Power of laughter

Although Yvonne Conte's humor-filled career was hard-won, it was blessed from the beginning as if by the heavens above. Formerly in sales, Conte reached a point in her life where she was in a self-described “financial desert,” and did not know what to do to keep her livelihood and quality of life.

“My son said, ‘Gee, mom, why don't you become a comedian because you're really funny.' I thought, you certainly can't support yourself doing that,” Conte said.

However, when Conte later met with her friend and accountant, she heard the same message, and took heart. Within days she was performing stand-up comedy at Wise Guys comedy club in Syracuse.