Meet Wendy Lamotta

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wendy Lamotta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Wendy, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?

The haters, nay-sayers and chronic negative people will always be around. However, creating Round 2 Resources has been a desire of mine since childhood. I call it my God-given destiny. The feeling has been so strong that I have never considered any other option. However, there are days when it’s just hard. In those moments I reach out to my inner circle of friends and family for support and advice. I heard a quote by Cory Booker, “sometimes asking for help is the most meaningful form of self-reliance”. Realizing I have resources of my own to access, and to not try to do everything alone helps keep my resilience strong against those trying to dissuade me from my goals.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the Founder, President and CEO of Round 2 Resources (R2R), an organization devoted to safeguarding the environment. The name Round 2 Resources is a play on words representing the recycling mission of the organization and my other passion: boxing. I was a decorated fighter both as an amateur and a professional. Training under Luis A Negron at El Coqui Boxing Club in Newark, N.J., I also learned to speak Spanish and embraced the Hispanic culture of my trainer and teammates.
Creating an organization without barriers or boundaries was a priority for me. I created R2R committed to protecting the environment. But I wanted to make a difference not only in sustainability, but in every life I could touch. How the organization works is simple. People in the community reach out to us when they have items they no longer need and want to donate them. At the same time local municipalities, not for profit organizations and small businesses reach out with a “Wish List” of items they need. When a specific donation is offered to R2R we input that information into our database and match it with an appropriate recipient’s Wish List. Then the item is transferred directly from donor to recipient. Since its inception in 2008 R2R has grown from assisting less than a dozen organizations in Hudson County to collaborating with approximately 150 organizations and municipalities across NJ and part of NY. Being a resource to other organizations and linking them to help each other, R2R is capable of helping every class of charitable organization without discrimination. Over the past 15 years R2R has grown from a grass roots organization to a staple resource for the community. Our impact is growing. We are actively applying for state and federal grants to help us expand. As we continue to assist more people (& animals) we keep more usable resources out of a landfill. Focusing on efficiency by delivering directly from donor to recipient also decreases the carbon footprint of our trucks, keeping them on the road less time. Round 2 Resources is not fighting to champion just one cause, it’s fighting for the world!

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

Lead by example. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, be the change you want to see in the world. Do not expect anyone to do for you what you want done. Take the initiative, treat people with respect, honesty and kindness. Never underestimate the power of integrity.

Trust your gut- learn to trust your own instincts. I grew up in an atmosphere which caused me to constantly doubt my senses. It’s important to know who you are and to trust your intuition. I have never doubted my purpose, and having that type of conviction has propelled me to where I am now, and hopefully much further in the future.

But I think the most important advice I can give is to be open minded. The most successful individuals I know surround themselves with smart people. Having the ability to listen and learn from a diverse population has been advantageous and rewarding. Being open minded has introduced me to fascinating people and has exposed me to opportunities I may have never had. Get out of your comfort zone and try something different!

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Round 2 Resources is actively looking to collaborate with corporate sponsors. We are looking for companies that are focused on sustainability and are environmentally conscious to help us further our mission. Most corporate organizations have giving programs in the form of grants, employee matching, or volunteer hours. Not only is this partnership beneficial to R2R, it provides team building opportunities during volunteer events and positive Public Relations for the companies involved. We have worked with Amazon, Sams Club and The Junkluggers. We are excited to work with many more corporations!

Contact Info:

• Website: R2r.care.
• Instagram: Round2Resources.
• Facebook: Round 2 Resources
• Linkedin: Round 2 Resources

Image Credits

Doug Freidman, Undefeated Media