Recently, I had the privilege of being featured on Work from the Inside Out with Tammy Gooler Loeb. That conversation sparked some reflection on my own journey – and the twists, turns, and unexpected lessons that shaped not only my career, but the organizations I’ve built along the way.

My entrepreneurial spark ignited early. At 12 years old, I started selling apple pies to fund a school trip to Spain. What began as a small idea grew bigger than I imagined, teaching me that hard work, creativity, and courage could open doors far beyond the expected. That mindset carried me into roles as I entered the professional world at Bain & Company, Disney, Reebok, and Lotus Development. Even within large organizations, I gravitated toward building something new — often at the edges where innovation and uncertainty meet.

‍When I became a parent, I saw how many women were sidelined by rigid work structures after entering parenthood. This struck a chord and inspired me to write my first business plan while on maternity leave, and my first company, BrightIdeas, was born. The model: have tech-savvy moms demonstrate & sell children’s educational software to schools, parents, and teachers. This also created a unique opportunity for professionals to use their skills and build flexible careers, well before the internet.

‍Later, when my two daughters were growing up, I saw the decline in confidence and identity that so many girls experience during adolescence. That propelled me to launch The Beacon Street Girls – a multi-pronged media brand for preteen girls. Creating a fictional world for girls that leveraged storytelling (in the form of 22 novels), merchandise and bling, and an online junior high was designed to build resilience, self-belief, and confidence through storytelling and positive role models. 

Then life threw me a curveball. We had a serious car accident, and I stepped away from work to support my younger daughter. When I was ready to return to the workforce, I encountered a familiar but overlooked challenge: how difficult it is for capable, experienced professionals to restart their careers and find meaningful work after taking a break. So that became my new calling, and the foundation for reacHIRE. We started out dedicated to helping companies tap into an experienced yet elusive talent pool – seasoned professionals who were eager to relaunch their careers but needed not only coaching, training, and support, but the job opportunity to showcase their skills. 

‍And today, we’ve expanded our footprint to help organizations better leverage their workforces so that associates can rise and contribute more – and become the agile leaders we need in the ever-changing workplace. Through our Return-to-Work programs and our leadership development program Aurora, we focus on unlocking potential at every level. 

‍Many participants of the Aurora program find our Life Storyline exercise – an exercise that encourages reflecting on one’s life journey as a means of looking ahead – to be meaningful and inspiring. Participants don’t just chart their career path; they clarify personal values, their leadership style, and the authentic purpose that drives them. It’s a chance to connect the dots between past experiences and future vision to more positively embrace all the potential that is inside them.

‍When I look at my own story, I see a pattern: I thrive where opportunity and innovation meet. Transitions are uncomfortable, but they are also rich with opportunity. Aurora is impactful because it helps leaders uncover those patterns, share them with others, and define their leadership purpose in ways that drive organizational impact and future readiness.

‍Careers rarely follow a straight line. Mine certainly hasn’t. But every twist has been a chance to grow, innovate, and help others do the same. 

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