Today I’m running my dream business helping ambitious women build magnetic brands to achieve their wildest dreams through the Be Known Collective, 1:1 personalized coaching and my online courses.

But this wasn’t always the case. I spent nearly 20 years climbing the traditional corporate ladder – creating winning marketing and branding strategies for everyone from big global brands to start-ups and small businesses.

Along the way I earned an MBA in International Business and even took a sabbatical year to teach English in Thailand.

I went all in on building a successful career as a brand expert and business leader. But a part of me always dreamed about running my own business. I wasn’t sure exactly what I would do but I had some ideas. And I wasn’t sure precisely when, but I knew the right time would present itself.

I resigned from my job at the height of my career because my belief that there was something better out there for me finally grew stronger than my fear of letting go.

It was scary but I went all in and got to work at building the business I wanted – I was finally living my dream!

But instead of feeling the fulfillment and joy I expected I was still miserable and had no idea why.

Suddenly, I was filled with insecurity and self-doubt.

I was constantly stressed trying to get new clients in my consulting business while still learning how to run and build my business.

And I was doing all of it on my own, part-time, so that I could be a stay-at-home parent and feel more present for my son.

I felt like a failure. I wasn’t earning the money I knew that I could in my business AND I wasn’t happy doing the work I used to love. I felt like I was barely keeping it all together and I couldn’t remember why I had started. I was ready to give up.

But then – I gave myself complete permission to let go and let it all fall apart. I admitted to myself that I didn’t want that type of business anymore. It was hard. And I had to give myself time and grace to work through all the complex emotions.

I refocused my energy on things that bring me joy – my family, travel adventures, my health – I experimented with all sorts of different business ideas and after a lot of work on myself I excavated a piece of my original business plan that still felt most authentic to me.

I focused on what really lit me up and got me excited to work every day on something truly special that I knew would change people’s lives.

And that’s the business I run today.