HerStory
Lisa Lallouz
From Painful Life Events Birthing Eternal Growth And A New Career
Empowering Boss Life
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Lisa Lallouz: Born in Montreal, Quebec growing up in New York, blessed with all the things that life could offer. I went to the best schools, had friends, and my parents loved me. I looked up to my mother, a respected psychologist and social worker. Plus, My father, a talented artist, filmmaker, and educator. However, my parents, on and off marriage plus constant relocating homes caused me pain and stress. At the age of 15, I got into a car accident that left me feeling anxious and disconnected from my friends and family even more. My parents owned several daycares and nurseries. I was often there working with the children as I found solace and peace in that environment. My experience inspired the story of Miss Bonita and Friends characters years ago. I just finished a day of teaching. I loved my job and my students so much plus, my students loved me. As much as I found joy in education, I felt sad at times because I saw some of the children struggle with living challenges. The kids would describe their parent's altercations or cry if a grandparent was sick. At that time, these subjects were discussed in private. I knew the kids were facing issues they did not understand. Also, how to communicate with others. I desperately wished that I could help them beyond the walls of the classroom.
During this time, I began using storytelling to help my students understand the process of what they were experiencing. Slowly each of Miss Bonita and Friends characters came to life. Later on, I became a social worker! It always was my innate soul mission for me to work with children and help families heal. I believed I could create my own dream home and a stable life. At the age of 19, I fell in love, married, and created what I believed to be the perfect family unit. I had three beautiful children that thrived. I was happy.
After 21 years, everything would change, and I would find myself lost once more. My marriage suddenly had ended, leading to a series of repercussions that took my once perfect life into another downward spiral. I saw first hand what I had experienced as a child growing up in divorce through the eyes of my children. As the obstacles continued to grow, I had to wake up every day to overcome my adversity for the sake of my family. I moved to a new city with my children with nothing but hope. I had to create a better life for us, a life where we would thrive. In my grief and despair, I turned to the characters and the tools I had created long ago to heal myself. I did not write the series as an expert or an educator, but rather the series was born from an artistic expression of my grief and desire to overcome it.
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WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE BEFORE THE INCIDENT?
Lisa Lallouz: I always dreamed of working with children in some capacity and becoming a children’s book author. However, I chose to devote myself to my husband's business, and my priority was providing for a growing family. Due to my lonely and troubled childhood, I was determined to be involved in every aspect of my kid's life. I created a dream life for myself. I had an adoring husband whom I loved, I was a devoted full-time caregiver to my three beautiful children, and had a family-owned growing business. All this came to a screeching halt when my marriage abruptly ended. My family spiraled into crisis, and I found myself in a state of shock and denial
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HOW HAS THIS CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
Lisa Lallouz: I always dreamed of working with children in some capacity and becoming a children’s book author. However, I chose to devote myself to my husband's business, and my priority was providing for a growing family. Due to my lonely and troubled childhood, I was determined to be involved in every aspect of my kid's life. I created a dream life for myself. I had an adoring husband whom I loved, I was a devoted full-time caregiver to my three beautiful children, and had a family-owned growing business. All this came to a screeching halt when my marriage abruptly ended. My family spiraled into crisis, and I found myself in a state of shock and denial.
Empowering Boss Life
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?
Lisa Lallouz: Finding my Passion, I'm able to nourish and appreciate it as a gift. I can devote my life and share it with others. Especially those who have motivated me to make my business successful. I think one of my greatest strengths is viewing everything as a learning and growth opportunity. Being open-minded has allowed me
to live my life and operate my business efficiently. My weakness is the fear of being judged, embarrassed, and not favored. While this may sound silly, but it has slowed me down many times. My weakness stopped me from going out of my comfort zone, taking the initiative, and being more aggressive in my business.
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WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU FACED?
Lisa Lallouz: The biggest challenge I ever faced was getting capital, support, and a team to start my business. While being divorced and alone, I put together whatever I could to create a model and idea of what I wanted to do. I called on favors and exchanged services. I still managed to create a PowerPoint and give my potential investors proper presentation. Although I was rejected numerous times, I continued to save money. Nonetheless, I received a small loan and wrote the first books of the series. I'm so grateful for all my hard work and loving supporters.
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GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU FAILED AT SOMETHING. HOW DID YOU REACT AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME FAILURE?
Lisa Lallouz: In my business, the biggest challenge I faced was learning how to pivot and adapt to change. In an early stage, I put together an amazing work team, and we started to make money right away. Everything appeared to be great, but managerial issues came to light that could have jeopardized the company’s future. I had to restructure my team, my company, and almost start from scratch! It was very discouraging but necessary. I’m happy I did because it was the best decision.
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WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
Lisa Lallouz: My biggest inspiration is my children! The crisis my children encountered shown me the true meaning of life. I was bound to question everything taught to me and believed it to be true. I was fed by my children's unyielding spirit, tenacity, and an uncompromising will to live with zeal, joy, and purpose. Yet, I was saved by their kindness and unconditional love. The gifts of wisdom, strength, and love gave birth to my greatest contribution. The only gift I had to give was the courage to share the stories.
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WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE YOURSELF?
Lisa Lallouz: The most valuable advice I could give myself would be, live life with courage! The courage to give others the benefit of the doubt, the courage to ask for help, the courage to live your dreams, and speak your truth. The courage to discover YOU!
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TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.
Lisa Lallouz: Miss Bonita and Friends promote emotional intelligence. The show educates children to have the power to choose, influence their circumstances, creatively problem-solve, and contribute to their life journey. In the not-so-distant past, many topics, such as divorce, loss, racism, and bullying were considered taboo when it came to family challenges. A few children had an outlet to communicate and share their feelings. Today we are in the middle of the age of technology and communication. In the mediums of the web, television, and live shows, it was the perfect time to introduce our group of diverse characters. Characters who are learning to overcome challenges from being a twin, living in foster care, being differently-abled, having autism, and having ADD. Miss Bonita and Friends are giving them a voice, and which is being heard by parents, teachers, corporations, and marketers. We created a formula that guides children through the process of dealing with their challenges in a fun and safe environment.
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AS A BUSINESS OWNER, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES?
Lisa Lallouz: My top three priorities consist of staff, products, and customers. It’s very important that the people who work for Miss Bonita And Friends are happy, excited, and views their workplace as a positive experience. I want to create an inclusive setting where we treat each other with respect, kindness, and work as a team. My books, workshops, music, live shows, tv shows, and merchandise is thoroughly kids tested and approved! I won’t release anything unless I am sure kids love it! I always consult with educators, psychologists, and parents, even though I accept the products I’m creating are good for kids!
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IF YOU WERE TO START ANOTHER BUSINESS, WHAT MIGHT IT BE?
Lisa Lallouz: The next project that I plan soon will be novels for an older audience, ages 14 and up. I have both fiction and non-fiction novels that I have started to work on and would love to make that my next project. They could potentially be both a film and a book series.
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A BEGINNING BUSINESS OWNER?
Lisa Lallouz: Having your own business can be the most rewarding and exciting experience. It is important to get as much support, whether it is financially or emotionally. Be open to assistance and guidance from others. This can come from people outside of your immediate friends and family members. But do not shy away from favors! Every business does not start big. Small ideas and loads of hard work can make money too. There will be many hurdles along the way, but be like an athlete, train, prepare and look toward the big goal. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Try not to listen to unsolicited advice or unsuccessful people. Celebrate your small successes, and continue to push forward. And most of all, always remind yourself why you started in the first place!
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Twitter: @MissBonitaBooks
Facebook: @MissBonitaAndFriends