Danielle Reyes is honored for her ability to connect with others
Understanding the potential to do something unconventional and acting on that sense are two different things. And sticking with it during tough times can be another challenge.
For Danielle Reyes, it was trusting her instinct to do something different that helped pave the way towards business success.
The co-founder and chief relationship officer for Wealth and Legacy Group started her career in the mortgage industry before deciding to join her husband Chad in the life insurance business. It was at that point that Reyes had an idea of working with entrepreneurs and executives to help them prepare their wealth for their family but to also help them prepare the next generation to receive the wealth.
“When I first decided to come alongside my husband to work in the life insurance industry, I would sit in the insurance training classes and felt there had to be more to this industry than just selling life insurance policies,” she said. “I wanted to show how much we truly cared for our clients and their families which led us on the journey of creating a process that empowers and educates our clients in creating their multi-generational and legacy goals.
“Many people thought we were crazy to try to build the current business model we envisioned. That didn't stop Chad or I since we truly believed it was possible,” said Reyes.
For her accomplishments, Danielle is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Leadership Award, which she will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards -- sponsored by M&T Bank and presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance -- honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.
Since this power couple met each other in their early teens, they obviously knew each other extremely well. However, it doesn’t mean there weren’t some bumps in the early stages of working together.
“When Chad and I decided to partner together in 2006, it was extremely difficult for the first year. We are both type-A personalities and wanted to take control of the ship, and we were not communicating well,” admitted Reyes. “For the first six months to a year, we didn’t know if this was going to work out the way we were hoping -- or even our personal relationship for that matter. That’s when I decided we needed to hire a coach to help us if we both really wanted to make this dream work.”
Hiring the coach proved beneficial as the advice put the duo on the right track and help take their business to a higher level. The experience also sparked something inside as Reyes found a love and respect for the coaching industry which became the impetus for another business, Lions Pride Leadership Company.
“This was not a very difficult decision at all since we had been preparing ourselves for the past decade to one day launch a leadership and business coaching company. I have a passion for business and people, so what better way to merge the two,” said Reyes.
“She has a special ability to connect with people. In business, connecting authentically is a rarity, but it comes naturally to her. By doing so, it has opened doors for our organization that few would be able to do,” said Chad, who nominated Danielle for the Louis Miller award.
Reyes is a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, an instructor for the Chamber Foundation’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a Rotarian and board member of the Rotary Club of Staten Island.
These roles have given Reyes an avenue to interact and lend advice to many local business professionals and the youth on Staten Island. More importantly, that knowledge helps Reyes recognize people’s characteristics and how they can reach their potential and success.
“We have our staff take our leadership assessments to help us understand their unique gifts so we can put them in the best role for them. I believe we are all unique and understanding what motivates us, our talents, and our style helps us to make a better and enjoyable working environment,” said Reyes.
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Recipients of the Louis R. Miller Awards are recognized as effective business leaders, and for their outstanding contributions to the local community. Awards are given out in four categories: Emerging, Established, Master, and Not-For-Profit. The honorees will be recognized during the annual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn. For tickets, visit www.sichamber.com or call the Chamber at 718-727-1900.
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Below, Danielle shares more about her goals, job, and life:
Community involvement: Member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Rotarian and board member of the Rotary Club of Staten Island. Co-Founder of I Am Empowering, a 501c3 not-for-profit. Instructor and scholarship sponsor of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!).
Some of my life goals include: Launching 12 Wealth and Legacy Group locations strategically throughout the United States. Franchising Lions Pride Leadership Co. Having an I Am Empowering (not-for-profit) presence in hundreds of cities throughout the United States and eventually globally.
The best part of my job: As co-founder of Wealth and Legacy Group, I am passionate about creating an experience for our clients and their families so they can live and leave their legacy! It’s been a true joy to empower highly-successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and successful families by helping them to introduce their values, financial capital, and life lessons to future generations. I enjoy working with those who have a genuine love for their family, their business(es) and their community.
The most difficult part of my job: Seeing more potential in someone then they can see in themselves. What I have learned over the years is that I can’t want success and fulfillment more then they want it for themselves. This is a daily struggle.
My life philosophy: I only have an audience of ‘one.’ This means I’m only accountable to God in all that I do and I just want others to experience the love of Christ through me. This inspires me to believe people are assets, prosperity follows value, and increased awareness transforms lives!
I am most proud of: I am most proud of my husband and our relationship. First, for our marriage and the loving husband he is. Second, for our business partnership and how he is my biggest supporter. I’m a risk-taker naturally and I love that he challenges me. We are committed to a lifelong journey together to make an impact in the lives of all those we come in contact with. Teamwork really does make the dream work!
Something that no one knows about me: When I was in my late teens, I had decided I did not want to own my own business especially after being raised by my hard-working parents who were business owners themselves. However, becoming an entrepreneur has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have made.
The quality I like best about myself: My desire to help others become all they were created to be and my genuine love for people.
Personal interests and hobbies: Those who know me well know I love empowering our next generation. This passion has led me to become an instructor for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) along with launching a not-for-profit youth organization with my husband, called I Am Empowering, whose mission is to empower youth, equip future leaders and transform communities.
I admire: I admire our families. I have known my loving mother-in-law and my two awesome brother-in-laws since I was 11-years-old and they inspire me in so many different ways.
I especially admire my mom and my eight siblings. We have been through a lot as a family and the foundation of everything my mom has taught us is the power of forgiveness. With that, each of my siblings has been an incredible example of the impact forgiveness has.
Some important things I would like you to know about me: I come from a big Italian family with 16 nieces and nephews who are my world. I’m incredibly blessed that their parents allow me to play such an active aunt role in their life. Our 16-year-old niece has played a big role in the birth of I Am Empowering.