Navigating Motherhood & Entrepreneurship

If you would have asked me 20 years ago what my life would look like as a mother, it would be far different than it is now. Growing up, through college, and even in the first years of marriage, I always imagined myself as a stay at home mom. My mother was mostly home with us, and the same was true for my husband’s mother. As far as I knew, that was the only way.

Fast forward to my life in Midland and to a chance meeting in a barre studio, a moment that changed everything. I met a woman who only knew me from class, but she saw something in me that I had not yet seen in myself. She offered me a sales job I had absolutely zero experience in. She saw me, got me, and liked me.

That woman, Lisa, became far more than a boss. She became a mentor, a role model, and a friend for life. Through her, I learned that you can be a devoted mother and also pursue meaningful work without drowning in guilt. I sat shotgun on long drives listening to her navigate negotiations, problem solving, love, respect, flexibility, and partnership. The conversations she had with her husband, Bob, were especially impactful. They still enjoyed each other. They still chose curiosity and kindness in their tone. That alone changed me. I did not grow up hearing married people speak to each other that way. I grew up hearing dismissiveness, sharpness, and frustration. Lisa and Bob unintentionally gave me a new picture of marriage, which also gave me a new picture of motherhood, one that could include a career without losing myself or my family.

After two years with Lisa, an acquisition, and the arrival of our first child, I took another leap and joined Baker Hughes. That was a milestone. A small town girl landing a six figure role at a global company felt surreal. It shattered ceilings I did not even know were there. I was proud, not just of the job, but of who I was becoming. The woman who interviewed me, a strong and seasoned executive, connected with me on motherhood, grit, and what it means to be a woman in male dominated spaces. That job gave me flexibility, confidence, and belief that I could build a life that held both career and family.

Eight years in the industry brought wins, losses, growth, and a whole lot of resilience. I worked through COVID with two kids and a puppy at home. I learned to adapt, lead, and evolve. Eventually, I felt ready to step out on my own, and entrepreneurship became the next chapter. Real estate taught me even more about people, perspective, and grit. I met families from all walks of life. My children were able to see real stories and real lives up close. I am grateful for that season and its lessons.

Here is the part I did not want to ignore. As much as I learned and as many lives as I stepped into, real estate never felt like home in my soul. I originally stepped into it to build something with my dad, and I am thankful for that experience. Over time, I realized I was living a story that looked successful on the outside while something quieter on the inside kept tugging at me. I have always been most alive in spaces filled with movement, health, encouragement, and transformation. Teaching barre. Coaching women. Helping people feel better in their own bodies. That thread had been there all along, waiting for me to stop and listen.

And I finally did.

I am not interested in only letting my children see a highlight reel. I want them to see what real purpose looks like. The good moments, the hard moments, the growth, the tears, the joy, and the perseverance. If they can watch me navigate all of it, then they will believe they are capable of doing the same in their own lives.

Everything we do creates impact. And the impact I choose to make now, in my home, in my work, and in the lives of the women I serve, is one that lifts, one that lasts, and one that feels true.

In time, that quiet tug I kept feeling grew too loud to ignore. So I put in the time, the study, the soul work, and the sweat to become a certified health and wellness coach. Now I am able to help women on a deeper level, not just by cheering them on, but by guiding them through real transformation from the inside out. My work today is about strengthening bodies, calming nervous systems, restoring confidence, and helping women feel at home in their lives again. It feels honest. It feels aligned. It feels like me.

I do not know exactly what mountains and valleys are ahead, but I do know this. I am building something my children can be proud of, and something I am finally proud of too. And if my story helps even one woman believe that it is not too late to pivot, to evolve, to choose herself, or to begin again, then every twist in my journey will have been worth it.

Here is to honest work, aligned living, and a life that feels true. And if there happens to be a little grit, a little grace, and a little sarcasm along the way, that just means you know it is mine.