If you blink, you might miss her. Toni Bradford is a woman who gets things done. She gets a lot of things done. From working with the Evanston Rotary Club, to donating to the Angel Tree, participating in Evanston Soroptimists, and running Aspen Grove Nursery in her spare time, an average day in Toni’s world can make your head spin.

During a momentary pause in the action, I caught up with Toni and asked her what inspires her.

“When I had cancer, it changed everything. My entire perspective shifted and I realized that life is not all about me. Life is about being a better person, and giving what you can to others.”

Toni was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2000. By July 2001 she had completed her treatment and realized that one of the most important gifts we are given is our health.

“Really, the only thing that matters is your health,” she shares with candor. “It doesn’t matter how much money you make or save. If you don’t have your health, you really don’t have anything.”

Tone shares that at one point in her life, she was on the receiving end of charity from generous family members. She said that humbling experience showed her that while it is hard to receive, it is even more important to be generous with your blessings.

“I swore that when I was able, I would pay it forward for someone else. That’s why I am a lifetime participant in the Angel Tree program. I want to help those people who might get forgotten.”

Besides her generous nature, Toni is an inspiring woman. “As a woman, I want to teach girls and other women that you can do anything you want. If you work hard, you can really do anything you set your mind to.”

Toni attributes hard work and determination for her success at Smith’s Food and Drug, where she worked for more than 19 years. She shares that she started at the bottom of the ladder and decided she wanted to be a store director. After she achieved that goal she said to herself, “Now you’ve accomplished what you set out to do. It’s time to stop and enjoy life.”

Purchasing Aspen Grove Nursery was part of that plan, but Toni never really slows down. She moves with amazing speed from one project to the next. The remarkable thing about Toni is that she completes those projects, when many others would leave them undone.

“My advice to women and to everyone is to be your own person. You decide what you want to do, and you work toward that. People’s actions speak louder than their words. You don’t have to tell people how good you are. Just be good.”

Those words of wisdom come directly from a good woman, who does good wherever she goes.

Monique McInnis


Meet Monique McInnis. Her focus in life, her passion, her energy comes from helping other people. Whether it’s in her job, as an independent beauty consultant and motivator of leaders, or as a member of the Evanston Rotary Club, or one of the myriad other ways she helps out, Monique wants to make life better.

Her goal is to build women, to help them build their confidence and see that there is something bigger in life. Monique accomplishes that lofty aspiration by helping women physically and emotionally. Part of her mission entails working as a beauty consultant, to help women feel strong on the outside. As a motivational coach, Monique helps women feel strong on the inside too.

She shares that God is the guiding force in her life, and she declares his power in her own life everyday. Through God’s grace, Monique is able to experience peace, joy and love every day, and in most circumstances.

Besides her faith in God, she credits her parents for making her the woman that she is today. She describes her mother as a woman of great faith. Her father was a man who travelled the world, and brought it back to her. She says that between the two of them, they opened her eyes to Gods greatness, and to the greatness of the world. 

Monique says for most people, the biggest obstacle is a fear of failure. For herself, she sees failure as an opportunity for growth. She says that while most people see failure as a stopping point, it’s not really a failure unless you stop.

Another obstacle to success that she notices in many women is being afraid of the unknown and being unwilling to learn lessons from those who have come before. She believes we must all be willing to be open and coachable to achieve success. 

Her advice for other women who want to be successful? First, make a list of 100 things you’d do if money were no object. Take a look at your list and ask yourself how you might achieve that. Another important component for success; be willing to inspire other people to be better. Don’t fear someone else’s success, rather look at it as confirmation that you can surround yourself with successful people.

Finally, Monique encourages people to live their lives large. Be willing to work harder, do more, and encourage others on their journey. Remember, your life isn’t all about you. Rather, to live a fulfilling experience, help others find their path to success. 

She urges people to view life as a journey. Where you are right now is just a part of that journey. Don’t judge other people for where they are in their journey, or where they are on their own path. Rather, love and accept other people where they are. And surround yourself with people you admire. Positive, successful people jump hurdles over negativity. God has blessed your life. Be thankful for the abundance