How it started

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, and I sure as heck didn’t “get lucky”. I grew up amidst a working class family in Pasadena, Texas [yes, as in “John Travolta – Urban Cowboy”].  It was full of friends, family, and love, but no shining examples of how to start a business, launch a career, or build investments. My family may not have been one of many means, but they always told me I could do and be anything I wanted.  That fed into who I was and how I approached the world.

I went to college like most: full of idealistic dreams, fueled by passion and a sense of limitless possibilities. As happens to the best of us, my passion fell victim to pragmatism and the desire for a big income. Instead of pursuing being a writer or becoming a surgeon, I opted to go to law school.

I thought everyone landed huge opportunities after law school, but thats false. A rescinded job offer due to layoffs forced me to reassess my possibilities and my expectations.  The job I finally landed paid $70,000. Sounds like a lot for someone in their mid-20’s, but I promise, it didn’t feel like a lot with my student loans and heavy interest bearing down.  So I embraced a frugal lifestyle and navigated through career challenges, including a distressing first legal role while starting my life.  

I was drudging through work, each day becoming more depressing than the last since the career wasn’t turning out the way I hoped, I lacked any career or office mentorship, and I just wasn’t having fun. But a spontaneous decision (I quit) and trip to Asia prompted a pivotal career shift.  While I sat at the gate waiting to board the plane that would take me half-way around the world, I got a job offer for a different role in a totally different industry.  I said, “why the heck not?!”  And I never looked back.  This was my first lesson in going with your gut and being open to pivoting in life.

Throughout the rest of my career, I sought guidance from seasoned mentors, learning MANY valuable lessons. My journey underscores the importance of trusting your instincts while embracing change. We all have limiting beliefs that try to hold us back, but you have to break through and pave your own path to success!