Meet Tonie Piper

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tonie Piper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tonie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

My intention is to walk in rooms leading with excellence, integrity and resilience. I focus on running my own race and mastering the legacy I want left behind for my 2 sons and family. Overtime, I’ve learned not to shrink myself to fit the space or doors God has opened for me. I understand I do not need permission to be in any room, and I bring value by simply being in the room.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m incredibly grateful and proud to be doing exactly what I was born to do. Every business I own or contribute to is connected by a common purpose: helping people in every aspect of life. I live out my brand simply by being a light leading with love, authenticity, and service.

Be A Light Enterprises LLC:
Services: Professional Visitation Monitoring
Light House for all Youth under Be a Light Enterprises:
Is an organization created to provide professional monitoring and transportation services. Our services allow children and parents to spend quality time together in a therapeutic setting. We provide services to fathers and mothers who are incarcerated, DCFS cases (including medical fragile children), all individuals experiencing mental health, substance abuse or domestic violence. We work with families privately, professionals in family law and adult protective services who are all working together to reunify individuals with their children and families.

Services: Entrepreneur Training
Be A Light Enterprises is an organization created to train individuals on how to become a Professional Visitation Monitor. Once trained, these monitors will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to deliver high quality professional services to families in our communities. Supporting the development of community-based entrepreneurs through education and opportunity.

LBW Residential Care
Services: Adult Residential Facility-Housing
LBW is a residential care facility that provides housing and 24-hour non-medical care for adults ages 18-59 years of age who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), moderate/severe to profound disabilities, mental health and other medical concerns.

Pipers Consulting Group
Services: Consulting
After being in business for some years as a co-owner of an Adult Residential Facility. I worked hard to master the process of opening an ARF. The efforts prepared me to lead with confidence and purpose in leading others. This consulting agency walks individuals through the step-by-step process on how to open an Adult Residential facility (ARF) to provide housing to individuals in our communities. In addition, were helping to grow local entrepreneurship and expand employment opportunities.

Daughters of Love
Services: Transitional Housing for Pregnant/Parenting Mothers
This is an organization that I am the Program Manager for the program/VP of the board that provides housing, life skills training and resources to all young ladies including teen mothers transitioning out of foster care.
Having been a teen mother myself, my partner and I know firsthand how essential safe housing and supportive resources for young ladies trying to build a better future. We have housing available in Hemet (CA), San Jacinto (CA), Beaumont (CA) and looking to expand to Los Angeles soon. Daughters of Love is based out of San Bernadino County and is owned by my partner Medina Pina.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1) Purpose Driven Leadership: I was once told to always remember your why in everything you do. Whether opening adult homes, helping teen mother or providing services to children and families; my goal has always been to help people in whatever capacity that may be. That sense of mission has kept me grounded and focused.

2) Resilience: I have faced some challenges, setbacks, moments of uncertainty, but I never let them stop me. Some days, I pushed through with anxiety and tears. I prayed for the ability to continue to push through, adapt and not be scared to be all that God has called me to be.

3) Resourcefulness: I didn’t always have the answers or support from others in the same field. I was willing to learn, grow and even fail because every experience brought me closer to the knowledge and expertise I needed in my different fields.

I would advise anyone who are in their early stages of their journey to pray for your steps to be ordered. Always remember to be humbled but stay hungry, learn from every experience and every person, don’t be scared to start from the beginning, embrace your mistakes and always continue to show up.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

A current obstacle I’m facing is dealing with a person in business that has proven to be unethical. It’s been difficult, but it’s also been a valuable lesson. This experience is teaching me to see people for who they truly are, not who I hoped they would be. I’m learning to protect my peace, trust my instincts, and move forward with more discernment. Not every connection is meant to last and sometimes, the hardest lessons build the strongest leaders. I was once told, everything you go through in life is necessary. Overall, I’m grateful for the experience and I’m willing to embrace it all.
God will never let what may seem to be a lost be the best you ever had!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lighthousechildvisits.com
• Instagram: lighthouseprofessionalmonitors