Fail, Learn, Overcome and Grow — Debora Mendonça Shares Her American Dream Story
July 16, 2025
From trading cigarettes for English lessons in New York to leading a multi-million dollar business in Florida, The Glass Knife’s Executive Director Debora Mendonça chased the American dream with resilience grit. Her story is an inspiration for anyone chasing a dream.
The American Dream, Redefined
For many, the idea of the “American Dream” conjures images of success attained through grit, determination, and seizing opportunity. Few stories fit the mold -- and expand on it -- quite like that of Debora Mendonça, Executive Director of The Glass Knife, as featured on the B Student Podcast with host Betsy Gardner. Debora’s journey from Brazil to the U.S., pursuing not just career success but also personal fulfillment, is a stirring blueprint for anyone chasing big dreams far from home.
Trading Cigarettes for English: Resourcefulness at Rock Bottom
Arriving in New York at just 21, Debora had little more than a suitcase, barely enough money to last a month, and a burning desire to reinvent her story. With limited funds, she could only afford a single month of English classes -- and soon found herself “practicing” English by trading cigarettes for conversations with the city’s homeless in Times Square.
This ingenuity exemplifies a mindset crucial for immigrants, entrepreneurs, and anyone starting from scratch: rethink your path from A to B, and maximize whatever resources you have, no matter how unconventional. As Debora’s story proves, showing up, even when it's uncomfortable or unglamorous, is often the most essential first step.
Harnessing Hardship: Finding Strength in Adversity
Far from the comfort of home, Debora cycled through tiny, windowless apartments, knocking on doors with little more than a smile and a makeshift resume. She began at the bottom rung in the foodservice industry -- bussing tables in Chinatown -- and clawed her way upward as her English improved. As a bartender, she faced ridicule and isolation but refused to give up, propelled by a clear vision: financial stability, self-reliance, and mastery of her environment.
Her biggest secret? Clarity of purpose. Amid everyday micro-humiliations and the grind of survival, Debora always knew why she was enduring: “If you don't have a clear goal, you're going to give up quickly,” she shares. For her, every job was a stepping stone, not a dead end.
From Survival to Leadership: Building Success
While the world measures outcomes -- like running a multimillion-dollar enterprise -- Debora’s true north has always been her inner character, or as she calls it, her “essence.” This relentless self-awareness, cultivated since childhood (when she became junior mayor of her city in Brazil), enabled her to maintain empathy, connection, and drive, even as she rose to leadership roles in some of New York’s toughest restaurants.
When COVID brought everything to a halt, Debora finally had space to reflect on what she’d sacrificed in pursuit of her goals. She realized that even as she’d grown tougher, she missed her “bubbly, loving, empathetic, cute side” -- and resolved never to let hardship erase her essence again.
Embracing Community, Paying It Forward
Relocating to Central Florida wasn’t just a change of scenery; it was a reset for Debora’s soul. She quickly embedded herself in the region’s vibrant hospitality and Brazilian communities, channeling her experiences into supporting others -- both as a business leader and as a convener of connection and opportunity. Today, she prioritizes the well-being and evolution of her team, asking not just about work, but about their broader dreams and needs.
Her impact reaches beyond business, as an emcee, nonprofit advocate, and Instagram influencer with 10,000 followers. Debora’s brand radiates authenticity -- eschewing “perfect” posts for real stories of struggle, triumph and continued growth.
The Power of Persistence: A Universal Formula
“Fail, learn, overcome and grow.” Her mantra isn’t just a summary of her journey -- it’s an action plan for anyone seeking to advance, regardless of where they start. Whether tackling daunting odds as an immigrant, launching a scrappy startup, or simply transitioning to a new phase in life, her story affirms that setbacks aren’t an endpoint, but a necessary stage on the path to significance.
And above all, as she reminds us, it’s never just about personal achievement: “It’s all about what makes the community stronger and better … be able to give that to the people that need more than you.”
Final Thoughts: Choose Action. Choose Growth.
Debora Mendonça’s story is proof that anyone can both survive and thrive -- if they’re willing to be inventive, resilient, and true to their essence. For listeners and readers: Set your goal. Embrace failure as instructions, not judgments. Cultivate your uniqueness, and give back. Above all, keep showing up. Life, as she says, is for “failing, learning, overcoming and growing.”