I’m in the process of rebranding and stepping into a new realm of business, one that will still include photography, but will go far beyond it. I’m new here, and sometimes that feels really vulnerable. I have clients who feel bigger than me, and I catch myself wondering why someone like them would trust “little ol’ me.” Lately, I’ve been wrestling with that inner voice more than usual.

Some days I remember: I’ve been doing versions of this since I was a kid, building systems, figuring things out, creating from scratch. I’ve started around five businesses (that I can remember off the top of my head). Some of them “failed,” but every single one brought me here. They were my teachers.

Other days, I spiral in a different direction: I don’t have formal education in the area I’m stepping into, and I start believing that means I don’t have value to offer. And then I remember some people get degrees and never use them. Life has been my teacher.

My dad reminds me all the time of a moment at my brother’s college graduation. One of his professors asked if I was going to college, and I told him, “I attend the college of life.” At the time, I said it half as a joke, almost dismissively. But my dad brings it up like it was profound. “Yes,” he says. “You have learned from life.” And honestly? That experience has served me better than sitting in a classroom would have. I’ve never been a book learner. Some things never change.

I’m learning not to discount myself just because I don’t have the societally accepted version of education. What I know comes from real trial and error. It’s a lived experience. And to me, that feels more valuable than holding book knowledge I may not have known how to apply without learning it the hard way, in the real world.

I am switching gears toward something new. I’m creating a space for myself to explore what truly resonates with my purpose, something that can grow with me and change as rapidly as my mind is meant to (very Gemini, very air sign). I know the skills I’ve gained through the life I’ve lived can genuinely help other entrepreneurs, and I’m finally ready to be seen in that way… but it’s vulnerable.

That’s when the what-ifs show up and try to take the wheel:

What if my clients don’t like what I produce?

What if I don’t actually have the skills I think I do?

What if I’m delusional and I’m not offering anything people actually want?

What if, what if, what if…

But the better part of me answers back: What if… you’re even more skilled and wise than you think you are? What if they actually love what you create? What if the thing that feels so easy it almost feels wrong to charge for is exactly what someone else is struggling with? What if they really do need what you have to offer? Am I ready for that? Am I ready to guide people where I naturally thrive? What if the faith my clients have already placed in me is entirely warranted?

And that’s the battle, isn’t it? Between the “what if I fail” and the “what if I succeed.” So I’m allowing myself to try new things, take different approaches, and scrap what isn’t working anymore. I’m in the building phase too, and I’m inviting people to come along for the beginning of this new journey with me. It’s empowering and equally intimidating. The idea that I could take a client on an unforeseen detour carries weight. It’s a responsibility. It’s an expectation. It’s trusting myself… and that part is new.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in business is this: do it messy. Do it even though the systems aren’t perfect yet. Do it even if I’m not sure it’ll be a long-term offering because the only way to know is to try. Do it, then do it again differently until it feels right. And then do it again to make it even better.



I’m still learning to fully own that my voice and perspective are powerful, that my experience is valuable, and that there are people, entrepreneurs, creatives, fellow purpose-driven souls who need what I’ve gained through lived experience.

As we head into a new year, these are the intentions I’m setting: to stand in my power, stay connected to my purpose, and share what I’m here to share with the people who can use it so they can stand in their power a little stronger, too.