My Story
The bomb that blasted my family’s lives into smithereens arrived on Easter Monday, March 28th, 2005. Without any warning, my husband of 22 years suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 43. He survived but was left with hypoxic brain injury, having to relearn to walk and talk and unable to work again.
Our shared dream was to have our own business one day and be in control of our destinies. That opportunity came when my husband and his best friend were able to purchase the company they both worked for. The date for the company takeover was set for April 1 2005. this was 3 days after my husband’s heart attack. On that day, he was in intensive care, fighting for his life.
For 5 years I existed on a relentless treadmill. Confronted with big challenges on the home front and at work. But during these years my spiritual awareness was heightened and my personal development work became my saving grace, teaching me the power of gratitude and resilience.
In the midst of this personal turmoil, I was a corporate executive for a multinational packaging company.
By March 2015, I felt trapped, transitioning from one monumental project to the next. The previous year’s ERP project had drained me physically and mentally. Long hours, endless meetings, and managing conflicting agendas were daily challenges. Even after completing the ERP project, I was plunged into another—an acquisition and merger—adding to my exhaustion.
In this demanding corporate environment, I felt undervalued and burnt out. The loss of my husband and then my mother in July 2015 compounded my grief. With no time to mourn properly due to work demands, I realized I couldn’t let the company determine my fate. In December 2015, I decided to leave, ending my 27-year tenure without any emotional ties to the organization, ready to take a leap.
Transitioning to self-employment, I became a business consultant under a consulting franchise, leveraging my extensive corporate experience to help small business owners elevate their businesses. This new role allowed me to prioritize people’s growth over moving goalposts and focusing on the bottom line.
Leaving a long corporate career was terrifying. The fear of the unknown, not earning what I was accustomed to, fear of failure, and starting out on my own permeated my thoughts. But alongside the fear, there was also excitement and the promise of new beginnings.
Reflecting back, I probably should have taken a year off before diving into consulting. However, consulting made me realize how my corporate career had insulated me from the outside world, particularly in terms of personal growth. Networking and building a client base were new challenges, unlike my corporate position where contacts came to us.
I quickly realized I needed to work on my inner self to truly understand who I was. In my 50s, I yearned for greater purpose and meaning. Juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities, I expanded my skillset. My spiritual journey deepened, drawing strength and confidence from my faith. Navigating this path largely alone, as even those closest to me struggled to understand my actions, I remained motivated by my dream of living life on my own terms.
Within a year of consulting, I realized I needed to invest in myself and partner with experts. I hired a health coach, invested in personal development courses, participated in live events, and explored network marketing. These experiences taught me a great deal, and working with clients across various industries brought immense joy. Watching their transformations solidified my passion for helping others.
My transformational journey in establishing a business I love tested my resolve and resilience. I immersed myself in expanding my skillset from experts in digital marketing and personal development. Stepping out of my comfort zone became a norm, and being uncomfortable signified growth. Managing client relationships, networking, and mastering new skills, I hustled daily in the first five years. Despite the long hours and extensive workload, I enjoyed the freedom, and my passion kept me going.
I felt a newfound freedom in controlling my own schedule and loved it. My self-awareness skyrocketed; I became a better listener, more observant of my surroundings, and truly present in the moment.
As I reflect on my journey, I realize how pivotal these experiences have been in shaping my purpose.
My business has evolved over the last four years, from creating “The Midlife Self-Mastery Program” for professional women in midlife and more recently, “Inside Out Navigator,” a signature solution designed to empower seasoned executives to confidently transition into new roles or solopreneurship by providing clarity, practical tools, exit and contingency plans, and unwavering support for the next chapter of their professional journey.
Both programs stem from my own experiences, knowledge, and wisdom.
My mission is to empower midlife executives to conquer uncertainty, rediscover their worth, and thrive in their new chapters. I am committed to providing clarity, building confidence, and offering actionable strategies to navigate transitions with confidence and purpose.
If you resonate with my story and feel ready to embark on your own journey of transformation, let’s connect. Book a call with me today, and let’s work together to create your new path with confidence and clarity.