A Personal Note
Building something new is one of the bravest things you’ll ever do. Taking an idea from a quiet thought to something real — finding the resources, asking people to believe in your vision — is some of the hardest and most rewarding work of a life. And right now, we’re doing it in a world that’s changing faster than any of us expected. AI is reshaping how we work, build, and create, and alongside the excitement there’s a real and very human fear: Will there still be a place for me — for what makes me, me?
I understand that fear, because I’ve lived through my own seasons of losing everything.
My hardest year was 2000. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, lost my business, and found myself a homeless single mother sleeping on my brother-in-law’s sofa. I’d tasted early success — as an athlete, a media personality, a business owner — but without the right wisdom or mentorship, I tried to be everything to everyone and lost myself along the way. It was humbling. It was also my never again moment.
So I rebuilt — slowly, and from the inside out. The lessons from that season have shaped everything I’ve done since, and they’re the reason I care so much about helping others navigate hard transitions without losing themselves in the process.
Beyond the work, my children and my husband are my world. My faith grounds me, and I spend time volunteering in my community — St. Mary’s Food Bank is a favorite. These are the things that keep me steady, and a constant reminder that who we are matters more than what we produce.
Whatever you’re navigating — a new venture, a career being reshaped by AI, or simply the fear of beginning — I want you to know you don’t have to do it alone. And that staying human through the change isn’t a weakness. It may be the whole advantage.
— Susan
