Mara Ginsberg - HER LIFE Magazine

herlife business spotlightAvon ScherffYou Can DoWhatever You PutYour Mind ToBy Ann E. ButenasPhoto by Jill Rich ardson forJill Rich ardson PhotographyWith 25 years in the insurance industry, Avon Scherffis a focused, dedicated and engaging professional,one who is truly a beacon of inspiration for anywoman who desires to achieve the dreams of her heart.Even though Avon spends her days providing high qualityinsurance products and services to her clients through ScherffInsurance Agency, located at 12 Corporate Drive in Clifton Park,she also provides a valuable service of a different type to somevery deserving young ladies. The beauty of this is that it coststhe recipients nothing in terms of money, but it does require theThrough her efforts andthose of her team, two younghigh school girls are nowexperiencing the mentoringprocess, and Avon could notbe more excited.ambition to rise above who they already are and to embrace thedreams they enthusiastically want to pursue.As founder of the I Am I Can Organization(www.iamicanachieve.org), Avon has opened the doors to awhole new world for girls in grades 9-12, many of whom mightcome from underserved areas or backgrounds, encouragingtheir personal growth and building lasting, beneficial relationshipswith the mentors of the organization who have dedicatedthemselves to this cause.Exactly how did this highly successful business owner whohas continually been involved in a host of community serviceendeavors throughout her career find the time to develop sucha mission?“By applying the same philosophies that have beeninstrumental in the success of my insurance business,”answered Avon. “Two years ago, my time was very absorbedthrough the demands of my business and my involvement invarious non-profits, charities and committees,” explained Avon.“At the time, my son Colin was in high school and I realizedthat between all of my activities I was rarely home to enjoy timewith him. “As such, Avon made a deliberate decision to abdicateherself from all of the boards on which she served, which freedher up to pursue her new cause through I Am I Can.While hosting a business event last year, Avon expressedher vision for this organization. At the time, she was merelyintroducing it to gauge interest in this proposed idea. She neverdreamed how quickly that vision would manifest into reality.“People donated money that very day,” noted Avon, asense of shock still evident in her voice. Thrilled and equallyhumbled, Avon used those initial donations as seed money todevelop her new non-profit. Over the ensuing months, sheworked tirelessly to get it off the ground, creating a boardthat now encompasses nine women. She recruited communitydirectors and advocates and engaged in all of the usualadministrative tasks associated with establishing a non-profitorganization. She officially launched this organization last fallwith a fundraiser at Saratoga National, raising nearly $4,000.30 HERLIFEnewyork.com