Who is Toni?
A SUBURBAN GIRL
Toni hails from Northwest Suburban Chicagoland. Growing up in Schaumburg, Illinois, her parents divorced when she was 8 years old, and she was then raised by her single father - unheard of in the late 70s and 80s.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in January 1991 when her dad passed away unexpectedly from complications after a triple-bypass heart surgery.
At the age of 20, she found herself finishing her last year and a half of college, while being the Executor of his estate in probate court, due to the insufficient preparation of his will.
When she graduated there was no home to go home to, because she had to sell it while she was in college.
Perhaps the greatest test of her life, Toni’s loss of her beloved big brother Christopher on March 11, 2017, forever changed the trajectory of her life.
Diagnosed with Type I, Juvenile Diabetes, in the late 70s, the doctor’s told their parents his life expectancy was his late 30s.
Fortunately for Toni and her family, the gift of Chris’ life lasted until he was 48. His memory now serves as her greatest inspiration in living a life with positivity, care and acceptance. And laughter - lots and lots of laughter!
Many of the extremely defining times in her life were experienced prior to even becoming a “legal” adult. She considers her upbringing in a “man’s world,” with her father and older brother, Chris, by her side, along with these life altering events, the foundation for which she has become the resilient, astute and honest woman that she is today.
A COLLEGE GRADUATE
Toni graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational/Corporate Communications.
A PROFESSIONAL
Toni has spent over 20 years of her professional career in Sales and Marketing in the home building industry, working for the biggest and the best. She’s held tenure at Pulte Homes/Del Webb, David Weekley Homes and Paul Schumacher Homes. The nation’s largest publicly held homebuilder, the nation’s largest privately held homebuilder and the nation’s largest custom homebuilder.
Immediately upon graduation from college, she walked into Pulte Homes as a Sales Consultant. Her 14-year tenure at Pulte started with 8 years in new home sales, achieving a total sales volume of $134m. She then spent 6 years in the marketing arena with Pulte, starting as the Business Development Manager for the Illinois Division and ending as the Regional Director of Marketing for Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City. Her responsibilities included the management of all marketing initiatives as well the thoughtful planning and methodical spending of a $7m annual marketing budget.
Following her tenure at Pulte, she spent time independently consulting on the Sales and Marketing initiatives for the beautiful First Street, St. Charles residential/retail/commercial redevelopment project in another town she holds near and dear to her heart, St. Charles, Illinois.
She also spent five years working for McHenry County Illinois’ largest medical care provider, Northwestern Medicine, at Health Bridge Fitness Center in her prior hometown of Crystal Lake, IL.
A TRANSPLANT TO LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
In spring 2022 Toni relocated to her new hometown of Louisville, Kentucky and in June of that year she was excited to become a Barista at the Starbuck's located at Frankfort Rd. and Lexington Ave. in lovely St. Matthews, Kentucky.
Yet another world-class brand that aligns to Toni's way of thinking: to present and provide the utmost excellence in customer experience.
Toni relocated to Louisville knowing one person, her son, an Honors alumni of the University of Louisville’s College of Business, that continues to reside and work professionally in Louisville.
Just a couple of years later, her local network extends to thousands due to her professional and personal experiences and her never ending desire to connect with and positively impact the lives of others.
A DOTING MAMA
Toni crossed the “empty nester” finish line in 2023. She raised her daughter, a Graphic Designer and her son, a professional in the banking industry, with love, care and the utmost devotion.
A MEMBER OF A LARGE FAMILY
Toni’s uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grandniece are sprinkled across Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and New York.
Her parents, grandparents, beloved older brother Christopher and other cherished extended family members watch over her, protect her and inspire her from heaven above.
AN ANIMAL LOVER
Charlie, Ellie, Woody and Chasing Time - a dog, two kittens and a racehorse. Needless to say, Toni loves four legs and fur!
A FITNESS FANATIC AND SELF-CARE ADDICT
She enjoys cardio and weights in the gym, bike riding, running, hiking, pickle ball, dancing, clean eating, taking supplements, infrared sauna, using environmentally kind products and constantly seeking out the latest information on all the greatest in health, wellness and good living.
Her time at Health Bridge prompted her to join their running club and after a season of training with some of the best runners and best people she has ever known, she successfully ran the coveted Chicago Marathon and finished in just under 4 hours!
Especially considering her genetic history, Toni consistently strives to be her healthiest self. She loves sharing her best tactics and motivation for living healthy and well with others, and likewise embraces every opportunity to learn from others doing the same.
A MUSIC LOVER
Easily summed up by one of her favorite quotes:
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato
A BUDDING PHILANTHROPIST
Toni is in the process of establishing her “Mother Toni” non-profit to benefit men, women and children in need in the Louisville community.
Toni understands firsthand the trauma one must endure when faced with a life altering situations. Her gratitude for being where she is at today prompts her desire to do more and to give back.
Stay tuned - much, much more to come on these efforts!
Your involvement will be more than welcome!