If I were honest, I’d tell you that 2016 owed me big time. And I was ready for it to pay up. In full. Every single penny.
I spent all of 2015 working at full speed and hashing out the details to launch my business at the beginning of 2016. December was full of expectation and fervor, and I waited anxiously for the clock to strike twelve.
Midnight came. The year had officially begun, and my world was flipped upside down. Three days into 2016, my mother went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing for 15 minutes. I found myself in a numbing panic as I jumped on the first flight to Birmingham.
This was not how I saw my “grand” year beginning.
I arrived at the hospital where my mother was on life support in the ICU, fighting for every breath that she took. After 23 days by her side, I held her hand for the final time as she took her last breath.
It was a Wednesday.
Interesting how life requires us to prove how serious we are about having a sense of purpose, doing the things that we love, and making an impact on the world around us.
I knew that the greatest tribute to my mother’s life would be to continue. So, I picked my passion up again and started to put the pieces of my life back together.
Lady Rebranded, the company I started, is a branding studio that empowers women influencers, creators, and entrepreneurs. A huge part of our work is helping women to identify who they are, what their passion is, and helping them find their “why.” We believe that in addition to executing a strong business strategy, taking care of yourself and discovering your true self are essential elements to building brands that create an impact.
A month ago, I received an email asking: “What would you do with this opportunity?” It sounded like 2016 was trying to make good on its promise, and I was excited to see what was in store. It turned out that WeWork was launching a new program called Mission Possible to help entrepreneurs get their big ideas off of the ground.
Within two weeks, I had moved from my cozy, Pinterest-inspired home office to the 36th floor of a glass building in a chic WeWork office in Downtown L.A. As my company logo went up on the glass door, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the new season in my life and the life of my business.
What I love most about WeWork is that it cultivates an environment that builds authentic community. Whether grabbing coffee or attending one of the weekly events, there is so much opportunity to connect with amazing people doing equally inspiring work.
Once I moved in, I experienced that power of community and connection when I met an entrepreneur who was just as hungry as I was. He was looking for someone who was passionate about helping small businesses to build their brands and do more of what they love.
Seriously? Where do I sign up? I sent him a direct message on the WeWork Member Network. He shared his ideas with me. We connected on Google Hangout. We laughed. We were inspired. And within an hour, we decided to become partners.
I had one word after that experience: Wow.
This was the moment that I lived for. Creating a life on my own terms. Building a business that mattered. Creating a culture that inspires. Doing what I love on a daily basis.
This year is now back in good graces with me. Every moment I get, I share this story to encourage every entrepreneur, every creator, and every believer in the impossible. The lesson? No matter what life throws at you, if you set your intentions on creating a powerful life and not just a profitable living, destiny will greet you at the door—or greet you on the 36th floor of a Downtown Los Angeles office building—with an abundance of opportunities to do both.