My Entrepreneurial Journey: From Family Salon to Diversified Empire

Hey there, lovely friends!

Today, I'm going to take you on a little journey through the last 13 years of my life as an entrepreneur. It's a story of ups, and downs, hard work, and determination, but I promise to keep it casual and relatable. So, grab your favorite drink, whether taking a walk, or just chilling at home, and let's dive into my story.

I often find myself contemplating why I make these videos or write these emails, but today I decided to just go for it.

You see, I've never really shared my entire journey on my YouTube channel, and I thought it was about time.

So, here we go.

My entrepreneurial journey began at an early age, thanks to my parents. Both of them were entrepreneurs, and our family was always immersed in the world of business. We owned salons and day spas in the Las Vegas area, serving around 1,000 people a day across three locations. I started as a receptionist during high school and gradually moved up to being an office manager. Working with family has its challenges, but it gave me a firsthand look at the hustle, sacrifices, and rewards of running a business.

I decided to pursue a degree in psychology with dreams of helping people overcome challenges and heal from their past. This decision was partly driven by my own rough upbringing and a desire to make a positive impact. I went on to earn two degrees, but my entrepreneurial spirit never wavered.

After graduating, I worked various jobs and gained corporate experience. I even got married during this time. One significant opportunity came when I was offered a position as a School Director at the age of 23. I was responsible for managing over 250 cosmetology students, 25 teachers, and administrative staff. It was a high-paying job and my first taste of real leadership. It was scary, but I learned a lot and felt a sense of accomplishment.

Things took a turn when I became pregnant. I noticed some shady practices in the cosmetology school I was managing. I couldn't ignore the ethical issues, and as I investigated further, I realized it was time to leave. This period of my life was marked by intense stress, and sadly, I experienced a miscarriage. It was a tough time, and I questioned my ability to have kids.

*to any of you mommas that are or have been through this I see you. 🫶

Fortunately, a few months later, I became pregnant again, this time with my oldest daughter. I decided to quit my job, which was a hard choice since my husband and I were newlyweds and adjusting to a new lifestyle.

While pregnant with my first child, I started a mommy blog in 2011. At that time, mommy blogging was booming, and I thought, "Why not give it a try?" Within a year, I was making $3,000 a month, and it allowed me to stay at home with my daughter while pursuing my master's degree.

The State Farm Opportunity

Life had other plans for me, though. I was contacted by a recruiter from State Farm Insurance, who came across my blog. The idea of becoming an insurance agent wasn't initially appealing, but I reached out to our family's State Farm agent, who gave me insights into the industry. State Farm offered me a sign-on bonus, training, and a book of business. It seemed too good to be true, but I took the leap.

I started my journey as a State Farm insurance agent at the age of 25 while also being pregnant with my second child. The early days were chaotic, but I pushed through with determination. We managed to build a $5 million book of business in just a few years, and I was proud of what we accomplished.

Transitioning to Independence

After some time, I realized I wanted to focus primarily on commercial insurance. State Farm's limited product offerings didn't align with our growing commercial client base, so we decided to open an independent agency. It was a game-changer. Within months, we were selling more commercial insurance in 6 months than we did in a year.

Diversifying Income Streams

As our independent agency thrived, we continued to diversify our income streams. We ventured into commercial real estate, buying properties to lease out and cover our mortgage. We also delved into manufacturing and expanded our business into the aluminum space.

Embracing the RV Rental Business

In 2020, we expanded our horizons by delving into the RV rental business. We had discovered a love for outdoor adventures as a family and decided to rent out RVs to others looking for a safe way to travel during the pandemic. It's been a fun and profitable venture, allowing us to explore the great outdoors while serving our customers.

Launching Unburdening Your Business

As I gained more freedom in my schedule due to the agency's growth, I felt compelled to give back and share my knowledge. I launched the "Unburdening Your Business" podcast, which later evolved into our signature program, "Agency by Design." In this program, we help insurance agency owners, primarily female entrepreneurs, master the industry and succeed in their businesses. So that they too can gain time and financial freedom as I have.

A Crazy, Rewarding Journey

So, here I am today, juggling multiple businesses, a family of five, and all the beautiful chaos that life brings. It's been a wild ride, filled with challenges and successes. My journey has taught me that with hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn, you can achieve anything.

If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to get to know me and my entrepreneurial journey.

I'd love to hear from you—tell me about your own entrepreneurial experiences, your dreams, and your challenges. Let's connect and learn from each other as we continue this incredible journey called life.

Don't forget to follow and stay tuned for more stories, insights, and valuable content. Until next time, take care and keep showing up for your dream, my friends!

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