2025 Reflection

As this year comes to a close, I’ve been sitting with everything it held.

So many tears. So many celebrations.

This year was full of ups and downs, but I am so proud of the woman who has come out on the other side of it all.

This year, I was acknowledged as a leader in Oklahoma with the NextGen Under 30 award for adult education. That recognition meant more to me than I can fully put into words. It reminded me that even when I feel like I’m figuring things out as I go, the work still matters and is being seen.

I attended LashCon and also traveled to Tampa for the Light Heart tour. I put myself in rooms with people who have been doing this longer than I have. I asked questions. I listened. More than once, I was told I needed to slow down.

But the truth is, slowing down has never felt like the answer for me.

What I believe is that I don’t need to do less. I need better systems. I need the right people. I need support that allows growth without chaos. Refinement feels more aligned than slowing down ever has.

This year, I also became a Light Heart brand ambassador, educator partner, and retailer, which is something I am incredibly proud of. One of my long-term dreams has always been to help supply the Oklahoma City metro with high-quality lash products that artists can trust. Being accepted as a retailer for Light Heart feels like the beginning of that dream becoming real.

It wasn’t just about carrying products. It was about alignment. About believing in what I use, what I teach, and what I stand behind.

I made new connections that stretched my perspective and reminded me how much there still is to learn. I also applied for the Lashie Awards and didn’t win or get nominated. That one stung more than I expected. It forced me to sit with disappointment and separate recognition from impact.

One of the biggest milestones this year was hiring my first employee (shoutout to Madelynn!). Trusting someone with my business, my clients, and my vision changed me. It showed me where I need clearer systems, stronger leadership, and more structure. Truthfully, I am still building those systems. Growth does not wait until everything feels finished.

This year also brought something unexpected. I found out that I will most likely need another hip surgery. Facing that reality came with a lot of fear. Knowing I will need to be out of work for a bit. Learning that I will have to truly trust the business I have poured my heart into. Trusting my clients. Trusting my students. Trusting that everything I have built will still be here when I come back.

That lesson alone stretched me in ways I did not see coming.

This year taught me a lot about boundaries. In business and in family. Learning when to say no. Learning how to protect my energy. Learning that sometimes growth also means learning to let people go, even when it hurts.

It has also been a hard year in my personal life in ways I do not normally share. There were moments when I questioned if this path was really for me. And then there were moments where I found myself in awe realizing I am about to reach another business milestone. Four years. Something I once could not even imagine.

I am actively working on making more time for my family and being present where my feet are. I have learned there is no perfect work life balance when you run a business. It is about presence. Fully showing up in the moment you are in.

None of it feels wasted.

Every win gave me confidence.

Every hard moment gave me clarity.

Every lesson shaped how I am stepping into the next season.

I am closing this year grateful. For the growth. For the honesty. For the people who stayed and supported me while I figured things out.

Here is to closing this chapter with gratitude and stepping into the next one with more intention, refinement, and grace.