Yesterday, I sent around Part One of my Seven Year Career Wrap Up Series (missed it? catch up here).

In it, were my top 10 business milestones from 2016 - 2023.

The highlight reel, basically.

Well today we are swapping the shiny wins for the flops.

What didn't work for me?

What strategies failed?

What didn't light me up?

Let's dive in!

Seven Year Career Wrap Up Part 2: Lessons Learned

(aka... the flops!)

Lesson #1: Just because that’s everyone else’s next step, it doesn’t mean it’s yours.

I learned this the hard way, from starting my first full service agency in my hometown at age 24, getting a massive office and hiring a full staff, all to become the one thing I left: Agency life.

I had to learn that just because it’s working doesn’t mean I need to expand in the “expected” direction.

Every one of us who dives into the realm of entrepreneurship has surely encountered this situation: your competitors or peers are taking the next big step.

They're launching podcasts, starting agencies, creating merch, signing to agencies, getting into NFTs or doing influencer trips, and you're there thinking, "Oh, should I be doing that too?" Pause. Take a breath. Just because that’s everyone else’s next step, it doesn't mean it’s yours.

We are all individuals, each with unique skills, perspectives, and creative juice to spill. Your path might not align with the trend of the day, and that's more than okay.

It’s fantastic! It means you have the opportunity to carve a niche, stand out from the crowd, and truly resonate with your audience.

And that’s exactly what I did. I closed that agency, felt like a complete failure, traveled, reconnected with myself and found my purpose and reengaged my strength: creativity.

I found my niche with creators and I excelled because of it.

It's easy to get sidetracked and lose sight of your true calling, it’s going to happen at least once in your life. Remember to stay focused on what genuinely brings you joy and fulfillment.

Keep learning and evolving. The world is constantly changing, and so should we. Stay curious, keep educating yourself, and be open to new experiences.

Remember the heart and soul of success is authenticity. Your community isn’t just after the shiny new thing; they're craving real connections and real support. Being real means listening to your own instincts, following your creative inclinations, and staying true to the essence of your brand.

If diving headfirst into virtual reality or creating a podcast about the intricacies of banana peels isn’t your thing, yet or ever, don't sweat it. Instead, double down on what you're passionate about and what you’re good at. Is it making short films? Awesome, keep at it. Love writing? Fantastic, we need more beautiful words in the world.

The point here is that your path in the world of social media marketing doesn't have to mirror anyone else's. Yes, it's crucial to stay informed about trends and shifts in the landscape, but it's equally important to remember your own brand's individuality and strengths. You don't have to walk down the beaten path - you're more than capable of blazing your own trail.

So, as you continue crafting your digital world, remember this: just because it's everyone else's next step doesn't mean it's yours. You do you, keep it authentic to you, and your audience will follow not because you're like everyone else, but precisely because you're not.

Lesson #2: Don't let emotions rule your business decisions. Feelings fade, while reason and clarity remain.

Here's the thing: As creative, we're hardwired to feel all the feels, right? That's part of what makes us so great at crafting stories that connect and resonate with our audience. We put our hearts into our work, and that's why it shines. But let's face it, sometimes, our hearts can lead us astray - especially when we're making decisions about our business.

Sure, it's easy to get swept up in the thrill of a new project, or to feel burnt out and want to quit when things don't seem to be going our way. Hell, it's even tempting to make that snap decision to collaborate with a brand or a person simply because we love their vibe, or to invest all our resources into a certain platform because it's currently all the rage.

But if we're being honest, emotions are fleeting, they're fickle, and they can sometimes blur the lines between what feels right and what is right for our business and community in the long run.

I have done this countless times over the years of my career and luckily as time goes on I do it less.

I try stop and wait for clarity and reason to align with my creative vision.

Unlike emotions, they're not tied to any fleeting mood or circumstance. They're about understanding your business goals, your audience, and the environment you're operating in. They're about stepping back, looking at the big picture, and making decisions that align with your strategy - even if they might not seem super exciting or fulfilling in the moment.

So next time you're faced with a big decision, take a breather. Step away from the situation for a while, clear your mind, and then come back to it with fresh eyes. Try to view it from different perspectives - your audience's, your competitors', even your future self's. If it aligns with your overall business objectives and doesn't just feel good in the moment, then it's probably a decision worth making.

Don’t just act. Wait. I press pause on all major business decisions now.

If the decision is only going to affect my week, I give it a few hours of thought.

If the decision is only going to affect my month, I give it 24 hours to analyze.

If the decision is only going to affect my quarter, I give it a few days to a week to think through.

If the decision is only going to affect my year, I give it at least a week to process.

If the decision is only going to affect my life, I try to never rush the process and let the answer come to me organically through ongoing analysis of the effects of the decision.

And remember, that's not to say you should completely ignore your feelings. They're a crucial part of who we are as creators. It's about finding a balance, not letting your emotions dictate your business decisions, but letting them guide you while still maintaining a strong foundation of reason and clarity.

Lesson #3: If you want to climb the mountain of success, find a successful mentor living the lifestyle you desire to help you navigate major business decisions. If you're fine with falling flat on your face, don't bother getting one.

If you’ve listened to my podcast you know I’ve made some not so smart business deals because of appreciation and inspiration of a person.

If any of my business mentors had gotten wind of that deal, they probably would've freaked out and lectured me about what a terrible idea it was.

At a subconscious level I knew it was a bad deal, which is why I never shared it or sought advice on it.

Having a mentor you LISTEN to who can not only spot what you're missing in the moment, but also help you discover your hidden potential, can really transform your life and save you from a whole lot of unnecessary detours and obstacles.

Truly, if you really want to skyrocket to success, you've got to find a mentor.

Someone who is experienced in your field and is living the lifestyle you're dreaming about.

Someone who's already climbed the mountain, who knows the ropes, and can guide you through this winding path of business decisions, creative recommendations, algorithms, engagement rates and more. It's not just about knowing the ins and outs of the trade, it's about understanding the mindset, the strategies, and the resilience needed to make a significant impact with your community and brands.

Let me tell you, it's easy to fall flat on your face in this game. Been there, done that. Every entrepreneur, content creator and social media marketer knows what I'm talking about.

You try something new, and bam! It doesn't work out, you lose followers, engagement drops, the whole nine yards. It's a learning process, sure, but wouldn't it be nice if someone could give you a heads-up about the potholes ahead?

That's what a mentor does. They're your personal GPS in the social media landscape. They've driven down these roads before at scale if they’re good, and they can help you navigate. They can share their experience, their wisdom, and their lessons learned. It's like having a cheat sheet to success.

Here's another reason why you need a mentor: They hold you accountable. When you're your own boss, it's easy to let things slide, TRUST ME. A mentor won't let that happen. They'll push you, challenge you, make you aim higher. They see your potential and they won't let you settle for less.

But remember, mentors aren't magicians. They won't hand you success on a silver platter. You've got to work hard, stay passionate, and be willing to learn. But if you're willing to put in the effort and listen to their advice, you'll find that the path to success becomes a whole lot smoother.

So, if you're cool with face-planting every now and then, skip the mentor. But if you're eager to climb the mountain of success, take it from me - a mentor is a game-changer. It's one of the most powerful decisions you can make as a digital entrepreneur.

In the end, it's all about growing, learning, and reaching new heights. And sometimes, having someone to show you the way makes all the difference. So, go find your guide, your mentor. Trust me, you won't regret it and know that I’m here for you if you want that person to be me.

Lesson #4 Dreaming and believing are two different things.

Think about it. We all have dreams. Maybe you’re dreaming about your content going viral or gaining 3,000 followers overnight. Perhaps you imagine securing that lucrative partnership with your favorite brand. These dreams are fantastic – they fuel our creativity and get us excited about what we can achieve. But here’s the reality check: dreaming alone won’t get you anywhere.

When we transition from dreaming to believing, we start looking at those dreams with intentionality. It's no longer about 'what if' but 'how to'. Believing in your dream means you are ready to take concrete steps towards turning it into a reality. You're prepared to commit, to learn, to adapt, and to grind – because you know your dream is worth it.

Believing in your dream means creating a clear, actionable strategy to increase your follower count. It means dedicating time to understand your audience's needs and wants, constantly improving your content to serve them better. It means reaching out to potential partners, taking risks, facing rejections, and keeping at it until you've formed the alliances that can propel your brand forward.

Believing is all about resilience. It's about understanding that overnight success is rare and that real growth takes time. It’s about being confident enough to showcase your unique voice, even when it feels like no one is listening.

I'm not here to burst your dream bubble, quite the contrary. I'm encouraging you to believe in your dreams, invest in them, and transform them into achievable goals. That's the secret sauce behind every successful content creator. Dreaming kickstarts the engine, but believing keeps it running.

Behind closed doors, I used to attribute most of my success to anyone and everything except myself. This way of thinking created a serious problem, leading to a disconnect with my agency and ultimately contributing to both its decline and my own personal challenges.

Sure, I knew I worked hard, but deep down, I didn't believe that was the driving force behind my achievements. I credited my success to things like God, my team, role models, and even timing or luck.

While I still hold that no one is truly self-made – we're all shaped by the people, opportunities, and investments in our lives – I neglected to acknowledge one crucial truth: two things can be true at the same time.

Yes, external factors played a part in my journey, but I still had to wake up every morning and commit to the hard work. I had to put in long hours, hone my skills, pay attention to details, and constantly learn and grow in my industry.

I still believe that no one is self-made, we are mirrors of the people, the opportunities and God’s investment into our lives.

However, as Snoop likes to put it, “I wanna thank ME!” I devoted years to my craft before any "it" person knew who I was, and that's something I should be proud of. It's not only acceptable but also essential to take pride in our small and big achievements and recognize the hard work we've put in.

It's not about being arrogant or boastful, but rather about embracing our self-worth and self-confidence, which are crucial for personal growth and success.

Over the past six months of my life, I started to change my mindset and give myself the appreciation I deserved and that mindset shift completely changed my life and business. I began to understand that while external factors did contribute to my success, it was my own God-given dedication, determination, and passion that truly made the difference. This belief inspired new clarity, accountability and action within me.

Remember, as creators, we're not just creatives; we're entrepreneurs too. And as entrepreneurs, our belief in what we can achieve drives our success.

So keep dreaming, start believing, and watch as your social media journey transforms. Because as the old saying goes, "If you believe you can, you're already halfway there!"

Lesson #5: A lack of confidence leads to a lack of clarity, and a lack of clarity results in a lack of ownership.

I have had close family and internet strangers tell me that luck is the key to my success and that it's responsible for my achievements. I think this is something many women and marginalized groups hear. I remember reading that Janelle James once said, “there are so many men walking around with confidence that’s unearned.

If women do the same, they’re monsters. I’m confident in my abilities, confident that I’m funnier than most people. That’s not even my ego, that’s years in the game.” And she’s right. Why would I allow unwarranted statements to shape my self-perception?

Ironically, I became my own worst enemy. While I was too outwardly confident to allow other people's criticism to affect me, I was deeply critical of myself and lacked self-belief. This self-doubt prevented me from recognizing and celebrating my accomplishments, which only further depleted my confidence.

Confidence, as we know, is the key to putting your best foot forward. It's like that secret sauce you drizzle on a dish to make it taste better. In our context, a confident content creator is one who isn't afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and ultimately, grow. Confidence allows us to fully dive into our projects with gusto, embracing the sometimes unpredictable waves of social media and entrepreneurship.

But when confidence dwindles? That's when things get murky. Suddenly, our vision isn't as sharp; our goals aren't as defined. We find ourselves questioning every step we take. "Should I post this? What if my followers don't like it? What if they unfollow me?" This kind of self-doubt leads to a lack of clarity, which is quite literally like trying to navigate through a dense fog.

Now, imagine driving on a foggy road. You're not sure where you're going or even if you're on the right track. This is exactly what happens when we lose clarity. We lose sight of our mission, our goals, and the unique value that we bring to our followers. A lack of clarity leads us to create content that's inconsistent and unfocused, leaving our audience just as confused as we are.

This brings us to the last part of the equation: a lack of ownership. When you aren't clear about your goals, your voice, and your brand, you struggle to take ownership of your content. It's like owning a beautiful house but never living in it because you're not sure if it truly reflects who you are.

But guess what? Social media is a platform where authenticity thrives! Your followers are there for YOU and what YOU bring to the table. They signed up for your unique perspective, your voice, your style. If you don't take ownership of your content, who will?

Confidence is your superpower. Nurture it, embrace it, and use it to guide your way. Remember, clarity in your mission will naturally lead to taking ownership of your content. Don't let self-doubt cloud your vision. Instead, shine with all the confidence you have, and let your unique light guide you to social media success!

For a long time, my agency didn't feel like it was truly mine because I struggled to believe in my worth and envision myself achieving great success. As a result, I failed to put the necessary actions, systems, and accountability measures in place to reach my goals.

I should never have believed that big brands, artists, and influencers wouldn't pay top dollar for my marketing services. The truth is, budgets are usually available if you can demonstrate how your services help clients achieve their real objectives – more freedom, status, and connection with their audience.

I didn't follow the advice I give to my creator students: never undervalue your worth. The price should be set based on the true value of your work, unless the client has something more valuable to offer than money. But when you've worked with almost every big creator of that time, and that's the only winning piece, the ongoing money exchange doesn't reflect the value of your work.

Over five years, I made less than 1% of the revenue I generated for clients – a figure no agency owner with a clear vision should be able to claim. Ideally, you should aim for 20-30% net profit margins after paying your team market-rate compensation or a little higher.

Agencies with fewer wins and less notable clients charge more than twice what I did for monthly retainers. It's concerning that 98% of agencies led by women and black queer women are paid so much less than others. That's a problem too big to discuss here, but I take full responsibility for the successes and failures of my organization.

My lack of confidence in charging my worth and my poor business decisions left me no room to nurture or scale my company.

I've since stopped putting people on a pedestal and learned to appreciate my own journey and trust my genius. It doesn't make me less grateful for the people in my life, but I am who I am because of my personal God-given path.

Learn to trust the genius that lives inside of you.

Lesson #6 Richard Branson was right, “Remember to have fun. There is no point in being in business if it is not fun.”

Years ago, I declared that I didn't want to have another agency or work for one, but somehow, I lost sight of my truth. All I wanted was to consult on strategy, creative, and brand – that was it. That was the only kind of “agency” I wanted. I believed that was my true purpose in the marketing field, and anything hands-on would be strictly for my own products, not for clients. Yet, somewhere along the line, I forgot that.

My agency stopped being fun to build or save. When you give too much away, you'll never have enough to invest back into yourself and your company, which ultimately left me with nothing but disappointment and, later, clarity.

I couldn't ignore my truth: I don’t want to work for anyone else, I didn't want to do anything hands on anymore. It didn't bring me happiness or spark my creativity, and I had been wanting to stop for a while. I was trying to force something into my path that wasn't meant to be part of my journey anymore. And any time you do that, you can expect chaos to reign in your life.

As content creators, we often find ourselves lost in the hustle and bustle of churning out posts, keeping up with trends, tracking analytics, and ensuring our audiences stay engaged. While these are undoubtedly important, we can't lose sight of the fact that we got into this business because it excited us, it sparked joy, and it was FUN.

Here's the thing, the internet is a vast space, and the competition is intense. Viewers are bombarded with content at every turn. So, what sets your content apart? It's not just about high-quality images or captivating captions. It's about the energy, the personality, the essence of enjoyment that seeps from your content.

Now, imagine a content creator who's just going through the motions. Their posts might be technically flawless, but if they lack genuine excitement and passion, viewers can tell. Compare that to content that's created in a state of joy, excitement, or even unquestionable confidence. It's often these posts, brimming with authenticity and happiness, that connect more with audiences and leave a lasting impact.

So, how can we put the fun back in our work?

Rekindle Your Passion: Remember why you started. What made you choose this path? Revisit your motivations and reignite that initial spark.

Break the Monotony: Change things up. Experiment with your content. Try different styles, themes, or platforms. Who knows, you might stumble upon something you love, and so might your audience!

Engage with Your Community: Your followers aren't just numbers. They're a community of people who share your interests. Engage with them, laugh with them, make them a part of your journey.

Self-Care: Don't let burnout sneak up on you. Take breaks, enjoy your time off, and indulge in activities outside of work that bring you joy.

I learned many hard lessons that will help me in the next season of my life, but I was also gifted with opportunities that allowed me to do what I do today: acquire new skills, build new relationships, and serve an audience I love helping. I spend early mornings and late nights creating things with a smile on my face, knowing that it's going to help a creator. This season gave me clarity on my purpose – the thing that brings me joy, life, and makes business fun for me.

My perspective on serving creators has completely changed and it’s this: Brands need to pay me my worth, but I don't expect the same from creators.

It's true that I was once one of those coaches charging $500 - $2,000 for education, and there's nothing wrong with that. Earning your worth is a beautiful thing. However, there are thousands of coaches out there charging $500, $1,000, even up to $10,000 for creator and brand partnership coaching. In the creator economy, we're setting a precedent that to be successful, you have to invest a one-time payment of $500+ or $199/mo – and there are 50 million people who identify as creators and influencers.

Most people don't have that kind of money saved after paying their monthly expenses, and if they do invest in these programs, they're so desperate for instant results to recoup their funds. They never get the chance to do the hard work needed for success because they lack the time, clarity, accountability, patience and perseverance to implement what they've learned. I won't sell to anyone who's struggling like that anymore.

You can't produce more income without first finding peace, clarity, and confidence in who you are and what you have to offer. Without that, success will always be out of reach. That's the problem with all these courses – you can't help someone who clearly needs support first.

When most opportunities to learn how to excel in this space are priced beyond what the general creator population can afford, we reinforce fear and lack. If you're not in the right mindset, that will only hurt your clarity in implementing what's being taught.

Now, that might not be part of the job description for an influencer coach, but it's my personal conviction for the creator community.

When my life fell apart about a year ago, I invested $3,000 in an affiliate marketing program. It had dozens of reviews from ordinary people with no marketing experience, claiming to make $200,000 a month. I was sold. I didn't have the money to casually take risks, but it seemed solid, and I was sure, considering my experience, I'd at least make my return back in the first 30 days.

I didn't make my money back. In fact, I lost over $5,000 – money I really needed at that time in my life. That's when I truly understood how creators feel. Being a creator is neither easy nor cheap.

I did everything right, followed the lessons to the letter. But no course can account for platform competition. You have to be patient and give things time to see success. That’s with anything.

By the time I signed up for their affiliate secrets training, thousands of other marketers were already using the same methods, so they stopped working ‘instantly' and I was too impatient to wait for results because I needed it to work now.

I'm done teaching secrets, because as soon as you reveal a secret that works well, it's no longer a secret.

It's all about mastering today's core foundations and understanding today's winning tactics that build success. This allows you to stay competitive while developing your own secret sauce – your unique creative spark that makes you stand out.

That's what I want to teach and keep learning.

Losing $5,000 on that affiliate program was painful because I needed it to work. I'm sure it does for some, but because I was in a rush to learn out of sheer necessity, I wasn't in the right mindset to succeed. That only discouraged me more.

Look at it like this:

Imagine two people who have directions to a hidden treasure - one is a stressed out treasure hunter in need of a win and one is a calm, patient dental assistant. Who has better odds of finding the treasure? The dental assistant, because their mind is in the right place.

I'll never again charge creators hundreds or even thousands of dollars to learn from me, people trying to get by, who are just trying to see if a creator career is right for them.

Being a creator isn't for everyone, so find out who you're called to be. You shouldn't have to go into debt to discover if it's right for you.

And if it is right for you, many solid opportunities to excel in this billion-dollar space shouldn't cost more than what the average person has saved per month after expenses.

Being a creator, I know that most people don't quickly make their income back unless they have the time, knowledge, and community to do so. A few months ago, I was so struck by this reality that I stepped away from social media and closed down my company. I had to ask myself, "Why are you trying to be like everyone else?"

Sure, I know how to run campaigns and help influencers market themselves better, I know how to help creators earn solid income from brands. I don't need some crazy big agency or an academy to be successful in doing that. Those things alone didn't make me happy. What brought me joy was being able to genuinely help a lot of creators, and getting messages saying it's working.

Now, I'm doing just that – and I can honestly say I've helped more people than ever before by doing things with purpose and joy. I'll share everything I know and continue to learn, making it feel more than reasonable and fair.

If you’re a creator, your purpose is not to pay my bills; you're my mission, my impact.

For those who can afford higher prices for coaching and creator development, that's great. There are many high-ticket programs out there that could benefit you, but they won't be coming from me. That's not for me anymore.

My aim is to make high-ticket learning accessible and available to anyone interested and committed to learning and growth.

You get what your level of clarity allows you to invest in anything in life. That's why you'll never change the course of your life for free. It'll cost you time, discipline to learn, and the will to implement regardless of your feelings. A monetary exchange creates accountability, trust, and respect, and I believe in that. But from now on, I'll value creators' time, attention, and conviction more than their wallet. That's why I closed my academy and agency.

Now that I understand the creator's struggle more intimately, there's no turning back and I’ve learned so much about what you actually need since then.

I was able to step away and see where I was assuming my community understood xyz instead of taking the time to thoroughly explain every single step in the creative and monetization process as if you didn’t have years of industry experience like I did.

It’s second nature to me so I feel there are certainly areas I could have explained better that really matter to excel.

And it is my utmost commitment to do that now and to listen better to what you need support with now.

In the end, what matters most is the impact we have on others. Focus on helping and supporting those around you. Focus on your community.

Remember, we're in the business of creation and communication. If we aren't enjoying what we're creating, it's likely that our audience won't either. So let's inject some fun back into our work, and watch how that joy reflects in our content and community.

At the end of the day, there's no point in being in this game if it doesn't bring you a sense of excitement and fulfillment. So, have some fun with it!

Lesson #7: You can’t be all things to all people.

Let's paint a picture. Picture yourself as a street performer in a bustling city. You're singing, juggling, performing magic tricks - heck, you even try your hand at interpretive dance (brave, right?). You're trying to attract every passing person. But here's the thing: not everyone walking by is into all those things. Some folks love magic but couldn't care less about juggling. Others are into the singing but will high-tail it at the first sign of interpretive dance (no judgment, friend).

What does all this mean? In the pursuit of trying to please everyone, you may end up pleasing no one. This same logic applies directly to entrepreneurship. By aiming to create content that appeals to everyone, you run the risk of resonating with no one. You become a vague, generic blur in a sea of unique, vibrant voices.

I’ve done this countless times in my career, from trying to be a full-service agency offering services I really didn’t understand when I was 24 to building products to fit every need for my community like:

• Merch development

• Graphic design

• Talent management

• Entrepreneurship education

• And the list goes on

Bottom line is that is not my niche and those opportunities never scaled because of that fact.

Everything that has grown that I have built has been very in tune with who I am, what I am good at and the specific community I serve.

Nailing your niche is like tuning your guitar to the perfect pitch. It's where your talents, passions, and the needs of a specific group of people all meet. These are the people who get you, appreciate your perspective, and are into the same things you are. Those are your people, and they're waiting for your content. They want to engage, to comment, to share, to be part of the conversation you're starting. And that, my friends, is where the magic happens.

Of course, I'm not saying that you should limit yourself creatively or box yourself into a narrow corner. Never, maybe there are spaces for all things you’re interested in on other platforms.

For me, that’s public speaking. I can talk all day about entrepreneurship and the ins and outs of brand building at conferences and events and I plan to get more into that next year.

But my business, my niche, my community is curated to speak to one audience, creators who are doing their best to make it and need support to get to the next step.

Remember that in the vast, noisy world of social media, specificity is a beacon. It's what cuts through the noise and attracts people to your content.

So, if you're a health-focused food blogger, embrace that. If you're a tech aficionado who loves dissecting the latest gadgets, run with it. You may not win over everyone, but you'll build a community of followers who genuinely appreciate and engage with what you offer.

By focusing on being authentic, relevant, and consistent to a specific audience, you not only carve out a unique space for yourself but also ensure you're delivering value to those who appreciate your work. And isn't that what we're all striving for?

Remember, trying to be all things to all people is like chasing the wind; it's an exhausting, fruitless endeavor. So, focus on being everything to some people, and watch your community grow.

Here's to finding your sweet spot, creators. Let's go out there and make some magic.

That's where the purpose, money and fulfillment is.

Lesson #8: It’s okay to break.

I found myself hitting a ceiling on my bandwidth in 2022. It was definitely the stage in my business where I realized I've had consistent growth year over year.

It's interesting because I didn't really believe people when they said that hitting those higher revenue points would force you to change how you operate as the CEO of the business. I have never wanted the giant team to manage or a “big” business – I’m after a lifestyle business that makes great coin and feels fun and fulfilling to operate.

As 2022 year went on, I definitely found myself in the weeds of my business far too often. Whether it was fiddling around with tech, creating landing pages, spending hours in Canva, answering too many emails, or something else, I was pulled away from what I really love doing: developing high level strategy, creating resources for creators, and being visible to my community.

Working “in” my business rather than “on” it used to not be such a big deal, but as the business has hit these new levels, it all takes more time and I became stretched too thin.

It became really clear to me in late summer. I wasn’t loving what I was doing everyday and felt that something needed to change and my body forced change on me.

On January 13th of 2023, at around 2 a.m., I experienced what seemed to be a stroke-like episode for the first time in my life. My body jerked uncontrollably from my core and legs, I was sweating, had double vision, and could barely talk. I couldn't feel my right arm or leg and couldn't stand still. My partner woke me as she thought I was having a stroke and begged me to agree to go to the hospital.

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Ash Warren

Creator + Social Media Marketing Strategist

Website | Instagram | Threads | Podcast

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