Mary Ellen Milanese‑DiStasio, President of Video Visions, Inc..
WBEC‑East caught up with Mary Ellen Milanese‑DiStasio, President of Video Visions, Inc., to hear her thoughts on paying it forward, the power of connection, and what it means to grow a women‑owned business alongside a community of peers.
Q: Mary Ellen, tell us about your business. What does Video Visions, Inc. do, and what inspired you to lead this company?
A: We’re a commercial audio‑visual systems integrator, and we work in all kinds of environments—from conference rooms to full television studios. What really sets us apart is our team. They’re dedicated, talented, and they care deeply about the service we provide. That level of customer service is something I’m incredibly proud of.
Q: What first prompted you to become part of the WBEC‑East network?
A: We’re a truly women‑owned and women‑operated organization, and a few years ago a client suggested we look into certification. As soon as we learned more about WBENC, we jumped at the opportunity! It felt like the right next step for elevating our visibility and connecting with a community of other women business owners.
Q: What kinds of WBEC‑East programs or events have you engaged with?
A: I’ve attended several in‑person WBEC-East/WBENC events, and they’ve been wonderful. Not only have I met fellow business owners, but I’ve also made connections that have turned into new clients. One of my favorite connections I’ve made is with another businesswoman who owns a commercial AV company, just like me. She has become a friend, we do regular breakfast get-togethers, and it’s so nice to be able to talk to someone that fully understands my day-to-day life.
Q: Can you share a challenge you’ve faced—and how someone in your WBEC-East community helped you through it?
A: Being self‑employed comes with unique pressures that can be hard for others to relate to. It’s not that people don’t want to be supportive—it’s just hard to understand unless you live it every day. Meeting other women who own businesses, especially in my industry, has made such a difference. Knowing I can talk openly about the challenges and the wins with someone who gets it has made my WBENC membership incredibly meaningful.
Q: What’s a piece of advice you’ve picked up through WBEC‑East that has stayed with you?
A: Always let your passion shine through! Be your best and give it your all every single day. And if you’re having a bad day? Walk away for a bit, take a breather, and come back fresh the next morning. It makes all the difference.
Q: And has your business grown since joining the network?
A: We’ve seen growth both in our team and in our annual revenue. WBENC has helped open doors, broaden our network, and connect us with people who believe in supporting women‑owned businesses.
Q: Has this growth allowed you to give back to your local community?
A: Absolutely. Giving back is one of the biggest priorities for me personally and for our entire team. We’re passionate about supporting local charities and finding ways to “pay it forward,” because we have a lot to be grateful for. I’m always encouraging others to support those who need it, and our team has fully embraced that spirit.
We try to support our community in meaningful, hands‑on ways. During the holidays, for example, we ask our vendors to donate toys instead of sending us cookies or candy—and those toys go straight to families who need them most. At Thanksgiving, we make giving back a team effort by offering bonus days off to employees who participate in our food drive. The response has been incredible: even as a small team, we filled an entire cargo van with food this past Thanksgiving!
We’re also proud to serve as an official Bucks County Toys for Tots collection site. Beyond that, we run two major food drives every year—one at Thanksgiving and one at Easter—to support the Somerton Interfaith Food Bank. And several times a year, we organize sock collections for Socks for the Streets, a local organization started by a neighbor who donates socks to individuals facing homelessness and addiction.
These initiatives mean a lot to us. They remind us that success isn’t just about business growth — it’s about lifting up the community around us.
Q: What advice would you give to another entrepreneur thinking about engaging with WBEC‑East?
A: Know your goals before you dive in. Have your questions ready. That way, others in the network can point you to the right person or resource to help you. WBEC‑East has so much to offer—you’ll get the most out of it when you’re intentional about what you’re looking for.
Q: Where can people follow you and your work?
A: I’m active on LinkedIn — you can find me here:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ellen-milanese-distasio-a9158810
Learn more about Video Visions, Inc. here:
🔗 https://www.video-visions.com/
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WBEC-East’s Women’s Business Center exists to provide training, resources, and coaching to meet entrepreneurs where they are—no matter their starting point. Mary Ellen’s journey illustrates that with the right mindset and a supportive community, every connection can become a stepping stone toward success.
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