From Our Village To The World Wellington Born Entrepreneur Jake Seltzer Aims To Revolutionize The Banking System

Story By Julie Khanna |  Photos By Abner Pedraza

Jake Seltzer might be the person who changes the way the entire world banks.

Born and raised in Wellington, the 26-year-old entrepreneur first realized how his extensive futuristic knowledge of blockchain, cryptocurrency and web3 could change the world during a visit to India in 2019.

While there attending his best friend’s wedding, Seltzer took notice of the disparity in banking services offered abroad. He ended up extending his trip by a month to further survey the banking process, to better understand systems in low and middle-income countries and assess financial literacy.

The day he returned, Seltzer got right to work on his blockchain financial technology startup company, Finance Blocks, and now the Wellington native finds himself at the forefront of worldwide impact.

Seltzer and his family have longevity in the Village of Wellington. His late father, Jerry Seltzer, served as president of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce and the American Heart Association, while his mother, Lisa Seltzer, spent her time working with the PTA and Temple Beth Torah. During his own time volunteering at soup kitchens and with the Special Olympics and watching his parents serve the community, Seltzer believes that’s where he learned the importance of helping others and realized that his purpose was bigger than himself, and Wellington.

Self-described as an empathetic and driven person who believes in karma, Seltzer enjoys finding ways to connect with people from all walks and places of life. He feels these traits and his experiences growing up play a key role in his business.

“My greatest memories in life happened here,” he said. “Like during my senior year as runner up in Mr. Wellington, or playing roller hockey at Village Park with the lifelong friends I made. Wellington shaped who I am and how I think. No matter how far I travel, it will forever be my home.”

The Wellington High School graduate always wanted to study politics or government. But perhaps it was his experience in DECA, a club that prepares emerging leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, combined with his parents’ example for helping others, that best prepared him for his role today. Having won districts and representing Wellington in state competitions three times, Seltzer began to imagine his future as the CEO of a company that would make a global impact.

He co-founded Finance Blocks to digitize rural financial institutions, known as RFIs, in emerging markets and promote accessibility, transparent banking services and financial inclusion, especially for the 25 percent of the world’s total population that does not have access to basic financial services, known as the “unbanked.” The unbanked face exploitative repayment terms from informal moneylenders and lack credit scores, identity documents and awareness about financial products. Historically, the sophistication of blockchain-powered digital products has not reached RFIs and the unbanked.

In its simplest form, Seltzer’s company is a platform that helps RFIs, or banks, switch from paper-based legacy systems to a secure, easy-to-use and efficient digital system for all their processes. It creates unique digital identities, computes credit scores, manages financial data, loans, savings accounts and more on a single platform.

Users, or the formally unbanked or underserved, have an app that helps them stay instantaneously updated about their financial activity, like withdrawals, deposits, transactions, loans and interest. Based on the age of their account and financial activity, users are given smart credit scores computed by blockchain-powered smart contracts.

Blockchain technology is an integral component of the solution Finance Blocks presents. “Blockchain technology plays a crucial role in lifting people out of poverty and providing better services to the populations of low and middle-income countries,” Seltzer explained. “It is a system of recording information that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack or cheat the system. Think of blockchain as an incorruptible digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the entire network of computer systems on the blockchain. This process can be transformative for low and middle-income countries, as corruption is the single largest issue affecting the unbanked.”

Seltzer believes this technology will directly impact the global economy by way of the youth. Referring to them as “innovators of tomorrow,” Seltzer thinks financial and investing literacy will encourage higher education and break generational debt while creating new generations of the middle class all over the world.

The future of Seltzer’s company is also soaring.

Finance Blocks recently got the attention of GEM Digital Limited, a Bahamas-based digital asset investment firm that actively sources, structures and invests in utility tokens globally. They committed a capital investment of $25 million to help propel Seltzer’s company into even the most rural corners of the globe, such as India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya and Ghana.

“These funds will allow us to continue developing our technology, expand our development team, onboard over three million users, raise awareness about financial products and services, and allow charitable contributions of water and power to the areas in which we operate,” Seltzer said.

The path in getting Finance Blocks to the forefront of the global banking landscape wasn’t without its challenges. Seltzer faced institutional red tape, a lack of identity documents, insufficient resources, corruption, illiteracy and geographical barriers.

However, everything paled to the sudden death of his father, Jerry, who was his mentor and best friend. Still, in his father’s name, Seltzer found strength during his grief to build and innovate, and it is paying off.

Seltzer predicts that Finance Blocks will become the world’s largest rural financial banking platform and enable financial inclusion for up to five million users within the next 36 months.

“I see us becoming a top 200 crypto project. But, more importantly, I see us changing the landscape of rural finance and creating change around the world,” Seltzer said.

Learn more about Seltzer’s company Finance Blocks at www.financeblocks.io.

Promoting Optimal Bone Health In Horses BoneKare Supplement Is Making Its Mark In Wellington’s Equestrian Community

BoneKare, first made popular by breeders and equestrians throughout Europe, is an edible bone health and soft tissue vitamin supplement suitable for horses of every age and discipline. The supplement is FEI competition safe, and daily use of BoneKare promotes optimal bone and soft tissue health for horses.

Jay Golding, who first encountered BoneKare on one of his annual trips to Europe, believes the supplement to be the “holy grail” of horse health products, which isn’t recognized as much as it should be.

Golding is the United States’ sole distributor of BoneKare, where he has developed a stellar roster of equestrian ambassadors across a variety of disciplines and continues to advocate for the value of BoneKare for every horse.

Jennifer Papiernik is a lifelong horsewoman whose business completely changed when she was introduced to BoneKare. Papiernik trains out of To-Kalon Farm in Wellington, where she has had her horses on BoneKare since the beginning of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival season, when she ran into Golding.

After incorporating the BoneKare supplement into her barn’s nutrition program, Papiernik strongly believes in the power of the product and has seen significant improvements to her horses’ health.

“I’m currently using it on my show horses who are having some down time right now, my racehorses, young and growing babies, and broodmares with foals at their sides,” Papiernik said. “This season, I have had two horses with soft tissue bruising. It’s not something I have had to deal with much, but when I put these horses on BoneKare, I saw a change in their soundness within 30 days.”

Papiernik has even received complimentary feedback on some of her younger horses after starting them on BoneKare.

“We have two young colts — a yearling and a two-year-old,” she explained. “I hadn’t seen them through the winter season, and after two months of being on BoneKare, they looked like mature horses. The first thing everybody says when they see them is, ‘Wow, great bones on these babies!’”

So, what’s in the secret sauce? The answer is BoneKare’s advanced formula that consists of a blend of nutritious supplements and vitamin K1, given to horses orally in their grain. K1 is an important vitamin that horses absorb when they are allowed 10 to 12 hours of pasture grazing, and hay is not necessarily the solution for a lack of pasture grazing.

When grass is cut and made into hay bales, they are left to cure in the sun. As a result of the UV rays, the K1 compound is almost completely degraded, leaving horses without natural access to the much-needed vitamin. That’s where BoneKare comes in, backed with the right science and studies to prove it really works.

Not only has Golding witnessed BoneKare’s efficacy through first-hand experience, but veterinarians in both the United States and Europe have submitted multiple case studies demonstrating the success of the product.

“When I see a significant difference in multiple horses for different reasons, I’m a true believer in the product. I don’t use a lot of supplements, but when I see something that works, I use it,” Papiernik said. “I knew I was missing something. I just couldn’t pinpoint it. With BoneKare, I think I’ve found the missing link.”

Visit www.bonekareusa.com to try out BoneKare on your horse or in your program.

Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship Winners
Wellington Community Foundation Presents Annual Scholarships To Three Talented Students

Story by Deborah Welky  |  Photos by Denise Fleischman

The Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship recipients were named at this year’s Thank You Soirée held Thursday, May 12 at the Boynton Financial Group offices in Wellington. This year’s winners are Ryann Bierman, Miles Wang and Isabella Whedbee — three outstanding candidates, noted scholarship chairs James Seder and Joanna Boynton.

The foundation created this scholarship to serve those in need who can benefit from a helping hand in order to become one of tomorrow’s leaders. The scholarship is awarded annually to Wellington students who either live in or attend high school in Wellington.

The scholarship was named in honor of former Palm Beach County Commissioner Ken Adams and his wife Arle Adams. Longtime Wellington residents, Arle and Ken Adams made great contributions to the growth and development of the Village of Wellington, dating back to the late 1970s.

Key figures in getting Wellington incorporated as a municipality in the 1990s, there are few aspects of Wellington’s story that cannot be attributed to some kind of involvement or assistance from Arle and Ken Adams. The foundation voted to create this scholarship in their honor to ensure their legacy lives on.

Ryann Bierman recently graduated from Wellington High School with a grade point average of 3.9. She will be attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she plans to major in geology — at least that’s the plan for now.

“It may eventually change,” Bierman said. “I’ll have to see how much I like rocks once I start studying them full time.”

She may even check out UF’s new Gator Glaciology Lab, where Associate Professor of Geological Sciences Mickey MacKie, together with a team of undergrads, use machine learning tools to study the conditions under glaciers to better understand movement and melting in order to help ascertain the impact of the world’s glaciers on rising sea levels.

“Once I get my degree, I can work in the paleontology field, although I may have to go beyond my bachelor’s degree to get there,” Bierman explained. “I’d like to go out and find fossils. I think that would be an amazing thing to do, although not forever. Eventually, I’d like to work in a museum or in labs on research projects.”

If her love of rocks does dim while in school, Bierman said she may pivot to a major in anthropology or archeology.

Providing the impetus for her all-round love of science is Bierman’s mother.

“First and foremost, it’s my mom,” she said. “My mother was in the science field during her career, and she’s the one who got me interested in it. Then dad pushed me to pursue what interested me.”

Bierman wants younger students to share her drive.

“Keep working on it,” she offers as advice. “If you’re having trouble with something, ask for help. At the end of the day, you’ll get to where you’re going if you keep trying — and that’s the most important thing. I was told this myself when I entered high school: ‘Have fun but work hard.’”

Receiving the Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship was not something Bierman had anticipated.

“When I first got the call, I was completely surprised,” Bierman said. “It truly means the world to me. It’s going to help me so much to reach my dream.”

During the check presentation, Bierman got to meet the other two winners. “They are lovely people,” she said.

In addition to the $2,500 she received from the Wellington Community Foundation, Bierman also has a few more applications pending, not that she’s dwelling on that. She’s already looking ahead to college.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and being in a new place — being out of my comfort zone,” Bierman said.

Miles Wang graduated from the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts with a 4.0 grade point average. While there, he majored in communications and joined the debate team in his sophomore year. By his senior year, he was serving as captain of the USA Debate Team for the National Speech & Debate Association.

Now, he’s packing his bags and heading to Harvard University.

“I loved growing up in Florida and attending Dreyfoos, but I also realize it’s a bubble of people formed by their environment,” Wang said. “I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of new people from every background and place possible — people who are passionate about whatever they are interested in.”

While Harvard offers more than 3,700 courses in 50 undergraduate fields of study, Wang has chosen to focus on applied mathematics as well as economics, part of the university’s quantitative social sciences program.

It seems like a perfect fit. Harvard’s economics program begins with the premise that individuals have goals and that they pursue those goals as best they can. Wang will learn the behavior of social systems such as markets, corporations, legislatures, and families, ultimately being able to make recommendations that will serve to make people better off.

“Harvard University is very well known for their well-renowned economics department, their economics professors and the resources they direct there,” Wang said.

And, although it’s a bit early to make a final decision, Wang has a few ideas on how he is going to put his education to use. “I’m looking at the fields of either politics, technology or finance,” he said.

While a Harvard education can cost upward of $50,000 per year before financial aid or scholarships, Wang is going to have a lot of help, including the Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship.

“I’m so grateful for it,” Wang said. “I’ve grown up in Wellington my entire life, attending the Little Place and Binks Forest Elementary School, and to have some of my hefty college tuition supported by the scholarship, I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”

Wang has also received a Coca-Cola scholarship, a Kovner Opportunity scholarship, a U.S. Senate Youth Program scholarship, a George Snow scholarship, a Community Foundation of the Palm Beaches & Martin County scholarship, and a National Merit scholarship, some of which are renewable.

“My parents and family were always pushing me,” Wang said. “They loved, encouraged, and supported me. I have a brother, Michael, who is five years older than me, and he has been a great mentor and role model. It takes a village to raise a child.”

Wang recommends that future graduates focus on what they enjoy.

“Pursue activities that you are truly interested in, that you’re truly passionate about,” he said. “You’ll do better at them, and it’ll be better as far as helping you get into college.”

Isabella Whedbee recently graduated from Palm Beach Central High School with a 4.0 grade point average and will be attending the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida.

The college was designed to attract and challenge students who demonstrate an ability to achieve academic excellence and prepares them to enter the best graduate and professional schools. It offers a small college experience within a large research university.

There is also a two-to-four semester program, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, which allows UCF juniors and seniors to conduct original and independent research under the supervision of a faculty committee, culminating in a thesis or related creative project.

“I submitted a separate application and was fortunate enough to be invited to attend,” said Whedbee, who needed to list her volunteer activities and test scores as part of the process. “I’m looking forward to the smaller class sizes and working with a more-connected group of students.”

Whedbee plans to major in communications or advertising and credits a former teacher for steering her in that direction. “I had a high school newspaper teacher named Ms. Joanne Biferie,” Whedbee said. “I was one of her editors on the paper, and she inspired me to continue writing and growing my knowledge of world events.”

After college, Whedbee’s chosen path is clear.

“I would love to manage or own an advertising agency that is able to help businesses and nonprofits that help serve the community and underserved students,” she said. “I’d love to intern during college with a nonprofit or advertising agency and work my way up to help manage it over time.”

Receiving the Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship was a memorable experience for Whedbee. “It was a great moment,” she said. “It is amazing that they selected me, and an empowering feeling to be noticed by such a prestigious nonprofit as the Wellington Community Foundation. I’m very grateful.”

Whedbee is also grateful for having received the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, which will cover her tuition.

For those college hopefuls still working their way through high school, Whedbee has some advice.

“Block out all the noise and really try to focus on what you can help the community with,” she said. “Colleges will really appreciate it, and you’ll have a new sense of gratification for what you were able to have in your own life.”

The Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship is just one of the many ways the Wellington Community foundation continues to provide support to Wellington students to help them achieve educational success. Again this year, the foundation will be providing 650 new school uniforms and 650 backpacks filled with much-needed school supplies.

If you would like more information about the foundation, or this ongoing initiative, contact WCF Chair Tom Wenham at (561) 333-9843, or visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org to become involved and help “build a stronger community.”

 

Protecting America’s Vulnerable Horses
The Equus Foundation Works To Educate People On The Importance Of A Horse’s Life Both In And Out Of The Show Ring

By Sydney Jones

The lives of horses are not only measured by how high they jump or how many ribbons they win. There comes a time when a horse can no longer compete and is in need of a next chapter or deserving of a long-term, relaxing retirement life.

Unfortunately, many horses don’t get that chance, which is where the Equus Foundation steps in. Founded in 2002 by Lynn Coakley, the foundation exists to place emphasis on horse care both during and post competition.

Driven by a mission to safeguard the comfort and dignity of America’s horses throughout their lives, the Equus Foundation focuses on empowering equine charities to operate at the highest standards for horse care and service, inspiring horse lovers to become horse protectors by simulating advocacy and volunteerism, and by educating the public on the value of horses through stories of their achievements and contributions.

Coakley founded the Equus Foundation after realizing a staggering statistic. “Over two million horses have been shipped across our borders for slaughter, most of which were young, healthy and had untapped potential,” she explained.

The transition period between competing and retirement is when the horses are most vulnerable. It’s a time when their owners can no longer care for them, so the foundation helps to provide financial support to ensure these horses go to a good home and live out their lives.

“The Equus Foundation has awarded over $5.2 million in grants to equine charities nationwide that rescue, rehabilitate, retrain, re-home and retire horses, and charities that partner with horses to improve the well-being of people,” Coakley explained.

The foundation also prides itself on education about the significant impact of horses. The foundation does this through several initiatives to help spread awareness about horse care both in Wellington and nationwide.

This year, the Equus Foundation initiated its 2022 “Stepping Out for America’s Horses’’ campaign to coincide with the Winter Equestrian Festival and held two major events in Wellington this season.

The campaign provides the opportunity for horse lovers to directly impact the lives of horses at the Equus Foundation’s Guardian charities by selecting a horse from a list of 120 horses to fundraise for. The fundraiser provided the opportunity for equestrians to share their “Stepping Out” page with their family and friends, furthering the reach of the foundation.

The foundation will also be supporting America’s Wild Horses through the Stepping Out Campaign. On March 30, the foundation held an exclusive live screening in Wellington of the documentary The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses, produced and co-directed by Steven Latham. The Equus Foundation has vouched to match the first $25,000 raised during the campaign. There are more than 80,000 wild horses on federal lands and more than 50,000 in government corrals.

Another prestigious event held this season was the Robb Report’s Horsepower Gala, which took place March 31 at the farm of Helgstrand Dressage in Wellington. The event was created by the Robb Report to increase awareness surrounding the issues of horse abuse, neglect and slaughter and support the mission of the Equus Foundation. The foundation was the beneficiary of the live auction, receiving more than $110,000 to go toward protecting America’s horses.

Aside from the fundraising initiatives and financial support that the Equus Foundation provides, many well-known riders have stepped in to support its mission and serve as athlete ambassadors throughout the country.

“The Equus Foundation Athletes program recognizes equestrians who demonstrate that success is measured not only by winning but by making the quality of life of their equine partners paramount,” Coakley said. “They serve as inspirational role models in the world of equestrian sport to help raise important awareness on behalf of the horses we all love. These athletes exemplify that the horse should always come first — and what happens to them after their sport careers are over is just as important.”

Two local top-level riders, Catherine Tyree and Victoria Colvin, have taken a stance alongside the foundation to be a voice for America’s horses both here and nationwide. Colvin is proud of her work as an Equus Foundation athlete ambassador.

“I am proud to support the Equus Foundation as an athlete ambassador and support the work they do in bringing awareness to the abuse horses face across the world,” she said. “We are privileged to work with and rely on such incredible animals for our careers, so it’s important to me to give back in any way that I can and champion organizations like Equus that are making such a big difference.”

Tyree agreed. “Working with Lynn and the entire Equus Foundation has been a wonderful experience,” she said. “We are all fueled by one thing: our love for the horses. What Lynn has built is truly special. The foundation’s commitment to making sure each and every horse has their forever home with the proper love and care is admirable. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with such a special group to give back to the animals that give us so much on a day-to-day basis.”

Moving forward, the Equus Foundation wants to continue to spread awareness about abuse and neglect to America’s horses and provide financial and educational support to help keep horses an important part of American life.

“Informed giving is more important now than ever before — which is why we ensure donor dollars are invested in programs that have the greatest impact. We believe boundless opportunities exist for thousands of horses to contribute positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of all people,” Coakley said. “There are 61 million people in the United States with disabilities, yet only 69,000 are benefiting from the powerful healing ability of horses. Many more at-risk and transitioning horses could be serving people with disabilities. We need to embrace a fundamental shift in our attitude toward horses — from the horse as a commodity to the horse as an athlete, companion, teacher and healer.”

Learn more about the organization at www.equusfoundation.org.

Generational Women Understanding Motherhood And The Bond Mothers, Daughters & Granddaughters Share!

Generational Women, our focus this month, explores how the unique familial bonds that are shared can extend into successful business partnerships.

Many people have their mom as the top person on speed dial when the good, bad or ugly happens in life. And this is for good reason. There is scientific evidence pointing to the incredible bond between mother-daughter relationships, which trickle down to granddaughters as well.

Moms are likely to understand where you are coming from when faced with life’s challenges, as she has experienced a similar journey. She is also less likely to pass judgment.

Mothers and daughters know how to get on track and stay on track, easily taking a disagreement to a laughing frenzy in moments — and their unconditional love for one another stays intact. But it is a big leap taking this unique relationship into the business world.

On the following pages, you will learn about three unique families, and how they prove that mother-daughter teams can work! Whether it is within the equine industry, lifestyle or the beauty world, learn how it all began and how their success continues through the strength and determination of Generational Women. Who better to build and capitalize on then your mom?

 

A Strong Foundation Kristen Hamel Tackles Motherhood & Her Family’s Foundation With Grace

By Sydney Jones

It’s not always about what you have, but what you can give. In 2017, Kristen Hamel and her husband Jim set out to make a difference by providing financial support to organizations that help their local communities, as well as the education and well-being of disadvantaged people through their own Hamel Family Foundation.

As a mother and new grandmother, Hamel has always made it a priority to teach her children to help others and be active in their communities.

Although Hamel and her family are based in Richfield, Wisconsin, she has always spent a lot of time in Wellington for the Winter Equestrian Festival. Growing up on a farm, she developed a love for animals, especially horses, at a young age. Fostering that love in her daughter Sydney became a way for their connection to grow and for their ties to the horse world to deepen.

“It has always been a dream of mine to own a barn here in Wellington,” Hamel recalled. “We purchased the barn in July of 2020 with the intention of me being here more often. However, the pandemic actually allowed my husband to work remotely, so we bought a home here as well, to allow the family to visit more often. Through the horse world, I’ve met a lot of really great people, so my network is here. My animals are here. It just fits us.”

Although the Hamel family is constantly moving in many different directions, the foundation provides an outlet for them to come together throughout the year and discuss their ideas.

Hamel’s two older sons, Nickolas and Jacob, are both married, while Sydney is currently attending Scripps College in California.

Along with their children, Kristen and Jim come together to decide which organizations they are going to focus on that year. “We do it as a family. We discuss who loves what and what research they have done. We put it all on the table and take a vote on who we feel could best benefit from our support. Not only has it been great for our kids to be involved with giving back, but it has allowed Jim and I to learn what they’re really passionate about as they grow up,” Hamel said.

The Hamel Family Foundation takes pride in the organizations it supports. “We follow along with the charities that we support to keep up with what they’re doing,” Hamel explained.

The family dedicates their time to organizations that are consistent in their efforts and that maximize their donations for the true cause of the organization.

“We support a charity in Wisconsin called Family Promise. This organization sets out to help battered and abused women who need life’s essentials: housing, clothing, food, etc. They work through several churches and apartment buildings in the area, and I feel really strongly about it,” Hamel said. “Another organization that we are especially passionate about is Casa Guadalupe. This charity was brought to the table by Sydney, and it places emphasis on supporting the Hispanic communities in our area by providing them with the resources to become citizens, receive medical care, get an attorney, etc. We feel that especially in the last couple of years, everyone needs help, and we are grateful to make a difference where we can.”

For Kristen, supporting the equestrian community also weighs heavy on her heart. The foundation proudly supports the National Horse Show with the Hamel Family Foundation 3’3” Equitation Championship, as well as a scholarship through the United States Hunter Jumper Association. “I’ve always loved supporting the sport. I love watching the equitation championship at the National Horse Show because it’s a little mix of everything, and it’s such an important stepping-stone in junior riders’ careers,” she said.

The USHJA scholarship is also an important piece of the puzzle for the Hamel Family Foundation.

“Education has always been very important to Jim and I. It started with our kids; we didn’t care what they wanted to do, as long as they were educated in it. So, we started the scholarship with the intention of helping out whoever needed it, whether they were extending their education or just starting out,” Hamel said.

Hamel’s heart for giving has been passed down to her daughter Sydney.

“It’s a great feeling to have the opportunities that I do to give back,” Sydney said. “It’s a little nerve wracking to take on decisions that have the power to change lives, but it’s great to be able to help people who need it most. I love that we get to connect with different charities and actually see a difference happen through our donations.”

The Hamel Family Foundation is a family affair, but Kristen wouldn’t want it any other way.

Learn more about the foundation at www.hamelfamilyfoundation.org.

Amazing Style Is Empowering Mother-Daughter Team Claudia And Monica Diesti Help Keep Wellington Residents Looking Their Best

Story By Deborah Welky | Photos By Abner Pedraza

Today, well-known local stylists Claudia and Monica Diesti work together to keep Wellington residents looking and feeling great. However, the life they are living today seems light years away from where it began.

Claudia Diesti was only in her 20s when she grabbed her seven-year-old daughter Monica and whatever personal items she could carry and fled her homeland of Colombia forever.

“I was in an abusive relationship and struggling through a really bad divorce,” Claudia recalled.

The mother and daughter were able to stay with an aunt and uncle in Miami for a short time, but Claudia knew she had to move on.

“I saw my self-esteem go down. I was not in the best place in my life,” Claudia said. “But I discovered that putting on a good appearance made me feel better about myself. When I had a good hair day, it empowered me. Empowered women feel good about themselves.”

It was this realization that made her rethink her career goals.

“In Colombia, I was studying to be a dentist — a different kind of beauty. But I had to quit college. When I got here, I needed a new beginning,” Claudia said. “So, I went to the Total Nails & Hair Academy in West Palm Beach to learn to be a stylist. I learned hair cutting and coloring techniques.”

Watching her mother, Monica also got interested in the beauty business.

“I got interested through my mom, by watching her work,” said Monica Diesti, now an adult. “I was seven when she started to go to beauty school. She would bring the styling heads home to practice on, and I would play with them. When we moved here, we were running away from my biological father. We grabbed what we had and ran. In America, we couldn’t afford a babysitter, so sometimes she would bring me to the school with her. The owner was nice enough to let me sit on the side.”

Monica always enjoyed all things art, even during her school days.

“I was always very artistic,” she said. “I won art competitions in school and was always drawn to anything artistic or color creative. So that led me to want to be more of a colorist. I started out in salons just working as an assistant — doing shampoos, the laundry, making sure the salon was clean.”

In the meantime, Claudia was speaking with a Realtor, looking to move to a place with the best schools for her daughter. The Realtor told her that Wellington has the best schools.

By 1997, the mother-daughter team had moved in and made their home in the community.

“We love the families,” Claudia said. “The community is beautiful, and we’ve been growing together.”

“My mother has gone through many hardships and has some health issues,” Monica added. “I am grateful that I can now help her out. I get to give back to her for everything she has given to me.”

After her high school graduation, Monica attended the same beauty school her mother once went to.

“The owner knew me from when I was little, and I told them I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps,” Monica said.

As she has grown in the business, Claudia has gone from employee to independent owner.

“In the beginning, I was working for other people,” she said. “In 2000, I started working independently, renting a chair in someone else’s salon, and then having a little beauty room in a spa.”

By 2010, Claudia and Monica were working side by side. By 2014, they had their own corner studio in a professional business suite. Their Wellington Beauty Room is currently located at 1043 S. State Road 7, Building E, Suite 118.

Now known as one of the top stylists in Wellington, Claudia has taken advanced courses in Canada, Taiwan and Paris.

“I wanted the best schools around to improve my education,” she said. “I wanted to give clients confidence in my abilities as a professional. I wanted to know everything I could about how to achieve the best look for each person. We ask how much time they spend on their hair each day, then work to accentuate their features for their lifestyle. Because I work with my daughter, it’s like four eyes looking at one person. We love our work, and our clients know how hard we work. We realistically try to get the best look for each person and make each client feel good.”

Along the way, this mother-daughter team has diverged a bit in the type of clients they work with.

“My mom caters to the business owners, attorneys, doctors, doctors’ wives and other professionals,” Monica said. “Due to the creative aspect, I specialize in avant-garde colors, unicorn colors, fantasy colors, rainbow-colored hair. I work a lot with hair extensions — that’s one of our big things. We can also do makeup if a client has an event that day and doesn’t want to make an extra appointment somewhere else.”

Hair extensions are huge in the beauty industry now, but they take special expertise to do well.

“We’re certified in four different methods of hair extensions and many different brands,” Monica said. “My mother was a L’Oréal educator, and I spent some time at the London academy for L’Oréal.”

Because the Wellington Beauty Room is owned by these “generational women,” the mother-daughter team attracts many mother-daughter and husband-wife clients. More and more male clients are finding out about them — and the Diestis encourage men to think more about their hair style.

“Often they have shoulder-length hair, and they’re going for a short haircut,” Monica said. “We call it a hair transformation. My mom is the one who does men’s haircuts. We also offer a VIP luxury experience where we block out the salon from other clients and do a makeover.”

That’s certainly the answer for someone who isn’t sure how to visualize or communicate what they want but still wants to emerge from the salon like a butterfly from its cocoon.

“Sometimes the salon is the only place you can relax and have that time to yourself,” Monica said. “You come out feeling rejuvenated and refreshed and relaxed.”

Visits to Claudia and Monica Diesti at the Wellington Beauty Room are by appointment only. For more information, call (561) 632-5425 or visit www.wellingtonbeautyroom.com.

Holland To Wellington
Show Mom Patricia Bade Van Motman Is Passing Down What She Learned To The Next Generation

By Olivia Airhart

Growing up in a horse family is like being raised with communal parenting; instead of one mother raising her child, every pony in the barn gets a chance to impart life lessons. Growing up as a rider in a horse-centric family means being raised by your toughest critic, but also your biggest fan and supporter.

In a realm where the horse bug is passed down from generation to generation, life-long equestrian and now second-generation horse show mom Patricia Bade van Motman has made it her life’s mission to not only raise her daughter by the ways of the barn, but also give equestrians all across Europe the same opportunities by founding an educational hunter and equitation organization, HJE Holland.

Originally from Westchester, New York, Bade van Motman grew up on the back of a horse. In her words, it all started when “my dad married my mother and her horse.” Bade van Motman had the horse hook deep in her soul, devoting herself to the cause not just as a hobby, but as a way of life that would end up coming back to her full circle.

“My poor mother drove the family station wagon and our trailer to any pony club event or horse show I wanted to go to,” Bade van Motman recalled. “So, when I had a daughter of my own, I knew that I would raise her the same way my mother raised me — in the saddle.”

After moving to The Netherlands and having her daughter Candice, Patricia was eager to share her love of horses, so she did as any horse mom would do and bought Candice her first pony at just three years old.

“When Candice was old enough to actually ride and not just go around on the leadline, one pony grew to five with 15 little kids riding with Candice at our home. I studied the full set of USPC [United States Pony Club] manuals to do my best at teaching all those children, and we ended up having a homegrown pony club right in our backyard,” Patricia recalled. “Once Candice was six, we also started hunting together. I would go out on my 17.3-hand horse, and she would gallop ahead of me at the very end of the leadline on her 11-hand pony. I thought my arm would eventually grow in length trying to hang onto her as she kicked that pony along faster than my horse! When she was old enough to do it on her own, she would gallop ahead of these experienced men and their massive hunt horses and out-jump them over every single hedge on her tiny little ponies.”

Pony after pony, Patricia watched Candice develop into an incredible young rider.

“She just had that calming nature about her and determination to figure out how they ticked,” Patricia said. “Being trained in the American style of riding in the hunter and equitation rings myself, taking my child to horse shows in Holland where the sole objective is to win at all costs in a speed-based jumping competition, I saw a risk to child safety and a lot of undue stress placed on the ponies that, as an equestrian myself, made me really upset and frustrated.”

As the demand for Patricia’s training grew larger, she knew she had to enlist some extra hands.

“If you want kids to learn to spell, entice them by making it a spelling bee,” Patricia said. “I wanted to create the infrastructure for the young riders back in Holland, so they could learn to ride responsibly. I made my mission to make equitation fun and enjoyable, but also educational, so they would be able to carry those skills on in their toolbox for any ring they enter.”

When Patricia finally put a stake in the ground and committed to starting HJE Holland, a wise American horseman told her to “call Joanie.”

Little did Patricia know that “Joanie” was none other than Joan Scharffenberger-Laarakkers, a 10-year veteran of the USET, winner at Aachen and countless Grand Prix and Nations Cup events, as well as championing the equitation medal finals in her youth.

“From that day forward, Joan has been a devoted trainer, clinician and vice president of HJEH,” Patricia said. “Thankfully, Joan is now the primary trainer for Candice, as her abilities have progressed beyond my scope in the jumper arena.”

With a dream to build a foundation for proper technical riding that was available to children and adults alike of any socioeconomic background, Patricia gathered seven of her equestrian colleagues and flew here to Wellington.

“For you to put your shoulder to the wheel, you must see Valhalla,” Patricia said. “So, I organized a group of dedicated horsewomen who felt the same way I did about the lack of options for training in Holland to participate in a United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) judge training course. We were absolutely blown away by what we saw and experienced at WEF in Wellington. From the grandeur of the hunter derbies to the extensive offering of equitation classes, including the 50-plus divisions and the awesome tiny equestrians at Pony Island, my team was solidified on that one trip alone, and that is how Hunter Jumper Equitation Holland got started. In a country where practicality trumps passion projects, I knew I had to pull out all the stops to convince the Dutch public to try something new, and Wellington sealed the deal.”

Thanks to a collegial request from Joan, Candice was invited for an 11-week internship with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm in the fall of 2021. Candice experienced first-hand why Andre and his students are so successful. The attention to every detail of equitation training made an impression on the young pupil.

“She is so grateful for the opportunity, and I was impressed with the progress in her riding in such a short amount of time,” Patricia said. “Since then, her commitment has grown even stronger. The way in which you address riding and horses is similar to how you address life. You overcome fears, you laugh a lot, learn to control your temper, master the art of patience, always show kindness and learn how to work collaboratively in a group dynamic. I was able to not only teach my daughter all of these life lessons but watch her experience them for herself developing as a rider and avid equestrian.”

The bond Patricia formed with her daughter over horses sparked a flame in the passionate equestrian’s core to not only be the best mother to her daughter, but step into the role of horse show mom for any and all equestrians, young and old, in The Netherlands. Just like her mother before her, Patricia Bade van Motman has earned the title and continues to pass down the equestrian lineage to the next generation.