I was raised on hundreds of acres with everyone in my family living within 10 minutes of me. I went to a school that housed kindergarten through high school students all in one building. I grew up in a small town of around 900. Being a girl raised on a farm allowed for time to explore, dream, and understand farm life. Farmers are entrepreneurs, so I guess I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit in my blood.
I would dream of living a life of making a six-figure income combined with my spouse’s income. I dreamed of financial freedom and living in a “nice” house. You see, I had very little, and my family was not clean. Our house had holes in the walls and my parents did not keep up with it.
I am so glad I did not give up on my dreams. I watched those around me who had more. I knew if I wanted a fighting chance, then I would have to go to college. I did make it to college after graduating high school. With many trials ahead, I decided to go to nursing school.
My maternal grandfather was born in 1921. He was not afraid to encourage me to think of ways to care for myself. It was not uncommon for men born at that time to care for the women of their life with no expectation of them working (at least in my community). My grandmother died in 1976, four years before I was born. She was a nurse in WWII when she met my grandfather in France sometime around D-Day, as he was serving in the war. I know I reminded my grandfather of my grandmother.
In 1999 he asked me how I was going to be able to take care of myself if something happened to Brian (my now husband). I looked at Grandpa like he was crazy. But I am glad he empowered me to take care of myself. He did not want me to rely on my spouse to care for me but rather wanted me to be equipped to take care of myself if necessary. With this, I decided that becoming a nurse was the first step in my freedom from the bondage of poverty and dependency.
In the following sequence: I got married, got accepted into nursing school, had a daughter, became a nurse, and started two of my own businesses. All because my grandpa saw something in me and encouraged me to pursue more. Over the course of the years, I was able to get closer to my aunt and uncle who also were good role models.
In 1999 I decided to go to flight attendant school in the Dallas, Texas, area. My mother’s brother and his wife lived in Colleyville, Texas. I was able to get better acquainted with them. Ever since they have continued to be pivotal in my development as an entrepreneur. They showed me a way of living I didn’t even know existed. Their kindness, generosity, love, and grace were the most impactful to me.
Having been raised in poverty made me long for a life I had only dreamed of, but now am living out.
Having been raised in poverty made me long for a life I had only dreamed of, but now am living out. God gave me opportunities and I was able to chase them. I firmly believe we all have people in our lives who have had a huge impact on our trajectory. You just have to reach out, take opportunities, and chase your dreams.
