Meet Yolanda Gardner | Serial-preneur, Author, Public Speaker and upcoming television talk show host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yolanda Gardner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yolanda, how do you think about risk?
I think that we should take risks. Now not just any risk because it has to make sense. If not we will lose every time. Do your research, pray about it and let God direct your path. I’ve taken plenty of risks and it has helped me overcome fear and know that I can do it. I tell people to jump. It’s like a child this learning to swim or dive, you have to jump! If you don’t ever jump you won’t know the end result. After you jump if you can’t swim, just float until you can!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My company Speak Up Yo LLC and Victims of Incest Inc focus on speaking up and speaking on subjects that are taboo to many. I started out just wanting to write a book to bring awareness about being a victim of incest, which is a sexual assault by a blood relative. I hired one of the best publicists that overstood what I was trying to do and she took it a step further. It hasn’t been easy during the process. There has been many challenges and there are many levels to this. I stay strong minded and lean on God. He directs my path. I’m a survivor so I remind myself that this journey is not about me It’s about helping others and doing what God wants me to do. I never set out to Make money from this it was just to bring awareness. I already knew that there were so many people that deal and have dealt with being a victim of incest and it wasn’t talked about, but almost every day God places someone in my life that I can help. I have learned to trust the process and lean on God even when things get difficult. I’ve also learned that success doesn’t happen overnight.

I want the world to know that you are not the only one that has dealt with this issue. There are others that are dealing with the same issue and it is okay to speak up and not be ashamed or scared to share your story

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I’m a homebody. We would go to my spa A Healthier You in Arlington to relax. Out to eat at Aunt Irene’s Kitchens, and Genghis Grill. Go to the galleria in Dallas and support a few entrepreneurs. I don’t get out much because it’s usually about business for me. Now if I were to go out we would definitely go to Club Ritzy’s in Fort Worth. It’s very classy.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family, fiancé, friends and supporters for being supportive and Tara
for seeing beyond my vision!

Website: www.victimsofincest.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupyo

Linkedin: Speakupyo

Twitter: Speakupyo254

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakupyo

Yelp: Speakupyo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Speakupyo

Other: Www.yolandagardner.com Victim’s of Incest @voispeakup on every platform 877-SPEAK15 The book can be purchased at https://yolandagardner.com/product/hush/