Today we’d like to introduce you to Reesy Neff

Hi Reesy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I grew up in Eastern North Carolina. I grew up in a not so perfect scenario. My father was not able to keep a job. My mother worked in a restaurant as a cook. My mother abused alcohol and my father abused prescription drugs. That being said, I did always feel loved. I know that may sound unusual to say the least, however, it was probably the greatest gift my parents gave me. We are not all equipped to handle things that life sometimes hands us. My parents were not well-equipped.

I was blessed with some qualities that I was born with and some that life gave me. Because of the financial situation at home, if I wanted anything, I had to figure out a way to get it. Therefore, I started mowing neighbor’s lawns at age 12 for a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. From there, babysitting and then onto McDonald’s where I worked my way up to being a “crew” trainer as well as doing all the birthday parties.

While I did mow grass to get those jeans, my future jobs were to help support my family. Very little of the money I worked so hard for went towards things for me. It went to help keep the lights on or food on the table. I have seen my mother more than once dig through her pocketbook looking for change to buy bread.

I also did very well in school. I was #6 in class even though my senior year of high school I would get up and open McDonalds at 5:30, head to school by 8:30, cheerleading practice after school and back to McDonalds for another shift. All of this again, to help support my household.

Because of the times, the not coming from “the right family”, I did not get a lot of support from the guidance counselor at my school. I had no idea I could have literally had all of my formal education paid for along with many other perks. I know now after raising 4 children (stepchildren, however, still my children).

Because of the stress at home, I felt I had to escape and my escape plan included finding a man. So I did. I found a marine from Pennsylvania and less than a year after graduating high school, I moved to Pennsylvania where I still live today.

That first marriage failed…I don’t think we should count it as I was only 19 and it was not more than a year. We do have to count the second one though.

Once again, looking for a knight in shining armor, I left an abusive marriage just to walk into another. it just looked better. He was great at making it look good on the outside…sending me flowers, bringing me lunch, etc…all the while, being very verbally and eventually physically abusive.

Don’t cry for me as eventually I left husband number 2 and I am very blessed to say i am currently married to my soulmate, best friend and one of the best humans I know. This is a love story that would take up all of the space here. So perhaps for another time. I will say we have been together for over 20 years, married for 16 and I did help him raise his four children. We now have 1 granddaughter, 1 grandson and 1 on the way. I am truly blessed that I did find my knight in shining armor.

While this was going on I got my first adult job as a receptionist at a car dealership. I worked my way up to become a finance manager, a very good finance manager. There was a brief two years I worked at law firm because my original plan from childhood was to become a judge so I thought I would start with paralegal. I took classes and found it to not really be my thing. Although I think I would have made a very good judge. It was the climb that didn’t seem worth it.

Because of my experience in lending as a finance manager, I got a job in banking. I was a Licensed Financial Specialist aka I helped people with all things banking, checking accounts, loans (all kinds) and I had my series 6 and 63 license so that I could do some investments as well. I moved up the ranks and became a regional manager. That bank was purchased and I found myself without a job. I then found a great regional manager position with a regional size bank. I loved it and had an amazing mentor. Unfortunately, banks do what they do and that bank was purchased as well.

At this time I was still a regional manager covering over 24 branch locations.. I also got my worse boss ever. i had never experienced anything like this before. It seemed that no matter how well I did, it was never good enough. When I had to terminate 23 people in one day, had the worse boss ever and was experiencing health issues, my husband said come home.

I was struggling with mental health issues as well as physical issues. I had 7 surgeries, I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and slight agoraphobia. During this time I had lost my mother and brother. I had two children going through rehab. I was a mess. It was a very dark time for me. I thought I would never get out of this horrible place. With my husband’s support, therapy and my relationship with God, I decided I could not, would not stay stuck. I am not saying it was that easy as just making a decision, and yet for me it kind of was.

My husband was self-employed for 10 years and was one of the top (in my opinion) consultants on data destruction. Because of his background, company and prayers of God please show me where I should be, I started my own company. There’s lots more detail to this, however, I will save that for another time.

In February 2021, I started my business Omega Data Security d/b/a Omega Ecycles. My company recycles end-of-life IT equipment. since 2021, we have grown from a 2500 square feet location to 7500 square feet. We tripled our business in our second year and we are on track to double that number this year. Most importantly for me, I was able to start a company a mission, vision and values that I set and all decisions are made based on that.

During this time I also wrote and published my first book, “Stripping Off the Labels”. its a memoir, however, it’s really a story about not allowing your own negative talk, what other people think or believe about you determine who you are or what you can accomplish. I am proof. Here I am starting a career over the age of 50 after a very successful banking career. I published my first book, I am in a chapter of another book called the “Unstoppable Woman Mompreneur” . I do public speaking in hopes of positively impacting people. And I am not done yet!

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 kind of wrote all about that in the intro. Guess I should have waited for all the questions.

There have been lots of struggles. I always say, the more difficult the challenge, the more important it must be for you to do what it is you are doing. I had health struggles with 7 surgeries in 10 years. I had mental health issues being at one point diagnosed with anxiety, depression, PTSD and slight agoraphobia. I had two children dealing with addiction. I lost my mother, my brother and suffered a miscarriage.

Don’t you feel sorry for me or cry for me my friends. For all things I did and do what I can to find the lesson. There seems to always be a lesson. I learned so much for each of these struggles. And for each thing I overcame, I became stronger. More importantly and my hope, I have the experience to help others dealing with similar things. My definition of success is to leave a person or place better for having been there. These “struggles” are really “victories”. I do my best to help others learn from my experiences my either public speaking or individual mentorship.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Gosh…I feel like I really answered way more in the first question. Whenever I text my friends, I am teased on how much I write. My answer is, of course I do a lot of words, I wrote a book. :)

Today,. Howeer, I own a company Omega Data Security d/b/a Omega Ecycles. I recycle end-of-life IT equipment as well ensure all important data is destroyed appropriately. I started this business over the age of 50 after a successful career in banking. I felt it was I wanted a company that I could decide the mission and values and stick by them. I love that I get to help save the planet as well as protect people’s most important asset, their personal information..

To say I am most proud of one thing would be difficult. So I shall say a few things. I am proud of being a great stepmom. I married a man with 4 children and can’t imagine loving them more if I had physically had them myself. I am proud of what I have accomplished professionally considering I am not “formally” educated. I was one of the best finance managers in the car business in the county. I was a regional manager for the 4th largest bank in the nation (at that time). I started my business and new career over the age of 50. I’m super proud of publishing my first book and just starting to be able to do my dream job of motivational speaking.

I think if you were to ask people what I am most known for, it would be my positive, cheerleader attitude. I think sometimes because I am a bit prissy…well, okay, I am prissy. My husband knows it, my friends know it, I’m pretty sure I would be first one kicked off of Survivor. I may would make it through the first episode by charming my way through, but inevitably I would be kicked off. I’m okay with it. I have embrace my prissiness. However, often this leads people to not understand my intelligence. My hubby likens me a bit to the character Elle, played by Reese Witherspoon, in Legally Blonde. Just because I care about my hair, nails, fashion and would prefer not to touch dirt, doesn’t make dumb. I mean I will clean a toilet without a problem. I just don’t like bugs. So outside dirt…not my favorite…worms, bugs….not my thing.

I once had a gentleman that I worked with tell me I was an “original” and very rare. Not sure what that means other than my above-description of not being understood immediately. I am a natural born cheerleader. I cheer for friends, for companies and things I believe in. I define success as leaving a person or place better for having been there.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Absolutely! Find really good mentors. Always be open to learning no matter your age or experience. Never allow others to define you by specific labels and/or their definition of who you are. Stay true to you. And I know people say be your authentic self all the time. Really take some time and think about who that is person is to you. Who are you truly and no matter who that is, be that. If you are an oak tree, be the best oak tree ever!

Pricing:

• $16.99 Price of book, Stripping Off the Labels
• I do not charge for speaking engagements

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.omegaecycles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reesyneff/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reesy.neff/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reesy-neff-53480116/
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Reesy-Neff/e/B09Z9QDQZN/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

Image Credits

Laura Boyd Photography