This trip changed everything. It was designed to help me make a decision: Accept a job offer or start my own business.
Booking an 11 day trip to London and Paris was meant to give me time to think and measure the risks and opportunities. No interruptions. Surrounded by history and self-imposed silence. This was a big decision and it deserved the respect of time.
I live alone, so there would be no safety net.
Was this a tightrope I could stomach? Who knew how long it would be from here to success? Would it ever come?
Next week we celebrate our 5th anniversary.
I could recite the stats on businesses who don't make it this far, but I won't as I understand their journey from the inside out. Everything is on the line. I feel badly for those who just could not whether the storms.
You see, we were off to a good start from my January 2019 launch gaining momentum, yet who could have predicted the devastating changes brought on by Covid in January 2020?
My one-year anniversary became a potential nightmare.
But I persevered.
I talked to everyone. I took every call. The good ones, the other ones, the 'free help', the lending a shoulder, always looking to give encouragement, solutions and reassurance, without putting the burden of my own fear on others.
At some point, someone has to be strong so others can have hope and see beyond the current chaos. And at some point amidst all of that activity, I began to find my place in my value to the market.
These pictures from my sojourn are meaningful to me. My journey to bravery and courage I wasn't sure I had. Grit, resilience...and somehow almost always maintaining a realistic-optimistic POV.
I will be sharing more of the pictures from this special trip over the next few weeks as I celebrate this accomplishment. I'm grateful for all who have given so graciously and generously to me from the beginning.
What inspired you to chase your dream?
What kept you going when challenges arose?
What are you going to do next with all of that verve and talent?!
Allow me to continue to cheer you on and wish you every bit of success you deserve.
