From Paychecks to Purpose

If you lined up every job I’ve ever had, you’d probably think I was either wildly ambitious or just allergic to sitting still. Don’t get me wrong, each career had longevity, I have always been a hard worker but unsure of what my purpose really was. Truth is, it’s probably a little of both. My career path hasn’t been a straight line, it’s been more of a zigzag dance between opportunity, instinct, and “well, why not?” moments. From managing bars to teaching pole dancing classes (yes, that was a real job and no, I don’t regret it), to serving on more volunteer boards than I can count, my résumé reads more like a storybook than a checklist

Each chapter taught me something different. As a bar manager, I learned how to read people faster than any leadership course could teach and how to navigate chaos with a smile, even when everything around you is one spilled drink away from disaster. As a pole instructor, I learned that confidence isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, falling, laughing, and trying again. Years in the insurance industry taught me patience and the respect for a profession that no one appreciates. Through my years of volunteering, I learned that real leadership often looks less like standing at the front of a room and more like standing beside people, supporting, guiding, and helping them believe in themselves.

Leadership has always seemed to find me, no matter where I landed. I was the person others turned to when things got messy, when they needed direction, or when someone just had to take charge. I didn’t set out to be “the leader” I just cared deeply about doing things right, helping people feel seen, and making sure everyone left a little better than they arrived. Somewhere along the way, that turned into a career filled with purpose and pride.

But let’s be honest, it wasn’t always easy. There were years I was juggling too many hats, trying to prove myself, or quietly wondering if I’d ever find “my thing.” I’ve had jobs that pushed me to the edge of exhaustion and others that filled my heart but not my bank account. I’ve had moments of clarity and moments of pure confusion, and I’ve learned that both are equally valuable. Because it’s in those messy middle moments, the ones that make you question what in the world you’re doing, that you find your grit, your humility, and your strength.

The truth is, every stop on the road added something to the person I am today. I learned how to communicate with people from all walks of life. I learned that respect is earned through consistency, and that leading with empathy doesn’t make you soft, it makes you strong. I learned that being adaptable is one of the greatest superpowers you can have, and that sometimes the best opportunities show up disguised as hard work.

And now, after all the twists, turns, and trial runs, I get to wake up every day and do work that I love. Work that challenges me, fulfills me, and keeps me growing. More importantly, I get to do it alongside people who make me proud to show up, coworkers who value kindness as much as excellence, and a company that genuinely treats people the way they deserve to be treated. That’s rare, and I don’t take it for granted.

I’m thankful for every experience that shaped me, every lesson that humbled me, and every person who saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. I’m proud of the grit it took to get here and the grace I’ve learned to carry along the way.

So, here I am, still learning, still leading, still laughing through the chaos. I may have started my career chasing paychecks, but somewhere along the way, I found purpose. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that your path doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes, the winding road is the one that leads you right where you belong.

Because purpose isn’t something you find at the end of the road, it’s something you build, one wild, beautiful, unexpected chapter at a time.