To simply love ALL people.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Charlotte Leonard.
With over 35 years of extensive experience in healthcare operations, Charlotte is a distinguished healthcare executive known for her strategic planning, regulatory compliance and cost management experience. Her career has been marked by her strong leadership skills and hands on approach, making her an effective and inspiring leader.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Iam the girl who was fortunate enough to grow up in a family of entrepreneurs raised by my mother and my stepfather who was a Vietnam Veteran. Their hard work and willingness to take chances would end up being an influential theme in my life. At Suncoast Community High School, a school notorious for rigorous academics, I was also a majorette in the band, and that is where I took an interest in the latest fashion, beauty, dating and health tips of “Seventeen” magazine.
My interest in improving health and wellness brought me to Nashville, Tennessee for college where I studied Healthcare Administration and Planning. I returned to Palm Beach County after graduation to begin my post graduate journey, on a mission to make the people and community around me a better place.
My career began in service with a position at the Palm Glades Girl Scout Council, an experience I fondly reflect upon often, as it was the skills, experience, and people I met along the way that enriched and empowered my life. After the Palm Glades Girl Scout Council, I secured a position in healthcare admissions and social services for 3 years before becoming a Licensed Nursing Home administrator in 1986, working in that industry until now. Simultaneously, I was serving my community in different appointments, such as recently becoming a councilwoman (seat 3) for West Lake Florida, where I was recognized as one of South Florida’s Most Powerful & Influential Black Leaders in Business. I also obtained my Master’s in Health Law from Nova Southeastern University and became a John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker.
After deciding to follow in my parents’ entrepreneurial footsteps, I am given the chance to open my own location of The Drip Bar in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
The most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
In December of 2022, the healthcare company that I had worked for since 2005 sold some of the nursing homes that I was overseeing to a private small nursing home company. I decided to transition with the new company because I saw it as an opportunity to build a company from the ground up. The new company had no policies and procedures, no benefits for the employees, no retirement program, and no staff recognition. This company was new to Florida and they had mostly operated in New York. From January 2023 through December 2023 the new team created all of our operating systems and processes from scratch.
The main takeaway from this experience was being able to learn and use all of our resources to continue to provide quality care to the residents in our facilities with perseverance.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I began as a nursing home administrator I made the mistake of hiring people that I knew or liked. I hired a Business office manager who did not have the experience needed to do the job of a business office manager. The lesson I learned (and was told), was to always hire or surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, not just who you know or feel comfortable around. Complement your weaknesses with other people’s strengths and their weaknesses with your strengths.
When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for various physiological functions in the body. They are required in small amounts to maintain health and prevent deficiency diseases. Vitamins play critical roles in various bodily functions such as energy metabolism, immune system support, maintaining healthy skin, vision and more. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems. Providing IV vitamin therapy helps to improve the overall health and wellbeing of everyone, everyday, anywhere.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
1. Drink More water (less sugary drinks)
2. Walk/ Stay Active
3. Create a Healthy eating pattern
4. Limit Sugar/Alcohol intake
5. Get your monthly IV vitamin drip!!
If you could start a movement that would bring about the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
To simply love ALL people.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of the causes is dearest to you and why?
Veganism. Both of my sons are vegan and this change came after digestive issues but also resulted from the need to manage their weight since their dad was clinically obese and died at the young age of 55 from an enlarged heart and a blood clot after outpatient surgery.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Linkedin at : linkedin.com/in/charlotte-leonard
And facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thedripbarroyalpalmbeach
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
