The Founder of a Leading Local Media Company Recounts her Storied Career

SHOW DESCRIPTION

As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, 45 Forward celebrates Victoria Schneps, a woman who continues to make history every day as the founder and president of Schneps Media, a leading local media company that reaches more New Yorkers in more ways than anyone. In today’s conversation, Vicki recounts her dynamic career, beginning with an unusual personal story, advocating for her daughter, Lara, who was born with a severe disability. Her work in helping to expose of a notorious center for children with developmental disabilities led Vicki to pursue a dream of being in the news business, and starting with a partner and $250, she founded the Queens Courier in her living room. That community weekly is now part of an empire of community newspapers, magazines, local websites, email newsletters, social channels, consumer and business-to-business events, podcasts and webinars serving New York City, Westchester, Long Island and Philadelphia. Vicki will take us all through her high-octane career— the challenges she faced and overcame, the risks she took, the surprises and lessons learned, and the advice she can offer to aspiring entrepreneurs today. And she’ll talk about her important advocacy work on behalf of the developmentally disabled, which has grown into the nonprofit organization, “Women’s Organization for Retarded Children,” now Life’s WORC, a widely influential $80 million agency.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Victoria Schneps is the Founder and President of Schneps Media, a leading local media company   Inspired by the power of the press during her advocacy work on behalf of her daughter Lara, brain damaged at birth, Vicki pursued her dream of being in the news business. In 1985 she started The Queens Courier in her Bayside living room, with a partner and a $250 investment. Today, Schneps Media, in partnership with her son, Joshua Schneps, produces dozens of community newspapers and magazines, digital assets, including news and community websites, email newsletters and social media channels as well as major networking events. Additionally, Life’s WORC, the group Vicki founded in 1971, has grown to serve over 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and autism and its $58 million not-for-profit organization operate 50 group homes and 19 day programs and The Family Center for Autism in Garden City.. Vicki is the recipient of numerous awards for her dedicated community service and she is proud to have been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She has received numerous awards, including Business Person of the Year by The Queens Chamber of Commerce. She was Grand Marshal of the Queens Hispanic Parade and has been recognized by the Hindu and Muslim communities as well. She serves on the boards of the United Way of Long Island, Flushing Bank, Life’s WORC, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens.She is a graduate of Jam

SHOW DESCRIPTION

As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, 45 Forward celebrates Victoria Schneps, a woman who continues to make history every day as the founder and president of Schneps Media, a leading local media company that reaches more New Yorkers in more ways than anyone. In today’s conversation, Vicki recounts her dynamic career, beginning with an unusual personal story, advocating for her daughter, Lara, who was born with a severe disability. Her work in helping to expose a notorious center for children with developmental disabilities led Vicki to pursue a dream of being in the news business, and starting with a partner and $250, she founded the Queens Courier in her living room. That community weekly is now part of an empire of community newspapers, magazines, local websites, email newsletters, social channels, consumer and business-to-business events, podcasts and webinars serving New York City, Westchester, Long Island and Philadelphia. Vicki will take us all through her high-octane career— the challenges she faced and overcame, the risks she took, the surprises and lessons learned, and the advice she can offer to aspiring entrepreneurs today. And she’ll talk about her important advocacy work on behalf of the developmentally disabled, which has grown into the nonprofit organization, “Women’s Organization for Retarded Children,” now Life’s WORC, a widely influential $80 million agency.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Victoria Schneps is the Founder and President of Schneps Media, a leading local media company   Inspired by the power of the press during her advocacy work on behalf of her daughter Lara, brain damaged at birth, Vicki pursued her dream of being in the news business. In 1985 she started The Queens Courier in her Bayside living room, with a partner and a $250 investment. Today, Schneps Media, in partnership with her son, Joshua Schneps, produces dozens of community newspapers and magazines, digital assets, including news and community websites, email newsletters and social media channels as well as major networking events. Additionally, Life’s WORC, the group Vicki founded in 1971, has grown to serve over 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and autism and its $58 million not-for-profit organization operate 50 group homes and 19 day programs and The Family Center for Autism in Garden City.. Vicki is the recipient of numerous awards for her dedicated community service and she is proud to have been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She has received numerous awards, including Business Person of the Year by The Queens Chamber of Commerce. She was Grand Marshal of the Queens Hispanic Parade and has been recognized by the Hindu and Muslim communities as well. She serves on the boards of the United Way of Long Island, Flushing Bank, Life’s WORC, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens. She is a graduate of James Madison High School and received her BS from New York University and her MS from Brooklyn College. Recently widowed, she is the proud mother of three surviving children, four stepchildren and 15 grandchildren.

es Madison High School and received her BS from New York University and her MS from Brooklyn College. Recently widowed, she is the proud mother of three surviving children, four stepchildren and 15 grandchildren.