Gladys was born and raised in Northern Newfoundland. When Gladys was 3 years old she became very sick with Meningitis. The Meningitis caused a very high fever, which caused Gladys to have a total loss of her hearing. Since Gladys was 3 years old, she has not heard the birds sing, the music on the radio or the sound of other people speaking, however, Gladys did not let this get in the way of her becoming successful.

Gladys owned and operated her own Bookkeeping business for a period of time. After Gladys Bookkeeping business was forced to close due to a lack of clients, Gladys started to work as a housekeeping and laundry worker at Curtis Memorial Regional Hospital in Newfoundland. Gladys worked at the Hospital for over 18 years.

After working at the hospital, Gladys moved to Corner Brook Newfoundland and tried to find a job there without luck. She had no choice but to go on Social Assistance. Gladys recalls this as a very terrible time in her life. She had only $79.00 in her pocket with 2 teenage girls at the time. She could not afford to pay the bills, buy food, etc. She had a very difficult time living on such small wages, so she asked HRDC (Service Canada) in Newfoundland to support her to go to school. Gladys moved to Halifax to attend NSCC in 2001, and was supported by HRDC for 3 years.

After finishing school, she tried looking for a job for months with no luck again, so she was forced to go back on Social Assistance again because she felt she had no other choice. Gladys received very little income a month on Social Assistance and with the money she received, she had to pay the rent, the bills and buy food. Gladys wanted to find a job so badly and she felt as if she was stuck in a rut, having a lot of really bad luck, but she did not give up.

Gladys came to Hants County Community Access Network in April 2009. She joined the crew at the Yes! Café and did a wonderful job there serving customers and making coffee and tea. Gladys has always had great ideas, so when she came to us about starting her own business, we were very interested in her idea.

Gladys decided that she wanted to open her own business called Gladys Ribs, where she would barbeque ribs on the rooftop of a Halifax pub and serve the customers of the pub delicious ribs. The reason why she wanted to set up a small business was mainly because she wanted to be independent enough that in the future she could survive without assistance. She also had a true passion for cooking and everyone always commented her on her delicious ribs.

In July 2009 Gladys successfully opened her own business called. “Gladys Ribs.” She has been doing very well and continues to gain customers on a rooftop in Halifax. She enjoys what she is doing very much. Gladys is a perfect example of someone who never gave up when things got tough. She is also a very good role model for people who feel as if they have barriers in the way of them becoming successful. Even though Gladys cannot hear at all, she has successfully opened her own business.

UPDATE: On December 3rd, 2009 Gladys won the Lieutenant Governor's Entrepreneurial Award for her efforts in opening her own business and her determination to succeed. Congratulations, Gladys!!!