Daily Inspiration: Meet Angela Bonavia Alvelo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Bonavia Alvelo.

Hi Angela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My Mother was a powerful leader in all her endeavors in life. Very business-oriented and extremely vivacious. She set out her goals and reached them 98% of the time. She was my Cheerleader in all I do. She helped me set goals and reach them. She taught me business strategies and marketing. She taught me to forecast sales and never take “no” for an answer. No, it means next time. She taught me from Childhood how to give whole-heartedly as she gave till she passed away last year on August 17th. My Mom fought many battles in her lifetime, showing me by example that she had a pivot throughout life. I was born and raised in and around the Kansas City area. My Mother loves this City as much as I do. Being an artist in all different forms and from a City that is so diverse in culture, you are sure to find something that speaks to you. I enjoy Jazz, knowing KC’s history. I have to say the fever rubbed off on me as I enjoy walking the Art District, Plaza, Westport, and P&L districts, so enjoy what KC is truly about, from the aroma of food in the air to the live jazz bands on the corners. Not everything was a bed of roses as my Mom fell very ill when I was a child, and without her knowledge, I was being abused in all forms from age 7 until I was 14. My Mom had suffered an acute head injury to her right brain. When my Mom came too, she left the Monster that hurt me. We went to Hope House. I told myself back then if I lived through the abuse, I would dedicate my life to advocating for those who felt they had no voice. I started a blog after spending time with one of my Mary Kay sisters in Arkansas. She suggested I open a Blog; maybe my story will also reach others wanting to heal. So, I leaped and put myself out there to the public: https://www.facebook.com/2017SpeakUp?mibextid=ZbWKwL.

In less than 30 days, I only knew what an impact my story had as I opened my page and saw 900 followers. Then, I also had a handful of people reach out, wanting to heal. I was very humble that others felt safe with me to reach out. That many others had heard my voice! As a Survivor and a Warrior in Life, I promised to advocate for those who felt they had no voice. In April 2014, I signed into Mary Kay Cosmetic—a hundred-dollar leap of Faith. Mary Kay was one of the best decisions I had made. With every purchase, a donation is set aside for DV Shelters and Cancer Research. There is nothing better than knowing as you are doing “Me Time,” you are a Hero to so many others you don’t know. With this company, I can get payments with a Smile that someone has not done in months or years. Walking into a Cancer Center and donating what the patients need for their skincare or maybe a single Mom or Dad that needs Spa time but has no money to spend on themselves. Then I have people who want to learn how to care for themselves better and understand “Me Time.” It’s my blessing to be able to give that guidance in teaching others.

I mentor, teach, and help others reach their God-given potential in Business endeavors. I also help guide others as they start their own Mary Kay Business. I was in the Food & Beverage Industry for 29 years. In the Winter of 22, I received a call and was let go of my Job duties because I fell ill with COVID-19 & the shingles at the same time. The job was that a job! You sell yourself for an hourly wage. You can only make that set hourly wage or salary. You are a number, not a human! You are replaceable to an Employer no matter how much heart you put into someone else Company. I have to say Thank you to Shannon for firing me for being ill! That made it where United Beauty 22 was born! I needed the kick to pivot and make my dreams of helping others come true full-time! In December 2022, I combined all my volunteer work, business, and media platforms under “United Beauty 22.” Why, you may ask?

United, we can conquer things; together, we can make this World more Beautiful. I had taken a huge leap in faith in 2022. My life was very dark when I lost my Mom on August 17, 2022. I gave up for months, then lost my ESA, Faith that held it all together for me 9 months later. That was the hardest pivot I had to make in life! My Company was -300%. I was about to throw in the towel! I heard my Mom say, “I didn’t raise any quitters. You came this far; keep going!” The struggle was within me! Defeating depression is hard, especially when it’s crippling! I made a promise to myself as a child to help as many people as I could! After my office sat untouched for months, I cleaned it up and reopened full-time! After reopening “United Beauty 22” Blogs/ Vlogs, all the Media platforms have been blowing up. It’s another blessing, for sure. Never give up! Never give in! Always pivot in life. After all, it is what you make of it! Time you can’t take back or buy back! Live your best life! Don’t Look in the rear of your mirror, always the windshield!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had to come to terms with myself and let go of a lot to gain a new life. I had to, most of all, believe in myself and my worth. I had to push myself out of bed due to disabling depression due to losing my Mom while almost losing my company and taking the losses with stride and learning marketing techniques. Learning technology was complex; thank God for Kids! I was homeless, working out of a Vehicle or motel for 2 years due to My ex-employer putting me through eviction court because I saved over two handfuls of families from losing their homes. Although I did not owe that landlord money, she did this to tarnish my record until I went per se and had it dropped. You can look that story up with CBC. So, I fought hard to keep my company going and help others as I was homeless.

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
United Beauty 22 was named in December of 2022. I opened a Mary Kay Cosmetic Company in 2014; at that time, it was only for my savings and sisterhood, and I would be able to help so many others feel good about themselves. I can touch lives and save lives as I advocate for others. To bring a smile to someone’s face that they had not seen or felt for a long time. To donate products to people who need them going through Chemotherapy or Radiation. Selling a product donated to domestic violence shelters and cancer research is a blessing. I worked off and on in the Operations of the Food/Beverage Industry from September of 94 till December of 2022. I also had rehabilitated myself from years of disabling crippling depression, PTSD, and nightmares from past abuse. What sets me apart is I have no give and will pivot throughout life! I want to build United Beauty 22 into something that can also help build safe and affordable housing for those healing from battle wounds. Give them time to focus on what they must do to break chains and not worry about where they sleep that night or if a DV shelter is open! My goal is to help people thrive and be victorious in all they do because they have time to heal! For that to happen, I must increase my profit by 600%. With God, all things are possible! I realized my value and worth and saw how I could set my footprint in life through others.

Most importantly, as a KC native, I understand diverse cultures and can break the barriers. I am being diverse under United Beauty 22. I can touch and reach so many others that I can help! I advocate for those who feel they can’t! I’m most proud of how far I have come in life! I was forced out of High School by a guidance counselor in Independence, Missouri, in 1994. Not knowing my rights and she was an adult, I thought she was in the right. I was misled. I had taught myself a lot by watching my Mom and having a Grandmother as a Teacher. MK University taught me so much more about running a company, and the Leadership is unspeakable to learn from. I had a desire to take in all I could. I came from nothing and made something happen. Now I’m very educated and building a sales team after all these years. A good leader hopes that their mentorship can only make the other person they are mentoring better than they are! That means you have done your job right! Celebrating one another is almost a has been. Since Covid, the world has changed.

It is time we all become United and make the world Beautiful. Since 2022, you see little togetherness. KC was about for BBQ in the west bottoms as we played baseball. To Bike rides to Rosedale BBQ in KCK to the Fountains around KC and see families there eating and enjoying each other. Going to the Northeast to Budd Park to the swimming pool and then have an open cook Barbecue underneath one of the stone shelter houses. Down by the art district in Kansas City, you would see gentlemen out playing Dice, Chess, or Domino’s. Pre-COVID, you seen this! My mission is to bring it back! I’m KC Proud!

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I only see this Industry zoom to the top! As a Mary Kay Rep, all the overhead is gone. The Stylist, Artist, and Scientist are all on point regarding what is up. As an advocate, I pray my services will not be needed one day. Being an advocate for Child Abuse and DV throughout all media platforms in my everyday life is consuming. I’m on a mission to build my Company to buy up land and make Safe, affordable housing so Victor, who will be a warrior, can heal and break the chains of abuse by knowing the flags and their self-worth. I see the first complex opening in 5 years of not before.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaM.K.BeautySupplies?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-bonavia-alvelo-988896262
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@unitedbeauty22
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/2017SpeakUp?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Samara Cummins & Angela Bonavia, Alvelo Adobe Studio