As someone who has always been a go-getter, an idealist, a get-sh*t-done type of gal, the call to entrepreneurship felt natural to me. Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to lead people, make tremendous impacts on businesses of different shapes and sizes, and ignite positive progress where I can.
Founding Bestola Consulting was like staring at a blank canvas full of possibility and opportunity. It was new; it was uniquely mine. I was excited to take the lessons from my corporate background and implement them into this new venture.
While Bestola is still all those things (and so much more) let me tell you: Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart.
It requires grit, blind faith and intensity. And as someone who is on an adoption journey, my life is shifting to slow, steady and consistent — not quite the energy required to get a business off the ground.
Yet the beauty of entrepreneurship is that it doesn’t have to look like it does in textbooks. As I lean into what this business venture looks like for me as part of a life that is balanced, joyful and uniquely mine, here’s some of the clarity I’ve gained along the way.
I’ve had to be really, really honest with myself.
The first thing entrepreneurship demands from you is a level of honesty that can be both humbling and empowering. When you’re building something from scratch, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you need to have all the answers or that you need to push forward no matter what. But being honest with myself has required me to confront not just my strengths, but my weaknesses, too.
Does my experience as a high performing leader qualify me to take the helm of a growing business? Am I equipped to handle all the complexities of business — the housekeeping, financials, marketing, workflows — that are required?
There have been times when I’ve questioned whether I’m moving fast enough, innovating enough or doing enough. But the truth is that “enough” looks different for everyone. I’ve learned to be honest about my capacity and to give myself permission to grow at a pace that feels sustainable.
I’ve had to look at the big picture.
It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind of entrepreneurship — chasing metrics, putting out fires and getting caught up in the hustle. But stepping back to see the bigger picture has been a game-changer for me.
When I pause and reflect, I’m reminded of why I started Bestola in the first place: to help entrepreneurs bring humanity back into their operations and human experiences. Bestola is an homage to my heritage — my grandmothers, Bess and Bartola — who made their communities better, and, in turn, the lives of those they loved most. Focusing on this broader vision allows me to make decisions that serve the long-term professional and personal goals, instead of just reacting to the chaos of the moment.
I’ve had to assess (and reassess) my priorities.
Entrepreneurship has a funny way of making you reassess everything you thought you knew about balance. For me, this has meant looking at my priorities not just as a business owner, but as a person and an aspiring mother.
These two paths — entrepreneurship and family — are deeply intertwined, and finding a balance between them is a constant exercise in reassessment. What mattered to me when I first launched Bestola doesn’t necessarily hold the same weight now. My priorities have shifted from constant hustle to making space for what truly matters: nurturing relationships, taking care of my well-being and allowing room for life outside of work.
Every day I have to remind myself that it’s okay to slow down, to pivot and to realign my focus when needed. Because at the end of the day, the most successful businesses are built on a foundation of clear priorities — both personal and professional.
If I don’t practice what I preach, what do I really stand for?
I share my story — my life, my family dynamics, my motherhood journey, my health and so much more — on podcasts and elsewhere. Check out my recent media appearances.
