Finding My Voice

🔥 Flow, Not Force: Building My Brand Through Life’s Chaos

My journey didn’t begin with a business plan or a vision board—it began with survival, grit, and a whole lot of heart. I didn’t build my brand in boardrooms or brainstorm sessions. I built it in diaper aisles, retail breakrooms, college classrooms, and late-night soul-searching. And every chapter, even the messy ones, has been one of my greatest accomplishments.

👶 Teen Motherhood in the ’90s: No Filters, No Feeds—Just Real Life

Becoming a teen mom was terrifying. Especially in the ’90s, when support didn’t come from chat rooms or apps—it came from family, trial and error, and learning through the hard knocks. No Siri to ask, “How do I do this?” Just instinct, community, and a whole lot of patience.

By 21, I had three children under five. It was chaotic, overwhelming, and absolutely rewarding. I learned that schedules were my lifeline, patience was a virtue, and yes—life is messy. But in that mess, I found meaning.

💼 Retail Reality & Finding My Voice

In my mid-20s, newly single with three kids, I needed stability. I entered the world of retail, and wow—what a crash course in humanity. Working with the public taught me resilience, humor, and how to find light in the darkest places. When the economy dipped and tempers flared, I made it my mission to bring at least one smile to a stranger each day. That became my quiet rebellion against negativity.

Retail wasn’t glamorous, but it was formative. It taught me leadership, empathy, and how to stand tall in the face of burnout. It carved the path to my future.

💔 Control, Trust & the Hardest Job I’ve Ever Had

Marriage came next—a new chapter, a new challenge. My mom once told me, “Marriage is the hardest job you’ll ever have.” She wasn’t wrong. Going from a unit of four where I called the shots, to a family of five where someone else had opinions? That was a shift I wasn’t ready for.

I sought counseling. I tried to learn how to let people in. But letting go of control isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a lifelong practice. And I’m still learning.

🎓 Reinvention & Rising

In the past nine years, I went back to college and graduated. After 20+ years in retail management, I finally stepped into a corporate role. I’m now a 46-year-old mother, grandmother, and executive. And guess what? I still love hard rock concerts, wear what makes me feel alive, and embrace the parts of me that don’t fit the mold.

🧠 The Judgments That Sting

People ask, “Is that appropriate for a grandmother?” or “Should someone your age wear that?” These comments—however well-meaning—can unravel years of self-worth. They’re not just critiques; they’re reminders of the boxes society tries to put us in.

But here’s the truth: I’ve earned every scar, every success, every song I scream at a concert. My brand isn’t built on perfection—it’s built on authenticity, resilience, and the refusal to shrink.