When I was 14 years old, I learned what it meant to pivot off the basketball court. Due to a medical condition, I realized my next breath and continued journey was between God and me. I knew that if God continued to put air in my lungs it would be my responsibility to live life differently.

I came to realize that I had a purpose. But what was that purpose? The answer wasn’t handed to me on a cocktail napkin or business card. It wasn’t written across the sky. I had to search, ask questions, challenge rules, be unpopular, and trust the process.

My bullish persistence for more knowledge exhausted many people. My dad always said that if I wasn’t going to attend college, I had better pick something that I would be darn good at. So, I worked to always be at the top of my game.

As I progressed in my career, I was fortunate to have opportunities that exposed me to some unbelievable thought leaders. These people encouraged me not only to invest in myself but also to think the unthinkable. And even more powerful guidance, they encouraged me to move beyond thinking and talking and pursue things I am passionate about.

But, when you are held accountable to act in an area outside your comfort zone, it is uncomfortable and intimidating. The big “what if” is overwhelming. But I turned the “what if” around: “What if” I don’t take action—and tomorrow doesn’t come? If I’d taken action, would I have made an impact or left a legacy I would have been proud of? That thought silenced the negative noise, and I vowed to work 10 times harder, but I needed guidance.

So, I spent thousands of dollars on affiliations and to sit alongside highly accomplished individuals, hoping they would provide a road map I could use to level up, personally and professionally. Although the money I spent bought me cool experiences and conversations, I would sit in quiet moments without answers. I remained consistent and disciplined and appeared to be checking the boxes of success.

Then, in June 2021, I interviewed David Bianchi for my podcast. I walked away from his apartment in Los Angeles with my urgency to consider the “impossible” reignited.

There I was at the time—a middle-aged mom and loan originator—with renewed confidence that I could forever change this industry. I immediately called my now business partner, David Rosenberg, and regurgitated my crazy ideas for more than an hour as I drove home.

That evening, the vision of FUTURES Financial was born. The company is based on a vision to impart the wisdom of tradition while integrating new processes that will solve for inefficiencies and also change the way business transacts. It is built to encourage, empower, and inspire.

We have all dealt with the noise of fear and self-doubt. Don’t dwell there. Each breath is a gift. We owe it to ourselves to keep moving. Even if we head in the wrong direction at times, at least we’re not where we were yesterday. And, we can always learn from our missteps.