From Grief to Glitter: The Baby Steps That Built a Dream

I just got back from Mom 2.0 Summit, a conference for mom entrepreneurs (Brene Brown was keynoting), where I spent the weekend repeating my elevator pitch like a toddler asking “why” for the hundredth time. Somewhere between the third mug of tea and the fifteenth “So what do you do?” I got that question:

“When did this all begin?”

Every time I said, “Just a year ago,” eyes widened. Every. Single. Time.
And when I added, “And I quit my job eight months ago,” jaws actually dropped.
I’m not going to lie — I’ve been quietly panicking that I’m not moving fast enough. That maybe I’m late. Behind. But those gasps reminded me: I just started. And wow — look how far I’ve come.

So if you’re sitting there wondering if your baby steps mean anything… let me show you what happens when you start following the whispers.

April:
One year ago, I stood in front of my father’s friends and family and delivered his eulogy. That same day, I found out the restaurant my parents had built from scratch was named Dynasty. That was my confirmation that Unicorn Dynasty was the perfect name.

I tagged along to my husband’s speaking event to help with check-in — grieving, dazed, and craving distraction. Little did I know, I’d just stepped into the world I was meant for.

May:
Eleven months ago, I pressed pause. Took a mental health leave. Upped my Zoloft. Committed to therapy once a week. Booked the best massage ever at South Philly Wellness. Then, I stood on a stage at Dr. James Smith’s Bootcamp and gave a five-minute talk on postpartum struggles — and something clicked.

Afterward, he told me this current job was like a cardigan that didn’t fit anymore. And he was right.
People clapped. I cried.
And for the first time in a long time, I thought: Maybe this dream isn’t so far-fetched after all.

June:
Ten months ago, I spent hours taking my mom to hearing appointments. Turns out, her right ear only hears 7% of what’s going on — basically, she’s been playing life on hard mode.
I also went to another speaking workshop, Michael Hudson’s Backstory Initiative (yes, again), and realized I light up when I talk about identity, healing, and helping moms come back to themselves.

July:
Nine months ago, I flew to Houston and held my two-day-old nephew. We spent sticky summer days with my sister, my cousins, and my kids. It felt like the beginning of something — and the end of hiding who I really was. During at another speaking workshop at Heroic Public Speaking, I was asked to recite my opening line seven times. (It was powerful and the instructor kept pushing me to be bigger and brighter.)

August:
Eight months ago, I told HR I wasn’t coming back. I wasn’t asking for permission anymore.
Instead, I flew to Japan with my family. Two toddlers. No Slack notifications. No inbox anxiety. Jeff and I hired a sitter in each city and snuck out to speakeasies like we were 34 and child-free again.

I also closed my first consulting deal with my husband for Super Impactful. I still can’t believe that sentence is real.

September:
Seven months ago, I started asking moms what they were struggling with. Their answers became my coaching program: a six-month journey to reawaken your inner unicorn.
And just like that, I had my first coaching client. One real person. One brave mom who said, “Yes” to herself. And I got to walk beside her.

October:
Six months ago, I received my first unemployment check after proving my workplace had become toxic. (Yup, I made a whole case file.)
I saw Taylor Swift with one of my besties, Kira — drenched in glitter, screaming lyrics like we were 17 again.

I also had a tea reading, and the woman looked at me and said, “This Unicorn Dynasty you’re building — it’s going to change women’s lives.”
(Chills. Still.)

November:
Five months ago, another mom asked to buy my coaching program. I wasn’t even advertising it.
I also walked past a random wig store, bought my mom a new one on a whim, and watched her light up with confidence again. Little moments. Big magic.

December:
Four months ago, I weaned off Zoloft.
I swapped anxiety scrolls for mindful walks and EFT tapping. I tried five different fitness classes in one week — Barre, spin, yoga, Pilates, dance. (My legs have questions, but my soul said thank you.)

January:
Three months ago, I began a 6-month intensive at Heroic Public Speaking. I decided to become the keynote speaker I dreamed of as a girl.

I soft-launched Unicorn Dynasty on Mighty Networks. Spoke to over 30 moms. And within two weeks, 20 of them joined.
This was no longer just a “cute idea.” It was a movement.

February:
Two months ago, I competed in a National Speaker Association Philadelphia Chapter contest and got 3rd place!

I bought a citrine necklace from another bestie, Laila from Sunshine Fine Jewelry to protect my energy and went on a girls’ trip to Lancaster because I deserve joy and carbs and deep belly laughs. (Whooo Courtney, Lauren, Liz!)

March:
Last month, I hosted my first mastermind session with 4 other moms: Pivot Point.
I took my mom to get three teeth extracted (her journey to the perfect smile is no joke).
In 12 hours, I finally cleaned out my childhood room — 16 trash bags, 7 donation boxes, and one dusty drum set sold on Craigslist.

I also booked my ticket to the Mom 2.0 Summit. And for the first time, I didn’t feel guilty for wanting to grow. I felt ready.

Oh — and I started spiritual intuition training with Dani @ Lionheart Liberation. I’ve always believed in signs, but now I’m learning how to truly listen. The whispers are getting louder, and I’m not brushing them off anymore.

So yeah — this didn’t start with a grand vision or a five-year plan.
It started with a funeral.
With therapy.
With tiny yeses, awkward speeches, glitter eye shadow, and sushi at midnight in Tokyo.
It started with listening to the part of me that whispered, There’s more.

And today? She’s not whispering anymore.
She’s building a dynasty.