June 12, 2019 As a celebrity hairstylist, I have created waves, braids, and iconic red carpet styles on the most talented and beautiful women in the world. Over the years, beauty editors would interview me to help everyday women recreate these celebrity looks. One day, I was on the phone with an editor explaining how to create the perfect beachy wave and I said, “Hold the curling iron upside down, wrap the hair backwards and away from your face!” She laughed and said, “It sounds so complicated, upside down and backwards!”

May 21, 2019 When I first decided to start pursuing photography as more than a hobby, I suffered from a severe case of imposter syndrome. I refused to even call myself a photographer because I thought, what gives me the right?? What I didn’t realize at the time is to get better you have to start. There’s no way to improve and to get to the level you want to be at without starting. 

April 30, 2019 I have spent 20 years in the field of consumer insights and brand strategy, consulting for some of the top liquor producers in the world. I created Pomp & Whimsy in response to what I felt was extreme gender inequality in the marketing landscape of spirits. I was tired of seeing women either talked down to or ignored as consumers by spirits brands, and money being left on the table by not taking them seriously. I wanted to create spirits that speak to women with an inspiring and authentic voice, designed around their occasions and needs.

April 24, 2019 I tell myself each day that when a new opportunity comes up to go for it if it’s going to help grow the business and be afraid later. It has been an incredible journey starting a business and having one built around community has given me a lot of support in starting it.

March 12, 2019 I remember over the summer of 2018 while I was building Poplar, people would ask, “What are you working on?”. I would start sweating and sheepishly say, “cannabis”. At first everyone was like, “WTF, cannabis?”. Start working on something controversial and you will quickly see who unconditionally supports you :) The people that do, keep them close. The people that don’t, don't stress. Follow your gut. Big dreams are often hard for other people to understand.