A benefit of developing and leasing commercial, office and warehouse space to businesses in Boca Raton and Palm Beach County is the relationship we at Danburg Properties of Boca Raton develop with remarkable people.

One such person is Deborah Bernstein, an accomplished business executive, celebrated philanthropist, former beauty pageant contestant – and now award-winning author. We profile Deborah below as part of our ongoing series of Danburg Tenant Profiles…

On and off since she was 17, Deborah Bernstein has lived the life of the beauty pageant contestant. She’s has enjoyed the pride of  being awarded over a dozen local titles and then named in  Mrs. Florida 2002, and later Ms. Florida in 2008, and Mrs. U.S. Continental 2010 / 2011.

In her role as pageant winner – and in her work as an area philanthropist and advocate for children’s issues – she’s witnessed first-hand how important strength of character and confidence can be in young girls’ lives.

During her journey preparing for each pageant, she imagined one day she would write a children book to promote confidence building. The result is Stylish Stella’s Magic Crown [www.stylishstella.com]. The book explores issues of character and confidence in young girls.

“One of the biggest struggles for girls 2 to 92 is confidence,” she said. “Through the book I’m trying to help them understand that “style” is our personal character, and that  self-respect , respect for others and friendship are always in style. The book touches on today’s issues with a relatable, fun character.”

Deborah wrote the story and worked closely with a Midwest artist which drew the fanciful, whimsical illustrations – like something out of a Disney story, she says. The book was published last fall and debuted at an event at Bloomingdale’s at the Boca Town Center.

Earlier this year, Stylish Stella won a Mom’s Choice Award in the Inspirational / Motivational Children’s Picture Book category.

Deborah began modeling as a teen, then went to college and pursued a career in hospitality. She worked as a  director of sales for Hilton and Marriott hotels. Once, when a pageant came to one of her hotels, Deborah was invited to compete. She reluctantly agreed. The enjoyment she felt as a teen competing in pageants returned, and Deborah began competing regularly.

“I got bit by the bug, like it does for certain people, and I just loved it,” she recalls. She went on to win pageants in 2008 and 2010.

No longer a pageant contestant, today Bernstein runs business operations and marketing for Life Insurance Concepts, her husband Ted Bernstein’s insurance company. Located in Danburg’s Peninsula Corporate Center, the company is a nationally recognized life insurance practice that provides cutting edge expertise to clients who understand and appreciate the value of life insurance in their estate protection and wealth transfer objectives.

Based loosely on her own experiences, Deborah plans for Stylish Stella to become a book series and a trusted resource for young readers to turn to when they feel insecure about themselves. In turn, her hope is that they will have an important foundation of confidence and self-esteem.

People have said the book is relatable – especially by those hoping to overcome adversity.

“It’s a high compliment that the lesson there is understood. ‘I can’t do anything. I can’t do anything.’ Then Stella learns through practice and self-belief,” she says. “It’s an easy reader for young children, who get the message because they can relate to the story.”

The book also helps the area’s less fortunate. A portion of book sales funds the Deborah and Ted Bernstein Family Foundation, which supports area children and families in need of therapeutic counseling at a crisis level, says Deborah, who lives with her husband, where they  currently reside  in Boca Raton.

Today, Deborah has retired from modeling and pageants, but she continues to teach young girls modeling and etiquette. She also speaks to women’s groups and provides tips on communications and interview skills.

“They need to have a good influence as a way to be inspired,” she says. “My mission is to positively influence youth, to encourage literacy, and to give back and communicate with a wide audience of children. For me, it’s all about the mission.”