Q What is the best career decision you have made to date?

“I had worked as a beauty consultant for 15 years, but after being married for the second time, my husband and I realized that God's favor was upon our lives after experiencing a series of miracles.

We felt God had done so much for us, that we really wanted to share the good news of Jesus and the gift of love with others. We then started a Bible study in our home and when others started to comment on how we were making such a difference in their lives, we decided to become ministers.

My husband and I then changed paths completely and attended seminary at the Kings Institute and Life Bible College in California where we became licensed ministers. During the 11-years of pasturing a church, I began my own outreach called "Women Crowned In Glory", and later "Safe Passage", mentoring women from all walks of life that needed healing and encouragement. This was the beginning of the best decision I could have ever made, touching women's lives with an "extreme life makeover" from the inside out and taking women and children from living in shelters to their own place to live. I feel I am truly a Beauty Consultant, expect now I am turning dreams into reality and insecurities into self-assurance.”

Q What is the best career advice you have been given?

“Treat others as yourself, what you sew into others is what you will reap in your life.”

Q What was your first childhood job and what did you learn?

“My first job was at the age of 14 working at a dry cleaner where I learned to be responsible and dependable. I think it is amazing that I started off cleaning clothes and now I help people clean up their lives.”

Q Who are the heroes in your life that you most admire?

“I have had many heroes throughout my life including James Bond when I was a young girl, I felt he was "saving the world". Then Wonder Women came onto the scene and I wanted to be her as a young lady. My true hero in life; however, is my Grandmother who I see as my biggest inspiration.

I grew up in an abusive home, but my Grandmother was always there to cheer me on and make me feel special. At age five, I suffered from 70% hearing loss, due to this loss I suffered a speech problem and was rejected by many teens while going to school. Yet my Grandmother told me I was very special and that I would do something wonderful and powerful someday regardless. I held onto those words and believed that I would someday have a life of acceptance and respect for my uniqueness.

I also look up to Mother Teresa as she is so special and unique in helping others with her Christ centered life. I now help other women and am proud to say that some of the people I've helped have called me "The Modern Day Mother Teresa."”

Q What is your greatest obstacle that you have overcome thus far in your life and how would you advise others to overcome adversity?

“Overcoming rejection was a huge obstacle because of my speech impairment. I was able to overcome the fear of rejection and came to the conclusion that I was worthy to be heard. I figured it out by following my Grandmother's words, "you are special" and by knowing that Jesus paid the price for me to have a New Life.

So my advice to others is to first know that you are worthy, next, know that someone cares even if God is the only one, then you need to believe you can do anything you desire. Lastly, you must forgive all those who have hurt you because then your heart and mind will be at peace. "We all have the power to overcome adversity through the choices we make. Rejection can no longer take a hold of you because there is always hope for something better!"”

Q What accomplishments are you most proud?

I am proud and thankful for many of the accomplishments in my life, but if I had to choose three that stand out, they would be:

1. Breaking the cycle of abuse in my life as well as helping others break the cycle through mentoring.
2. Twenty years of marriage and raising two children, as this was my second marriage.
3. Starting the charity 18-years ago called Woman Crowned in Glory and then eight years ago starting Safe Passage, a program to help abused women and their children.

Q What community/non profit organizations are you most passionate about and are you mentoring anyone currently?

“Safe Passage of course! For the past eight years I have been able to help other women by giving them the tools to become self-sufficient. We are able to provide these women with the "Stepping Stones to a New Life." This program focuses on women and children who are living in shelters and gives them what we call "extreme life makeovers" that help them to get back on their feet and into their own residence.”

Q How do you go about setting priorities while running a company, having a family, etc.?

I remind myself everyday how to live - "Attitudes Create Results." I start each day with a list of things to do and then decides what I will need to do them, sometimes it's a favor and other tasks may take understanding. I do this to not only stay organized, but to remember to follow through with everything I set out to accomplish even if it means postponing things until the next day. It is all about attitude.”

Q Do you have a motto that you try to live your life by?

“You are unique and fearfully and wonderfully made so let your light shine. We are all brilliant on the inside.”

Q What does winning this award mean to you?

“Becoming a Woman of Brilliant Achievement has inspired me to raise the bar to accomplish more in my life. I want to broaden my vision and focus helping not only the women in my immediate community, but women around the world. An honor such as this proves all of my long sufferings and efforts are not in vain and I really have made a brilliant achievement of my life.”