What I Wish I Knew Before I Tried to Do It All Myself
I’ve worn a lot of hats.
Hairstylist. Content creator. Accountant. Social media manager. Brand strategist. Marketing team. Walking billboard.
And that’s just the business side.
At home, I’m a wife. A mother of three. A carpool driver. Homework helper. Sideline cheerleader. Prayer warrior. Sunday night meal planner. Date night coordinator. Tooth fairy. Life coach.
I’ve done wedding parties with 13 bridesmaids.
I’ve caught planes for TV pilots and red-eye rides to editorial shoots.
I’ve showed up to events with no sleep and made magic with tired hands.
And for a long time, I did it all by myself—or at least, tried to.
Because somewhere along the line, I learned to survive by over functioning.
Where That Mentality Comes From
I was raised by a strong, immigrant mother.
She was doing her best—raising kids in a country that didn’t match the culture she came from, trying to keep up while navigating a new life. I didn’t fault her for that. But the disconnect was real.
As a child, I learned early that I couldn’t always count on someone to show up for me. So I became the girl who showed up for herself. Every. Time.
That lesson followed me into adulthood. Into motherhood. Into marriage. Into business.
I became the woman who didn’t ask for help—not because I didn’t need it, but because I didn’t trust I’d receive it.
The Breaking Point
I’ll never forget that bridal party with 13 people.
I was confident at first. “I got this,” I said.
What I got was chaos, exhaustion, and a silent breakdown on the ride home.
Did I make good money? Absolutely.
But I was irritated, overwhelmed, and questioning whether I could keep going at that pace.
That day taught me something: just because I can do it doesn’t mean I should.
After that event, I made a new rule:
For bridal parties over eight? I hire an assistant. Period. And I build it into my pricing.
Because my peace is not optional.