Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Lopez Thomas.
Alina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Being G.R.O.W.N, is a business and a lifestyle! As a women I’ve always considered myself to be well rounded and versed. After high school, I began my career as a tradeswomen in the Carpentry Industry. Amazingly enough, I loved it! Unfortunately, the recession hit hard and I had to bale to survive financially.
I always had an innate ability to help people through building strong relationships, therefore it seemed only natural to begin a career in the human service field. For over, 20 years I worked in the Public Sector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at an agency were I gave it my all on daily. I believed in the work I did. I was ethical with strong leadership skills. Imagine the shock, when I heard the words, You’re Fired! I can’t deny it was not only a blow to my sought out career choice, but my ego. I mourned my dismissal for a while, you see, it’s hard when you believe in what you do, like I did and now you are presented with failure. I decided to pick myself up by the bootstraps and start my own consulting business, this all happened in a day when returning from an exciting adventure in Maine on the rapids. Initially, out of anger, fear, and then true strength.
The Greater Resource of Women Networks (G.R.O.W.N) was formed. G.R.O.W.N.’s mission is to empower all women to feel confident in the skills they have to reach a level of success in the career path they have chosen or as an entrepreneur. Many of the women make a life change and take their transferable skills and develop themselves and their start-ups.
Public speaking, coaching, leadership and master networking skills are natural for me. As a co-business owner/host of the Ultimate Biz Conference (UBC) my presentations in business planning have become mastered. Along with the ability to bring excitement into the event room, our UBC events have provided powerful entrepreneurial resources for start-up businesses. The Chief Founder of the National Early Education Hub (NEEHUB) a consultant resource and early education job board.
I hold an Undergraduate degree in Business Management and have years of experience in quality assurance/control and compliance. A Business Planning Certificate from the Center of Women and Enterprise (CWE) and a thorough knowledge of the Early Education and Child Care Field.
Further, due to my strong interest in Radio and wanting to get my message out to the masses of women. I completed my certificate at the Boston Neighborhood Networks (BNN) for Introduction to Television and Radio producing. My program segment is Grown Living, which will feature women that have established entrepreneurial businesses and feature their triumphs and success.
Alina Lopez Thomas, she is the strength of G.R.O.W.N Women.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been struggles along the way. Some have been created by myself and others are just typical for some in start-up.
Fear of failure
Changing my mindset (embracing entrepreneurship)
Keeping up the momentum (not giving up on my dream)
Branding myself (getting known, and maintaining proactive)
Financial setbacks
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Greater Resource of Women Networks (G.R.O.W.N.) – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Greater Resource of Women Networks helps women take their transferable skills and become entrepreneurs through business planning, coaching, and marketing.
I am known for the above and providing resources for those that I work service.
I am most proud of the fact that this company is dedicated to women that are in the process of making a change and need support to do so, those dreamers, baby boomers, and ones that have a life change and need a push to get solid in the dream that they already have nurtured for days, months, or years.
What sets the Greater Resource of Women Networks apart from other is we are for women between the ages of 35-70 years old. We want to help women in this niche market make that change they have been searching for. Further, we offer a membership program that provides business coaching amongst each other and services brought in from other entrepreneurs.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
This biggest change and future plan is having the GROWN membership setup completely full and operating. The other change is adding the Mentor feature to GROWN, where women that are part of the organization will work with young women that are seeking to become entrepreneurs.
The final is a financial plan that is soon coming which is working on a crowd funding project for GROWN.
Contact Info:
- Address: 180 Old Colony Avenue
- Website: www.grownwomenbiz.com
- Phone: 617-249-3655
- Email: grownwomenbiz@gmail.com
- Instagram: grownwomenbiz
- Facebook: @grownwomenbiz
- Twitter: @grownwomenbiz
- Other: Tumbler: grownwomenbiz
Image Credit:
S. Tanae designs and photography
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