10/24/2026
ONE WHOLE YEAR OF BEING A BUSINESS OWNER. 🥹❤️🔥✨
ONE FULL YEAR of being a business owner, and honestly, I don’t even know where to begin because there are so many emotions, memories, sacrifices, and lessons that come with this milestone. When I look back at where I started, the dreams I had, the goals I set, and everything it took to get to this point, I can’t help but feel proud, emotional, and beyond thankful. 🥹❤️
People see the finished product. They see the business, the progress, the accomplishments, the good days, and the moments worth celebrating. But what people don’t always see is EVERYTHING that happens behind the scenes. They don’t see the long nights, the sleepless nights, the stress, the pressure, the sacrifices, the tears, the doubts, and all the moments when you’re sitting there wondering if everything you’re working so hard for is actually going to pay off.
Let me tell you, this past year has tested me in ways I never could have imagined. It has pushed me mentally, emotionally, and physically. There have been nights I stayed up way later than I should have, trying to figure things out, make things happen, solve problems, plan my next move, and find a way to keep pushing forward even when I felt like I had absolutely nothing left to give. There have been days when I was exhausted, overwhelmed, frustrated, and questioning myself, but I still got up and kept going because I knew I had a dream worth fighting for.
And when I say it took blood, sweat, and tears to get here, I mean EVERY SINGLE WORD. This journey has required sacrifices that not everyone will ever understand. It has meant putting in work when I was tired, showing up when I didn’t feel like it, figuring things out as I went, and learning lessons the hard way. It has meant celebrating little victories while quietly fighting battles nobody else knew I was facing. It has meant smiling through the stress, keeping a positive attitude when things weren’t going as planned, and finding the strength to keep moving even when I felt like giving up.
There have been MANY times when I was ready to throw in the towel. Times when I questioned whether I was cut out for this. Times when I wondered if all the hard work, all the time, all the money, all the energy, and all the sacrifices were worth it. There were moments when I felt like I was giving this everything I had and still wasn’t getting where I wanted to be fast enough. I had nights when my mind simply would not shut off, when I laid there thinking about everything I needed to do, everything I wanted to accomplish, and everything I was afraid might not work out. Sleepless nights filled with worry, pressure, and a million different thoughts running through my head.
Sometimes being a business owner means being your own biggest cheerleader when you feel like you have nothing left to give yourself. It means wiping your own tears, picking yourself back up, taking a deep breath, and reminding yourself WHY you started in the first place. It means learning how to believe in yourself even when things get hard, even when the road gets lonely, and even when the results aren’t coming as quickly as you hoped they would.
And let me tell you something: believing in yourself is not always easy. Especially when you’re building something from the ground up. Especially when you’re trying to turn a dream into something real. Especially when you’re learning as you go, making mistakes, facing challenges, and trying to figure out the next step while still handling everything else life throws at you.
Nobody can fully prepare you for what it feels like to be responsible for something you have poured your heart and soul into. Nobody can explain the pressure of wanting to succeed so badly that you sometimes forget to give yourself credit for how far you’ve already come. Nobody tells you how emotional it can be to watch something you dreamed about slowly become a reality. And nobody can truly understand the feeling of wanting to give up one minute and then remembering the reason you started the next.
But through every difficult moment, every setback, every obstacle, every tear, and every sleepless night, I kept going. Maybe not always as confidently as I wanted to. Maybe not always with a perfect plan. Maybe sometimes with tears in my eyes and a tired heart. But I KEPT GOING. And today, that means more to me than I can even explain.
This first year has taught me so much about patience, discipline, consistency, sacrifice, faith, and trusting the process. It has taught me that growth doesn’t always happen overnight. It has taught me that success isn’t always loud, flashy, or easy to see. Sometimes success is simply choosing not to quit on a day when quitting feels like the easiest option. Sometimes success is making it through a difficult season without losing sight of the person you’re trying to become. And sometimes success is looking back at everything that almost broke you and realizing that you were stronger than you ever gave yourself credit for.
I have learned that building a business is about so much more than making money or having something to call your own. It’s about building something you believe in. It’s about creating opportunities, challenging yourself, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and becoming a stronger version of yourself along the way. It’s about learning to take risks, accepting that not every decision will be perfect, and understanding that every mistake can teach you something if you’re willing to learn from it.
I’ve learned that not everyone will understand your vision, and that’s okay. Not everyone will understand why you work so hard, why you spend so many hours chasing your goals, or why you refuse to give up on something that means so much to you. But they don’t have to understand it. THEY AREN’T THE ONES WHO DREAMED IT. They aren’t the ones who see what you see or feel the passion that keeps you moving forward. And I’ve learned that as long as I stay true to myself, keep learning, keep growing, and keep putting in the work, I don’t need everyone to understand my journey.
I also know that I didn’t get here by being perfect. I got here by trying, learning, failing, adjusting, and trying again. I got here by making hard decisions, having difficult days, and choosing to keep showing up even when things weren’t easy. I got here because somewhere deep down, I knew I wanted more for myself, and I was willing to work for it.
To the version of me who started this journey a year ago: I wish I could sit you down, give you the biggest hug, and tell you that although the road ahead won’t always be easy, you’re going to learn so much about yourself. I’d tell you that you’re going to have days when you question everything, nights when you cry from the pressure, and moments when you wonder if you made the right decision. But I’d also tell you that you’re going to have moments that make every single sacrifice worth it. You’re going to look back one day and realize that you survived things you once thought would defeat you. You’re going to be proud of the courage it took to start, even before you knew exactly how everything would work out.
And most importantly, I’d tell you NOT TO GIVE UP. Not on the hard days. Not when things move slower than you hoped. Not when the road gets rocky. Not when you feel behind. Not when you look around and wonder why everyone else seems to be doing better. Your journey is your own, and your timeline doesn’t have to look like anybody else’s. Keep your head down, keep learning, keep working, and keep believing in the dream that started it all.
I want to take a moment to thank EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has supported me throughout this first year. Whether you’ve supported my business, shared my work, recommended me to someone else, encouraged me when I needed it, checked on me during a difficult time, or simply believed in what I was trying to build, PLEASE KNOW THAT IT MEANS MORE THAN YOU REALIZE. Every bit of support, every kind word, every opportunity, and every person who has chosen to trust me has played a part in this journey. I may not always be able to put into words how grateful I am, but please know that I don’t take any of it for granted. ❤️
Thank you to the people who have stood beside me, reminded me of my potential, encouraged me to keep going, and celebrated the little victories with me. Thank you to those who have supported the vision even when it was still a work in progress. Thank you to the people who have trusted me and given me opportunities to grow. And thank you to everyone who has played even the smallest role in helping me reach this milestone. You have no idea how much it means to have people in your corner while you’re trying to build something from the ground up.
I am also thankful for the lessons that came with the difficult moments. As much as I would have loved for every day to be easy, I know that the hard days helped shape me into the business owner I am today. Every challenge taught me something. Every setback forced me to reevaluate, improve, and grow. Every moment of doubt gave me another opportunity to prove to myself that I could keep going. And every time I wanted to quit but chose to try one more time, I became a little stronger.
Am I where I ultimately want to be? Not yet. Do I still have big dreams, bigger goals, and so much more I want to accomplish? ABSOLUTELY. I know this is only the beginning. I know there is still so much to learn, so much room to grow, and so many opportunities waiting for me if I continue to put in the work. But for once, I want to take a moment to stop looking at how far I still have to go and appreciate how far I’ve already come.
Because a year ago, this was a dream I was working toward. Today, it’s something I can look at and say, “I DID THAT.” I took a chance on myself. I stepped out of my comfort zone. I put my heart into something I believed in. I faced the fear, accepted the uncertainty, and decided to give myself a chance. And even through all the moments when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore, I made it to ONE WHOLE YEAR.
That is something worth celebrating. 🥹❤️🔥
I am proud of myself for not giving up when things got hard. I’m proud of myself for continuing to show up on the days when I felt exhausted. I’m proud of myself for pushing through the sleepless nights, the stress, the tears, and the moments of uncertainty. I’m proud of myself for choosing to keep chasing my dreams even when the path wasn’t always clear. And I’m proud of myself for having the courage to start something that required me to grow in ways I never expected.
This year wasn’t perfect, and neither was I. There were mistakes, lessons, disappointments, unexpected challenges, and moments I wish I could do over. But there was also growth, determination, progress, and a whole lot of heart. If there is one thing this year has shown me, it’s that I am capable of more than I sometimes believe. I can handle hard things. I can learn from my mistakes. I can adapt when things don’t go according to plan. And I can keep moving forward even when I don’t have every answer.
So today, I’m celebrating more than just a year of owning a business. I’m celebrating the courage it took to start, the strength it took to continue, the lessons that helped me grow, and the determination that carried me through the moments when I wanted to give up.
I’m celebrating every late night that turned into an early morning. Every tear I wiped away and every time I chose to try again. Every small win that reminded me I was making progress. Every obstacle that taught me to become stronger. And every moment I kept going when nobody would have blamed me for taking a step back.
And let me just say this, because I KNOW not everybody believed I would make it this far. I know there were people who doubted me, people who thought I would never make it, people who probably expected me to fail, and maybe even people out there who are praying on my downfall and waiting for the day they can say, “I told you so.” But what I’ve learned throughout this journey is that EVERYBODY DOESN’T HAVE TO BELIEVE IN YOU FOR YOU TO SUCCEED. Not everybody is going to clap for you, support you, or be happy to see you win, and that’s okay. I can’t control what people think about me, what they say behind my back, or what they hope happens in my life, but I CAN control how hard I work, how I carry myself, and how much determination I put into making my dreams a reality. I refuse to let somebody else’s doubt become my limitation. I refuse to let negativity distract me from the goals I’m working so hard to reach. And I will NEVER allow anybody’s opinions, jealousy, or lack of belief in me to make me give up on something I’ve sacrificed so much to build. While some people may have been waiting to see me fail, I’ve been busy learning, growing, working, and proving to MYSELF what I’m capable of. I don’t need to argue with anybody, explain myself to everybody, or prove my worth to people who have already made up their minds about me. My work, my growth, and my determination will speak for themselves. I’m going to keep showing up, keep improving, keep chasing my goals, and keep building the life and business I’ve dreamed of, no matter who likes it or who doesn’t. Because at the end of the day, this dream is bigger than anybody’s opinion of me, and I’ve come way too far, sacrificed way too much, and fought way too hard to let anybody stand in the way of what I’m working toward. YOU CAN DOUBT ME, YOU CAN COUNT ME OUT, AND YOU CAN WAIT FOR ME TO FAIL, BUT YOU WILL NEVER MAKE ME QUIT. I didn’t come this far to stop now, and I refuse to let anybody’s negativity steal the joy of what I’ve worked so hard to accomplish. I’m too focused on where I’m going to let anybody’s doubts distract me from getting there. ❤️🔥💪🏼
ONE YEAR DOWN, AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. 🥂❤️🔥
Here’s to another year of learning, growing, building, improving, taking chances, chasing bigger dreams, and turning goals into reality. Here’s to trusting the process, being patient with myself, staying committed to the vision, and remembering why I started whenever the road gets difficult again.
I know there will be more hard days ahead. I know there will be more challenges to overcome, more lessons to learn, and more moments that will test my patience and determination. But I also know that I have made it through an entire year of building something that means so much to me, and I am walking into this next chapter with more experience, more knowledge, and a stronger belief in myself than I had when I first began.
To anyone out there dreaming of starting something of their own, chasing a goal, or building a life they can be proud of: PLEASE DON’T LET THE HARD DAYS CONVINCE YOU THAT YOU AREN’T CAPABLE OF DOING SOMETHING GREAT. You don’t have to have everything figured out to start. You don’t have to be fearless. You don’t have to know exactly how every piece will fall into place. Sometimes you just have to take that first step, believe in yourself enough to try, and have the courage to keep going when things get difficult.
Your dream deserves a chance. And you deserve to see what you’re capable of when you refuse to give up on yourself.
And last but certainly not least, I hope my MOMMA up in heaven is looking down on me, watching over me, and feeling proud of the person I am becoming. 🕊️🤍 There have been so many moments throughout this journey when I wished more than anything that I could pick up the phone, hear your voice, tell you about everything I’m working toward, and have you tell me that you’re proud of me. There have been nights when things felt so heavy, when I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and ready to throw in the towel, that I would have given anything to have one of your hugs and hear you tell me to keep going.
I hope you’ve been beside me through every sleepless night, every tear I’ve cried, every obstacle I’ve faced, and every little victory I’ve celebrated. I hope you’ve been watching me fight for my dreams and helping guide me in the moments when I didn’t know which way to turn. I wish you could be here to see me reach this milestone, to see how hard I’ve worked, how much I’ve sacrificed, and how badly I’ve wanted to make something of myself.
Not having you here to share these moments with is a pain that never truly goes away, but I find comfort in believing that a piece of you is always with me. I pray that you continue to watch over me, guide my steps, protect my heart, and give me the strength to keep going when life gets hard. On the days when I feel like giving up, I hope you somehow remind me that I’m stronger than I think and that I have so much more left to accomplish.
Everything I do, every goal I chase, and every dream I work toward, I hope it makes you proud. If you can see me from up there, Momma, I hope you know that I’m trying my hardest down here. I’m trying to build something meaningful, make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given, and become someone you would be proud to call your daughter. I would give anything to have you here beside me for this chapter, but until the day I get to see you again, I’ll keep carrying your love with me through every step of this journey.
ONE WHOLE YEAR AS A BUSINESS OWNER, MOMMA, AND I HOPE I’M MAKING YOU PROUD. This one’s for you, too. I love you and miss you more than words could ever explain. Until we meet again, please keep watching over me. 🤍🕊️🥹
Thank you, God, for carrying me through the days I didn’t think I had the strength to make it through. Thank you for the opportunities, the doors that have opened, the lessons that have shaped me, and the strength to keep pushing forward when I felt like I had nothing left. I know I still have a long way to go, but I am so grateful to be where I am today.
Here’s to the dream that started it all, the hard work that brought me here, the people who have supported me, and the future I’m working so hard to build.
365 DAYS OF LEARNING. 365 DAYS OF GROWING. 365 DAYS OF SACRIFICE. 365 DAYS OF NEVER GIVING UP ON THE DREAM. ❤️🔥
ONE FULL YEAR AS A BUSINESS OWNER, AND I’M JUST GETTING STARTED. WATCH WHAT’S NEXT. 🥹🤍✨
