A divorce, Loss of Job, Economy recession....My Story!

For the longest time I had no idea what I was going to do with my life.  The direction of my future was uncertain.  Every day was the same as the day before and I had no desire to fight.  My dream of having my own business was just that…”A dream”.

I remember driving to my corporate job every morning wondering if I would ever own my own business and if so, where would I get the money to start?  I was excited but, scared at the same time.  It was so far out of my reach that I didn’t believe it was ever going to happen for me.  Then one day, I woke up determined to take the first step so I went online and spent days researching how to start a business.  At the end of each day I would go to sleep sad because the reality was I had no money.

One day, I drove into work and Human Resources called me into the conference room for a private meeting.   Our call center was being moved to Canada so I was given two options.  Option 1: I could transfer to a different department.  Option 2: I could leave the corporate world with a severance package of 13 years.

It was at that moment that I felt scared, but hopeful thinking this was the ONLY opportunity I had to start my own business.  I chose Option 2 and signed the severance package at that moment without hesitation.  That day I walked out the door with a sense of HOPE and determination to conquer the world.  Excited about the future ahead of me I started researching different business opportunities, I paid off some debt and I was ready to take on this new business venture.

A few months later, I found myself unemployed with no income, no new business and no husband.   I had no stability in my life.  I felt hopeless and broken.  Life was unfair.  The money I had set aside for my new business was now being used for monthly bills.  I was in survival mode.  Having a mortgage on my own every month was not an easy payment to carry on and my savings kept getting low day by day.  It was a breaking point in my life.

Three years later, I still had no new business, no job and finalizing divorce. The economy had crashed and things just weren’t going well with my financial advisor consulting services but, I remember waking up one day with a renewed sense of determination to open this new business.  While day dreaming, the idea to open up my own travel company came to mind.  That’s when I said “It’s DONE.”   I had 15 years of past experience in that industry so why not?   I immediately got on the phone, made a few calls and started the process.  I only had $40 in my bank account but knew I had a check coming in the mail for $1,200.  Right away I thought I could use that money to start the business plus I was not going to stop moving forward with plans.

Two months later, I opened my very first business offering vacation home rentals.  It was a success.  I had finally achieved my long-life dream.  Even with all the obstacles and odds against me, I pressed on. When I received my first bank statement with net profits I said to myself “I vote for you, you did it!”  I started the business with just one property then slowly contracted other homes. Today, we have over 150 vacation homes in Orlando and vacation rentals in Puerto Rico.  We now offer theme park tickets, cruises, and airfare. We now expanded our business to Brazil and have many more plans for the travel company.

Today I am grateful because even when things were not the best, I believed that one day I would have my own business.  I enjoy helping others GO after their dreams because it is possible! You decide! J

This is GOALYGO!

 

 

 ALY J

Be aware of your words!

 

This particular subject can be very challenging for me but I continue to work on it.  My approach in the past was “you tell it how it is.”   I came to realize that this attitude wasn’t the most pleasant for others.  I had a tendency to go off on people, yell and lose my temper many times.  It’s not that I know better but, I feel I should always be honest and upfront with everyone and tell the truth.

However, I learned that the “truth” might not really be the truth but, just my perception on how I see things.  That’s why now, before I speak, I’ve learned to use my words wisely and think before I speak my mind. This can be difficult at times but, I know that “telling it how it is” might not be the nicest thing for me to do.  Thinking before I speak has helped me see better results in my life.

Many of my relationships have improved because of my decision to not say the first thing that comes to mind.  What I practice now is thinking about saying things that will improve the relationship or make the situation better.  Sometimes I remain silent and keep my comments to myself knowing that if I say anything it will only make the situation worse.

I started living my life with this principle “If I don’t have anything nice to say, then I don’t open my mouth.”  Following this helps me have better results and prevents others from getting upset or hurt.  I encourage you to choose your words wisely because they can hurt others even if your intention is to help.   If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say it.

This is GOALYGO!


Yanira ALY Nazario :))

Small Changes for New Life...

 

                                          These days everyone is busy with barely any time to even breathe….

Everything changed for me when I started to read.  I was so against reading books; probably the worst person on the planet.  Reading made me tired, sleepy and I was instantly filled with boredom the second I opened a book.  I just wasn’t able to concentrate or even understand what I was reading.  For years, I thought people that read books didn’t have a life.  How can you just sit there and stare at countless pages?  It seemed so boring to me but, one day I decided to give it a try and went to this place called the Public Library. That’s when my life took a different turn for me.  Free books and free courses?   I thought I was in heaven.

I signed up for a library card and started reading books on self-development and leadership and did research on how to start your own business.  I created my own personal university at home and spent hours reading up on the steps people take to open a new business and what it takes to be successful.  It was at that point that I said “I’m going to start my own business.”   I wanted to make changes but didn’t have the courage to start.   I made the decision to move out of the home that I owned into a new apartment.  This allowed me to start a new chapter in my life.  I was ready to move forward.

The one-bedroom apartment was away from everything I knew but I wanted a fresh start.  I rented out the house I had been living in to get away from certain memories and it was too big for me anyway.  I decided to be different, so I moved into the new apartment with NO TV, NO computer, NO cable and NO internet.  My spare time was going to be for starting my new life and reading books.  In the beginning, like with any changes, it was hard.  I found myself making excuses to take naps and do other things but, little by little I started to read.

Four months later, I opened up my own business enterprise called Vonac Corporation. The changes were difficult and not comfortable especially when you’re set in your ways but, it was the most effective way for me to change my thoughts, direction of my life and bring new ideas to mind. I encourage you to consider a few new changes and implement them in your life.  Better sooner than later.

 

This is GOALYGO!

 

Yanira ALY Nazario :))

Start with a Research....

 

 

                                                 It takes knowledge and wisdom to make the right decision.

It’s extremely important to do your research on just about everything.   You should consider all possible options and be sure to look at all the facts.

For example, if you’re thinking about starting a new business, why not do some research on that specific industry?  Find out what other business owners are doing and get as much information as possible to prepare for the launch for your new business.  It’s just like planning for a vacation; you prepare!  You research rates on flights, get information on different destinations, accommodations etc.  A business is no different than any other project that requires planning ahead of time.

I encourage you to be proactive and get all the information necessary.  Doing your homework beforehand will help you make the decision that’s best for you. Taking this approach can save you thousands of dollars and many headaches in the future which will in turn allow you to move closer to your goals. 

 

This is GOALYGO!

 

 

Yanira ALY Nazario :))

My GOALYGO Journal: A True Friendship...

My GOALYGO Journal: A True Friendship...:   We all have people in our lives that we call “friends.”   More important I believe friends become family. This particular friend ...

A True Friendship...

 

We all have people in our lives that we call “friends.”  More important I believe friends become family.

This particular friend of mine is very special because she was my first friend here when I moved from Puerto Rico to Orlando.  We met in high school during a period of my life where I was missing all of my childhood friends and adjusting to the changes that take place when you relocate to a different city.  Ever since we met, we’ve shared many laughs, great memories and incredible school years.  We still share many mutual friends from high school and continue to be very close.  I am her “secret box” because I get to keep all her secrets safe and would never share her feelings, emotions or stories with anyone.  As I see it, we share an incredible life together and talk about anything and everything; nothing is held back.

Here we are 21 years later and we continue to have a true friendship with moments of laughter, happy days and pure love and respect for each other.  Her name is Mariely.  The minute we met it was an instant connection.   I could be myself;  funny, goofy, outgoing, loud and obnoxious and because of that one day she said “from now on I’m going to call you Petraca.”  Petraca was a character from a comedy show in Puerto Rico from the early 1990s.  From that day on, all my friends started calling me “Petraca” and I got to entertain each of them with jokes, stories and some acting skills.

Mariely and I shared many significant events in our lives together.  I was the maid of honor at her wedding and she did most of the planning for mine including putting together my bridal shower.   We visited many different places together such as Clearwater, Puerto Rico, Daytona and even took a ski trip to North Carolina to name a few.  She has been there for me throughout my life to listen, encourage and give much support when needed.  It was about two years ago when I picked my BFF’s club.  These were people in my life that went beyond the word “friend.”  These six important women were given the title “Aly’s BFF Club” meaning they are my sisters.

Mariely was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in early 2008. It was at the time that she gave birth to her third child that she got the news.  The newborn was her strength to fight the illness and do everything in her power to be there for her children.  In 2010, after undergoing some tests it was discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver.  Since then I have been with her through the process of chemo treatments and other changes that have taken place in her life.  For over two years we had our “Tuesday Funday.”   This was a day where we would go for her to get her two hour chemo treatment, have a great lunch and then go shopping afterwards.

Today I find myself closer to her than ever before and I consider her as part of my family. Her condition has been changing quickly within the last 30 days.  I volunteered to take the night shift at the hospital to be with her in order to provide support, encouragement and assistance.  I stay with her all night while her children, husband and family get the rest they need.  I admire her determination to fight back.  She is truly a warrior with amazing strength and perseverance.  We continue to make all the accommodations necessary for her comfort.  

Invest time with people and develop a lifetime friendship with them.  I have incredible friends and feel blessed every day to have them in my life.  It starts by sharing your blessings, wisdom and time with others.  It is rewarding to feel the love from a friend and be able to see them as part of your family. I encourage you to build more long-lasting friendships in your life. 

Disclaimer: This blog was written while taking care of her at the hospital. Mariely passed away on Saturday August 17, 2013.

 This is GOALYGO!

 

Yanira ALY Nazario :))

The Challenge of Exercise...

It is the most challenging decision for me to overcome and endure.

Many people give me compliments on my legs because they are toned and some call them “athletic looking legs.”  I did cycling for many years but don’t consider myself athletic.  Then I became busy with life and didn’t take any time to exercise or be active.

I knew I needed to exercise, be more active and get in shape but I was big enough to where walking or taking any extra steps took a lot of energy.  The push to start exercising came about when I met someone and he inspired me to start working out.  It was then that I started to listen to him, follow his guidance and to finally see results.   However, it was so challenging that I cried a few times because my mind and body were not trained to go beyond my limits.

I appreciate his patience because it took me a few years to see results but his determination to support me and push my limits finally paid off.  It was hard but fun.  It wasn’t really a workout session.   It was more of a challenge to see how far I can GO run, lift weights or do pushups etc.  With his guidance and encouragement I was able to lose over 60 pounds.  It was truly remarkable and a blessing to have someone committed to my success and make sacrifices for me.

Today, I continue to work out and go beyond new fitness goals.  It feels great to achieve personal goals and have more energy.  It wasn’t easy when we started but, here I am three years later and I’m stronger and healthier because of the changes he helped me implement to have a better body, mind and spirit.  I am so grateful for his support because dealing with my weaknesses wasn’t easy but his perseverance and belief in me was life changing.  I encourage you to take the first steps, find a fitness group that motivates you and get healthy.  Your health is one of the most important aspects of your life.

 

This is GOALYGO!

 

Yanira ALY Nazario :))