When I started the #YouGotThis: Follow the journey blog I really wasn’t sure of what would come out of it.  All I knew was I wanted women to hear my simple message; “you do have a choice in what happens with your future.”  It was an idea that started one night over the summer with one person in mind and next thing I knew there were ten amazing women on the panel of this project.  Each woman let down their guard and openly shared their journey of hardship and heartache with me.  They are so unique and their stories are a [...]

Dolores Catania has become a well- known name in many households over the past three years.  Her face is recognizable from the hit Bravo show The Real Housewives of New Jersey.  Dolores has a strong and beautiful presence that captures the attention of her audience when she often speaks her mind with honesty.  The day we met for our interview, Dolores walked into my office on the phone negotiating with a hotel manager on the other end.  She was helping a displaced elderly woman and her grandson get situated into an apartment and while Dolores was having the apartment for them [...]

When I decided to expand the #YouGotThis mini blog series and bring on more women, Anisa Palmer’s name was brought to my attention by one of the other participants in the project.  I quickly googled her name and came across her non-profit organization.  I realized how successful and self-made this woman was and despite the difficulties life had handed her from a young age, she moved onward and upward. Anisa was born and raised in St. Croix, Virgin Islands where her parents had fallen in love and gotten married.  Her mother was a teacher and talented poet, who was in a [...]

Jayme and I go way back to elementary school.  She was one of the first friends I made when I moved into the new neighborhood when I was seven years old.  Jayme was a “social butterfly,” always outgoing and always had an answer to any question you asked her.  She was a leader and created her own path from a young age.  She was the captain of the safety patrol and recalls adoring her childhood.   Our town, our school and our friends were our entire life.  Summers were spent riding bikes to each other’s houses, hopping fences and eating ice pops. [...]

I met Renee a few months back when I attended a luncheon she hosts every few months and provides a platform for women who are part of the MTO (My Time Out) family to talk about their trade of work.  It was the first time I had heard of her name, but by the end of the two-hour luncheon I was able to sense her passion and drive to build a community around mothers and to advocate for mental health. Renee uses her experiences through the years and has turned her sorrow and hardships into knowledge to help mothers who are [...]

From the outside it may look like she has it all, but only Dianne Grenz really knows the struggles she’s faced and what it truly took to get to where she’s at today.  I met with Dianne in her office for the interview and throughout the entire time a dozen people, all in different roles, must’ve popped their heads through the door to say hello.  She was so warm greeting them and knew everyone by their name.  Dianne Grenz is a personable woman who is highly respected by her company.  This is a woman who’s worked hard and dedicated countless hours [...]

This is the journey of another first generation woman of immigrant parents, growing up and turning the American dream into reality.  I’ve known Dr. Raval since we were children.  We lived in the same apartment building.  Both of our parents came to the states for similar reason; improve the quality of life for their future family.  When they came here they shared similar lifestyles of working hard, raising their children and giving them opportunities for a good education. We went in different paths after our building caught fire in 1987 and we lost our homes.  Her family remained in Passaic, NJ.  [...]

I’ve known Astrid since I was about 12 years old.  You’d find her hanging out with my brother and their friends at my house almost every day after school.  I recall her always having the greatest personality.  She was friendly and could strike up a conversation with anyone about any topic you threw at her.  And she dominated the room.  She spoke with certainty and determination.  Astrid was motivated and if she set her mind to something, she was going to get it.  The day we had our video interview Astrid was getting ready to meet with country music singer, Craig [...]

When I met Nicole “Nikki” Kasak, one of the first things I asked her was if I should refer to her as a celebrity make-up artist in the blog.  Her response to me was, “No, no, professional make-up artist.  I do make-up for everyone.” Nikki is undeniably beautiful, but her beauty and genuineness runs more than skin deep.  She’s humble, stays grounded and uses her platform to talk to women about hope and purpose. Nikki’s parents were both successful professionals.  She acknowledges they gave her a good life that filled her wants.  She had the nice car, clothes and there were [...]

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Jamie Burrows yet.  She came into my life a month ago when I was looking for the 10th woman for this project.  Jamie and I have a common friend who told me about her story.  It inspired me, and I immediately knew I wanted her on this panel of amazing women and when I reached out to her the feelings were mutual. Jamie was born and raised in South Jersey.  She had a rough upbringing as she lived with her mother and three younger siblings. Her father left the family and was in and [...]