Enjoyed your listen? Let us know!
Have you ever wondered how one person's commitment to giving can transform the lives of others? We explore this question and more in an engaging conversation with the remarkable Bonnie Boroian, a fervent social entrepreneur and Angel Mom at Place of Hope's Leighan and David Rinker Campus in Boca Raton, FL. Bonnie's passion for compassion-driven giving and her business, Blissfully Better Chocolates, is making an indelible mark on the lives of the children, single-moms, homeless youth, and human trafficking survivors. Her story may just inspire you to find ways to effect positive change in your own community.
In the heart of our discussion with Bonnie, we journey into the realm of companies leveraging their success for philanthropic causes. Bonnie peels back the curtain on her own company's journey to the Good Food Award, attributing some of their triumph to their work with Place of Hope. She gives us a glimpse into her hands-on approach in the kitchen with the children, emphasizing the importance of fostering healthy relationships and providing stability for these young people. The case Bonnie makes for businesses to support charitable organizations is both compelling and inspiring.
As we delve deeper into our dialogue with Bonnie, she underscores the significance of giving back to the community. She candidly shares her volunteering experiences at Place of Hope and the integration of philanthropy into her business operations. You'll hear about the weight of small acts of kindness and how businesses can effectively partner with charitable organizations. We wrap up our enlightening discussion with Bonnie by shining a light on a recent event hosted by Way FM, the World's Biggest Baby Shower, that benefited Place of Hope. Trust us, you'll walk away understanding the life-changing power of hope and its ripple effect on individuals and communities.
Host: Charles L. Bender III, Founding CEO and Board Member of Place of Hope
Title Sponsor: Crypto Capital Venture | Follow Dan Gambardello's on Twitter (@cryptorecruitr)
Looking for assistance in south Florida? Visit VillagesOfHope.net
Link: Visit the Place of Hope Website, PlaceOfHope.com
Connect with Place of Hope on social media: Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Email the Show: POHPodcast@PlaceOfHope.com
-----------------
Producer: Maya Elias
Copyright of Place of Hope 2023.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Charles Bender (00:02):
Hello and thank you for tuning in to Ambassadors
of Hope.
I'm your host, Charles Bender.
We're so excited that you'vetuned in to hear from local
South Florida leaders who aremaking a difference in our
community and region through ourcharity Place of Hope.
Lisa McDulin (00:20):
Hi, my name is Lisa McDulin.
I'm the South County Directorof Advancement for Place of Hope
.
I'm delighted to share aheartfelt forward for this
episode as part of our Women toWatch series on the Ambassadors
of Hope podcast.
Throughout this series, youwill have the privilege of
meeting some remarkable women,many of whom have the cherished
role of being what we call anangel mom.
(00:40):
What is an angel mom?
Well, this woman beautifullyencompasses the qualities that
are drawn from Proverbs 31, afamiliar passage and a source of
inspiration that encourages usto speak up for those who cannot
speak for themselves, for therights of those who are
destitute, speak up and judgefairly, defend the rights of the
(01:01):
poor and the needy.
As we delve into the stories ofthese exceptional individuals
and women, we are reminded ofthe immense value of their
contributions.
They hold a special placewithin our hearts and within the
broader mission of Place ofHope.
In the epilogue, the descriptionof the wife of noble character
from Proverbs 31 paints a vividpicture of dedication, strength
(01:25):
and compassion.
This series will shine a lighton women who rise early, work
diligently and bringimmeasurable goodness to their
families and their community.
They are like ships bringingsustenance from afar and like
skilled traders ensuring theirefforts are not only fruitful
but also serve a greater purpose.
(01:46):
Our featured women embrace theethos of industriousness and
generosity.
They exemplify the idea ofstrength and commitment, from
overseeing tasks with vigor toensuring that their endeavors
positively impact those who areless fortunate.
Their outstretched hands to theneedy embody the core mission
(02:08):
of Place of Hope.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey.
As we celebrate theseincredible women within our
Women to Watch series, theirstories are sure to inspire and
uplift, reminding us all of thetransformative power of hope.
Charles Bender (02:25):
We want to give a special thanks and shout out
to our presenting sponsor,Crypto Capital Venture.
Crypto Capital Venture acts asboth a startup recruiting firm
as well as one of the largestcrypto communities in the
cryptocurrency space, offeringtrailblazing content for over
five years.
If you're interested in crypto,you can join over 300,000
subscribers on their YouTubechannel for the latest on crypto
(02:47):
, just go to YouTube and searchCrypto Capital Venture and make
sure to subscribe.
Thanks so much, Dan and ourfriends at Crypto Capital
Venture.
Lisa McDulin (03:06):
I'm Lisa McDulin, director of Advancement for
Place of Hope at the Leighan andDavid Rinker Campus.
In this episode of Ambassadorsof Hope, we're excited to
highlight one of our favoriteangel moms as a guest in this
enlightening conversation.
Bonnie Boroian, a devotedsocial entrepreneur, discusses
her impactful journey with placeof hope and, blissfully better
(03:28):
chocolates.
She reflects on her role as anambassador for the organization,
emphasizing the importance ofcompassionate giving and
awareness building.
Bonnie's involvement insupporting foster children and
combating human traffickinghighlights how businesses can
create meaningful change beyondfinancial success.
Her experiences at therehearsal club and her
(03:50):
dedication to helping othersshine through her philanthropic
efforts, leaving a lastingimpact on both her community and
her business.
Okay, well, I'm excited fortoday's episode.
Charles, are you excited?
Charles Bender (04:07):
I'm always excited.
Lisa McDulin (04:07):
Awesome.
Well, sitting next to me and infront of you is one of our good
friends, bonnie Boroian.
Bonnie is one of our belovedAngel Moms at our Rinker campus
in Bokeh Raton.
She's on our leadership board.
She's been a longtime volunteer, a good friend to many.
She is an amazing ambassadorfor the organization and we're
(04:33):
excited to have you here todayto tell us about your journey
and why you've gotten involvedwith place of hope and tell us
more about what you're doing tohelp kind of drive the mission
forward and create awareness forthe organization.
So thanks for being here.
Bonnie Boroian (04:51):
Thank you, Lisa.
It's so wonderful to be here.
I'm thrilled to see you bothand talk about place of hope,
which is one of my favoritesubjects.
Charles Bender (05:00):
Bonnie, you're a blessing.
You've been a part of placehope for so many years now.
Obviously came in through theBokeh campus, the Leanne and
David rinker campus, but you'rejust a great example for
everywhere that we do businessand take care of kids and
families of somebody in thecommunity that just really
engages in a whole bunch ofdifferent ways.
(05:21):
And you're like part of my hopetoday is that people will hear
your story and think, man, Icould do something like that, or
I could do something, or Icould do more or whatever that
you know, whatever that becomesfor them, I just think you're
just, you're an encouragingperson with an encouraging story
and you're all about helpingpeople.
So, again, thanks, thanks forbeing here today, thrilled.
(05:43):
So, would you, you know, wouldyou share with us, like a maybe,
a specific story or lifeexperience that you think helped
to mold you in the direction todesire to support, specifically
, place of hope?
Is there anything?
Bonnie Boroian (05:57):
like that.
Um, I think it's a lot morethan a specific story.
My parents were just incrediblygenerous and are still
incredibly generous people withtheir time, with the diversity
of people that they brought intoour lives and just a helping,
(06:20):
loving kind of atmosphere I grewup in and looking to see who
could use that extra love, thatextra help, that extra dollar
was just such a big part of whatI learned as a child, and so
I'm always on the lookout forwhere there's a need and
(06:42):
thrilled if I can jump in and bea part of it, and Place of Hope
certainly has supplied a lot ofthat, and it's exciting to be
able to give in that way.
Charles Bender (06:53):
You've given a lot of different ways, so
there's a term I have for folkslike you, so you got to hear
this the right way.
Okay, I consider you like abird dog as well as other things
.
Bonnie Boroian (07:02):
That's a good thing where I'm from.
Charles Bender (07:04):
So bird dogs want to say that you know, run
out after the hunt and they gograb the birds for the shooter
and so forth.
And you're, you are a bird dogin that, since you're always
bringing in friends, you'realways introducing Place of Hope
.
So that's a whole differentkind of giving right.
You're, you are networking onbehalf of the mission, you are
an ambassador for Place of Hopeand that's just.
You know.
(07:24):
You know, as well as thevolunteering with the kids and
the up close stuff, that's whatmakes part of what makes you so
special, is that you're, you'readvancing the mission for Place
of Hope and we need that so much.
Right, because, yeah, we mightbe doing something good and
something cool, but there's alot of great charities and
there's a lot of great works outthere on the, on the street,
just in this one community thatwe live in called Palm Beach
(07:46):
County, and and even in thechurch, of course.
But but you do that and theresults have just been
absolutely amazing.
One of the other things that youdo that I really want people to
hear, because I think this is,this is something that's so
replicable and scalable andeverybody could be doing some
version of, and that is what youdo through Blissfully Better.
(08:07):
So tell us a little bit aboutBlissfully Better.
You know how you got it goingand the passion behind it, and
then what you did to what youhave done and are doing to make
Place of Hope.
Be a part of that.
Bonnie Boroian (08:19):
Hello.
Well, blissfully Better is acompany I founded We've had our
seven year anniversary and it isa company that makes better for
you chocolates made withoutrefined sugar and all organic
ingredients and a fewingredients, so just trying to
(08:39):
make it as healthy as we can.
And I founded it was becauseone of my daughters was
diagnosed with pre diabetes whenshe was nine and I was
determined that she was notgoing to go down the path of
diabetes and that I needed tofind a sugar source that would
(09:02):
not spike her blood sugar levels.
So I searched around, foundcoconut sugar, which is a low
glycemic, naturally low glycemicsweetener.
Decided to, you know, make herthing so she could have
something in place of thecupcakes at school and the
donuts at soccer practice, etc.
(09:22):
And was so impressed with thesweetener and how delicious
everything I made with it was,and understanding that there was
so much obesity in our country,so much diabetes in our country
, and feeling that this needs tobe out there in a way that more
(09:43):
people can have it, enjoy sweettreats and feel good about, you
know, what they're doing fortheir health.
So that's why I startedblissfully better, and I've been
able to use that platform tohighlight a specific sector of
(10:03):
place of hope and that's thehuman trafficking, education and
awareness of the place of hopeumbrella.
When I learned about howimportant it was to understand
how human trafficking ishappening and that Florida being
the third largest state wherehuman trafficking is happening,
(10:28):
I realized that I could use theplatform of my company to
highlight that aspect.
So on the back of my packagingI have the human trafficking and
awareness place of hope logoand try to, you know, bring
people into understand whatplace of hope is doing in that
(10:51):
realm and, you know, become apart of just people who can
donate to place of hope, learnabout human trafficking, and
it's just been an honor to beable to do that.
Charles Bender (11:08):
And it's national.
It's all over the place.
Now I'm this is not to pump upyour ego in any way, but I've
told you 100,000 times it is thebest product toffee candy,
however you want to describe itright blissfully better.
There's nothing better than itout there.
So we're.
I mean, where can people get it?
Like where do they?
You know, because I know it'sboutique and you're in certain
(11:29):
places.
Bonnie Boroian (11:30):
Yes, we were all over the country, as you say.
We have a lot of specialtystores in many, many areas of
the country.
We're in some chains of marketsand we sell on our website, on
(11:51):
our Instagram page, on Amazon,qvc uh, many channels.
Charles Bender (11:59):
You know, what's cool about it too is that
because you know, I, my wife'slike a healthy eater and she
helps me to eat healthier andshe's a great chef too.
But you know, looking at thatas it applies to place of hope,
it's a whole nother element,because it's actually something
that we're really concerned with.
When the kids, especially under18, they come into our care, we
we teach them about overallwellness and enrichment
(12:19):
activities.
But the wellness part hasnutrition involved and, like we
get them into, you know, anexercise program if they desire
to and if they'll go thatdirection.
But then there's that nutritionpiece.
So so you're doing that overthere, support and place open
it's.
It's actually a big part ofwhat we're trying to train up
our kids to understand that.
You know you're you only getone chance at this health thing
right and, um, I just love thatextra sort of thing.
(12:41):
But when I think of like everypackage on blissfully better all
over, this nation has the placeof, will go on.
I just love that and I wastelling you earlier.
It's like my friend ArthurAdler at Bokeh West Children's
Foundation.
I've told him for a year.
They said can you imagine ifevery country club in America
were to step up and do somethinglike what they do and what Lost
Tree Village does?
And there's others, but notevery single one right.
(13:03):
So imagine if you know, ifevery business could do some
version of what you're doingwith a national footprint.
I just think it's.
It's amazing and I love it yeahI.
Bonnie Boroian (13:15):
I think it's such a great opportunity for a
business to, you know, highlightsomething that's going to
benefit organizations that aredoing great good in the world.
Um, and more should do it.
Charles Bender (13:33):
Yeah I agree and and just the awareness side to
it.
Money's one thing, right thatyou you give through proceeds
and but just the awareness of itas well as it, just as a
general issue, but then also forplace of vote you never know
who's going to look at that andget on our website and check
things out and again.
That's part of the reason forthis show the ambassadors of
hope is because we want peopleto understand all the walks of
life and the and the folks thatare involved with place of hope
(13:56):
from the beginning to now, notto mention that people usually
stick with us long term, whichwe love.
You know friends andambassadors for long term, but
just the different things thatpeople are doing out there to
bring attention to really kindof bolster the organization and
strengthen it for the future youknow a flip way of looking at
it.
What?
What would you say?
Uh, your, you know your passionfor what you do on the
(14:19):
philanthropic side and on theengagement and social work at
place of hope and maybe someother places.
Do you think that some of thatpassion and and energy has
helped you in the business sideof things as well?
Bonnie Boroian (14:33):
um, yes, I, I do .
I think that a lot ofbusinesses that carry food goods
want to see the the largest,all of the things that your
company has.
For instance, we won the goodfood award for two of our
products, which was a greathonor, and the first the first
(14:57):
way they measure the foods thatyou know they're they're trying
is to have blind taste tests 2000 people tasting your product
without knowing what, who makesit, anything about it, and if
you make it through that layerto a finalist, then they start
(15:17):
looking at your company.
Where do you source youringredients from?
How clean is it?
But also, what are your causes?
What is it that you believe inand are you really living up to
that?
Are you just saying thatbecause it looks good, right?
Um, so we became winners fortwo varieties, and I'm sure that
(15:40):
our supportive place of hopehad a place in that.
Charles Bender (15:44):
You know they, they were happy to see that a
company is doing more than justmaking a profit, that they are
they have a philanthropic sideand so thank you, yeah, right,
and I thank you uh, and I I caneven recall multiple times when
we've had big events with youknow that we do as our
(16:06):
fundraisers and friendraisers,where you've given us some of
the the candies to give out, andpeople are just the ones that
haven't had it now.
Most of our base hopefully hasby now, but the ones that
haven't just blown away by itand just how awesome it is?
and so forth, so that that helpstoo.
But um, we, you know, we recallyour a lot of your involvement
(16:27):
hands on with the kids and theboys and the cottages and so
forth tell us a little bit aboutthat and what that's meant to
you, because I know that'sanother part of bonnie barone.
Right, she's got the business,she's got the, the outreach,
she's got the bring attention toand the philanthropically
support.
And then there's the engagementside.
Like you get involved in thekids lives, talk about that a
little bit with the boys and etc.
Bonnie Boroian (16:46):
Over the years um, yes, well, when I started 10
years ago at the rinker campus,um, and there my feeling has
always been about children thatthey all deserve the kind of
upbringing that I had, and it'sso sad to see when they don't
(17:07):
get that.
And children who have not hadthe love, the advantages have
been bounced around in theirlife, as a lot of these foster
children who end up at place ofhope have been, and looking to
have hands-on experience andmake a difference more than just
(17:29):
through money.
And so the cottage that hadteenage boys, I felt that, more
than just make a meal for themto be a mom in the kitchen, my
kids come home from school andI'm a mom in the kitchen and a
lot happens with a mom in thekitchen.
(17:50):
You ask about the day you learnabout certain things.
You're being an example ofpreparing food with love and
having them prepare it with youand having them have a part in.
Ok, you're going to set thetable.
You know this is a family, so itjust was something that I felt.
(18:10):
You know I can bring food, butI can also be a presence and try
to have them feel what so manychildren get to feel that they
were not having in their lifeand it was a really great honor
(18:30):
to be able to do it.
And it was hard for some ofthem to open up.
But you know, even if I madethe smallest of difference, I
felt that hopefully that wasgoing to create some sort of
impression that would help themin their lives.
Charles Bender (18:49):
You know I want Lisa to speak to this too,
because she's been at the campusmany times when you've been
engaging with the kids.
But what you just described isreally, you know, we're faith
based or family based, and it'slike the backbone of what it's
all really about If these youngpeople can build healthy
relationships that aren't basedon anything other than your
(19:11):
desire to give and to show themto emulate what healthy
relationships look like.
And like mom in the kitchen,like you said.
You know some people might hearthat and just be like, well,
that's not a big deal, right?
That's just what families do.
Well, we're, we're we'reactually trying to recreate,
we're actually trying to buildup, we're trying to create
family situations.
So it is sort of rocket sciencein some ways, right, because
(19:33):
there's not enough of it outthere and there's so many people
at such high levels of despairSome of these young people
because they just neverexperienced any of that.
So, yeah, you coming in thereand some of the other injured
moms coming in and doing whatmight seem so simple is actually
not at all simple.
It's pretty profound and that'swhere you know those
(19:53):
relationships that can give someof these young people I know
I've been doing this a long timecan give them the stability
that they need to springboardfrom in their future.
Lisa McDulin (20:01):
So I thank you for that as well.
Charles Bender (20:02):
At least you got some thoughts on that.
Lisa McDulin (20:04):
I do.
I think that one of my earliestremember memories of you
volunteering on the campus werein that Genesis cottage with
those boys and you didn't justcome one time and drop off a
panel of Zanya, you made a, anintentional decision that you
were going to be there the samenight every week, bringing the
food, engaging with these youngmen.
(20:26):
And I recall that we had and itwas a shelter which was really
only supposed to be a 30 day,you know stay, and some of these
kids were there for a year.
There were a couple of brothersand then I know that you got a
chance to get to know reallywell because you took that time
and you were consistent.
(20:46):
You didn't just come once, youcame back again and again and I
think that's how the trust wasbuilt and how you built those
valuable relationships.
And I'm sure that they allremember what you did and while
that may seem, like Charles said, very small, I mean that's very
significant because they theyprobably never had that type of
consistency and attention andlove, just that simple act of
(21:13):
creating a meal and sittingaround at the dinner table and
having conversation how was yourday?
And you did that for them.
And I remember the birthdayparties that you did, and I mean
just so many great memories andwe're so grateful that you've
been a part of all of that.
And but I remember when youmade your candy the first time
too.
Yeah, and you brought it inthese little Ziploc bags, so it
(21:36):
was before.
It was blissfully better.
We all got to be the tastetesters.
That's pretty exciting.
Charles Bender (21:43):
I love it.
I love it, bonnie.
Talk to us a little bit aboutyour thoughts on how other
businesses can get involved orwhy it's important for them.
Advice you might give them.
If they're whether they'resmall, medium sized business,
whatever and they don't have aphilanthropic component what
advice would you give them as towhy they should consider doing
something?
Bonnie Boroian (22:05):
Well, I think I'd say they should start where
they are.
You know you do what you can do.
If anybody's thinking that theydon't have enough money to be
giving to a charity, there's alot of ways to give.
You can give by creatingawareness.
(22:29):
You can give a small portion ofyour goods to help.
You know there's there's somany reasons to look to give,
and Especially something that'scoming from your heart.
(22:53):
I think you know some people inthe chocolate industry give a
lot to the farmers in thecountries where the chocolates
made and the free making surethat there's free trade there,
etc.
And I think that's an amazingway to help in that industry.
(23:15):
And some people have said to mewell, you're a chocolate.
What does that have to do withthis charity?
Well, it's my chocolate and myheart is very involved in this
charity and I know I can providesome good by sharing about this
(23:39):
charity, and so that'simportant as a founder, a leader
, to stand up and say here'swhat I believe in and here's how
I can help it.
And that's something everybodycan do, regardless of whether
(24:01):
they're a brand new company orvery well established company.
Charles Bender (24:06):
Well, and you know as a business person,
clearly look at the P&L andthere might not be the room for
a small startup business orwhatever to have a charitable
budget and that's up to theindividual to decide.
You know how much they want tostretch there and so forth, but
I clearly I think there'snothing but upside.
One of the things we're seeinga lot of.
We're seeing it inphilanthropic giving with
(24:26):
families and foundations.
We're seeing more and morehands on.
In other words, they want to beinvolved in the process, and so
that's an upside for a businessif you did have a charitable
budget.
We know, for instance,international materials down in
Delray.
They have a foundation tied tothe company that the owner
established and what they do,and of course, that family has a
(24:46):
foundation too and theirfamily's involved in their
decisions.
But corporately what they do isthey allow the team, the staff
members, to be involved in thedecision-making.
So there's that upside of thatas well, the corporate culture
that that's built around givingand giving back and passing that
on down through.
You know an altruistic approachto business, but you said it as
well, there's sometimes maybeit's not money, sometimes it's
(25:08):
just bringing awareness to.
You know, we do a lot of thesecorporate drives for material
goods for the moms and the kidsthat we serve out in the
community, the foster homes andthe relative caregivers.
I mean we just did whenyesterday brought in a ton of
stuff and it was awesome, youknow so.
So that's something peoplecould do too.
You know, in a company they canlearn from that where they do a
diaper drive for Place of Hopeor that kind of thing too you
(25:31):
know.
Lisa McDulin (25:31):
So there, like you said, there there are a lot of
different ways that you can kindof crack the egg and get
started right and I think, too,that you know time yourself to
an organization like Place ofHope and then every time you
have an opportunity to sharethat, I think people are going
to.
People who also feel drawn tothe organization and the type of
(25:55):
work that we do are going to beprobably more prone to doing
business with you because yousupport an organization like
Place of Hope, but they find outthat that's something that's
near and dear to your heart.
The first thing they're goingto think about is okay, when I'm
going to get a gift or when Ineed to buy some chocolate, some
sweet treats from my family,I'm going to order from this
(26:17):
company because I know a portionof my proceeds are going to
help kids that are in fostercare and they're going to assist
in educating the communityabout human trafficking and the
dangers of trafficking.
I would think that that wouldbe a huge benefit as well to
letting people know for sure.
Charles Bender (26:38):
All right, switch gears a little bit.
I want to.
I want to hear about therehearsal club.
Yes, that's what I said therehearsal club.
Bonnie, tell us a little bitabout what that is, was, is and
kind of how it shaped you as a,as an entrepreneur, as a
business person, and I thinkpeople would be interested to
know, sure?
Bonnie Boroian (26:58):
well, I'm going way back in my past here.
So the rehearsal club is well,it was a place for women in show
business and it providedaffordable housing to women who
were coming to New York City,couldn't afford to to pay for an
(27:23):
apartment in a New York Citylifestyle, so it was dormitory
style living for these women.
There was a cafeteria, therewas a house mom men weren't
allowed anywhere but the parloron the first floor and you know
(27:44):
there was bunk beds and cots allaround and it was a great place
to live for many reasons.
The affordability of it was one, but a lot of it was.
The camaraderie of people werein the same boat as you were
trying to get jobs and learningyou know who should take your
pictures, because this is thebest photographer you know for
(28:05):
your headshots etc.
My mom had lived there when shewas in show business, dancing
and Broadway shows.
She slept on the cot next toCarol Burnett for a while a lot
of famous people have livedthere and the movie stage door
was fashioned after therehearsal club, so it was a very
(28:27):
famous place when I lived there.
I only got to live there a yearbecause the the financial status
of New York was in a very badway and Mayor Koch decided that
he was going to close thenonprofits because they got tax
exempt status and so they closedthe rehearsal club.
(28:48):
Yeah so, but it, I have to say,when you ask how it shaped me as
an entrepreneur and you know,in my business life, being in
show business, you have aproduct and the product is you
and you have to sell thatproduct and it can be very hard
(29:08):
to, you know, step away fromyourself enough to look at it in
that way.
But you're, you know you're,you're doing what you can to get
your name out there and to havepeople know your, your value
and your worth.
And it's no different when youhave an actual product like
(29:31):
blissfully better candy.
You know my job is the sameneed to let people know how good
it is and where they can buy it, and you know why they should
carry it.
So I guess, I guess it kind ofshaped me in in that way yeah,
for sure yeah, you know what?
Charles Bender (29:51):
I just thought of as you were describing.
That too is.
This is kind of neat.
It's exactly what we're doingwith the young people in our
village as a hope program.
Because you mentioned housing,you mentioned camaraderie, you
mentioned that all of you aresort of kind of heading in the
same direction to accomplishsomething, even though it's
(30:12):
individualized.
You're doing that together inthat environment, and then you
and then you you highlighted thepoint about the product is the
you, and that's part of whatwe're trying to train our youth
through our educational series,through our you know, our career
days and all the things we dothat the community is a part of,
to really get the young peopleto understand that, yes, you are
(30:33):
this product and you got to goout and shine, because then the
world will, you know, accept youin for that next level of job
or but but you've got thisincubator for now, right, which
is kind of what that place wasand you know it's.
It's kind of neat.
Bonnie Boroian (30:46):
I didn't even think about that till you were
describing it but, that's sotrue.
You know, and I I've just seen,over the 10 years I've been
involved with Place of Hope, thelevel of wraparound services
that you are providing andupping the amount you know so
high, these so manyopportunities that are available
(31:11):
for the young people who live aplace of hope to to learn and
grow and have exposure.
I was just at the campus threeweeks ago helping babysit some
of their children so that theirmoms could go do a career day,
and it was just so great to seethat, that they've gotten
(31:35):
exposure to so many things.
Um, you're doing so much.
It just it blows me away we are.
Charles Bender (31:42):
We're doing so much.
You're part of all of it.
What and when you?
When, when, during the days ofthe rehearsal club, when you
were seeing the community stepup to be helpful right, because
obviously it didn't happen byitself.
People had to give, people hadto bring resources, people had
to agree on rents and all thatstuff right, how much of that
(32:03):
influenced you do you think, andin terms of you know, being
able to see how to run yourbusiness and have that, that
charitable component.
Bonnie Boroian (32:11):
You know the community input.
Right, it probably did.
I never even thought of it inthat way, but you know now that
you mention it.
You know all these littlepieces of our lives create an
influence that we don't evennotice necessarily.
But when you look back and youpiece it all together, it's all
part and parcel of where you areright now, in this time in your
(32:34):
life and in your business life,your personal life.
You know how how much that allbrings you to the place you want
to be.
Charles Bender (32:45):
I guess as we get older, we have a little more
wisdom in that right.
Like you don't realize, you'rein what you're in and how it's
shaping you and stretching youuntil you look back at it one
day.
I guess that's kind of one ofthe definitions of wisdom right,
but we're just excited thatyou're with us today to tell
your story Because, again, wejust you know, we really want
people to understand all thedifferent components and all the
(33:07):
great things that make place ofhope so special.
It's the people, it's, it'stheir energies, it's their
passions for what they dooutside of here and how they can
bring that in.
And why?
Just know, because you've livedit out and a lot of people have
been inspired by Bonnie andblissfully better and and just,
(33:27):
and your time in the cottageswith all of that.
And you know, as we grow, weneed more of that, we need more
Bonnie's, and you don't get togo anywhere either, by the way,
so you'll be staying and so youknow it's.
We're grateful that you wereable to come in and talk a
little bit about it.
Hope people are going to lookat what's your website
blissfully bettercom.
(33:48):
Okay, you got to check it out.
You can order from there too, Ithink right.
Yes you can so Lisa any closingthoughts.
Lisa McDulin (33:54):
No, just thank you for being here, thank you for
sharing and, and we appreciateeverything that you do so much.
You are just such a blessing toour kids and to our staff and
to so many people in thecommunity that get to work
alongside of you.
So thank you for everything youdo.
Bonnie Boroian (34:11):
You're so welcome.
I have to say that it's not oneperson I've introduced a place
of hope who hasn't profoundlythanked me for introducing the
charity but also having so manywonderful people in their lives
because of being a part of placeof hope.
Being an angel mom has been ablessing to every angel mom I
(34:32):
know and it's it's a joy toshare it on so many levels.
So thank you for being the kindof people you are and who
really give from your heartconsistently and in larger ways
every year.
It's incredible.
Charles Bender (34:53):
Well, God is good and he provides and he
brings the people.
So thank you for beingcompassionate, thank you for
being a social entrepreneur Ilove that term and you are one.
We think of ourselves as socialentrepreneurs.
But thank you for also, youknow, the time you spent with
the kids and just even thebabysitting part.
People don't realize howcritical that is for the, for
the single moms that we'retrying to help, and how these,
(35:15):
these, what for maybe somepeople seem like a small barrier
, become, you know, almostimpossible to overcome without
somebody intervening.
So thank you for doing that andjust overall thanks for being
an ambassador of hope for place.
I appreciate you.
Lisa McDulin (35:34):
An inspiring initiative took place recently
that radiated the theme of hopein action.
Way FM, with their heartwarmingeffort, hosted the world's
biggest baby shower to supportplace of hope.
Through this event, individualshad the opportunity to extend
their compassion by donatingessential items such as diapers,
wipes and formula.
(35:55):
Numerous drop off locations,including Chick-fil-A locations
at Northlake Boulevard, palmBeach Lakes Boulevard,
okeechobee in the Turnpike, lakeWorth, south Lake, lantana,
boynton Beach, west BoyntonBeach, delray Beach and West
Boca, were made available forcontributions.
This past donation drive notonly united the community, but
(36:17):
also embodied the power ofturning hope into tangible
assistance Through thecollective efforts of caring
individuals.
This event beautifullydemonstrated how a small gesture
can translate into asubstantial impact, exemplifying
hope in action.
Charles Bender (36:38):
Thank you for listening.
Please be sure to subscribe andshare with your friends so you
don't even miss a thing, and ifyou really gained value today,
please be sure to give us a fivestar review so, of course, we
can be put in front of morelisteners.
For details and show notesabout today's podcast and how
you can connect with and supportour guests, please go to
placeofhopecom and please don'tforget to email us at
(37:01):
pohpodcastatplaceofhopecom, and,for sure, follow us on social
media.
Ambassadors of Hope.
Placing Hope for a Child's Day.
Hello and thank you for tuning in to Ambassadors
of Hope.
I'm your host, Charles Bender.
We're so excited that you'vetuned in to hear from local
South Florida leaders who aremaking a difference in our
community and region through ourcharity Place of Hope.
Lisa McDulin (00:20):
Hi, my name is Lisa McDulin.
I'm the South County Directorof Advancement for Place of Hope
.
I'm delighted to share aheartfelt forward for this
episode as part of our Women toWatch series on the Ambassadors
of Hope podcast.
Throughout this series, youwill have the privilege of
meeting some remarkable women,many of whom have the cherished
role of being what we call anangel mom.
(00:40):
What is an angel mom?
Well, this woman beautifullyencompasses the qualities that
are drawn from Proverbs 31, afamiliar passage and a source of
inspiration that encourages usto speak up for those who cannot
speak for themselves, for therights of those who are
destitute, speak up and judgefairly, defend the rights of the
(01:01):
poor and the needy.
As we delve into the stories ofthese exceptional individuals
and women, we are reminded ofthe immense value of their
contributions.
They hold a special placewithin our hearts and within the
broader mission of Place ofHope.
In the epilogue, the descriptionof the wife of noble character
from Proverbs 31 paints a vividpicture of dedication, strength
(01:25):
and compassion.
This series will shine a lighton women who rise early, work
diligently and bringimmeasurable goodness to their
families and their community.
They are like ships bringingsustenance from afar and like
skilled traders ensuring theirefforts are not only fruitful
but also serve a greater purpose.
(01:46):
Our featured women embrace theethos of industriousness and
generosity.
They exemplify the idea ofstrength and commitment, from
overseeing tasks with vigor toensuring that their endeavors
positively impact those who areless fortunate.
Their outstretched hands to theneedy embody the core mission
(02:08):
of Place of Hope.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey.
As we celebrate theseincredible women within our
Women to Watch series, theirstories are sure to inspire and
uplift, reminding us all of thetransformative power of hope.
Charles Bender (02:25):
We want to give a special thanks and shout out
to our presenting sponsor,Crypto Capital Venture.
Crypto Capital Venture acts asboth a startup recruiting firm
as well as one of the largestcrypto communities in the
cryptocurrency space, offeringtrailblazing content for over
five years.
If you're interested in crypto,you can join over 300,000
subscribers on their YouTubechannel for the latest on crypto
(02:47):
, just go to YouTube and searchCrypto Capital Venture and make
sure to subscribe.
Thanks so much, Dan and ourfriends at Crypto Capital
Venture.
Lisa McDulin (03:06):
I'm Lisa McDulin, director of Advancement for
Place of Hope at the Leighan andDavid Rinker Campus.
In this episode of Ambassadorsof Hope, we're excited to
highlight one of our favoriteangel moms as a guest in this
enlightening conversation.
Bonnie Boroian, a devotedsocial entrepreneur, discusses
her impactful journey with placeof hope and, blissfully better
(03:28):
chocolates.
She reflects on her role as anambassador for the organization,
emphasizing the importance ofcompassionate giving and
awareness building.
Bonnie's involvement insupporting foster children and
combating human traffickinghighlights how businesses can
create meaningful change beyondfinancial success.
Her experiences at therehearsal club and her
(03:50):
dedication to helping othersshine through her philanthropic
efforts, leaving a lastingimpact on both her community and
her business.
Okay, well, I'm excited fortoday's episode.
Charles, are you excited?
Charles Bender (04:07):
I'm always excited.
Lisa McDulin (04:07):
Awesome.
Well, sitting next to me and infront of you is one of our good
friends, bonnie Boroian.
Bonnie is one of our belovedAngel Moms at our Rinker campus
in Bokeh Raton.
She's on our leadership board.
She's been a longtime volunteer, a good friend to many.
She is an amazing ambassadorfor the organization and we're
(04:33):
excited to have you here todayto tell us about your journey
and why you've gotten involvedwith place of hope and tell us
more about what you're doing tohelp kind of drive the mission
forward and create awareness forthe organization.
So thanks for being here.
Bonnie Boroian (04:51):
Thank you, Lisa.
It's so wonderful to be here.
I'm thrilled to see you bothand talk about place of hope,
which is one of my favoritesubjects.
Charles Bender (05:00):
Bonnie, you're a blessing.
You've been a part of placehope for so many years now.
Obviously came in through theBokeh campus, the Leanne and
David rinker campus, but you'rejust a great example for
everywhere that we do businessand take care of kids and
families of somebody in thecommunity that just really
engages in a whole bunch ofdifferent ways.
(05:21):
And you're like part of my hopetoday is that people will hear
your story and think, man, Icould do something like that, or
I could do something, or Icould do more or whatever that
you know, whatever that becomesfor them, I just think you're
just, you're an encouragingperson with an encouraging story
and you're all about helpingpeople.
So, again, thanks, thanks forbeing here today, thrilled.
(05:43):
So, would you, you know, wouldyou share with us, like a maybe,
a specific story or lifeexperience that you think helped
to mold you in the direction todesire to support, specifically
, place of hope?
Is there anything?
Bonnie Boroian (05:57):
like that.
Um, I think it's a lot morethan a specific story.
My parents were just incrediblygenerous and are still
incredibly generous people withtheir time, with the diversity
of people that they brought intoour lives and just a helping,
(06:20):
loving kind of atmosphere I grewup in and looking to see who
could use that extra love, thatextra help, that extra dollar
was just such a big part of whatI learned as a child, and so
I'm always on the lookout forwhere there's a need and
(06:42):
thrilled if I can jump in and bea part of it, and Place of Hope
certainly has supplied a lot ofthat, and it's exciting to be
able to give in that way.
Charles Bender (06:53):
You've given a lot of different ways, so
there's a term I have for folkslike you, so you got to hear
this the right way.
Okay, I consider you like abird dog as well as other things
.
Bonnie Boroian (07:02):
That's a good thing where I'm from.
Charles Bender (07:04):
So bird dogs want to say that you know, run
out after the hunt and they gograb the birds for the shooter
and so forth.
And you're, you are a bird dogin that, since you're always
bringing in friends, you'realways introducing Place of Hope
.
So that's a whole differentkind of giving right.
You're, you are networking onbehalf of the mission, you are
an ambassador for Place of Hopeand that's just.
You know.
(07:24):
You know, as well as thevolunteering with the kids and
the up close stuff, that's whatmakes part of what makes you so
special, is that you're, you'readvancing the mission for Place
of Hope and we need that so much.
Right, because, yeah, we mightbe doing something good and
something cool, but there's alot of great charities and
there's a lot of great works outthere on the, on the street,
just in this one community thatwe live in called Palm Beach
(07:46):
County, and and even in thechurch, of course.
But but you do that and theresults have just been
absolutely amazing.
One of the other things that youdo that I really want people to
hear, because I think this is,this is something that's so
replicable and scalable andeverybody could be doing some
version of, and that is what youdo through Blissfully Better.
(08:07):
So tell us a little bit aboutBlissfully Better.
You know how you got it goingand the passion behind it, and
then what you did to what youhave done and are doing to make
Place of Hope.
Be a part of that.
Bonnie Boroian (08:19):
Hello.
Well, blissfully Better is acompany I founded We've had our
seven year anniversary and it isa company that makes better for
you chocolates made withoutrefined sugar and all organic
ingredients and a fewingredients, so just trying to
(08:39):
make it as healthy as we can.
And I founded it was becauseone of my daughters was
diagnosed with pre diabetes whenshe was nine and I was
determined that she was notgoing to go down the path of
diabetes and that I needed tofind a sugar source that would
(09:02):
not spike her blood sugar levels.
So I searched around, foundcoconut sugar, which is a low
glycemic, naturally low glycemicsweetener.
Decided to, you know, make herthing so she could have
something in place of thecupcakes at school and the
donuts at soccer practice, etc.
(09:22):
And was so impressed with thesweetener and how delicious
everything I made with it was,and understanding that there was
so much obesity in our country,so much diabetes in our country
, and feeling that this needs tobe out there in a way that more
(09:43):
people can have it, enjoy sweettreats and feel good about, you
know, what they're doing fortheir health.
So that's why I startedblissfully better, and I've been
able to use that platform tohighlight a specific sector of
(10:03):
place of hope and that's thehuman trafficking, education and
awareness of the place of hopeumbrella.
When I learned about howimportant it was to understand
how human trafficking ishappening and that Florida being
the third largest state wherehuman trafficking is happening,
(10:28):
I realized that I could use theplatform of my company to
highlight that aspect.
So on the back of my packagingI have the human trafficking and
awareness place of hope logoand try to, you know, bring
people into understand whatplace of hope is doing in that
(10:51):
realm and, you know, become apart of just people who can
donate to place of hope, learnabout human trafficking, and
it's just been an honor to beable to do that.
Charles Bender (11:08):
And it's national.
It's all over the place.
Now I'm this is not to pump upyour ego in any way, but I've
told you 100,000 times it is thebest product toffee candy,
however you want to describe itright blissfully better.
There's nothing better than itout there.
So we're.
I mean, where can people get it?
Like where do they?
You know, because I know it'sboutique and you're in certain
(11:29):
places.
Bonnie Boroian (11:30):
Yes, we were all over the country, as you say.
We have a lot of specialtystores in many, many areas of
the country.
We're in some chains of marketsand we sell on our website, on
(11:51):
our Instagram page, on Amazon,qvc uh, many channels.
Charles Bender (11:59):
You know, what's cool about it too is that
because you know, I, my wife'slike a healthy eater and she
helps me to eat healthier andshe's a great chef too.
But you know, looking at thatas it applies to place of hope,
it's a whole nother element,because it's actually something
that we're really concerned with.
When the kids, especially under18, they come into our care, we
we teach them about overallwellness and enrichment
(12:19):
activities.
But the wellness part hasnutrition involved and, like we
get them into, you know, anexercise program if they desire
to and if they'll go thatdirection.
But then there's that nutritionpiece.
So so you're doing that overthere, support and place open
it's.
It's actually a big part ofwhat we're trying to train up
our kids to understand that.
You know you're you only getone chance at this health thing
right and, um, I just love thatextra sort of thing.
(12:41):
But when I think of like everypackage on blissfully better all
over, this nation has the placeof, will go on.
I just love that and I wastelling you earlier.
It's like my friend ArthurAdler at Bokeh West Children's
Foundation.
I've told him for a year.
They said can you imagine ifevery country club in America
were to step up and do somethinglike what they do and what Lost
Tree Village does?
And there's others, but notevery single one right.
(13:03):
So imagine if you know, ifevery business could do some
version of what you're doingwith a national footprint.
I just think it's.
It's amazing and I love it yeahI.
Bonnie Boroian (13:15):
I think it's such a great opportunity for a
business to, you know, highlightsomething that's going to
benefit organizations that aredoing great good in the world.
Um, and more should do it.
Charles Bender (13:33):
Yeah I agree and and just the awareness side to
it.
Money's one thing, right thatyou you give through proceeds
and but just the awareness of itas well as it, just as a
general issue, but then also forplace of vote you never know
who's going to look at that andget on our website and check
things out and again.
That's part of the reason forthis show the ambassadors of
hope is because we want peopleto understand all the walks of
life and the and the folks thatare involved with place of hope
(13:56):
from the beginning to now, notto mention that people usually
stick with us long term, whichwe love.
You know friends andambassadors for long term, but
just the different things thatpeople are doing out there to
bring attention to really kindof bolster the organization and
strengthen it for the future youknow a flip way of looking at
it.
What?
What would you say?
Uh, your, you know your passionfor what you do on the
(14:19):
philanthropic side and on theengagement and social work at
place of hope and maybe someother places.
Do you think that some of thatpassion and and energy has
helped you in the business sideof things as well?
Bonnie Boroian (14:33):
um, yes, I, I do .
I think that a lot ofbusinesses that carry food goods
want to see the the largest,all of the things that your
company has.
For instance, we won the goodfood award for two of our
products, which was a greathonor, and the first the first
(14:57):
way they measure the foods thatyou know they're they're trying
is to have blind taste tests 2000 people tasting your product
without knowing what, who makesit, anything about it, and if
you make it through that layerto a finalist, then they start
(15:17):
looking at your company.
Where do you source youringredients from?
How clean is it?
But also, what are your causes?
What is it that you believe inand are you really living up to
that?
Are you just saying thatbecause it looks good, right?
Um, so we became winners fortwo varieties, and I'm sure that
(15:40):
our supportive place of hopehad a place in that.
Charles Bender (15:44):
You know they, they were happy to see that a
company is doing more than justmaking a profit, that they are
they have a philanthropic sideand so thank you, yeah, right,
and I thank you uh, and I I caneven recall multiple times when
we've had big events with youknow that we do as our
(16:06):
fundraisers and friendraisers,where you've given us some of
the the candies to give out, andpeople are just the ones that
haven't had it now.
Most of our base hopefully hasby now, but the ones that
haven't just blown away by itand just how awesome it is?
and so forth, so that that helpstoo.
But um, we, you know, we recallyour a lot of your involvement
(16:27):
hands on with the kids and theboys and the cottages and so
forth tell us a little bit aboutthat and what that's meant to
you, because I know that'sanother part of bonnie barone.
Right, she's got the business,she's got the, the outreach,
she's got the bring attention toand the philanthropically
support.
And then there's the engagementside.
Like you get involved in thekids lives, talk about that a
little bit with the boys and etc.
Bonnie Boroian (16:46):
Over the years um, yes, well, when I started 10
years ago at the rinker campus,um, and there my feeling has
always been about children thatthey all deserve the kind of
upbringing that I had, and it'sso sad to see when they don't
(17:07):
get that.
And children who have not hadthe love, the advantages have
been bounced around in theirlife, as a lot of these foster
children who end up at place ofhope have been, and looking to
have hands-on experience andmake a difference more than just
(17:29):
through money.
And so the cottage that hadteenage boys, I felt that, more
than just make a meal for themto be a mom in the kitchen, my
kids come home from school andI'm a mom in the kitchen and a
lot happens with a mom in thekitchen.
(17:50):
You ask about the day you learnabout certain things.
You're being an example ofpreparing food with love and
having them prepare it with youand having them have a part in.
Ok, you're going to set thetable.
You know this is a family, so itjust was something that I felt.
(18:10):
You know I can bring food, butI can also be a presence and try
to have them feel what so manychildren get to feel that they
were not having in their lifeand it was a really great honor
(18:30):
to be able to do it.
And it was hard for some ofthem to open up.
But you know, even if I madethe smallest of difference, I
felt that hopefully that wasgoing to create some sort of
impression that would help themin their lives.
Charles Bender (18:49):
You know I want Lisa to speak to this too,
because she's been at the campusmany times when you've been
engaging with the kids.
But what you just described isreally, you know, we're faith
based or family based, and it'slike the backbone of what it's
all really about If these youngpeople can build healthy
relationships that aren't basedon anything other than your
(19:11):
desire to give and to show themto emulate what healthy
relationships look like.
And like mom in the kitchen,like you said.
You know some people might hearthat and just be like, well,
that's not a big deal, right?
That's just what families do.
Well, we're, we're we'reactually trying to recreate,
we're actually trying to buildup, we're trying to create
family situations.
So it is sort of rocket sciencein some ways, right, because
(19:33):
there's not enough of it outthere and there's so many people
at such high levels of despairSome of these young people
because they just neverexperienced any of that.
So, yeah, you coming in thereand some of the other injured
moms coming in and doing whatmight seem so simple is actually
not at all simple.
It's pretty profound and that'swhere you know those
(19:53):
relationships that can give someof these young people I know
I've been doing this a long timecan give them the stability
that they need to springboardfrom in their future.
Lisa McDulin (20:01):
So I thank you for that as well.
Charles Bender (20:02):
At least you got some thoughts on that.
Lisa McDulin (20:04):
I do.
I think that one of my earliestremember memories of you
volunteering on the campus werein that Genesis cottage with
those boys and you didn't justcome one time and drop off a
panel of Zanya, you made a, anintentional decision that you
were going to be there the samenight every week, bringing the
food, engaging with these youngmen.
(20:26):
And I recall that we had and itwas a shelter which was really
only supposed to be a 30 day,you know stay, and some of these
kids were there for a year.
There were a couple of brothersand then I know that you got a
chance to get to know reallywell because you took that time
and you were consistent.
(20:46):
You didn't just come once, youcame back again and again and I
think that's how the trust wasbuilt and how you built those
valuable relationships.
And I'm sure that they allremember what you did and while
that may seem, like Charles said, very small, I mean that's very
significant because they theyprobably never had that type of
consistency and attention andlove, just that simple act of
(21:13):
creating a meal and sittingaround at the dinner table and
having conversation how was yourday?
And you did that for them.
And I remember the birthdayparties that you did, and I mean
just so many great memories andwe're so grateful that you've
been a part of all of that.
And but I remember when youmade your candy the first time
too.
Yeah, and you brought it inthese little Ziploc bags, so it
(21:36):
was before.
It was blissfully better.
We all got to be the tastetesters.
That's pretty exciting.
Charles Bender (21:43):
I love it.
I love it, bonnie.
Talk to us a little bit aboutyour thoughts on how other
businesses can get involved orwhy it's important for them.
Advice you might give them.
If they're whether they'resmall, medium sized business,
whatever and they don't have aphilanthropic component what
advice would you give them as towhy they should consider doing
something?
Bonnie Boroian (22:05):
Well, I think I'd say they should start where
they are.
You know you do what you can do.
If anybody's thinking that theydon't have enough money to be
giving to a charity, there's alot of ways to give.
You can give by creatingawareness.
(22:29):
You can give a small portion ofyour goods to help.
You know there's there's somany reasons to look to give,
and Especially something that'scoming from your heart.
(22:53):
I think you know some people inthe chocolate industry give a
lot to the farmers in thecountries where the chocolates
made and the free making surethat there's free trade there,
etc.
And I think that's an amazingway to help in that industry.
(23:15):
And some people have said to mewell, you're a chocolate.
What does that have to do withthis charity?
Well, it's my chocolate and myheart is very involved in this
charity and I know I can providesome good by sharing about this
(23:39):
charity, and so that'simportant as a founder, a leader
, to stand up and say here'swhat I believe in and here's how
I can help it.
And that's something everybodycan do, regardless of whether
(24:01):
they're a brand new company orvery well established company.
Charles Bender (24:06):
Well, and you know as a business person,
clearly look at the P&L andthere might not be the room for
a small startup business orwhatever to have a charitable
budget and that's up to theindividual to decide.
You know how much they want tostretch there and so forth, but
I clearly I think there'snothing but upside.
One of the things we're seeinga lot of.
We're seeing it inphilanthropic giving with
(24:26):
families and foundations.
We're seeing more and morehands on.
In other words, they want to beinvolved in the process, and so
that's an upside for a businessif you did have a charitable
budget.
We know, for instance,international materials down in
Delray.
They have a foundation tied tothe company that the owner
established and what they do,and of course, that family has a
(24:46):
foundation too and theirfamily's involved in their
decisions.
But corporately what they do isthey allow the team, the staff
members, to be involved in thedecision-making.
So there's that upside of thatas well, the corporate culture
that that's built around givingand giving back and passing that
on down through.
You know an altruistic approachto business, but you said it as
well, there's sometimes maybeit's not money, sometimes it's
(25:08):
just bringing awareness to.
You know, we do a lot of thesecorporate drives for material
goods for the moms and the kidsthat we serve out in the
community, the foster homes andthe relative caregivers.
I mean we just did whenyesterday brought in a ton of
stuff and it was awesome, youknow so.
So that's something peoplecould do too.
You know, in a company they canlearn from that where they do a
diaper drive for Place of Hopeor that kind of thing too you
(25:31):
know.
Lisa McDulin (25:31):
So there, like you said, there there are a lot of
different ways that you can kindof crack the egg and get
started right and I think, too,that you know time yourself to
an organization like Place ofHope and then every time you
have an opportunity to sharethat, I think people are going
to.
People who also feel drawn tothe organization and the type of
(25:55):
work that we do are going to beprobably more prone to doing
business with you because yousupport an organization like
Place of Hope, but they find outthat that's something that's
near and dear to your heart.
The first thing they're goingto think about is okay, when I'm
going to get a gift or when Ineed to buy some chocolate, some
sweet treats from my family,I'm going to order from this
(26:17):
company because I know a portionof my proceeds are going to
help kids that are in fostercare and they're going to assist
in educating the communityabout human trafficking and the
dangers of trafficking.
I would think that that wouldbe a huge benefit as well to
letting people know for sure.
Charles Bender (26:38):
All right, switch gears a little bit.
I want to.
I want to hear about therehearsal club.
Yes, that's what I said therehearsal club.
Bonnie, tell us a little bitabout what that is, was, is and
kind of how it shaped you as a,as an entrepreneur, as a
business person, and I thinkpeople would be interested to
know, sure?
Bonnie Boroian (26:58):
well, I'm going way back in my past here.
So the rehearsal club is well,it was a place for women in show
business and it providedaffordable housing to women who
were coming to New York City,couldn't afford to to pay for an
(27:23):
apartment in a New York Citylifestyle, so it was dormitory
style living for these women.
There was a cafeteria, therewas a house mom men weren't
allowed anywhere but the parloron the first floor and you know
(27:44):
there was bunk beds and cots allaround and it was a great place
to live for many reasons.
The affordability of it was one, but a lot of it was.
The camaraderie of people werein the same boat as you were
trying to get jobs and learningyou know who should take your
pictures, because this is thebest photographer you know for
(28:05):
your headshots etc.
My mom had lived there when shewas in show business, dancing
and Broadway shows.
She slept on the cot next toCarol Burnett for a while a lot
of famous people have livedthere and the movie stage door
was fashioned after therehearsal club, so it was a very
(28:27):
famous place when I lived there.
I only got to live there a yearbecause the the financial status
of New York was in a very badway and Mayor Koch decided that
he was going to close thenonprofits because they got tax
exempt status and so they closedthe rehearsal club.
(28:48):
Yeah so, but it, I have to say,when you ask how it shaped me as
an entrepreneur and you know,in my business life, being in
show business, you have aproduct and the product is you
and you have to sell thatproduct and it can be very hard
(29:08):
to, you know, step away fromyourself enough to look at it in
that way.
But you're, you know you're,you're doing what you can to get
your name out there and to havepeople know your, your value
and your worth.
And it's no different when youhave an actual product like
(29:31):
blissfully better candy.
You know my job is the sameneed to let people know how good
it is and where they can buy it, and you know why they should
carry it.
So I guess, I guess it kind ofshaped me in in that way yeah,
for sure yeah, you know what?
Charles Bender (29:51):
I just thought of as you were describing.
That too is.
This is kind of neat.
It's exactly what we're doingwith the young people in our
village as a hope program.
Because you mentioned housing,you mentioned camaraderie, you
mentioned that all of you aresort of kind of heading in the
same direction to accomplishsomething, even though it's
(30:12):
individualized.
You're doing that together inthat environment, and then you
and then you you highlighted thepoint about the product is the
you, and that's part of whatwe're trying to train our youth
through our educational series,through our you know, our career
days and all the things we dothat the community is a part of,
to really get the young peopleto understand that, yes, you are
(30:33):
this product and you got to goout and shine, because then the
world will, you know, accept youin for that next level of job
or but but you've got thisincubator for now, right, which
is kind of what that place wasand you know it's.
It's kind of neat.
Bonnie Boroian (30:46):
I didn't even think about that till you were
describing it but, that's sotrue.
You know, and I I've just seen,over the 10 years I've been
involved with Place of Hope, thelevel of wraparound services
that you are providing andupping the amount you know so
high, these so manyopportunities that are available
(31:11):
for the young people who live aplace of hope to to learn and
grow and have exposure.
I was just at the campus threeweeks ago helping babysit some
of their children so that theirmoms could go do a career day,
and it was just so great to seethat, that they've gotten
(31:35):
exposure to so many things.
Um, you're doing so much.
It just it blows me away we are.
Charles Bender (31:42):
We're doing so much.
You're part of all of it.
What and when you?
When, when, during the days ofthe rehearsal club, when you
were seeing the community stepup to be helpful right, because
obviously it didn't happen byitself.
People had to give, people hadto bring resources, people had
to agree on rents and all thatstuff right, how much of that
(32:03):
influenced you do you think, andin terms of you know, being
able to see how to run yourbusiness and have that, that
charitable component.
Bonnie Boroian (32:11):
You know the community input.
Right, it probably did.
I never even thought of it inthat way, but you know now that
you mention it.
You know all these littlepieces of our lives create an
influence that we don't evennotice necessarily.
But when you look back and youpiece it all together, it's all
part and parcel of where you areright now, in this time in your
(32:34):
life and in your business life,your personal life.
You know how how much that allbrings you to the place you want
to be.
Charles Bender (32:45):
I guess as we get older, we have a little more
wisdom in that right.
Like you don't realize, you'rein what you're in and how it's
shaping you and stretching youuntil you look back at it one
day.
I guess that's kind of one ofthe definitions of wisdom right,
but we're just excited thatyou're with us today to tell
your story Because, again, wejust you know, we really want
people to understand all thedifferent components and all the
(33:07):
great things that make place ofhope so special.
It's the people, it's, it'stheir energies, it's their
passions for what they dooutside of here and how they can
bring that in.
And why?
Just know, because you've livedit out and a lot of people have
been inspired by Bonnie andblissfully better and and just,
(33:27):
and your time in the cottageswith all of that.
And you know, as we grow, weneed more of that, we need more
Bonnie's, and you don't get togo anywhere either, by the way,
so you'll be staying and so youknow it's.
We're grateful that you wereable to come in and talk a
little bit about it.
Hope people are going to lookat what's your website
blissfully bettercom.
(33:48):
Okay, you got to check it out.
You can order from there too, Ithink right.
Yes you can so Lisa any closingthoughts.
Lisa McDulin (33:54):
No, just thank you for being here, thank you for
sharing and, and we appreciateeverything that you do so much.
You are just such a blessing toour kids and to our staff and
to so many people in thecommunity that get to work
alongside of you.
So thank you for everything youdo.
Bonnie Boroian (34:11):
You're so welcome.
I have to say that it's not oneperson I've introduced a place
of hope who hasn't profoundlythanked me for introducing the
charity but also having so manywonderful people in their lives
because of being a part of placeof hope.
Being an angel mom has been ablessing to every angel mom I
(34:32):
know and it's it's a joy toshare it on so many levels.
So thank you for being the kindof people you are and who
really give from your heartconsistently and in larger ways
every year.
It's incredible.
Charles Bender (34:53):
Well, God is good and he provides and he
brings the people.
So thank you for beingcompassionate, thank you for
being a social entrepreneur Ilove that term and you are one.
We think of ourselves as socialentrepreneurs.
But thank you for also, youknow, the time you spent with
the kids and just even thebabysitting part.
People don't realize howcritical that is for the, for
the single moms that we'retrying to help, and how these,
(35:15):
these, what for maybe somepeople seem like a small barrier
, become, you know, almostimpossible to overcome without
somebody intervening.
So thank you for doing that andjust overall thanks for being
an ambassador of hope for place.
I appreciate you.
Lisa McDulin (35:34):
An inspiring initiative took place recently
that radiated the theme of hopein action.
Way FM, with their heartwarmingeffort, hosted the world's
biggest baby shower to supportplace of hope.
Through this event, individualshad the opportunity to extend
their compassion by donatingessential items such as diapers,
wipes and formula.
(35:55):
Numerous drop off locations,including Chick-fil-A locations
at Northlake Boulevard, palmBeach Lakes Boulevard,
okeechobee in the Turnpike, lakeWorth, south Lake, lantana,
boynton Beach, west BoyntonBeach, delray Beach and West
Boca, were made available forcontributions.
This past donation drive notonly united the community, but
(36:17):
also embodied the power ofturning hope into tangible
assistance Through thecollective efforts of caring
individuals.
This event beautifullydemonstrated how a small gesture
can translate into asubstantial impact, exemplifying
hope in action.
Charles Bender (36:38):
Thank you for listening.
Please be sure to subscribe andshare with your friends so you
don't even miss a thing, and ifyou really gained value today,
please be sure to give us a fivestar review so, of course, we
can be put in front of morelisteners.
For details and show notesabout today's podcast and how
you can connect with and supportour guests, please go to
placeofhopecom and please don'tforget to email us at
(37:01):
pohpodcastatplaceofhopecom, and,for sure, follow us on social
media.
Ambassadors of Hope.
Placing Hope for a Child's Day.
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