#WomenWednesdays Recap | August, September, + October 2020

Ashley + Jaylene | Glam This Gal | NYC, NY

Co-Founders/Owners

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Ashley and Jaylene are twin sisters and co-creators of Glam This Gal, a beauty shop founded in the hopes to inspire individuality and self love.

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Instagram: @glamthisgal

Facebook: @glamthisgal

Tiktok: @glamthisgal

Website: https://www.glamthisgal.com/

USWHPRO: Is there a woman who inspires you?

Ashley + Jaylene: Our family is made up mostly of women, so of course women are our biggest inspirations especially the ones in our family. But who inspired us the most, was our grandmother who recently passed away due to the pandemic. We grieved but were also empowered having learned the many accomplishments she completed in her lifetime, like having several businesses of her own. So we were inspired to follow our passion and skills of beauty and created Glam This Gal. The name Glam This Gal is not necessarily a name meant for just our business, it’s a name meant to be spoken from each person that comes across it to inspire love for themselves.

USWHPRO: What inspired you to start Glam This Gal?

Ashley + Jaylene: Aside from our grandmother, we’ve always had huge interests in beauty and self care. We’ve taught ourselves the techniques associated in makeup and nail artistry. It’s always been a bit of a side hobby but we love it nonetheless. Wanting to open up a business was mutual between us. We’ve always spoken about what it would be like if we had our own separate businesses, but then we decided it would be better to share those interests and combine it into one. However before the pandemic it always seemed unlikely, we work regular 9-5 jobs and commute in and out of the city. But since the pandemic we’ve been able to work remotely and that has given us the time we needed to invest ourselves in starting Glam This Gal, and we have been, everyday.

USWHPRO: Have you experienced adversity as a woman in any of your work experiences? How were you able to overcome it?

Ashley: I haven’t experienced extreme adversity as a woman where I’ve worked, though I have witnessed many other women experiencing it. Overcoming it can be difficult depending on the severity of the experience. But having the unconditional love and support you need is very helpful and effective, most times if not it just takes someone to listen and believe the women who are explaining what they’ve experienced.

USWHPRO: Do you have any advice for other women interested in starting their own business or in the beauty industry?

Ashley + Jaylene: Any woman wanting to start their own business we say — GO FOR IT! It can seem overwhelming at first but make sure you have a really strong support system because it can seem hopeless at times when your business isn’t generating your expectations. Understand that things take time and if you will it strong enough with positivity, then anything can happen. Our business is still very small but we are working at it everyday without giving up because we know how much we want it to thrive. In terms of self care: always separate and block away some time allocated to yourself. It’s extremely important for you to take the time to care for you. It’s an absolute must! Take a bath, do a face mask, wash your hair, get your nails done, drink a glass of wine, anything! Do anything to dedicate time for yourself, I promise it makes all the difference in your mood and energy. • Please support your local small business, those creators have the heart and time to make sure their customers are extremely happy with their product! ☺️ A like, a share, a follow is absolutely free and makes all the difference for those businesses.

USWHPRO: Is there a woman who inspires you?

Tricia:  There are several women who inspire me, but my Auntie formed me into the woman I am today. She had been the source of strength and confidence that helped me believe I can do anything I set my mind to. She emanated strength, was firm in her convictions, and loved people with a pure heart. I admire women who aren’t afraid of adversity and have the strength to stand up for their beliefs.

USWHPRO: What inspired you to become President + CEO of Boilersource?

Tricia: I started working in this business while in high school, and then full time in 1998. In 2016 my father, Edward Meilner, passed away and after his passing, I became CEO & President of Boilersource. Although I knew it would be difficult and challenging, my father trained me for this. My dad always expected the best out of me and would push me harder than anyone in the office. I was determined to run the business to the best of my abilities. • Taking the lead role in the business also meant pushing the organization forward. Business moves very differently in 2020 than it did in the 1990’s. Technology, communications and competition continue to keep us on our toes. Change is hard for any company, however change in a male dominated industry and business, with employees that were here during my father’s tenure, made it even more difficult. Given the constant changes in our world, I am excited to see what innovative moves Boilersource can make.

USWHPRO: Have you experienced adversity as a woman in any of your work experiences? How were you able to overcome it?

Tricia: I work in a heavily male-dominated industry. There are not many women in mechanical sales, much less in boiler rooms. I find that when I interact with new suppliers, or a facility manager seeking guidance, they assume that I won’t have the answer. They do not realize my 20+ years of experience guides my suggestions and counsel, and that I can assist in solving their problems. I find it endlessly frustrating but look forward to continuing to share my knowledge in this industry - one conversation at a time.

USWHPRO: Do you have any advice for other women interested in starting their own business or becoming involved in the boiler industry?

Tricia: Follow your passions and stay true to yourself. Be confident in yourself, and know that you can succeed. Don’t be afraid to try. • “A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong” - Unknown

USWHPRO: Is there a woman who inspires you?

Sandra: All of the women before me are my inspiration. They left me an abundance of opportunities and lessons for me to take and to be make the the best out of my life. Their sacrifice, perseverance and dedication have paved a way for me and I use them as my strength in everything that I do.

USWHPRO: What inspired you to start Papelitos Lindos?

Sandra: In 2017, I made my brother’s Save the Dates for his wedding. This is when I discovered a love for paper and textures! I realized the lack of representation of my cultura on greeting cards and I started designing cards that I felt were empowering and relatable.

USWHPRO: Have you experienced adversity as a woman in any of your work experiences? How were you able to overcome it?

Sandra: As a woman, I have faced many adversities in the work place and the only way I was able to overcome those adversities was through communication. I found myself not wanting to speak up for fear of what could happen but I knew in order to see a change, something had to be said. Communication is key to all relationships from professional to personal. Without it, we don’t have an understanding of one another and we need that in order to grow.

USWHPRO: Do you have any advice for other women interested in starting their own business or in the art of papelería?

Sandra: One piece of advice I would like to give anyone who is starting a business is to find your community and build friendships with them. Surrounding yourself with people who have similar goals and dreams as you do is so important. I also think building a relationship with yourself is key to starting a business because you have to believe in every move you make. It’s scary and stressful but so beautiful and fulfilling, too. You need the support of your community and a strong belief in your ability to build an empire from scratch. Building a strong and stable foundation will help you accomplish anything you want.

Darlene | Chicago, IL

Janitorial Service Worker

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Darlene is 19 years old and works as a cleaning person in a mall in Chicago.

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USWHPRO: Is there a woman who inspires you?

Darlene: My Grandmother, Sarah is my inspiration. She raised my two siblings and I after the deaths of both of our parents. All three of us were little when they were killed. Gramma Sarah is the closest thing to a parent that we have. She’s tough and very strict. She doesn’t put up with any crap. Honestly, she has made us better people because of it. We all have jobs to do. There are no excuses to get out of them. She still works full time as a nurse. It’s kind of an all hands on deck type of deal. 

USWHPRO: What inspired you to become a nurse?

Darlene: My current job is only a stepping stone. I’m working in the mall near my house cleaning. Some people may think that’s a “go nowhere” job. Honestly, sometimes it’s very hard work. It works well with my school schedule. I’m very grateful to have it, especially in the midst of the pandemic. I am going to school to become a nurse. I’ve always been interested in medicine. I have very good people skills. I even like my job in the mall sometimes. People are interesting. I like to people watch.

USWHPRO: Have you experienced adversity as a woman in any of your work experiences? How were you able to overcome it?

Darlene: There have been times when others I work with aren’t nice to me. Some of them have laughed at me when I wasn’t able to lift a 5 gallon bucket full of water from the slop sink and it spilled all over the floor. They also laughed when the toilet over flowed in the women’s bathroom and I had to clean up feces and urine from the floor. Also some of the people that I went to high school with that shop there made rude remarks: “Look at you girl, you made it,” and then laughed. • I just keep telling myself I can do this, it’s just a job. It’s hard work and it’s good for my soul. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s helping to keep me motivated to get through school.

USWHPRO: Do you have any advice for other women hoping to pursue nursing and/or to return to school?

Darlene: Life is hard. It’s challenging and sometimes fun. There are days when everyone, I don’t care who you are, feels lost and overwhelmed. Especially when it feels like you can’t catch a break. Just hang in there. The good times are few and far between. That makes you appreciate them more. Lastly, as Gramma Sarah always tells us: Thank God for the gifts He’s given you, and use them wisely.

Article Update - January 2021: As of this month #WomenWednesdays has been temporarily suspended due to limited collaboration interests. We would like to thank every business who has ever collaborated with us and hope to bring more business spotlights and positivity to your timelines soon. 💛