Rising from the Ashes Tami Thomas-Leonatti of LaSalle, a successful businesswoman in the Illinois Valley, shared the ups and downs of owning her own business. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Tami Thomas-Leonatti went through a personal crisis while learning how to become a top-notch businesswoman Story by Shannon Serpette
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ami Thomas-Leonatti of LaSalle is living proof that it’s possible to make lemonade from lemons. This businesswoman faced a crippling personal loss but refused to give up. She dug her heels in, put in the work, and emerged as a true inspiration. Thomas-Leonatti took a break from her busy schedule to share her story with Illinois Valley Woman in the hopes of inspiring other female business owners who are facing obstacles and doubting their next move.
8 September 2021 | Illinois Valley Woman | A NewsTribune Publication
A DEVASTATING LOSS Quality Care Cleaning, Thomas-Leonatti’s full-line janitorial service business in Ottawa, opened in 1996 when she and her husband, Tom Thomas, took a gamble on themselves. “My friend and I were working together and thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to work for ourselves and not punch a time clock anymore?’ We worked together in an office setting. See ASHES page 10
