Women of Aurora is a dedicated group of women entrepreneurs and leaders working in and around the City of Aurora, Illinois. Our podcast features interviews with the remarkable women from our group, as we discuss how to be successful in business and in life.
Thriving Beyond Walls: Yolanda Dunn on Wellness, Entrepreneurship, and Empowering Women
In this inspiring episode of the Women of Aurora podcast, co-hosts Marisol Perez and Megan Cole Bailey sit down with community wellness leader and entrepreneur Yolanda Dunn. Yolanda shares her journey from the corporate world to launching two thriving businesses—Leave Me Bee Pest Control Inc. and It’s Fit Time LLC—alongside her husband, Tito. She opens up about how faith, resilience, and a passion for helping others fueled her shift into full-time entrepreneurship.
Yolanda unpacks the often unspoken challenges of building a business, from navigating business credit and legal structures to harnessing local resources and adapting through hardships like the COVID-19 pandemic. With candid stories and practical advice, she reveals the discipline and mindset shifts required to thrive beyond setbacks—and how obedience, consistency, and self-care play a pivotal role in sustaining success.
Wellness is at the heart of Yolanda’s mission. She describes the evolution of her fitness journey, the impact of community-based wellness experiences, and the importance of women putting their health first—whether it’s a simple walk or a full block party wellness festival. Learn how she’s expanding her movement through Strength in the City, monthly events, and ambitious plans for a holistic wellness center designed to support women at every stage of their lives.
Whether you’re striving to level up your business, prioritize your wellness, or simply need motivation to step into your second act, this conversation will leave you empowered, uplifted, and ready to thrive beyond walls.
Connect with Yolanda:
- Leave Me Be Pest Control: Instagram & Facebook @LeaveMeBeInc
- It’s Fit Time: Instagram @itsfittime_now | Facebook: It’s Fit Time
22 Feb 2026
Leading with Heart: Mireya Bañuelos on Service, Growth & Community Impact
Episode Summary
In this inspiring episode of the Women of Aurora podcast, hosts Marisol Perez and Megan welcome Mireya Bañuelos — realtor, community advocate, and President of the Women’s Council of Realtors Fox Valley.
Born in Mexico and raised on Aurora’s East Side, Mireya shares her journey of building a real estate career rooted in service, resilience, and adaptability. From navigating the ever-changing real estate market to leading major community initiatives like Aurora’s Fiestas Patrias celebration, Mireya opens up about what it means to serve others while continuing to grow personally.
She also speaks candidly about grief, vulnerability, leadership, and the importance of creating safe spaces for women to feel seen and heard.
This episode is a reminder that true impact begins with empathy — and that growth often lives on the other side of discomfort.
The Women of Aurora Podcast is produced & edited by Amy Downing
https://friendsover50.com (https://friendsover50.com)
5 Nov 2025
Building Second Chances: Bridget Flanigan on Creating a Recovery High School in Aurora
In this inspiring episode, co-hosts Marisol Perez and Meghan Cole Bailey talk with Bridget Flanigan, a longtime school social worker, counselor, and visionary founder behind Vantage Point High School, a proposed recovery high school for teens in the Fox Valley area.
Bridget shares her journey from a compassionate middle schooler who wanted to help her peers, to a veteran educator leading a movement for second chances. She opens up about how recovery schools offer both healing and education—creating spaces where students in recovery can rebuild their confidence, learn alongside peers on similar journeys, and prepare for brighter futures.
Their conversation highlights the urgent need for youth recovery programs in Illinois and how local collaboration and courage can turn an idea into action.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
54
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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