Launching MENTOR: A Journey of Growth, Resilience, and Purpose

A year ago, I never imagined I’d be here—launching my own business, creating something from the ground up, and stepping fully into my purpose. But life has a way of pushing us toward the paths we’re meant to walk, even when we’re not ready or don’t believe in ourselves.

In May of last year, I was laid off. It was unexpected, unsettling, and left me questioning everything. Then, just as I was finding my footing again, I was laid off a second time in December. Two layoffs in one year. If that doesn’t shake your sense of stability, I don’t know what does.

I’ve always been a servant leader at heart. Helping others isn’t just something I enjoy—it’s who I am. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible teams and make a real impact. But over time, I started feeling a pull toward something different—something bigger. I reached a point where I knew I had more to give, more to create, and more to build beyond the roles I had held. That realization was both daunting and freeing. Because when you find yourself at a crossroads, you have two choices: stay where you are or take a leap and forge a new path.

The Struggles That Led to Growth

This past year wasn’t just about job loss. It was about facing some of my hardest personal and professional challenges. One of the biggest? Trying to coach and support people who weren’t ready or willing to help themselves. I’ve always believed in people—sometimes more than they believe in themselves. But the truth is, you can’t force growth on anyone. What you can do is create the space, the resources, and the support for them to take that step when they’re ready.

And that’s exactly what I want MENTOR to be.

I come from a family of educators. My sister, my aunts, my dad—they shaped my love for education and service. But beyond that, I had incredible mentors in my life. People who saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. People who guided me, challenged me, and helped me become the leader I am today. That’s what mentorship is—it’s belief, it’s guidance, it’s a commitment to growth.

But my journey wasn’t always smooth. I’ve struggled with self-doubt. Anxiety has gotten the best of me. I’ve failed. I’ve let my own fears hold me back, and at times, I’ve failed my team because of it. I know what it feels like to be stuck in that cycle. And that’s why this mission is so personal.

Even Launching MENTOR Was a Challenge

The truth is, even getting to this point—launching MENTOR—has been a battle. It has taken months of hard work, planning, and pushing through endless moments of doubt. There were times I questioned if I could do this, if I was making the right choice, if I was truly capable of building something meaningful on my own. Impostor syndrome is real, and it creeps in when you least expect it.

But I kept going.

Because despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, I knew I had something valuable to offer. I knew that if I could just push through, I could create something that would help others in the same way mentors once helped me. And that is what has kept me moving forward.

What’s Next?

MENTOR is about more than leadership and business—it’s about people. It’s about helping educators, leaders, and professionals break through the barriers holding them back. It’s about equipping students—especially those in disadvantaged communities—with the tools they need to succeed. Because the reality is, so many people are struggling in silence, waiting for someone to believe in them. I want MENTOR to be that support system.

This is just the beginning. My goal is to grow MENTOR into a platform that empowers, educates, and elevates individuals who don’t yet see their own potential. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned this past year, it’s that setbacks are sometimes just redirections in disguise.

So here I am—starting fresh, building something new, and choosing to believe in the possibility of what’s to come. If any part of my story resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. Growth is hard. Change is scary. But we don’t have to do it alone.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

Let’s empower, educate, and elevate—together.