(Creative Commons).

After losing her house four months ago, she said she believes this election is the only way her voice can be heard.

Gilardi and her husband started a lighting business 30 years ago, it grew from a small store into a private company with partners. 

The Gilardis' achieved success after decades of hard work and lost it all because of America’s crumbling economy.

“We worked so hard to build our life and now we have to start all over again," Gilardi said. 

She also said education is a vital factor in her voting decision because she has two daughters attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise and a son at the University of California, Los Angeles. Even with her entire family working, she cannot afford to pay her children’s high tuition costs.

“[President] Obama can’t handle fixing the economy," she said. "With Romney’s strong background in business I believe he can lead the country into economic success."

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage on the 2012 presidential election here. 

Reach Staff Reporter Emily Thornburg here and Stassy Olmos here.