Several years ago, you would have found me in a cubicle, freezing under fluorescent bulbs, staring at the motivational quote stuck to my wall, living paycheck to paycheck, barely making enough money to cover daycare and rent, commuting 1.5 hours each way to work, and crying in the car, exhausted from fake smiling all day. 

I hated my job… but I had no idea what I wanted to do instead. I felt stuck, with no roadmap and nowhere to turn.

It didn’t take me long to see that I needed to figure this shit out and take things into my own hands

• I devoured books on professional development and leadership

• Set up informational interviews to explore other paths

• Went to networking events and joined professional orgs

• Found a mentor

• Started advocating for myself and showing up more visibly at work

Through all the experimenting, awkward conversations, and many self pep-talks, I finally started connecting the dots on what I actually wanted from my career.

I realized I’d been telling myself a lie: that big corporations were the best places to work.

But the truth? I wanted more autonomy in my day and more money—and that combo felt about as likely as a Hallmark movie ending.

That realization flipped everything. I started thinking differently. Planning differently. And I stopped limiting myself to the options I already knew.

It turned out—I didn’t hate my job. I hated my workplace.

Once I got clear on what kind of manager I needed, what culture I thrived in, and who I actually was, I started applying to companies I’d never heard of—ones that checked all my new boxes. I discovered that a company size of around 250 was my sweet spot.

Meanwhile, I was plotting my exit.

I asked to be in meetings I wasn’t invited to. Took on stretch assignments. Built my resume without waiting for permission.

And eventually—I landed a role at a company with a great culture, more flexibility, and higher pay. I was finally designing my career on my terms. I didn’t dread Monday mornings anymore...

… Until COVID hit.

That global pause made me question everything.

Was this career I’d worked so hard to build really what I wanted?

The answer surprised me: no. My goals had shifted.

Working in recruiting, I saw how much freedom (and money) contractors and entrepreneurs were making—and I realized, I wanted that.

Today, I help professionals like you design careers that work for your life—not just your resume.

Together, we’ll clarify what matters most: your values, your needs, your non-negotiables.

And from there? We’ll find the move that leads to a life you actually love.