The Amber Weitzer Podcast | Silhouettes of Success Amber Weitzer

Our V.I.P. Featured Guest Gloria Mansfield is a Parenting and Family Fun Financial Literacy Expert. She has been in the childcare industry for over twenty-five years. She has been serving children and their families on many levels, including teacher, director, and owner of a childcare center. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching E-6 and a Bachelor of Business Studies in Marketing from Dallas Baptist University.
Gloria is an advocate for building strong families, which she founded Character Avenue, a social impact brand that partners with families of young children, schools, churches and the community instilling character education and financial literacy. Piggy Bank Tutor is a division of Character Avenue.
 She has appeared on various radio, newspaper, and media outlets including ABC/Good Morning Texas, NBC5, Fox Radio Syndicated Morning Shows and CBS affiliate stations. 

Adesuwa Elaiho is the founder and Executive Chef of Asukar, a premier pastry company specializing in artistic pastries.
After receiving her degree in Food Science from Colorado State University, Adesuwa went on to study culinary arts in Paris, France at the Le Cordon Bleu. After she graduated, Adesuwa spent the next five years driving growth and sales for national restaurant brands, such as Hard Rock Café and Longhorn Steakhouse to name a few.
It was during this time, Adesuwa reconnected with her desire to pursue her passion for pastry.
As she lay the foundation for Asukar, she stayed dedicated to her deeply rooted respect for traditional French cuisine. However, Adesuwa was also inspired by the art that surrounded her. She began to experiment with the shape, form and overall design of her culinary pieces.
The result was inspired, and Elaiho was soon sought out by the most elite events requesting these pastry showpieces. From suspended pastries to complex sugar arrangements, Adesuwa has established herself as one of San Antonio’s foremost culinary artists.
Adesuwa is also active in her community serving on the several boards, such as ILEA, where she proudly represents black female owned business owners in the SanAntonio area. 

Our V.I.P. Featured Guest Cassie Lamere is blending a lifelong passion for exceptional event curation with a keen eye for detail, Cassie LaMere stands as a paragon in luxury event planning. As the Founder and Creative Director of Cassie LaMere Events, she has redefined the art of creating memorable experiences, merging meticulous design with a flair for the extraordinary.
From her early days, Cassie was destined to dazzle. Her innate desire to transform every occasion into a cherished memory has been the cornerstone of her 15-year career. This journey has seen her evolve from a zealous entertainer into a venerated architect of bespoke events, celebrated for her commitment to excellence and innovation.
The philosophy of personalization and authenticity is at the heart of Cassie LaMere Events. Each event is a tapestry of unique experiences woven with the threads of Cassie's diverse expertise across various sectors. This holistic approach ensures that every aspect of the event, from conception to execution, resonates with the client's vision and exceeds their expectations.
Cassie's leadership extends beyond the realm of event planning. Her firm, a namesake testament to her dedication, is a collective of skilled designers and coordinators who share her enthusiasm for crafting joyous moments. Their work transcends the ordinary, creating luxury experiences that not only meet but anticipate the discerning standards of their clientele.
Under Cassie's guidance, the team at Cassie LaMere Events has mastered the art of hospitality, ensuring that each gathering is marked by unparalleled attention to detail and a deep understanding of the guest experience. This commitment has culminated in events that are not just occasions but lifetime highlights, leaving an indelible impact on all who attend.
Cassie's influence extends into the community through her active involvement and recognition in various prestigious circles. Her accolades include being a finalist and nominee in the Austin Under 40 Awards, a Center for Child Protection board member, and a celebrated participant in numerous philanthropic and industry events.
Cassie LaMere Events, under Cassie's visionary leadership, continues to set new standards in the event planning industry. Each project is a testament to her ability to blend creativity with practicality, turning the impossible into the unforgettable. For Cassie, every event is not just a project but a canvas to paint memories that last a lifetime.

Our V.I.P. Featured Guest For over 20 years, Courtney Garner Lewis has been a commercial banker in the North Texas Market with both large and small institutions. She is currently leading the Middle Market effort for Cadence Bank in Tarrant County. 
A first-generation college student, she began her academic journey at Dallas Community College and won an academic scholarship to attend SMU where she was a pre-med student. After deciding medical school might not be an option with two small children, she changed majors and earned a degree in Finance which launched her career in banking. 
When not meeting with clients or working on deals she can be found serving the community. She is currently serving on the boards of the United Way of Tarrant County, Housing Channel and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. She is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth, the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth and Immediate Past Chairwoman of the Housing Channel. She is a Leadership Fort Worth Class graduate and a 40 under 40 recipient in 2013. 
Courtney currently resides in Fort Worth with her husband and three dogs. Her children are now grown, and she enjoys time with her 3 grandsons. 

Our V.I.P. Featured Guest Cindy Williams is a creative entrepreneur living her dream in the Florida Keys with her partner of twenty years and their two amusing pups. She is the Owner and President of Cindy's Custom Linens and Upholstery in Cudjoe Key, Florida.
Cindy's creative journey began at a young age, designing and sewing unique clothing for herself and her barbies since she was just 5 years old. With her mom's guidance at the dining room table in Colorado, she developed her sewing skills. In high school, she realized her passion for fashion design and pursued it by earning a degree at Colorado State University.
After her studies, she ventured to New York City, where she gained invaluable experience at J.Crew, a renowned catalog retailer. Although not a designer, Cindy played a crucial role in the production side, working closely with factories overseas.
Eventually, after three years in the bustling city, she decided to take a break and relocated to Florida, not far from Key West. There, she found her true calling working for a prominent Interior Design and Architectural Firm. She began offering custom bed linens, pillows, and window treatments as a side gig, sparking the birth of Cindy's Custom Linens. She also delved into upholstery, learning this new craft from a master upholsterer and honing her skills for the past two decades.
Cindy now owns a small workroom and studio located 21 miles from Key West. Her business specializes in interior design, upholstery, window treatments, and custom bed linens, serving a wide range of clients, from residential to commercial hospitality. She takes pride in offering these custom services and employs a talented team to assist in all aspects of the work. Cindy's experience as a master seamstress spans 45 years, starting from her early years of sewing at the age of 5.
Beyond her thriving business, Cindy and her partner, Alecheia, have a zest for life, embracing the "Work Hard / Play Hard" mentality. They enjoy traveling, savoring good food, and cherishing moments with friends and family. Their two beloved pups, Roscoe and Sugar, play a central role in their lives, with plans to expand their furry family in the near future. The memory of past pets, including Marti, Isaac, Detroit, Jose, Cletis, and Lucy, remains dear to their hearts.
Cindy's story is a testament to following one's passion and continuously evolving in the pursuit of creative endeavors.

Our V.I.P. Featured Guest Lezlee Liljenberg is a business owner, entrepreneur, and author on a mission to help others in the discovery of their true identities, their biological families and dealing with DNA surprises.
In a previous life Lezlee was a successful commercial real estate broker and in 2004 turned to insurance as she started her first agency from ground zero, growing the business to over $6 million in revenue in less than 12 years. After 18 years she sold her enterprise and formed Liljenberg Insurance Expert Witness, where she is a consultant and expert witness for insurance cases.
Over the past 30 years of her life, she knew there was something not quite right with comments and issues popping up concerning her past. Her DNA test from Ancestry sparked even more uncertainty in her heritage.
Lezlee spent several years asking all the right questions of her family and friends, to no avail. Then in 2020, her brother encouraged her to take the 23andMe test which would turn her life in a totally new, exciting, and, needles to say, a topsy turvy direction.
In 2021 she discovered the identity of her true biological family and has taken numerous  steps to meet them, many times with disappointment and pain, but more importantly, she has encountered love and acceptance that overcomes the hurts. The uncertainty drives her forward and closer to the truth of the past and that of others.
Lezlee is sharing her DNA story about love, loss, pain and pursuit of the truth to hopefully help others know that they are not alone. Her story is not an unusual one as the community of the “Non-Parent Expected” grows exponentially every year.
She wholeheartedly believes that age should never keep you back from learning more and taking new adventures. No matter our age, ethnicity, origins or skin color we all are in this thing called “Life” together.
Lezlee Liljenberg holds a BA in Journalism/Public Relations and a MA in Political Science/Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has published two books and numerous articles. Her story of her DNA journey entitled “If You Only Knew-A DNA Journey” will be her next publication and you can follow her blog and stay in touch with her at www.iamlezlee.com. She would love to hear your story and for you to become part of her family.