The divorce in 2017 was my wake-up call. My ex dismissed every dream I had, and something inside me snapped. I was done asking for permission to want more.
Suddenly, I was sitting on an air mattress in my apartment, wondering how I was going to afford to live as a single mom with my kids 50% of the time - and zero financial support from anyone.
Every budget system failed me. Every app left me more confused.
They didn't work for real life. For inconsistent schedules. For when everything falls apart.
Pregnant college dropout. That's how my story starts.
At 19, kicked out of college with no direction and a baby on the way. Everyone had opinions about what was "realistic" for someone like me.
For 20 years, I lived in survival mode.
Hair school because "I needed to do something." Working nights while raising four kids. When my son was diagnosed with leukemia at 5, I worked three jobs simultaneously during his treatment.
I was building everyone else's dreams while mine sat on the back burner.
The Wake-Up Call
The Chaos Years
2019-2022 was pure chaos. Toxic boyfriend abandoned the kids and me in Tennessee. Got kicked out of a barbershop that I had helped bring profit to for opening my own 30 minutes away.
Became homeless while building my business.
My kids had to live with their dad three hours away because I felt like I had failed them ... I had no place for them to live. The guilt was crushing. But I knew staying small wouldn't serve them either.
I was living in my car, but I was determined to graduate college.