I can’t make this up, people.
If you looked at my social media posts back then, you would’ve thought I was the happiest person on earth.
Smiling. Booked. “Living the dream.”

But the truth?

My first year as a full-time entrepreneur was absolutely trash.
Let me tell you why.

I Wasted a Lot of Time

If you had pulled me aside back then and said, “You’re wasting time,” I would’ve laughed.
Because in my head, I was doing exactly what entrepreneurs do.

I thought being successful meant saying yes to every opportunity, every meeting, every maybe-potential client. I figured if someone wanted to pick my brain or pitch an idea, it was my job to show up.

I believed:

• Good business was any business that paid.
• Exposure was a form of currency.
• A full calendar meant I was doing it right.

I even had some savings tucked away—enough to float me for five months.
So I told myself I had time to “figure it out.”

But before I knew it, I looked up and it was month eight.

I had done great work… for other people.
But my business? It was barely breathing.

Here’s Where I Went Wrong

I was everywhere. Doing everything. For everyone.

Because I’m naturally good at seeing people’s vision and helping them map out the next steps, I became a magnet for anyone with an idea. But I didn’t know how to protect my time or energy.

• I said yes to projects that didn’t align.
• I accepted scope creep without charging more.
• I worked long hours for short-term wins.

And because I lacked structure, I lacked peace.
Which meant burnout was inevitable.

Burnout Was My Breaking Point

I hit that wall hard.

I was doing everything—and I mean everything—for everybody… and not getting compensated properly for any of it.

I wasn’t just tired. I was mentally drained, emotionally tapped out, and creatively uninspired.
And that’s when it hit me:

This wasn’t sustainable.

I had to stop blaming “the hustle” and admit that my lack of systems, clarity, and boundaries were costing me more than they were earning.

So I hit pause.

The Pivot: Doing the Inner Work

I got quiet.
I started reading. Reflecting. Rebuilding.

I dove into personal development—Jim Rohn, Bob Proctor, Brendon Burchard—just absorbing new ways of thinking. I opened myself up to a different kind of grind: one built on clarity, not chaos.

Then came the mentors:
Alease Michelle. Richard Byrd. Claytonia Boular.

They didn’t just give advice. They modeled what structured, intentional business could look like. They showed me how to lead with vision and how to build instead of just do.

Claytonia even introduced me to a book on launching (I’ll drop the name once I remember it) that changed how I saw business—less about one-off projects, more about building a system.

That’s when I started seeing things differently.

I Got Clear on Who I Really Wanted to Work With

When I zoomed out, a pattern emerged.

The people I felt most energized working with were:

• Creatives
• Founders
• Changemakers
• Purpose-driven leaders

They weren’t just trying to “blow up” or go viral. They wanted to build something meaningful.
They cared about impact, about people, about legacy.

That clicked for me.
That’s who I’m meant to serve.
So I started creating everything with them in mind.

I Built Systems That Protect My Gift

Today, I’m not available for chaos.

I don’t do discovery calls without a process. I don’t chase folks to get on the calendar.
If you want to work with me, it starts with structure:

• You book through a link.
• You fill out a form.
• You follow the process.

And if you don’t? That tells me what I need to know.

These steps filter out the noise—and protect my energy for the people who are really ready to build.

Now I Create with Purpose, Not Pressure

These days, I’m not just taking projects—I’m partnering with clients to create strategy, tell better stories, and solve real problems.

I found my lane in:

• Strategy and consulting
• Storytelling through content
• Building brand systems that scale with clarity

And I work best when I have creative autonomy—when I’m trusted to lead and test ideas like a true partner, not just a content machine.

Becoming a Scrum Master also shifted my approach.
I don’t get stuck perfecting anymore—I build, test, learn, repeat.
It’s about progress now, not perfection.

#FREEGAME

If you’re in that messy middle—trying to figure out your voice, your rhythm, your lane—listen:

Start with the end in mind.

Don’t just hustle. Align.

Get clear on where you’re headed. On the kind of life and business you want to create.
That clarity becomes your compass.

It tells you:

• What to say yes to
• What to walk away from
• What’s just noise
• And what’s actually yours

You don’t have to have it all figured out today.
But you do need to start asking better questions.

You’re not behind. You’re just building.

And if no one’s told you lately—you’re doing better than you think. Embrace & Appreciate the journey.