{"id":2420,"date":"2026-08-05T17:40:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T17:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/?page_id=2420"},"modified":"2026-08-27T23:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T23:00:16","slug":"about-the-author","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/about-the-author\/","title":{"rendered":"About the Author"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Joni B. Redick-Yundt<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From the Rice Fields to Times Square Breaking Barriers. Defying the Odds, Inspiring Millions.The Woman Behind the Million Dollar Attitude Every great story begins with a dream.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As a little girl growing up in a small village in the Philippines without electricity or running water, I often looked up at the stars, whispering my dreams and believing that somehow God was listening. My sisters & I walked miles to gather firewood so my family could cook our next meal. Surrounded by rice fields & farm<\/p>

animals, I would often share my hopes and dreams with a scarecrow, never imagining that one day my journey would take me from those humble beginnings to stages, boardrooms, and even Times Square in New York City.<\/p>

Today, the \u2605 above my signature\u00a0J<\/strong>\u00a0logo represents far more than a design. It stands for\u00a0Positivity, Hope, Courage, Resilience, and Purpose<\/strong>\u2014the very values that have guided my life. It also reminds me that every person has a God-given light within them. The\u00a0J<\/strong>\u00a0isn\u2019t about my name.\u00a0It\u2019s about the journey.<\/strong>\u00a0My hope is that whenever someone sees the \u2605J, they will remember that they, too, were created to shine and make a positive difference in the lives of others.<\/p>

At fourteen, I immigrated to Hawaii with my family. Unable to speak English fluently, I was bullied because of my accent and even my last name. Instead of allowing those challenges to define me, I chose to believe that my future would be determined not by my circumstances, but by my attitude. I had the opportunity to skipped 11th grade and graduated with honors at only sixteen years old at Aiea High School.<\/p>

Throughout my life, I have been\u00a0UNDERESTIMATED<\/strong>.\u2605<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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There were people who questioned my abilities, doubted my dreams, criticized my vision, and believed I would never accomplish anything extraordinary. Looking back, I realize those moments became some of my greatest blessings. They taught me that every adversity can become an opportunity, every setback can become a comeback, and every challenge can become the beginning of something extraordinary.<\/p>

In my nursing career I spent nearly twenty years caring for others with compassion and a servant\u2019s heart. Yet behind my smile was a very shy young woman who lacked confidence and found it difficult to speak to strangers. Determined to overcome my fears, I joined Mary Kay Cosmetics\u2014not because I wanted to sell cosmetics, but because I wanted to become a more confident woman while helping other women look good, feel good, and believe in themselves.<\/p>

One of my greatest inspirations was Mary Kay Ash\u2019s book,\u00a0You Can Have It All<\/em>. Her message taught me that with faith, a positive attitude, hard work, and a heart for serving others, anything is possible.<\/p>

As my confidence grew, I entered pageantry and was honored to be crowned\u00a0Mrs. Honolulu International 2001<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Mrs. Hawaii United States 2002<\/strong>. Years earlier, in\u00a01995<\/strong>, I achieved one of Hawaii\u2019s most remarkable Mary Kay accomplishments by becoming a\u00a0Mary Kay Sales Director in just one month<\/strong>\u00a0instead of 4-6 months earning multiple\u00a0Pink Cars<\/strong>, and accomplishing something that has remained unmatched for more than six decades. More rewarding than any title or car was watching women discover confidence they never knew they had.<\/p>

Then life changed forever.<\/strong><\/p>

The tragic loss of my beloved sister in a Mother\u2019s Day automobile accident devastated my family emotionally and financially. That heartbreaking experience became the turning point of my life.<\/p>

Instead of allowing tragedy to define me, I made a promise that I would educate myself so I could educate and help protect other families from experiencing the same financial hardships. What began as unimaginable pain became my life\u2019s purpose.<\/p>

For nearly three decades that purpose led me into the financial services profession, where my passion for educating and serving families earned me\u00a0Rookie of the Year<\/strong>\u00a0and prestigious\u00a0Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)<\/strong>\u00a0award during my very first year\u2014an accomplishment rarely achieved by someone new to the profession. I believe knowledge is one of the greatest gifts we can share.<\/p>

My passion for connecting and empowering people continued to grow. As Founder and President of the\u00a0Million Dollar Chapter of Business Network International (BNI)<\/strong>\u00a0in Hawaii, I was able to built the fastest-growing record-breaking chapter in the state, earning international recognition as one of the\u00a0Top Five chapters among more than 5,000 chapters in 37 countries<\/strong>.<\/p>

Believing that true success is measured not by what we receive, but by what we give, I founded\u00a0FAMES Hawaii<\/strong>, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to\u00a0Mentoring, Educating, Motivating, and Leadership Development<\/strong>. In its early years, there were those who predicted it will never last.<\/p>

They underestimated the power of purpose.<\/strong><\/p>

Guided by my faith in God, pure intentions, and a genuine heart to serve others, I remained committed to the mission. This year FAMES Hawaii proudly celebrates its\u00a022nd Anniversary<\/strong>, mentoring entrepreneurs, empowering students, conducting free Business & Leadership Workshops, and recognizing outstanding students, Young Innovative Entrepreneurs, Rising Stars, and Top Influential Business & Community Leaders.\u00a0<\/p>

Over the years, I have been blessed to help provide\u00a0scholarships, valuable mentorship, leadership development, and educational opportunities valued at nearly one \u00a0million dollars<\/strong>\u00a0through FAMES Hawaii, \u00a0the DECA Scholarship Program, the Miss Paradise Hawaii, Miss Oahu & Miss Waikiki Scholarship Pageants, and numerous nonprofit organizations and charitable initiatives. I have also donated my books locally and internationally because I believe that when we invest in people, we invest in the future. With a grateful heart I want to thank all of our most kind & generous sponsors & to my dedicated & committed officers & directors for believing in me, my purpose & dream to make our place a better world.\u00a0<\/p>

Best selling author of the\u00a0first and second editions of Million Dollar Attitude<\/strong>, followed by\u00a0It\u2019s All About Attitude\u2026 Still Sexy at Sixty & Beyond<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Who Stole My Attitude? Positive vs. Negative<\/em><\/strong>. I have also had the privilege of co-authoring multiple books centered on leadership, resilience, business, personal growth & legacy.<\/p>

One of the greatest blessings of my journey has been creating the\u00a0Attitude Quotient\u2122\u00a0<\/strong>-also known as AQ to compliment with IQ & EQ inspired by a simple yet powerful discovery that has captivated audiences.<\/p>

Whenever I speak, I often begin by asking:<\/p>

\u201cDid you know that ATTITUDE is the only word that equals 100?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

A = 1<\/p>

T = 20<\/p>

T = 20<\/p>

I = 9<\/p>

T = 20<\/p>

U = 21<\/p>

D = 4<\/p>

E = 5<\/p>

ATTITUDE = 100<\/strong><\/p>

To me, this is much more than an interesting mathematical discovery.<\/p>

It is a powerful reminder that\u00a0100% of our success or failure is based on our attitude.<\/strong><\/p>

That philosophy has become the cornerstone of my books, keynote presentations, mentorship, and life\u2019s mission. While we cannot always control what happens to us, we can always choose our attitude\u2014and that choice has the power to change our future.<\/p>

Through vision, passion & innovation I have also designed a luxury handbag from Italy & designed exquisite fine jewelry. I am extremely excited that I will be soon introducing my inspirational designed backpacks is to encourage children to carry positive words, confidence, kindness, resilience, and hope with them every day. A portion of the proceeds from my books and\u00a0The Joni Collection<\/strong>\u00a0helps support scholarships through FAMES Hawaii, the DECA Scholarship Program, and other charitable causes, allowing every purchase to help create opportunities for someone else\u2019s future.<\/p>

A cancer survivor for almost 15 years, I chose to defy conventional medical treatment and opted for holistic and natural healing process and most of all credit to God’s healing powers and healthy lifestyle with a positive attitude & of course due to my husband Tom’s unconditional love and support, a Sr International Aviation Engineer. Blessed with amazing successful son and daughter with three beautiful grandchildren.<\/p>

I have been deeply honored to receive recognition including being featured in FORBES Magazine,\u00a0Who\u2019s Who in America<\/strong>,\u00a0Top Influential Business & Community Leader of the Year, Hall of Fame, Top International 50 Fearless Leaders<\/strong>\u00a0by the\u00a0International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP)<\/strong>\u00a0as seen on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, New York City, US SBA Business Champion of the year, Pacific Business News Volunteer Woman of the year along with numerous leadership and humanitarian awards. Yet those recognitions are not what I treasure most.<\/p>

If someone were to ask me what I hope my legacy will be, my answer is simple.<\/p>

I want to be remembered for the lives I touched. For helping people believe in themselves.<\/p>

For reminding them that their circumstances do not determine their destiny.<\/p>

That one little girl from the rice fields who wished upon the stars became living proof that dreams really do come true.<\/p>

So let me leave you with the same question again.<\/p>

Did you know that 100% of your success or failure is based on your attitude?<\/strong><\/p>

I believe it is.<\/p>

And if my journey proves anything, it is this:<\/p>

Your beginning does not determine your ending.<\/strong><\/p>

Your attitude does.<\/strong><\/p>

Believe and Achieve.<\/strong><\/p>

Positive Attitude + Positive Action = Positive Results.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Joni B. Redick-Yundt From the Rice Fields to Times Square Breaking Barriers. Defying the Odds, Inspiring Millions.The Woman Behind the Million Dollar Attitude Every great story begins with a dream. As a little girl growing up in a small village in the Philippines without electricity or running water, I often looked up at the stars, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2420","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2420"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3244,"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2420\/revisions\/3244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joniredickyundt.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}