10 minute read
Exceptional Women in Business
IN BUSINESS
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Our City profiles women business leaders to inspire the next generation in our community. We hope you enjoy getting to know each of them as much as we did!
Dr. Marcela Torres
OBGYN
Modern OBGYN Care
Her Story
Marcela Torres, M.D. is a board-certifed OBGYN at Modren OBGYN in Miramar. She pursued a career in obstetrics and gynecology because it involves one of the most intimate aspects of a woman’s life. Keeping women healthy is her priority and helping them care for themselves and their babies brings Dr. Torres an immense sense of satisfaction.
Dr. Torres was born in Cali, Colombia. She earned her Bachelor’s in Biology at Kean University in New Jersey and graduated from Ross University School of Medicine with honors. She then completed a General Surgery Internship at the University of Maryland. In 2017, Dr. Torres graduated from OBGYN Residency at Mercer University School of Medicine. “I enjoy practicing in the field of obstetrics because having a baby is the most memorable moment of a women’s life. I strive to make this moment special and perfect for each of my patients.” Dr. Torres is focused on the latest innovations and surgical techniques available today. Her unique skills help her patients heal faster and get back to their normal lives.
I advise young people entering our industry to keep up to date and learn the latest medical recommendations to provide the best currently available medical treatment for the patient. Treatments, techniques and technology are always improving. It is important to stay up to date.
What makes your practice successful?
It is simple. Compassion and love for my patients and the science of medicine make my practice successful.
Terri Braun
Kido Creator
Kidokinetics
Her Story
Terri Braun is the Founder and visionary behind Kidokinetics, a national franchise with rapidly growing locations across the country. Kidokinetics has engaged children with fun, high-energy sports, and fitness classes since 1996, introducing physical education to boys and girls of all ages. It is a premier sports, fitness, health, and recreation program provider that comes to your preschool, elementary school, local park, or community center. Kidokinetics brings an elite physical education program, along with all the sports equipment needed, to you! Terri is an athlete, leader, teacher, and mother of three. When she began Kidokinetics, many people asked about starting a Kidokinetics in their community. So Terri set out to build a franchise system that would make it possible for others to share in her vision and to bring sports knowledge and fitness skills to children of all ages and abilities. Her programs keep children moving and active and are especially in-demand as schools eliminate recess and cut their P.E. programs, meaning kids have more screen time, at school and at home.
Advice to Young People Beginning a Career
This work truly matters. For children to develop to their greatest potential, they need to be active, they need to have a safe place to play and they need to build their confidence. It is so fulfilling to work in an area where you really make an impact on people, especially kid’s lives.
What Makes Kidokinetics Unique?
We are a 20-year-old company, but in many ways, we are just getting started! I love what I do. There is no work like the work of giving children a brighter future.
Elizabeth Gonzalez
Owner & Director
A World of Knowledge Learning Center, Greentree Prep Charter School & Apple Tree Montessori
IN BUSINESS
Her Story
Elizabeth opened A World of Knowledge Learning Center, a preschool in Pembroke Pines, 18 years ago. The school took a different approach than others: she wanted to help young children learn and appreciate the world that surrounds them while learning their ABCs. The focus was to teach children that we are all the same regardless of where we come from or what we look like, and we all have talents that are unique to us. As the owner, Elizabeth wanted to bring something different and unique to the community and something that would impact students for life. Today, she also oversees Apple Tree Montessori and Greentree Prep Charter K-8, with the same passion and philosophy as when she first started this journey 18 years ago. She pursued a Master’s in Education and began plans to open a learning center that would center around multicultural awareness. The goal was to help young children appreciate each other’s differences with compassion for one another, as they played and learned together in a classroom setting. She also created an accelerated learning program that is unique to A World of Knowledge. This program sets them apart by bringing the world to their students. With her incredible and experienced staff, this proved to be successful for over 98% of her students, who entered kindergarten reading. The school has earned one of the highest VPK scores in the state of Florida, since its inception.
Advice to Young People Beginning a Career in Early Childhood Education
Never give up! If you have a dream, work hard to achieve it! It took two years of planning and preparation before my vision came to fruition, but 18 years later, I am blessed with A World of Knowledge Learning Center, Apple Tree Montessori, and Greentree Prep Charter School K-8 center. Being able to provide various methods of education to children brings me much joy! I know our staff members teach with great enthusiasm and desire to help students appreciate themselves and the world that surrounds them while getting a higher education.
What Sets A World of Knowledge Apart?
I’m grateful that our parents shared their experiences with their friends and because of that great response, it gave us the opportunity to establish Greentree Prep Charter K-8 center, which follows the same advanced curriculum philosophy as A World of Knowledge. A few years later, I purchased Apple Tree Montessori, giving me the opportunity to offer even more diversity in learning styles to our students. We don’t teach our students in the traditional way; we teach through interactive activities, and with love, compassion, and care. I am blessed to have incredible teachers and administrators working with me, in all three schools, who believe in our programs and have stepped up, to go above and beyond my high expectations. They are outstanding and are the branches that keep our schools growing and gaining accolades from the community and the state. Please contact our schools for a personal tour of our facility, we provide services for children infants – 8th grade.
Laura Gonzalez D.M.D, P.A.
Founder & Cosmetic Dentist
Best Smile Cosmetic Dentistry
IN BUSINESS
Her Story
Dr.Laura Gonzalez is the president and founder of Best Smile Cosmetic Dentistry where she has spent the last 20 years creating life changing Smile-Makeovers.
A natural-born artist with an immense passion for helping others— found her calling as a cosmetic dentist. Her experience, skill, and meticulous attention to detail attract patients from all over to Best Smile. In order to stay on the leading edge of her profession, Dr. Gonzalez has also completed extensive hours of post-graduate training both at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and the world-renowned Mish Implant Institute.
Best Smile Cosmetic Dentistry is designed to make every patient feel like a VIP. Dr.Gonzalez is a pioneer in spa dentistry, and her team is committed to making each patient’s experience soothing and enjoyable. At Best Smile you will enjoy a menu of complimentary spa amenities, featuring luxuries such as heated massage chairs, Netflix , noise-canceling Bose headphones, and a dedicated patient concierge.
When you visit Best Smile Cosmetic Dentistry, you will experience something new and exciting—a dental spa founded on creating a positive patient experience from start to finish. Our comprehensive process involves you and your goals every step of the way. Together we will create a beautiful smile you will love sharing.We provide excellence in dentistry with outstanding aesthetic results.
Dream big and do not be afraid to create your own vision according to your beliefs. Do not Conform but rather pursue excellence in all you do.
Did you know Smiling is Important?
Smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits, including: reduced blood pressure, increased endurance, reduced pain, reduced stress and a strengthened immune system. Studies show that people who smile appear more likeable, courteous and competent. Smilers tend to be more productive at work and make more money. Want to increase your daily smile average to take advantage of these benefits? The first step is easy, start your day with a smile. Smiling is contagious, and when we smile we activate neurons in the brain that fire a synchronizing feature. You’ll notice that one smile will lead to additional smiles not just for you, but for those around you.
IN BUSINESS
Dr. Jill Westfall
Chiropractic Physician
Spinalworx
Pauline Marinho
Master Medical Tattoo Artist
Brazilian Touch Aesthetics Clinic
Her Story
Dr. Westfall is a Chiropractic Physician whose main focus is helping people manage their pain. She has been helping patients live a better life for over 30 years. She helps patients with pain relief and educates them on how to stay feeling great through tried and true techniques that have worked successfully on thousands of patients in the SW Broward County and NW Miami-Dade. At Spinalworx, people are cared for as patients. but also treated like family. Your health is always the main concern. Eliminating pain quickly, while addressing the underlying cause of your problem is our mission. Dr. Westfall specializes in the prevention and treatment of injuries to the neck, mid and lower back, and joints. She and her team are a great first option when you experience pain and also as a second opinion if what you have been doing isn’t working. They have helped so many people who have thought that pain relief would never come for them and we made it happen! Migraines, prolonged back pain, knee pain and more.
Perseverance is key to getting past any issue that may arise. Never give up! If you really want to succeed you need to keep pushing, keep trying to figure out another way, and more times than not you will be surprised to see that tough times can sometimes bring out the best changes! What you think can be the worst thing can in hindsight be the best thing that ever happened to you!
Fun Fact About Dr. Jill
Chiropractors can treat pregnant women during their second and third trimesters. Chiropractic adjustments, mild stretching and therapeutic massage can help expecting moms relieve discomfort and help prepare their bodies for delivery.
Her Story
Pauline Marinho has been helping women feel more beautiful since she was a little girl. At just 12 years old, she fixed the eyebrows of her mother’s esthetics clients in Brazil. Seven years later, Pauline immigrated to Miami at 19 despite not speaking English or even Spanish. After her young marriage fell apart, Pauline supported herself any way she could, working as a house cleaner, babysitter, and bartender. Then, tragedy struck her family. Her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed a mastectomy. Her surgery resulted in the loss of her nipples. Pauline felt a calling and began researching nipple reconstruction using tattoos. Her passion to help people and skills honed since she was a young girl enabled her to help women like her aunt. She found her calling. Pauline is the founder of the first and only medical tattoo clinic to offer 3D areola reconstruction in Pembroke Pines. She and the team at Brazilian Touch Aesthetics use state-of-the-art technology to create a remarkably accurate nipple for their clients. Their work helps breast cancer survivors feel like themselves again. The team at Brazilian Touch Aesthetics uses the same techniques that they perfected for medical tattoos to give clients their Natural Beauty back after a skin trauma. They offer Stylized Permanent Eyebrow Pigmentation, Lip Color Correction, Stretch Marks Camouflage, Scars Camouflage, Vitiligo Dermapigmentation and Scalp Micropigmentation to help clients feel more confident and happier in their own skin. Permanent makeup also saves women hours on their daily makeup. They work closely with each client to make sure their goals are attained.
Pauline’s Advice to Young Women
Whatever career you pursue in life, do it with LOVE and passion.
