Ilona Becker–Winner of 2010 Hot Mommas Project Case Competition

Ilona Becker is the winner of the 2010 Hot Mommas Project case competition. The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning research project making stories of women teachable to serve as virtual role models and mentors. In this series, students comment on what they learn from the cases both from a personal and career standpoint.

This is Li again.  And, today, I write on one of the Hot Mommas Project 2010 case winners Ilona Becker. P.s. Please pardon my English grammar errors.  I am an international student, posting from Beijing, China this summer. Thanks!

In  her case, Ilona describes her hardship from immigrated to the U.S. to become a successful match maker.  This time, you may find your “soul-mate” through Ilona!

Ilona as a role model

Successfully balancing between personal life and professional career, Ilona is certainly considered a role model for us.  She overcame language barriers, culture shocks, and all kinds of immigration hardships as described in her Hot Mommas Project case.

Overcoming challenges

Her strong belief, which was to protect her daughter and to seek freedom, always persuaded Ilona and finally took her to her destination: The Freeland of America.

However, America is not always fit for everyone.  Ilona experienced language barriers and culture differences.  Although mixed with confusion and doubts, Ilona amazingly adapted to her new life.  She not only managed to learn English, but also got her certificate as a Medical Assistant.  To me, her experience is unbelievable and impressive.  As an international student, it was difficult for me to get used to life in another country.  I studied English for six years before coming to America.  My American classmates told me they could not imagine taking classes in a foreign country the way I had.  Ilona did this with no English skills, and even started her own business.

Ilona found strength in herself.

I was not alone when I came to the U.S.  My sister had been in the States for five years by that time, and I had a wonderful U.S. host family.  I always had my sister to talk to while I was feeling down, and my host parents treated me as their own daughter.  They taught me many U.S. customs so I could be more independent when I started college.  At the same time, friends also supported me. All these elements made my transition from China to the U.S. and from high school to college smooth and successful.  However, Ilona knew no one before she came to America.  She even did not know to whom she should her turn to while facing hardships.  She perhaps had to show a happy face to encourage her daughter.  I could not even think of how many challenges Ilona had faced during that time.  Nevertheless, she overcame all those difficulties by herself, and became a successful entrepreneur.  This entrepreneurial spirit empowered her to pursue her dream.

Li’s friend, Samuel, responses to Ilona’s case:

Ilona’s story of transitioning from having almost nothing to having everything she ever needed reminds me of quite a number of success stories I have heard about people coming to America. However, this makes it no less remarkable what one person can accomplish with great determination.  Surely if this remarkable woman can escape one of the most repressive regimes in the world, raise a child as a single mother in a strange land where a strange language is spoken, and ultimately find a career in which she finds personal fulfillment, there is very little we can honestly say that we cannot do with hard work and dedication.

Samuel Smith, University of Florida’ 12 with a Computer Engineering Major