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I have big, fat, scary dreams for my business.

This is not about building a business that makes me rich and famous. This is about building a business that employs, empowers and inspires women to live their lives on their terms … in style, business and life.

I was frustrated with what I was witnessing in the Fashion Industry and in so much of Corporate America as a woman who knew she wanted to ‘have it all.’

I definitely do want the husband, house and the pitter patter of little feet (both babies and puppies!), I also want a career. I LOVE business. I think there is a lot of GOOD that business can do for improving the world and the lives of the people a business serves.

So I set out to create the company that I wanted to work for; I intended to set a precedent.

Well, it’s taken a bit longer than I anticipated…

It turns out I had a lot to learn. Building a business is HARD. I now realize I was young and naive when I set out. I felt that because I was so passionate, I could make it happen effortlessly.

Needless to say, that didn’t happen. I made a lot of mistakes, took a few stumbles and spent a lot of money I had guilt over for quite a while.

And I still stumble; I still get knocked down.

The difference is that now I don’t stay down for long.

However, I wouldn’t change a bit of it. Every single mistake, challenge, frustration, or breakdown led to a lesson, a success, a solution and a breakthrough.

If you were to meet me in person, you would probably think I am confident, collected and calm. Perhaps even stoic.

Well, recently my stoic walls came down.

After coming so far to build up this successful business that is growing and thriving, I got knocked down again.

Didn’t I get past all of that already?

Well, as with every knockout, I received a beautiful gift.

I realized it’s OK to be imperfect. I don’t have to show a cool, confident and calm face all the time. I don’t have to have it all together or know exactly every step to take. As the business grows, new challenges will arise.

Sometimes I need to take space and be a bit of a recluse so I can regroup and come back stronger. I used to beat myself up for this sometimes tendency … I wasn’t being a good friend, daughter or business owner.

Now, I realize that in taking the time to be a recluse, allowing myself to go deeper to find the root of a challenge, I actually allow myself to show up more fully for my friends, family and clients.

I don’t have to be perfect with smiles and sunshine all the time.

What a relief.

Sometimes, I want to stay in my (albeit cute) sweats all day. I don’t want to put on any makeup. I want to just BE.

I want to give you the permission to be imperfect. You are enough, just as you are.

As Brene Brown shares, “Believing that you’re enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect.”

Be the best version of yourself instead. Always striving to learn and grow, but know that there is no getting ‘there’ and it’s only now that matters. Just be YOU.

Do what you need to do for yourself first. Then you can give freely of your love and gifts to others.

Share who you truly are with the world, however that looks. While my business works with professional women on their personal style, it’s truly about defining a style that is uniquely yours to help you be your best and create the life of your dreams.

And the life of your dreams will be messy sometimes. And that’s OK. That’s why you continue to grow and evolve. (As will your style.)

It’s a beautiful thing. YOU are a beautiful being.

If you feel called to share and inspire others, I would love to know, what are you imperfect at that actually helps you be truly, unapologetically, you?

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April Issue 2014