Category Archives: Fabulous Females

Betty Galvan
#HipNJ Social, Fabulous Females, Fabulous Moms

Fabulous Female – Betty Galvan

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This month’s Fabulous Female is Betty Galvan. Betty is a business owner, and Work at Home Mom to three very active boys. Yes, THREE! I’ve known Betty for a few years, and she’s been a constant source of motivation and inspiration for me.

Betty hails from Chicago, but has lived in Asia and NYC. For the last 8 years she’s been a NJ resident. Betty has led an exciting life, starting with moving to Tokyo, where she had her first son Diego. While she holds a degree in teaching, and taught at an International School, after having Diego, she felt it was best for her to stay at home.

While in Tokyo, Betty started blogging so she could keep her friends and family updated on her family’s progress. Little did she know that would eventually formulate in her own lifestyle blog “My Friend Betty Says”. Betty’s blog primarily focused on educational tips for how to raise bilingual children, as well as lifestyle and fashion ideas.

While blogging she was fortunate enough to connect, and freelance, with Ana Flores. Ana is the founder, and CEO, of the former Latina Bloggers Connect now WeAllGrow Latina Network. Ana was so impressed, that she hired Betty to work for her.

Betty was fortunate to connect with likeminded women, and #solopreneurs, while working at LBC. From Boston to LA, the women collaborated, motivated, inspired each other and exchanged ideas. It was a true sisterhood. When LBC took a turn focusing more on bringing women all over the US together, with annual conferences and summits, Betty knew she had to step back. She didn’t want to be away from her family so much. Betty also realized, while on her journey with LBC, that there were local business owners that needed help with their digital marketing strategies, social media managements and content creation.

Always forward thinking, Betty decided to keep the name of her blog @MyFriendBettySays and add Digital Marketing Studio to her resume, in the summer of 2017. Since making that decision, Betty has been helping others to increase and grow their business. She currently has two employees and will continue to expand.


When I asked Betty to tell me her secret for being so fabulous, she was humble as usual. She did tell me that she takes one hour of the day for herself. Whether it’s getting her nails done or going to the gym, that time is for her. Working from home has its advantages, so she’s able to tailor her schedule to that of her active children. She also has a very supportive husband and a cleaning lady!

just in time
#HipNJ Social, Fabulous Females

#FridayReads Suzanne Trauth – Just in Time

Hey #HipNJ! Looking for a great read for #FridayReads? Check out Suzanne Trauth’s Just in Time, part of the Dodie O’Dell Mystery series! 

FACE THE MUSIC

Business is humming at Dodie O’Dell’s Windjammer Restaurant, where she offers theme menus connected to the Etonville Little Theatre’s amateur productions. This June, the theatre is collaborating with the neighboring Creston Players to stage Bye Bye Birdie under the stars—their first musical! There’s a contest in the play to pick a fan to receive rock idol Conrad Birdie’s last kiss before he ships off for the Army, so Dodie plans a contest to pick the food for a pre-show picnic.
 
But before the show opens, Ruby, the rehearsal accompanist, is found dead in her car. Why would anyone murder the crusty old gal who loved to sneak a smoke and a nip between wisecracks? Once again, the resourceful restaurant manager must play the part of amateur sleuth, accompanied by Police Chief Bill Thompson, who also happens to be her beau. Confronted with a chorus of suspects, she’ll need to stay composed to catch the killer—or it’ll be bye bye Dodie…

This book can be purchased through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Visit Suzanne’s Facebook for more information!

#HipNJ Social, Charity, Fabulous Females, Fabulous Moms, Philanthropy

Fabulous Females: Parker Sanchez

There’s a meme I see often – “Real Queens Fix Each Other’s Crowns.” This month’s Fabulous Female very appropriately has a real crown! Parker Sanchez, from Hardwick, is the reigning Mrs. Universal. On top of that she’s a part time SAHM of two active toddlers and works part time at The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. Parker recently changed careers after teaching ballroom dancing for over a decade. Prior to teaching dance, Parker attended Fordham University, where she obtained a B.A. in American Studies and an M.A. in History. Beauty and brains!

Parker has been involved in pageantry for ten years, and once she entered her first pageant she was hooked. For her it was a way to network with incredibly passionate, driven women who were doing serious volunteerism and using their titles to promote causes dear to their hearts. Parker is an ambassador and advisor for The Unmentionables, a nonprofit organization that provides forcibly displaced individuals and communities around the world with safe and consistent access to sexual and reproductive health education, services, and protection and empowerment programs.

Parker manages to single handedly run a household with two toddlers and a husband who’s in law enforcement (with a crazy schedule), volunteer for The Unmentionables and use her title as a megaphone to promote other causes she cares about. It’s exhaustive, but she has the support of her husband Pablo, or as she calls him, “Mr. Universal.” She told me that Pablo isn’t the type of guy to ask “why?”, but instead says “why not?” to any crazy idea or plan she has. There’s nothing more empowering for a woman than a husband who’s supporting and understanding (oh yeah and he’s my cousin!).

When I asked Parker how she’s able to juggle everything, she said she multitasks like a boss! For her the drive is that she wants her children see a mom who’s passionate about bettering the world, and to demonstrate to them that you can do anything you set your mind to … and of course Starbucks helps!! Give me that red eye stat!