 I'm Rusty Komori, and this is Beyond the Lines on Think Tech, Hawaii. I was the head coach of the Punahou Boys varsity tennis team for 22 years, and we were fortunate to win 22 consecutive state championships. This show is based on my books Beyond the Lines and Beyond the Game, and it's about leadership, character, and creating a superior culture of excellence. My special guest today is an author, a Mrs. Hawaii United States, and the founder and CEO of FAMES Hawaii. She is Joni Reddick-Yunt, and today we are going Beyond Leadership Development. Hey, Joni, welcome to Beyond the Lines. Aloha, aloha Rusty, aloha Hawaii, aloha world. I'm so happy to be with you this morning. Joni, I'm so excited to have you on the show today, and I know that you were born in the Philippines, and can you tell me about the challenges and the conditions that you dealt with growing up in the Philippines? It was very humble beginning, Rusty. We didn't have no running water, no electricity, and it was very difficult, and also being one of the five girls, at two years old, I was kind of adopted with my auntie. My parents didn't have hardly anything. She couldn't feed us five girls, so I was kind of practically given away, although that was a great experience too, being away, because now you kind of feel the family that is very important to have. But growing up with my auntie, it was very, very humble beginning, like I said, but I have my cousins that live next to me, to us, and they are a lot older than I am. And I vividly remember that being that sometimes you watch movies, just once a year, I always look up to these beautiful women that someday, in my head, visualizing myself, that I will be just like them later on. And I used to go sneak into the house and take one of the high heels, then I used to just take it back at the house and just practice. And I used to, you know, being five, six years old, you know, I stood back, so then I would fall flat on my face, get up again. But I vividly remember, Rusty, that I used to dream a lot. I used to, like I said, visualize that can I be in a better place one day? And thank God that when I was 14 years old, we came to Hawaii. I was very, very shy then. But like I said, I really wanted to better myself so that one day when I have my own children, I can be, you know, they can be proud of me as well. Now, Joanie, I know that you were a nurse for many years. How did you enjoy being a nurse? I loved it, Rusty. Actually, I started accounting first because I was working at poorest hospital that is now polymony. And I used to pass the emergency room. And I thought, oh, there's no way I cannot stand blood, right? But then I got bored for my first year of accounting. I was like, oh, my God, I got bored for whatever reason. And somehow my, my mom especially was encouraging me to be in the medical field. So I did that 20 years in the medical field, but it was really neat because the first place that I did my internship was at the emergency room. My first step was at the emergency room. So it, it was very, it was a great experience. Yeah, I can't see you being an accountant. That's too boring for you, right? It was boring. Although I, I need to learn how to work the numbers, being where I'm at right now. There was a couple of partners, right? Now, Joanie, I know that you met the world-famous Mary Kay and, and you worked with her. Now, can you tell me what type, what kind of big impact did she make on your life? Very huge impact, Rusty. Well, let me go back. When I came from the Philippines, I want to attend a 10th grade, high school, skip 11th grade. I had the opportunity to skip 11th grade and jump to a grade. And also I was being bullied because of my long last name, constantly being bullied. But I kind of, you know, I said, how can I reverse that so that I just, right right now, there's so many, especially with what happened with this pandemic that it increased that so many young women are committing suicide increased like 50%. And, but when you have that positive attitude, which I learned from Mary Kay, it helped me. But even beyond that, it was a very difficult being coming from the Philippines, very shy, being bullied. But, you know, I have, I guess that inner, inner determination in myself that you have to be resilient, that don't listen to what they're saying, but you empower yourself. But being shy, being shy, but I wanted so badly to be in a beauty pageant, like I said, but how can I, I am so, so shy. So being a part of Mary Kay way, I learned so much from her that you have that can do attitude, believe in yourself, have a positive attitude, because that really developed a foundation in you create your own destiny. No, I can, I cannot even imagine seeing, you know, Joni is being shy. No, yeah, people don't believe me, but I said chapter three in my book. Well, you know, that's, that's why I mean, even for me, when I was growing up, I would say that I was more shy and, you know, more of a follower. And so that's why we can inspire people to become leaders, right? Exactly, from our own experience. Yeah. Now, Joni, you know, let's talk about your FAMES organization. I mean, I felt so great to have been a speaker some months ago. And what you're doing with the FAMES organization is huge. And you have some great leadership. And can you tell our viewers about FAMES? Well, FAMES, our purpose and mission is mentoring, educating, motivating, and leadership development. For me, being that, well, I didn't have any mentor at the time, but I think Mary Kay, as one of my mentor, it's really, again, affected me so much. And actually, the first book that I read was her book, You Can Have It All. And having reading that book, it really truly, it was the life changing, because I was like an status quo being in the medical field. I was a nurse and had two young children. It was just like old routine, go to work, come home, cook, feed the kids, get up again. So same old same old, right? But then I thought, okay, there is something, yeah, you can have it all, right? So what does that mean? But it is having that, building the confidence that I learned so much again from Mary Kay Ash, and she has a huge influence, been to so many, so many women. And for me, you have to become a leader, you have to set a different example. And I always wanted to to inspire, mentor, to help educate whatever that I have gained, my knowledge, my skills in the past, I wanted to pass it on. And it's all about the legacy. And I feel when I talk to a lot of people, it seems like that sometimes they don't have the confidence, but Joanie, I can't do this. And the thing with Mary, I've made a fame, Savaii, that in the last, it's going on 18 years, I'm super excited. And to help develop these people, young or adult, actually, it's so glad, I'm so, it's so fulfilling to see that, you know, they really, because number one fear that they always say is to talk in front of people, right? And to see them develop themselves. And then now they can't, they're like, they can't stop talking just like me. And develop leadership. It's all about, we cannot just say be successful in life and what we do. But to help them to, to connect in the community, to go back in the community is very, very important. And that's how I met a lot of people. And just like Dr. Sayo. Oh, actually, I met Dr. Sayo 35 or so years ago, when I was working at Queens, her, I mean, his wife used to be my patient. And so we've known each other that long. So to become a leader, you surround yourself with the right people, so who uplift you. And that's what I have done in so many, many years to surround yourself. And that's what I tell a lot of the kids when I speak at schools or any organization, and my officers, directors, because, you know, sometimes they limit themselves. And that's the other thing that I learned from so many people rusty, they limit themselves. But sky is the limit. And yeah, and thank you for being one of our keynote speaker. That was amazing. And thank you for sharing your leadership, beyond the lines. It's like, you're amazing. Well, Joanie, you are really making a huge impact, you know, with a lot of these entrepreneurs and business owners. And I was I was really happy to be there to meet all of them. And I want to talk talk with you about your books. I mean, million dollar attitude. I mean, that that is, that is a perfect title for you, Joanie. It is absolutely amazing. And then your other book, you know, your second book, and, you know, I like how you talk about still sexy after 60. And beyond. And beyond. Actually, Rusty, I didn't plan of writing another book, because, as you know, being an author yourself, it's very tedious. It takes so much of your time and having my full time, my job with my things, and it is taking care of the family as well, community service. It's, I said, no, I will not. But then when people are asking me like, Joanie, how old are you? I said 60. And I said, oh, but just a sexy at 60. And I said, aha, that won't be the title of my book. It's all about attitudes, still sexy at 60 and beyond. So it's all about numbers. And Joanie, I really like your book because, you know, you talk about obviously having that million dollar attitude, but, you know, it's about that mindset and how we have choices. We have that power of choice to choose the right mindset, right? Exactly. Oh, yeah. And Joanie, you know, so, and I know that you do speaking at schools and, you know, various organizations. And I know that that's one of your passions as well, right? I love it too. And I'm sure you do as well. Well, you know, I do a ton of that now. And you know how you mentioned earlier that when you're a young girl and you were dreaming about being in a pageant. And now, I mean, you were the 2002 Mrs. Hawaii United States, and you competed on the mainland with 51 other contestants. And you, you're the executive director of your own pageants now. And I felt so honored to have been a judge in one of your pageants a few years ago. And can you tell me about why you really love making an impact with a lot of these contestants? Rusty, because like I said, I was very, very shy. And I have that dream. And I know a lot of young girls, they have all these things. I talk to them, I interview them. But they don't have the lack of confidence. And that's the one thing of the right attitude. And that's why I talk in my book that, you know, you know, you have to know your ABCs like attitude, believing yourself, courage, confidence, determination. So all of those ingredients in life that if you want to move forward, you have to have those. And I just love the to share those two to these young women. How can I empower these young women, set example. So they always say, Oh, auntie, but I'm not like you. I'm not the, I'm not that pageant type. And I said, well, look at me, I'm five feet only. I'm five feet in front of the Philippines can hardly speak English, right? But I have the determination, the ordinary and the extraordinary. And being that when I competed, and actually, that's 20 years ago, 2020, 2002 and 2022 is exactly 20 years now. And going to compete national, I've even remembered coming from Hawaii, I have my stash on Mrs. Hawaii, right? And everywhere we go, Mrs. Hawaii, I want to go to Hawaii, so lucky you live Hawaii. So even though I'm one of the shortest petite, there were four of us actually. And the rest are like six footer, right? Do I hide you all six four? But I stood out because that's what they keep saying they want to live Hawaii, lucky we live Hawaii, right? It was a great experience. And so again, what I have gained through the process and what I tell to these young girls is the experience that you're being you develop yourself, you empower yourself, you learn how to multitask. And that's why people ask me, Johnny, you do this and this and this and that. I'm tired of listening to all the things that you do. But I learned how to multitask because when you run to pageant and all the young women that you have interviewed, they're going to school, they're working, you have to look for sponsors, you have to sell tickets, there's so many things at the same time. And we look good at this, you know, you have to go to the gym, right? So trying to balance everything at one time, but I learned that into the pageant industry and of course with American States, you can have it on. Well, I really, you know, seeing you behind the scenes with the contestants, I mean, it's great because I know that you truly care about each and every one of them and really trying to, like you said earlier, build their confidence, build their self-esteem. And, Johnny, I know that you were awarded, you were honored as the Business Network International BNI. Can you tell me about what happened? Oh my gosh, thank you for asking, Rusty, because that's one one of my biggest accomplishments that I've felt. Because I started my thing at the time and then somebody asked me to build a chapter and I said, well, I don't know, I have this and this that. But then I was like, okay. And then the director told me that, Johnny, I don't take no for an answer. And I said, okay, God help me. So I developed the fastest growing record rating chapter here in Hawaii, I believe it's 25 chapters. And only my chapter that put together survived and used to be like a model of BNI actually. So they used to bring, if they wanted to encourage somebody to join BNI, they would bring them in my BNI million dollar chapter at the time. And then we are in 37 countries, there's nearly 5,000 chapters and five international. So that was that was really nice. But like I was mentioning, Rusty, that I have to be creative. And I said, to be at the top, you have to be creative about how can you fulfill, how can you achieve? But I was just thinking about my, the destination. I want to have 50, I only have 19 when we did, we're supposed to be debuted two weeks prior to and it's like, okay, what do I need to do? So driving, I have pen and paper. And then it's like, oh, I need to call that person or I'm driving, you know, on King Street, like I had shared to you. And so I need this. So it just constantly creating to how you'd be able to achieve your goal. And just like you with your tennis, of course, you'll always be creative, right? But you have to do next. And you might constantly just thinking. Well, Joanie, I mean, that's why you've accomplished so many things in your young life already. And I know that you're not even halfway done. I mean, you got so many things more that you want to accomplish. And Joanie, I want to talk with you about my books. You have both of my books. And you know that you are all about a culture of excellence. And that's what I talk about. And also a key thing is how I want people to really welcome adversity, welcome challenges, because challenges and adversities are inevitable. It's going to happen. So we have to have the right mindset. And how do you help some of your people when they have adversities and challenges? Well, I tell them, Rusty, always have a million-dollar attitude. It is everything, really. Because when you develop that attitude, Rusty, you learn how to overcome anything. You learn how to go around, go through any obstacles in life. And I tell them, I say, you know what, this is part of life, but it keeps you moving forward. It is something that you learn from that and then just keep moving forward. If you don't want to make a mistake, do the right thing. Make the right choices. Right? And that's just what it takes. But again, when you have to write mindset, it brings you to a different level of you know, excellence in your life. You're always constantly striving for excellence. And yes, we go through, I've gone through different adversity in my life as well, but you learn how to bring yourself up with the right attitude. And I always say positive attitude was positive action. It was positive result. And that's going to bring me up. And it was so honored to be featured on the Billboard New York City Times Square of all places. That was just so humbling experience. And also, just a few months ago, be selected as the top influence of business and community leader of the year award that was people from all over the world. I was the only person from the Philippines, Filipino. So to be surrounded with these amazing people, it was just beyond me. It's beyond the lines really. And to be selected as the HUSU in America, HUSU American Women. And I'm completing my, I was just interviewed with the National Digest as well and the cover of HUSU and American Millenium Magazine. It's like, where is this coming from? But what I told to the kids at school or anyone, anything that you do 20 years, 10 years ago, don't disregard it because that's aligning you to be where you wanted to be and connecting with the right people. People find me everywhere now. It's just like, this is amazing. It's so exciting. Life is full of it. And Joni, I like what you said. I mean, because having a positive attitude, that's a choice. I mean, you can, people can choose the alternative, a negative attitude, but it basically takes this same amount of energy to choose a positive attitude versus a negative one. Exactly. And like, like in your book too, and with my, you know, when you get up in the morning, what do you tell to yourself, even if you don't feel good? And the one thing that I learned too is when you, you don't feel good, you say, I feel good. I feel great. I feel awesome. Even if I don't feel awesome yet. You know, and making your bed early in the morning, I wonder as soon as you wake up, because that sets your day. And the one thing that I just wanted to share, I don't know how much minutes we have, but I have a five-year-old granddaughter. I visited her, them, my daughter in Colorado a few months ago, and I always make my bed every morning, right? And then, so I went to, my daughter went to work early, so snaking into my room. And then when I went to get out and use the restroom, so I was still sleeping, when I went back, my, our bed is already made. And then I was like, wow, I'm so impressed. And she said, because grandma, I noticed that she makes your bed every morning, so I did it for you. And I was like, oh my gosh, you know, set a good example is how you talk, you walk, you have to walk the talk. And you set a good example to everybody. I like it. I mean, that is definitely leading by example. And Joanie, what would you say is the best advice you ever received? Be humble. And the sky is the limit. And the one thing that I learned from Dr. Sey, as well, is only eat one full of meal a day. And be wise. There's so many things actually that I just have learned. And it's, and I think that's, I just kind of incorporate it in my daily life. And we, not just one or two, there's so many, and surround yourself. You can learn so many things with so many people. And that's why it's just amazing. I'm so glad that we connect and I'm so glad that Dr. Sey brought you. It are things when he was a speaker and then you become one. Well, we both love Dr. Larry Sey, and Joanie, I want to ask you, you know, when you reflect back on your life so far, what's a very valuable, important lesson you learned? I say they're out of chute. And you talk about that in your book as well, because Rusty, when you don't have that positive attitude, you have negative attitude, it just, the whole day, I mean, you kind of like affect other people around you as well. And I have friends sometimes, they talk to me and they said, Joanie, I just love talking to you because I feel good after I've done talking to you, just uplift me. And they said, I have friends that, oh my god, that talk about their, like, you know, relationship, their work, and it's just, just complaining, complaining. And they said they feel so drained. So it's all about the attitude, the positivity, you have to give that positive energy. And the one thing that, like in my book, testimonial, they always say, well, they can feel when Joanie comes in the room, because they feel my energy. Well, Joanie, you definitely have positive energy. And where are your books available? How can people get it? Amazon, as always, Amazon, Barnes & Knowles, Author House as well, or in my office. I have a few in here and I can, you know, personally autograph it for you. Nice. And Joanie, I want to ask you about your husband, Tom. I mean, you guys make such a great team together. And he's such a great man. Out of all of his, the great character traits that he has, what do you feel is his best character trait that you admire about him? His humbleness, Rusty. And he just fully support me. And he's just who he is. And he is a man of his word. He is, oh my God, there's so much too, so many things. It's his indescribable. Sometimes I have a lot of friends that's like, what did you find him? Oh, does he have a brother? Does he have? Because I mean, he's very mellow. We're completely opposite, actually. I mean, he loves to surf. I don't surf. He loves to swim. He does rock, water, swim. I do not swim at all. But we love to walk at the beach. And I just very, very supportive, understanding, but we're loving and caring. Yes, he is just the right man for me, I think. Yeah. See, and that, you guys are a definite example of how opposites attract, right? Really? I know. It's like, I said, babe, don't you waste that you have somebody that's going surf with you and say, no, babe, it's okay. So we accept it's others, you know, our strength, our weakness. And I think that's made it important. But when we together, the other thing too, we have a sense of humor. And that's the one thing that we entertain each other. You definitely do. I mean, I love talking with Tom. And I can see how you make him a better person and how he makes you a better person. And that's really why it works. You guys are better together than if you were individuals. Exactly. And I was just so fortunate, Rusty, to find the head of the right person, my soulmate, that we fully understand our needs. And that's the one thing, Rusty, that a lot of relationship and sometimes they don't give a space to their, you know, to their partner. And by controlling them, but no, you let them go, you know, do what they love to do. So I can do what I love to do as well. And then when we're together, we share our experiences and we have something to talk about. Oh, you guys definitely have a lot to talk about and a lot of experiences. And Joanie, I want to ask you, what are some things that you feel the greatest leaders do? Well, again, right attitude, right? Just like you, hard work. The one thing that a lot of people, sometimes they said, oh, work smart, you don't have to work hard. But I said, that's baloney. I've talked to so many people who are millionaires, billionaires, successful people, you have to put that extra, extra hours, you have to go beyond that time. I mean, just like last night, I was still here at 12 o'clock at night, preparing to make sure everything goes right. But you have to be willing to work late at night or on weekend, because have you met anyone that very successful that works only nine to five? That's unheard of. And that's what I always tell people, you have to go to the extra mile, you have, I've sacrificed my sleep. Also at the time, because I always say, you snooze, you lose, right? That's right. It is. Yeah, you have to be willing to work hard and have to be, again, have to write people as well and, you know, surround yourself with smart people. So you can learn from them. Well, Joanie, I completely agree with everything you said. And I want to thank you for really taking time in your super busy schedule to join me on the show today. And you are definitely someone that goes beyond the lines. Thank you, Rusty. And I want to correct you, not busy, but productive. We are always being productive. Thank you for having me. I really truly appreciate it. And yeah, this has been an incredible experience as well. Thank you, Joanie. And thank you for watching Beyond the Lines on Think Tech Hawaii. For more information, please visit RustyKamori.com. And my books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and Joanie's too. I hope that Joanie and I will inspire you to create your own superior culture of excellence and to find your greatness and help others find theirs. Aloha.