Twelve years.
That’s how long I’ve been a mother to an incredible, inspiring, ever-evolving daughter. And in those twelve years, life has thrown its fair share of curve balls. Some have been exhilarating, others devastating, but all have shaped who I am today.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s this…nothing stays the same, nor should it.
Change is a force, and whether we resist it or harness it, it’s coming.
This past year alone has been a whirlwind.
My daughter just turned twelve, an age of growth, discovery, and questioning everything. As she finds her footing, I’ve found myself reflecting on how I’ve navigated my own transitions.
I’ve gone through a divorce, expanded my business, and mastered the art of using social media to build a thriving referral-based insurance agency. I’ve become an expert at community-building, at juggling and integrating my personal and professional lives, at ensuring that neither one swallows the other whole. And, in the midst of it all, I faced one of the most gut-wrenching experiences imaginable, a house fire that destroyed my home.
That fire was more than just the loss of walls and possessions. It was a stark, burning reminder of impermanence. Of how quickly everything can change. Of how we are never as in control as we think we are.
But here’s the thing, trying to hold on to the way things were is a futile exercise. Life does not come with a pause button. The trick isn’t in stopping the ride, it’s in steering it.
And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that we should never just be along for the ride. We should be designing it.
The Power of Adaptability
In both business and life, clinging to the past is the quickest way to stagnation, and if I had continued running my business the way I did five years ago, I’d be struggling right now.
The landscape has shifted. Networking isn’t just shaking hands in a room; it’s creating meaningful digital touch points. Sales aren’t just about cold calls and referrals; they’re about building a brand that people recognize, trust, and recommend.
I adapted. I learned social media inside and out, not just as a promotional tool but as a community-building powerhouse. I leaned into change rather than fearing it. And the results? My business has never been stronger.
This same mindset applies to parenting. My daughter isn’t the same little girl she was five years ago. She’s growing into her own person, and the way I parent has to evolve with her. I can’t keep doing things the way I always have, I have to adjust, listen, learn. If I try to keep things the same, I lose the opportunity to meet her where she is now.
Learning from the Chaos
Mistakes? I’ve made them. Plenty. But mistakes are the best teachers. I could have let the hardships define me, but instead, I let them refine me. The divorce taught me resilience and the importance of prioritizing my own happiness. The fire forced me to re-evaluate what truly matters. Growing my business pushed me to embrace innovation.
We have to be willing to pivot, to see challenges as lessons rather than roadblocks. Life isn’t happening to us, it’s happening for us.
Community is Everything
Through every transition, one thing has remained constant: the power of community. Whether it’s in business, in family, or in life, we are never meant to do it alone.
I’ve spent years fostering a network of professionals, partners, clients, and friends who support, challenge, and uplift each other. That’s not by accident. It’s because I believe in the power of relationships. I’ve built a referral-based business not by chance, but by intention. I’ve created deep, meaningful connections, ones that stand the test of time and change.
And it’s the same with my personal life. I’ve learned that leaning on others isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. Asking for help, accepting support, and being there for others in return, that’s what gets us through the storms.
Designing the Ride
Life is a moving current, and we have two choices: let it take us wherever it pleases or grab the wheel and chart our own course.
I choose the latter.
I choose to design the life I want, to pivot when needed, to embrace change rather than fear it. I choose to be intentional with my business, my relationships, and my growth. I choose to teach my daughter that while life is unpredictable, we always have a say in how we respond.
Here’s my question for you: Are you steering your ship, or are you just along for the ride?
Whatever stage of life or business you’re in, know this, change is coming. Embrace it. Learn from it. Design the ride you want to take. Because the best journeys? They don’t just happen. They’re created.
And I, for one, wouldn’t have it any other way.
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