This is me in January 2024. It was the first Saturday of the new year, and I was at the credit union opening my first business account in Ohio. I hadn’t even bothered to put makeup on, but I wanted to capture the moment.
Standing in the parking lot later, I texted this photo to some girlfriends with a note that I was officially back in business for myself.
My first venture into entrepreneurship started in 1999 during the beautiful, chaotic early years of motherhood. Back then, my work was a balancing act, crafted around school schedules and the modest income goals of a young family. Ultimately, my ten years of self-employment landed me a role with my choice employer, where I stayed for 13 years.
Fast forward to November 2023. A year after I had relocated to Cincinnati for a director role, my position was eliminated.
I came home that day and immediately got to work.
This time, the stakes were higher. I was no longer a young mom working around the margins. I was a marketing director and hands-on creative with nearly 40 years of experience and a significantly higher income to replace.
I stopped asking, “Can I make this work?” and started asking, “How do I build this to scale?”
🖥️ I mobilized. Within weeks, I had built out a website, designed business cards and scheduled dozens of informational calls with my professional network.
🏦 I solidified. Less than a year after I took that photo, I transitioned from a simple DBA to a formal LLC, set up payroll and prioritized my future with a SEP retirement fund.
👭 I expanded. I started collaborating with people like my sister, Sheila Butler. And I joined The Upside, connecting with consultants in the United States and beyond to sharpen my strategy and broaden my reach.
If you’re standing at a career crossroads, know that you have more leverage than you think. Trust the expertise you’ve built, and don’t be afraid to claim the seat you’ve earned.
Hydrangea Studio 