Meet Monica Ellis of Synergy Finder in Westchester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Ellis.

Monica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio and was raised by a single parent mother. When I was 12 years old, my mother decided to relocate to Los Angeles, California. The transition was not easy for the either of us being from the Midwest with limited resources. Education was always extremely important to my mom. The school systems were somewhat behind in comparison to Cleveland. In the 1980s, Cleveland was predominately Black and White. In grade school, I was still learning Spanish. In Los Angeles, with a plethora of ethnicity, I was told Spanish would not be offered until high school.

However, we were blessed to meet many beautiful souls which became our extended family. During my adolescence, I witnessed a domestic attack on my childhood friend that left a permanent stain and left me extremely guarded in my personal relationships. Another major transition was graduating from a public high school to a private university, this was an eye-opening experience on multiple levels. I was surrounded by many classmates from privileged backgrounds and felt many times becoming uncomfortable as the spokesperson for my underrepresented community in my psychology classes; wanting to challenge the selective readings that were racially discriminatory or question if I was a member of the women’s basketball team, I assume based on my ethnicity and stature. Fast forward, today, with a master’s degree, I am a published author and business owner.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No smooth road. Despite my high school accolades, I always struggled with language arts and writing. This struggle was from childhood due to my shyness. This was one of my main obstacles in determining my acceptance into college with the SAT. I had to complete the exam three times to improve my score for college admissions. In doing so, I created a structured study schedule and independently improved my verbal score by 100 points. Also, I had academic challenges in college. Weekly, I visited the writing center for consultation. Successfully, I completed college in four years and was never on academic probation nor the dean’s list. As a commuter with a part-time job, I missed out on a number of college activities and friendships that could have been beneficial.

As a child, I always wanted to be a pediatrician. Therefore, in college, I started out as a psychology major with a premed emphasis. However, my academic career did not reflect a strong training in biology and my first college introduction course was devastating. I dropped that course and my dreams of becoming a physician. My focus was solo on securing my bachelor’s degree in four years and graduating. After graduation, I was truly lost, my life had been planned out, but things didn’t go as planned. At 22, I was financially independent. My high school teacher/ mentor recommended I teach due to then implemented ‘no child left behind policy’. I applied at a local school district, within a few weeks, I had keys, a whistle and 20 beautiful third-grade students. Every day was a challenge, from the curriculum to administration, to the parents and being everything (nurse, nutritionist, law enforcement, therapist, mother) and a teacher. I always had a creative side with a special love for poetry and music.

While teaching, I met a teacher who was a singer/songwriter and we really connected and become writing partners and recorded a few songs but did not achieve the success desired as a singed songwriter nor major song placement. But proud to be a part of the Rostrum Records Drip Catalog. After three years, I decided to pursue a career in higher education. After applying for several positions, I was blessed to become an undergraduate advisor at a local college. Blessed because I did not follow the traditional online application process. This new position was extremely challenging because my predecessor was there for 20 years and no one else really knew her roles and responsibilities. Also, I was maybe four years older than the undergraduate social science students that I was providing academic advisement too. Therefore, I had to set firm professional boundaries. After a few years, I gained greater insight and direction and returned to school to complete my master’s in communication management. As a university employee, I was able to receive tuition remission and did not have to pay for my graduate degree.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Synergy Finder – what should we know?
My educational consultant company Synergy Finder provides academic support services for high schoolers transitioning to college. With my company, I serve as an executive producer of a sports docu-series, The Plan B Series which emphasizes the importance of education for student-athletes. In 2013, The Plan B Series was honored by the Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals for its community involvement.

Most recently, I released my first self-published book, Still a Lady Clarity, Love, and Light during a Global Pandemic. It is a collection of poems and prose that provides clarity, support, love, and light during a global pandemic within a pandemic. I hope my body of work will inspire dreams to become reality, fuel your soul with confidence, and reaffirm that it’s okay to be your true authentic self while you recognize that vulnerability is strength.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Determination, focus and drive. Nothing is easy. There is no overnight success. Often, the road is extremely challenging but you have to stay motivated. Know that you may aspire to be the number one songwriter but become the number one bestseller! A win is a win and they all should be celebrated.

Pricing:

• Still a Lady Clarity, Love, and Light during a Global Pandemic Ebook is $4.69
• Still a Lady Clarity, Love, and Light during a Global Pandemic Paperback is $9.99

Contact Info:

• Address: 6709 La Tijera Blvd.
  LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
• Website: https://www.synergyfinder.com
• Phone: 3109934943
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicael_writer/
• Other: www.amazon.com/author/monicael

Image Credit:
Monica Ellis

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