I expected the income conversation. I did not expect this one.
What building this business has given me that genuinely surprised me is a sense of who I actually am outside of the roles I play every day.
I am a daughter, a mom, an employee. I show up in those roles consistently and I love them. But somewhere in all of that the question of who I am for myself, what I am capable of on my own terms, had gotten very quiet.
Building something of my own has been loud in the best way.
Every time I show up and post something honest. Every time a woman reaches out because something I said resonated. Every time I have a conversation that actually helps someone. Every time I learn something new and realize I am becoming someone who knows things she did not used to know.
That accumulates into something. A version of yourself that you built on purpose. That is not dependent on anyone else's opinion of your worth or your potential.
I did not see that coming when I started. I thought I was just looking for extra income. I found that and something I did not even know I was missing.
Comment SURPRISED and I'll tell you more about what I mean 🫶
Starting a business often comes with the expectation of financial gain, but my journey surprised me with something far more profound. Beyond the anticipated income, this experience unlocked a deeper understanding of who I truly am beyond my defined social roles. This revelation didn’t come overnight but grew through consistent efforts and honest self-expression. Every time I shared my authentic thoughts or helped others through real conversations, I noticed subtle shifts within myself. These moments of connection and learning accumulated into a stronger, more confident version of me—one that wasn’t reliant on validation from others but built on a foundation of personal purpose and self-awareness. This process reminded me of how important it is to invest in oneself, not just financially but emotionally and mentally. Building something from the ground up forces you to confront doubts and fears but also offers an incredible opportunity to redefine your potential on your own terms. For anyone thinking about starting a side hustle or business, I’d say don’t underestimate the transformative power this journey can have on your identity. It’s about more than money; it’s about finding parts of yourself that were quiet or hidden under daily routines and external expectations. If you’ve started your own venture, you might relate to this feeling of unexpected self-discovery. It’s empowering to see how your knowledge and confidence evolve as you grow into the person you want to be, independent of others' opinions. This is the true gift of entrepreneurship—learning who you are and what you’re capable of beyond the roles you play for others.