharing their story, they are encouraging others to continue living, trusting, learning, loving and to persevere even when they want to quit. This is true for all nonfiction female writers. However, in the case of minority women we get to relinquish the superwoman cape in our writing. As minority women, we have had to work twice as hard to prove ourselves and our worth to others. And writing our story allows us to be the judge and the jury because we are the author of our own story. No one can take that away from us.
How do you generate new ideas?
God created me to be easily inspired and at times, I consider it a gift and a curse. I’m a visionary so ideas flow to me easily and often when I least expect it. I keep a journal, notebook, and I use the notepad on my phone to record my constant influx of ideas and visions. If you can’t tell already, I am very spiritual and I don’t apologize for that. I believe that all people are spiritual beings having a human experience. And my new ideas are generated by listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice within. documentaries of great women and men who fulfilled or are fulfilling their purpose and take note on the ideas and inspiration that I receive while doing these activities. I also sit in silence and pray for divine guidance and wisdom.
The main thing for me is just being open to receive new ideas, visions at all times from anyone without judgment or dismissal. When have an idea, I accept it, record it and don’t attempt to figure out the details of how to bring it to fruition. I trust that when it is meant for me to move forward with the idea, the resources, tools, support, and provision will be provided. I’ve learned that not every idea or vision is meant for me to act on immediately, which is why I record everything so that I can refer to it later.
Where do you see your business growing in the next year? three years?
In 2022, I will expand my personal development training division to include the Me, Myself & God tour with the co-authors of my upcoming anthology book, STAND UP! Resilient Black Women Who Are Shaping the World With Their Faith. God gave me the vision for this tour seven years ago. We will travel to different cities presenting and facilitating workshops and seminars on various personal development topics and entrepreneurship.
In the next three years, I will open an institute for spiritual growth and personal development training.
How do we expand women’s networks to accommodate all women entrepreneurs?
You may laugh and I’m going to suggest this practical tip anyway… download the Clubhouse App on your phone and start listening and joining the millions of conversations and rooms on this powerful audio app. I have met some phenomenal women entrepreneurs and have partnered with several amazing women from all over the globe on this app. This is the NEW way to network in the 21st century. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then google Clubhouse to learn about the app.
Do you have any helpful advice to someone interested in becoming a published author?
Write. Write. Write. Write your story. The only way to become a published author is to write. If you have a different ability and you are unable to write, there are devices that can support you. If you don’t want to write your story, but you still want to become a published author, hire a ghostwriter and let them write your story for you.
Now, if you are unsure what to write about, you can answer the following questions: What is my message? Who do I want my message to reach? Why do I want to share my message with others? What are my unique perspectives on life, love, relationships, spirituality, food, violence, community, etc. Record your answers in a journal or notebook.
Determine how you want to publish your book; do you want to self-publish on your own? Do you want a hybrid publisher, where you pay to have your book published? Or do you want your book to be published traditionally? Don’t get stuck here because it can be a distraction.
My best advice to someone interested in becoming a published author is 1) Make the decision to become a published author, 2) create a writing schedule, 3) determine your reason for writing (this will be your motivation to stay the course), 4) ask for help when you need support. Get an accountability partner, coach, or mentor, and 5) finish your writing project. No matter how long it takes you, finish it.
Try to describe yourself in 3 words only.
Encourager. Purposeful. Grateful.
Where did you get your entrepreneurial spirit? Are/were your parents entrepreneurs?
I received my entrepreneurial spirit from God. Although my dad owned several businesses, I always wanted to be a lawyer or psychologist. I never considered owning my own business until I experienced a spiritual awakening in my pursuit of a male exotic dancer. And boy did that pursuit open my eyes to something greater, more meaningful than I could have ever imagined. If you want to know more about my spiritual awakening, I reveal it all in my book, Divine Invitations – The 7 Spiritual Lessons of Relationships. You can purchase it on Amazon or at www. ardenaygarner.com.
next book, what would it be called?
I am currently writing my next book; which is an anthology that I am collaborating with 16 authors. The title of the book is STAND UP! Resilient Black Women Who Are Shaping the World With Their Faith. This title exemplifies the truest reflection of what my life is today. I am standing up to accept and activate my new unique purpose.
274 GOODMAN ST N, ROCHESTER, NY 14607 I
ANTONIA WYNTER
Tell us about yourself. What is your background?
I’m a mother of four, culturally my parents are Jamaican and those roots were vital to shaping me as the woman I am today. There was lots of discipline, self pride and cultural awareness. I was raised by my grandmother and my father who is a Pastor. I grew up in the prestigious 19th Ward and still have connection with neighbors & childhood friends. Somewhere along the line it was embedded in my mind, at a very early age, that if you didn’t like what was going on or how you were treated you should speak up about it. I especially didn’t like to see other people get bullied and picked on. I guess I became an activist a long time ago. In my educational background ground I majored in communications and studied psychology.
I also studied business administration. In 2018 I also saw a need for change amidst a tragic event, and started a campaign called “Trevyan’s Law”, a law that I proposed to Albany in honor Trevyan Rowe. Trevyan was a child with special needs, who lost his life in March of 2018. If passed, this new law will be inclusive where alerts such as “Amber Alert”, are exclusive. It will change the way in which the public is notified within a 25 mile radius when a child goes missing. It would be made to include children with disabilities, using various forms of technology. I also started a petition on the change.org website in 2018 to get 1,000 signatures for this cause.
Professionally I am the owner and founder of Enhanced Business Outlook Global Media, a Public Relations & Consulting Firm est 2013. In 2018 I founded the F.A.C.T.S Youth Program
What is it that makes you “hustle”? I want to leave a legacy for my kids. I
want to improve the condition of things in my community and neighborhood and inspire others so that the work will continue this is why I hustle.
What made you decide to create the FACTS Youth Program and what is its mission?
The F.A.C.T.S. Youth Program is a program that I started in 2018. It teaches youth in the urban community key elements that traditional education has omitted from today’s curriculum. By giving our youth these tools we teach them about things such as:
F.inancial Literacy A.griculture/Nutrition C.ommunications T.rades/Entrepreneurship S.T.E.M. As many of us are well aware, traditional education as it stands does not fully equip our children with the tools that they will need to navigate their way to success. Dropout rates are on the rise while students and families are crying out for change.
Many educators have also voiced their opinions about how desperately our schools need a change to antiquated curriculums and processes. But for the most part it’s fallen on deaf ears. So I decided to make an impact through programs like this.
What was the deciding factor in running for City
Council?
Before I decided to announce my candidacy for city Council I took several things into consideration.
#1 do I have enough time and energy to devote to my community; the city of Rochester?
#2 can I support my campaign myself financially? I realized I have to invest in myself before asking anyone for a dime in donations.
#3 While winning is the goal I wanted to walk away satisfied that I ran my campaign well and gave everything I had put ahead into the race. Not by mudslinging or focusing on the shortcomings of others but winning based on my sheer talent love for community and desire to implement change through policy and engagement.
#4 Most importantly I prayed. After checking off other boxes on my list I wanted to make sure this was what God wanted me to do that was when I made my announcement.
What does the word empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment to me is not being defined by trauma, mistakes, or your past. But using your experiences, good and bad as tools for the future. It’s being able to see someone who needs help while you are in need and understanding that you can help each other.
What is your “why”?
Well, why not? I mean who knows what you can accomplish if you’re bold enough to explore the greatness of what you idea could become.
In the great words of Dr. Martin Luther King “Keep Moving”
What are some of the things you have you accomplished during your journey?
I am a writer at heart. I communicate and engage strongly with words. I recently had an interview and was featured in Time magazine, that was a huge honor.
If elected to City Council, what changes would you like to see implemented and what are some of the things you want to accomplish?
I would like to see more economic development go into subsidized homes and into programs that will assist people into becoming home owners. I would like to see them bring back the PACTAC community policing program. I would like to see a new shopping center rebuilt in the downtown area the only way we will have a thriving economy locally is by offering people and opportunity to not only spend money but create jobs. I would like to see more money go into programs for the elderly and people with special needs. We also need more cleaning efforts in our city streets and engage residents because people who care about how the streets look or also care about crime in their neighborhoods and this is one way to reduce crime. I also plan to implement “Stop Wait Think” a gun diversion program abs I’m working on a bill to prohibit manufacturers from selling gun parts that are bought to assemble (untraceable) ghost-guns.
Who are some of the people that empower and inspire you and why? My grandmother, my Aunts, sisters, while there are celebrities or famous people who have impacted or inspired me along the way, the everyday moms and dads who wake up and push through day after day, the tenacity and will power they show is a driving force for me.
How do you balance work and life responsibilities?
I know it sounds cliché but “self care” I had to set boundaries and learn to decline certain jobs or say no to people. I think about what yo do and when to do it. I also think of the effects of how rushing through a project will affect it in the long-run and manage my time productively that way.
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career
In a world traditionally run by men it can be a challenge to have your research or your work taken seriously. One of the reasons I started using “Toni” as opposed to Antonia, is because some people assumed my name was short for Anthony lol. It got me into a few doors which allowed me to demonstrate my ability to navigate and at times supersede people’s beliefs about women who run companies or manage businesses.
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful both personally and professionally?
I have an open mind and I’m a chameleon which basically means I can adapt very easily to environments and I have the ability to adjust my personality to align if necessary.
How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?
I’m really good and mediating and positive reinforcement. I can remember a person’s favorite color name of their dog and their grandmother’s bday! Basically making them feel like I take time out for them makes a person feel special. Alit of times conflict arises from miscommunication and individual perspective. Letting others know that their individual truth is not necessarily
right/wrong, but valid goes a long way in team building.
What do you have planned for the next year? What about five years from now?
Next year, if it’s Gods will and the people will have me, I’ll be your next City Councilwoman. In 5 years or less we will be opening a school. The F.A.C.T.S. Youth Program will be housed in the school and young people will have the luxury of continued learning about those concepts close at hand.
What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
Choosing myself over other people. I had to unlearn burning myself out. I thought I was being selfish. It was hard because I was raised on self sacrificial acts thinking that equated to love & care.
What motivates you?
Number one my children being the mother of four, everything I do is for them (and all of our kids) to have a better life not only in the future but especially right now.
Number two knowing that I used my time here (on earth) wisely. I want to use my talents and wisdom and gifts that God gave me (gave us) to change someone’s life for the better, give them hope, inspire them to dream. I was born full of compassion & kindness and love. I want to pour it all out. So when I die my vessel is empty. That’s my motivation.
What’s the most important discovery you’ve made about yourself in the past years during this election
journey?
I’m on a life long discovery of self. I learn something new about me every day. I’m ever evolving.
Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
My biggest failures weren’t the things I was unsuccessful at. It was the things I was too afraid to try. That’s the only time you truly fail is if you don’t take a chance on yourself!
Where will we see you next?
Everywhere and anywhere that new innovative ideas are needed or change needs to happen I’m there. I’m currently working on a financial literacy software although I can’t disclose details, it’s a huge money maker.
What are the most important attributes of successful leaders today?
Knowing how to delegate and not micromanage. Understanding people on individual levels and balancing personal & business relationships. Being consistent and having integrity. Understanding the right decision(s) may not always be the most popular one, but you have to make it anyways.
Tell our audience something they should know about you.
I love the out doors. I was a big tomboy growing up and although I’m very ladylike I love throwing a football around and I’ll still kick off my shoes and race you down the street….lol. Also I wanted to be an attorney growing up but I took another path I’m still considering taking the bar exam just to see how I make out. Who knows?
BOBBI JO DONDORFER
Tell us about yourself, and your background. Who is Bobbi Jo Corino?
-Bobbi Jo Corino is a woman who has continuously answered the knocks of opportunity. Some have said I live the charmed life; I say I live I life I choose. I’m an only child who grew up in a small town with hard-working self-employed parents. I learned early on what it meant to work hard and play hard. My parents provided an amazing childhood for me, never wanting for anything but knowing I had to earn it. I graduated 9th in my class with honors. I attended Niagara University and studied Criminal Justice and Political Science with the dream of one day being a prosecuting attorney.
Life happened and opportunity knocked and I found myself taking an internship with the Brother Wease Morning radio show. I made many connections and found many open doors. Again, life happened and opportunity knocked and I found myself living in Buffalo and starting a career in Ophthalmology as a technician. 14 years later I have a successful career as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, married to man in law enforcement and a mother to an amazing little boy. I have evolved beyond Bobbi Jo Corino; I am Bobbi Jo Dondorfer, Paul’s wife and I am a mommy.
What makes you hustle?
I was taught at a very young age you earn your accolades. If I want success, I have to work for it. Being a better person than I was yesterday, a better leader for my team at work, a better wife, mother, daughter, friend. I hustle because it’s in my blood to work hard and have progress and success in life.
Tell us about what made you decide to
run in the MRS NY America pageants and some of your pageant background experience.
I have been competing in pageants since I was 18 mos old. I love the performance, being on stage and the glamour of it all. More importantly, I love the friendships I have made over the years. In fact, I am still friends with people I met when I was just 4 yrs old. I held the Miss New York Teen All-American title in 2001. It was a wonderful experience where I was able to go to various grand openings, make appearances at different events and show the state that it takes more than a pretty face to hold a title. I was a high school senior, on High Honor Roll, a member of National honor Society, and graduated 9th in my class!
I had an internship at the Ontario Cunty District Attorney’s office and also worked part time. After placing in the finals at nationals I was excited to move on. I competed in the Miss division while in my early 20s and then went on to coach and judge in the pageant industry. I was thrilled when I got married and was able to compete again! This time it was to help promote the various platforms and organizations I was involved in. The Mrs. NY America pageant seemed like a great outlet for my love of pageants and volunteer work.
What is your platform and why did you choose this to promote and educate people on?
My platform while holding the title of Mrs. Rochester was the Ronald McDonald House Charities. At 9 mos old our son needed a major bladder reconstructive surgery and we spent 3 days at Golisano Children’s Hospital. During our stay my son had soiled every piece of clothing I had packed
and I was wearing my last tank top and a pair of scrub pants the nurses let me borrow. We used the Ronald McDonald House lounge at the hospital to do my laundry and have a hot cup of coffee. They took the worry and stress out of my situation and let me focus on my baby healing up. With that experience I knew I wanted to help other families who really needed the Ronald McDonald House and all it offers. As parents we never want to think about our babies being ill but if we do find ourselves in that situation, we need to focus on them and not worry about the other things. The Ronald McDonald house takes that worry away!
What does the word empowerment mean to you?
To become stronger and more confident. I look for things to help empower me such as seminars and books and even overcoming adversity! To empower others, I help them find their passion and provide the tools they need to succeed. As a leader in my career, I’m able to do this with me team.
What do you do when you are not running for Mrs NY America?
My husband and I are involved with many different charities in town. We golf in several charity tournaments, attend galas, auctions, and events to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes, Wilmot Cancer Institute, St. Jude’s, The Boys and Girls Club, Ronald MacDonald House, and the Blue and Gold Foundation to name a few. I work full time as an ophthalmic assistant and run the lasers for LASIK eye surgery. I’m a mom to a dinosaur loving, handsome superhero 5-year-old boy.
What do you feel are your greatest strengths?
What about some of your weaknesses? -Strengths are that I can balance and prioritize all of the crazy schedules we have. I keep our house on track and make sure we are all where we belong. My weaknesses are that I’m a perfectionist and when things don’t go the way I envision them I get very frustrated, I’m
especially hard on myself in this regard. I don’t like making mistakes.
What are some of the things you have you accomplished during your journey? -Bringing awareness to the various charities we are involved in has been a huge accomplishment. Philanthropy is easy if you care. Giving back to the community and helping others is so fulfilling and rewarding; knowing that I’ve made a difference in someone’s life.
When did you take away from your pageant experience?
Every pageant is an opportunity to open your mind to new people and new ideologies. It’s wonderful to meet different women and see their viewpoints on marriage and motherhood. The new friendships are a bonus and I made few of those!
Who are some of the people that empower and inspire you and why?
My husband inspires me every day! He has seen hell and the devil’s work, yet every day he continues to put on his badge and serve and protect the people he took an oath to serve. He has endured physical, mental and emotional pain from his 21 years as a police officer and yet he comes home with loving arms and makes sure his family is taken care of. He empowers me to still have faith in humanity and inspires me to be a better person.
“What is your ‘why? ‘”
My WHY is my family. I have always been a show dog and have always wanted to make my family proud, starting with my parents. And now I work hard to help provide my husband and son with someone they can be proud of. I hustle every day to make a better home and life for us.
How did working through the pandemic change you for the better or worse? How did you get creative? How did it effect your family?
Since I work in the medical field there was no shut down for our practice. It was ‘get creative, think outside the box and help get patients seen in a safe manner!’ I found myself becoming an expert on the ever-changing mandates, protocols,
\and statistics. I became a go to person at work and helped guide our staff throughout the chaos. My husband also worked through the pandemic, so not much changed in our family dynamic. Thankfully our parents still watched our son and we could still function in our expected capacity.
Name one special moment during your career that has stood out to you.
I was relocating from Buffalo back to Rochester and a few of the drug reps who knew the area actually recommended me to my current practice. They knew my skills and abilities and the type of practice I was used to working in. They put their own reputations on the line for me and that truly meant a lot.
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful both personally and professionally?
Tenacity. I don’t give up. When I was little my grandmother taught me to say ‘I can do it, I can do it!’ I have taken this with me in every aspect of my life. Failed relationships? I can do it; I can move on and be better. Changing jobs? I can do it; I can make a new start. My mom and dad constantly remind me of this and now teach my son the same motto!
What was your favorite moment of the 2021 Mrs NY America pageant and
why? -Winning the Visibility Award! This was given to the contestant who stood out the most on social media for their platform and community involvement. I take pride in the charity work I am involved and love sharing my experiences. I also love getting other people involved! This award proved I did that!
What do you have planned for the next year? What about five years from
now? This next year is big for our family, as my husband is up for re-election as County Legislator. We are working hard on the campaign and look forward to hopefully winning in November. 5 years from now? My son will be double digits and we will be navigating all that that means! And who knows? Maybe more politics.
What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
I would have to say becoming an advocate for our son during his medical issues as an infant. I quickly had to learn about his diagnosis and options and that I had to speak up for what we felt was right. I had to trust my maternal instincts on the path we were taking for him and that I couldn’t let any stone go unturned.
What motivates you?
Success! Life is about getting up, being a contributing member of society and having successes because of that. Success comes in many forms and I have to say that I’m motivated every day to lead my team at work and help provide great patient care. I am motivated to contribute 100% to my marriage and have a successful relationship. I’m motivated to love and nurture my son to give him the foundation of being a successful person. It can be a little win or a big win, but find the win in everything you do!
What’s the most important discovery you’ve made about yourself in the past years during your pageant journey?
I have learned that as a Mrs. contestant I will not waiver on my beliefs, convictions, morals, or values. I am who I am, regardless of what people want. I have become the woman who I wanted to be when I was competing as a teen and miss.
Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
I’m not sure I can call it a failure, but not completing my degree in criminal justice/ political science would be a regret. However, the fact that I pursued different opportunities because I knew I was meant for something else in life is how I have found my success. I knew I wanted to eventually be a wife and a mother and not spend 80 hours a week in an office and court room.
Where will we see you next?
I’m always in the community at various charity golf tournaments, galas, and events. Right now, my focus is helping my husband, Paul, get re-elected to County Legislator in Penfield. It has been an eye-opening experience to be involved in politics and knowing that we are in it for the greater good makes me so proud of my husband.
What is something our audience may not know about you?
I have performed stand-up comedy on several occasions! With my internship on the Brother Wease Show, I met several hilariously amazing comedians who helped me put together a set and I had the opportunity to perform with the morning show a few times. I would honestly say I’d rather get on stage in a bathing suit and be judged than get on stage and try to make people laugh! Man, that was fun but nerve wracking!
ANGIE’S BOUTIQUE
Tell us about yourself, and Angie’s Boutique.
Hello, I’m Angie’s of Angie’s a city country girl. Multicultural raised by my Italian Grandmother not knowing my Jamaican father. I’m a entrepreneur in heart and spirit. A mother of 12 (8 dogs 2 step children, 2 maternal) I established Angie’s Boutique 2019. It’s started with a single sweatband and blossomed into a much larger entity focusing on weightloss and body the positive body image as a whole.
Tell us what makes you “hustle”?
My origins drive my “hustling ambitions” watching my grand mother struggle taught me what not to do. I made it my mission never to be without or struggle. I learn my lessons through others experiences. Through there victories and there failures.
What made you decide to start Angie’s Boutique and become a female entrepreneur?
Prior to opening Angie’s Boutique I’ve remember vaguely ordering 56 waist trainers. None fitting! Some to big,some to small some to short and some to long. I had to continuously order online. There weren’t any local store to where in which I could make a physical purchase and physically try on. I wanted to present the masses of people the opportunity to tangibly try on and purchase a suitable waist trainer without complications and headaches. I don’t want people to go through what I did.
What types of services and products do you offer and what is your favorite? I offer waist trainers and waist training
accessories, Fajas and weightloss products and supplements. I also offer laser Lipo Cavitation, Emsculpting, wood massage therapy and teeth whitening. My favorite I would say are all. They all make customers smile and feel good about themselves. That’s satisfying within its self
Who is one person who inspires you and why?
My husband inspires me. He to has had his share of trials and tribulations but he still keeps going! He is a strong motivational force. He is very consistent and straight to point. I wake up daily to motivation speeches from YouTube. His positivity can some times be overbearing but it truly is a blessing!
What does owning your own business mean to you?
Freedom!!! To make your own, manage your own and commit to your own. Your the cause of your rise and you can also be the cause of your fall.
According to you, what are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful woman owned business? You must be a people
Person. I deal with adversely different people hourly. You must learn to tailor your demeanor and appeal to different people and different natures from different cultural backgrounds
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
No Matter what when and where it will always be ok time heals everything so go hard and conquer failure.
How would you define your own personal style?
Eccentric and different.
What’s the most important business or other discovery you’ve made in the past year? I think the most important business this year that I have made it’s still open a shop here in Rochester!
What is the biggest challenge for you as an entrepreneur?
I would say negative personalities
What tips do you have for other women who would like to start their
own businesses? Grind grind! Advertise over and over!! Live in your craft. Eat breath and sleep in your craft.
Has working during a pandemic helped or hindered you?
The pandemic has been a blessing. People where home and isolated so they wanted to improve there body image.
What role do you think social media plays in your business? What is your favorite platform?
Social media is the life of my business! Without social media advertising and exposure would be relatively limited. My favorite platform is Facebook.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
Fishing, working out spending time with my dog I also own and operate a dog kennel (alpha z kennels)
Which of the treatments you offer is your favorite of your clients and why?
I will say my clients favorite treatments would be the cavitation, they love the cavitation because it attacks the stubborn fat and you can see instantly
after one session.
What’s a typical day like for you?
A typical day for me would be waking up at 7AM. Helping my husband with the dogs. Hitting the gym for an hour come home cook breakfast and lunch for me an my husband, and then off to work!
what helps you to stay motivated?
I think what works best for me is that I said goals and when I achieve my goals I set bigger goals so I just keep going and going and going and that just motivates me because my goals are so reachable all it takes is determination and a little discipline to myself and I meet my goals.
Name one moment in your career that left an impression on you and why...
When I first opened up my shop online. Someone had told me don’t try and make everybody happy because it will never happen. Always stay true to yourself, and what you believe in. I did not understand that at first but now I do!
What’s an accomplishment that you are proudest of?
I would say my marriage. I can truly say I have the perfect us and and perfect marriage. It comes as ease being that he is my best friend. I would love to operate on a platform counseling people on marriage.
Where do you see your business 5 years from now?
international. I want to have a location in every state. Catering to the needs of all woman every where trying to improve there body image and there perception of there body image.
39 Saginaw Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 453-9748 ladybugsallpestsolutions@gmail.com
TARA HUMPHREY
Tell us about yourself, your background and what made you decide to become a female entrepreneur?
My employment has always been in hospitality. I’ve worked in many high end hotels and restaurants. Through the years my skills have included working through all the positions to become part of the management teams. I learned that I enjoyed giving a personal touch to each person I incounterned. This is what brought me to want to become an entrepreneur.
Tell us what makes you “hustle”?
My ongoing desire to help make women feel comfortable in their own body. I was brought up to continually push myself to reach my goal.
Is there a mission behind the “essentials” brand that made you decide to promote their items?
I was shocked when I tried on my first bra. This bra has given me my confidence back, better posture and the right foundation. I learned that 85% of us are wearing the wrong size and I felt a need to help women obtain the right foundation. .
What is your one MUST HAVE item?
Our Abbie is our best selling T-shirt bra!
Who is one person who inspires you and why?
My mother taught me at a young age to make a goal and to push myself to achieve it! My Mother had the opportunity to open a manufacturing plant in mainland China and she insisted that I come for at least six months.
This experience taught me that I can do anything as far as adapting to foriegn language and the ability to work in a five star hotel. After that experience I am not afraid to try new opportunities.I love to push myself and have the family support to do so.
What does owning your own business mean to you?
It means I have the ability to help my family gain financial security along with more free time for them. I stand behind the products and feel good when I can make a woman feel as good as I.
According to you, what are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful woman owned business?
Empathy, risk taking, assertiveness, faith , problem-solving skills along with passion behind your service or products.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
“ Put your all into everything you do and the universe will provide what you need.” • Show up • Punctuality • Be Honest • Be open to change
How would you define your own personal style?
• Practical • bohemian • functional
When did you first realize you wanted to be your own boss?
I realized this when I achieved management level in my early 20’s . 10 What is the biggest challenge for you as an entrepreneur?
I have my own Cleaning business as well as the bra business so challenging myself to juggle both businesses has taught me alot about my own strengths and opportunities.
What tips do you have for other women who would like to start their own businesses?
Take the time to learn about the product Ask questions Get involved Patience
Has working during a pandemic helped or hindered you?
It was a tough year for all of us and I was not able to maintain many of my cleaning clients. I needed additional income and this business came at a perfect time for me. Also it sells itself when women couldn’t even try on clothes.
What role do you think social media plays in your business? What is your favorite plattform?
My favorite platform has been Facebook it has helped obtain new clients in both businesses. My reviews have helped to promote additional clients.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
My favorite thing to do when I get time is to enjoy my family. This is very important to me. Camping Movie night My animals (4) Outdoor activities
What do you think helped you the most to make a career as a woman? What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
My mother inspired me think I can do anything. I have the ability to work with and for a diverse set of people I love meeting people from different walks of life. I can adopt well to different situations and have good problem solving skills. I strive for perfection on every sale I make
What do you have planned for the next year? What about five years from now? I plan to continue both businesses but hire some people to help clean so this can enable me to put more time into
the Bra business.
My five year goal is to be learning everything I can about the Bra business. My desires have always been to move up to the next level of management.
What’s a typical day like for you?
• Up at 6am • Breakfast with my family • Review inquiries on social media and email for cleaning, fittings, bra parties
• Head out to clean any homes scheduled from 1-4 houses daily • Return home • Cook homemade dinners always • Homework, email • Call regarding new inquiries • Set appointments • Relax with family
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
My daughter is my main motivation for security and financial reasons I want to show her how consistent hard work pays off for personal growth as well as financial. She enjoyed many summer rentals around the area and better understands what hard work can provide,
Tell us something about yourself people may not know?
I’ve reached the hearts of people in 11 different countries and my goal is to reach many more in the future.
For more info: https://www. myessentialbodywear.com/ TARASBRASOLUTION/content/shop.aspx
