BOSS ARTICLES- EDITION 2 - Mother's Day Tribute

Perez's road to creating a LEGACY.

Being a teen mother, homeless, and battling the overall struggles of life didn't stop Ponchitta from being the owner of several successful businesses.

"Embrace your hustle. Embrace the struggle. Chase the dream". This motto describes how Ponchitta, affectionately known as Perez, lives her life. Hustling at a young age was Perez's means of survival due to becoming a homeless pregnant teen at the tender age of 16 years old. At 16 and pregnant, all she knew was she wanted to have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby girl into the world, and that she did. After birthing her child, she received much-needed help raising her daughter and soon married at 18 years old and birthed her second baby girl. Marrying so young didn't work in her favor, and a few years later, she removed herself from the marriage, became a single mother to her two girls, and found independent living. She found employment at Daycare and Group Homes working with young kids, which she loved. Being independent, she learned how to hustle, and she found love again and remarried in 2000 to the love of her life (21 years strong). She also found a strong relationship with God, her guiding force throughout her life.

Perez reached a turning point as her girls became teenagers, embraced her struggle, and used her testimony to help the kids in her proven, stricken neighborhood. She received an opportunity to work at a community center and took a position as a Teen Counselor, a role that changed her life forever. Working with teens who had similar experiences as she did, Perez realized that she was walking in her passion and wanted to do more. She worked past her shift, welcoming the teens in her home and becoming a second mother to many youths. Her two-bedroom apartment became home to over ten plus teenagers. Perez made her home a safe place and provided guidance and support to "The Teens," as she passionately called them. After about two years of working with the teens, Perez was presented with another fantastic opportunity to become a Doula for teenage mothers. Becoming a Doula completely changed her life and the lives of so many teen girls who became awesome mothers themselves. Perez worked her new job and kept her home open to "The Teens" from her previous career.

THE LEGACY

Most of the teens went on to graduate high school, and she ensured her two girls finished high school, and one went to college with 100% tuition paid for because of Academic Scholarships, and her youngest child went to the United States Navy. She worked as a Doula from 2001- 2012 and decided to step out on faith to start a Non-Profit as a Doula, "Beautifulones, INC." She kept her hustle mentality during her time working and generated a second income by working as a Tax Preparer and Photographer. By 2012, Perez reached a pinnacle of success, and she realized she battled and conquered her struggles. She purchased her first home four years prior, opened a tax office one year earlier in 2011, and embarked on becoming a full-time entrepreneur. Perez loves giving back to the community she came from and being a voice for those who don't know how to advocate for themselves. After six years of full-time entrepreneurship, Perez decided to join the workforce again in the community outreach industry. While still successfully running a business, she went back to working with teen and women mothers who need help. In her career, she loves being a vessel ensuring the support is getting to those in need. Perez is truly a woman of no excuses and looks at every rode block as an opportunity to create a testimony to help someone else.

With over 20 years in Community Outreach, Perez has still added businesses to her portfolio while still fulfilling the companies she started 10 and 8 years prior. Perez is truly talented with her hands and is crafty. She is gifted at making homemade creams for skin care, art crafts, and learning more about her spirituality. Perez has started and partnered with three more businesses, Awaken Crystal Clear and Perfect Pics through Destined for Stardom, with her Grandson. She now has the mindset to work to create a LEGACY for her children and grandchildren.

As a writer, it is with honor and privilege that I tell my mother's story and acknowledge her incredible journey throughout life. My mother has no shame, and is she is proud of the struggles that shaped her today.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Written By:

Tanisha Smith (Perez)

Owner and Operator of

Write For You Business Services

Article 2- Mother's Day Edition