Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I grew up with strong women, my great-grandmother (whom I was named after) was an especially strong influence and a woman well before her time.

We were poor, it wasn’t fun, and I’d like to avoid it in the future. I also want to make sure people know what their options are, in order to make changes in their lives. Knowledge = Employment.

My mom bought us a Tandy 1000 computer when I was in high school, she saw that as a necessity in the future. This was well before it was common to have computers in the home. It gave me a competitive edge.

Leonard Caruso was my high school accounting teacher – he pointed me in the direction that initiated my career.

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

I tried for years to “fit in” and do what others wanted me to do, I felt insecure. Once I realized what I had to offer was unique and leaned into it – that was when I also started to believe in myself.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

I don’t know that there are necessarily bad recommendations, just generalized recommendations are not always the right recommendation. For example, we don’t want people to be in credit card debt, but some recommend being completely debt-free before saving for retirement – I don’t think that is the correct answer for everyone’s financial success.

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

2015! That was the year I went independent. The company I left made decisions that challenged me to the core and the newly formed partnership did not go well because of those challenges. This forced me to go 100% independent within less than one year (2016) – I felt like a failure. It almost crushed me financially; as I planned for low income for one year while trying to get the business up and running, but not two. I was fortunate though and the business grew quickly in 2016.

I read and posted daily inspiration quotes, I prayed (a lot), I exercised, and with the incredible support from my husband, we made it through.

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

Always being curious and always seeking additional education (the two go hand-in-hand)

What is your morning routine?

I wake up (without an alarm) at 4:45 am. I watch the morning news while I have a cup of coffee. I then check the global news to know how it might affect my day. I glance through emails and often create a “to-do” list via calendar blocking. I then eat breakfast, exercise, shower, and I’m off for the day.

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

I’m still working on this one – my goal in 2021 is to develop a solid nutrition plan.
I’m also getting better at delegating, but I still need to improve on the process of delegation.

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

Time blocking has been a huge help in managing projects for two reasons:

If I know it’s on the calendar, I don’t get distracted by the fact that I need to do it

I can look back a similar project to determine how much time it will take me in the future – so I have the proper amount of time blocked

I treat the work as an appointment and stick to it. If I only need (truly) 5 more minutes, I’ll finish it up, but if it is going to take me more time, I block out another block to finish it up.

What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?

The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt – a woman before her time. She took the work no and converted the letters to “on.” She is a role model for women.

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller – For years I’ve struggled to explain how I offer services differently – Story Brand is a guiding tool.

Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis – I’m a very insecure person, I can convince myself I’m failing, even when I’m succeeding. This book has helped me recalibrate my thinking.

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

“Life is about Events, supported by your dollars and cents” – Amy Irvine
“Life is short, drink the good wine first”
“I believe in angels the kind that heaven sends …I’m surrounded by angels, but I call them my best friends.”
“Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle in their journey.”
“Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt