Today, we’d like to introduce you to Yoni Abreu.
Yoni, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Of course! My parents are migrants from the Dominican Republic. They traveled to Queens, New York, where I was born. We moved around quite a bit, so I was raised between Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Miami, Florida. However, for my parents, sister, and me, South Florida has always been home.
My mother has told me several times that she could see I had a heart of service. She noticed from a young age that I loved helping others, and I still do! People are my passion! I enjoy providing a helping hand anytime I can, whether it’s through volunteering or standing up for those in need. This passion led me to pursue a career in Human Resources. I’ve been in Human Resources for over ten years, primarily working in the Hospitality industry. I look forward to assisting my teams in every capacity, from career growth to family needs.
My passion for HR eventually led me to open my own business called Shenius Consulting in 2020. Shenius Consulting is focused on helping those looking for a job. Through it, I’ve been able to help hundreds of job applicants fix their resumes, provide career advice, practice their interviewing skills, change their job search strategies, and ultimately land a job. I also wrote a book and released it in 2020 titled “Tired to Hired.” The focus of the book is to provide job applicants with a better job search strategy, offering insights from an HR professional that greatly increase their chances of getting a job offer.
However, one of my passion projects is a nonprofit I created in 2018 called Fierce Females. Fierce Females was born from many painful memories in my life. I’m a single mother of two who came from an abusive relationship, both mental and physical. The person I was with tried in many ways to make me feel worthless, telling me things like, “You will be nothing without me” and “Who would ever care for a single mother with two kids?” among many other things.
Fierce Females started as an app I created to provide women with information I wished I had in my lowest moments. What began as an app eventually became a series of free in-person monthly workshops covering a variety of topics and activities, from self-defense classes and ZUMBA workouts to Personal Finance training and much more.
It’s taken a lot to build up my self-esteem, find my faith, overcome depression, and navigate financial hardship, but having supportive family and friends has helped me tremendously. My goal is to let others know they aren’t alone – whatever their situation is, there are people here to help!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. When it comes to growing a business, there’s just so much to learn and overcome, such as finding ways to market your business or even finding funding.
I remember when launching Fierce Females, there were many times when I would expect to have dozens of attendees who RSVP’d for the free event, only to see less than five arrive when I first started out. I would sit in my car crying because of the turnout.
However, things have improved over time. Now, our events might have anywhere from 15 attendees to 50. I learned that no matter the problem, persistence is the key.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Fierce Females?
Fierce Females is a unique female empowerment organization that sets itself apart by taking an inclusive approach.
Unlike many organizations focusing solely on specific demographics, Fierce Females believes every woman deserves support and empowerment, regardless of her background or circumstances. We offer a wide range of programs, resources, and networking opportunities to empower all women to reach their full potential.
We are known for our diverse and dynamic monthly workshops that cover everything from self-defense classes and ZUMBA workouts to personal finance training. Our goal is to provide women with the tools and confidence they need to navigate and succeed in all areas of their lives.
What sets us apart is our commitment to inclusivity and community. We ensure that our programs are accessible and relevant to women from all walks of life. This dedication to diversity not only enriches our community but also creates a supportive environment where every woman feels valued and understood.
One of the things we are most proud of brand-wise is the genuine impact we’ve had on the lives of so many women. We’ve created a safe space where women can come together, share their experiences, and grow personally and professionally. The transformation and empowerment we witness in our members are truly inspiring.
We want your readers to know that Fierce Females is here to support and empower every woman. We invite you to check out our upcoming events and join our community by visiting our website at www.fiercefemales.org. Together, we can make a difference!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality or characteristic I feel is most important to my success is persistence. Throughout my journey, whether it was overcoming personal challenges or growing my business and nonprofit, persistence has been the key to moving forward.
There have been numerous obstacles and setbacks. However, it was my determination to keep going, learn from each experience, and continuously improve that has led to success. Persistence allows me to stay focused on my goals, adapt to changes, and ultimately achieve the impact I aim for with Fierce Females and Shenius Consulting.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fiercefemales.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.females.nonprofit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FierceFemalesNonProfit
- Other: https://www.urshenius.com/
Image Credits
A Shooting Star Photography and Jenn Reyes
