I attribute my success to a deep sense of purpose, an unwavering faith in the vision placed within me, and a commitment to creating work that leaves a meaningful and lasting impact. I have never measured success solely by titles, recognition, or what I have been able to accomplish for myself. For me, true success is found in how we use our gifts, our experiences, and even the challenges we have endured to create something that can make life better for someone else.

Throughout my career, I have followed a path that has allowed me to bring together leadership, beauty, fashion, advocacy, mental wellness, and human connection. On the surface, those worlds may appear different, but to me, they have always been connected by one central purpose: helping people see their value, strengthening the way we relate to one another, and creating spaces where difficult but necessary conversations can take place.

I also attribute my success to perseverance. I have learned that purpose does not always unfold according to our timetable. There have been seasons of tremendous opportunity and seasons of loss, disappointment, redirection, and rebuilding. Yet through every chapter, I have continued to believe that if a vision is truly rooted in purpose, you do not abandon it simply because the journey becomes difficult. You allow it to grow with you.

Today, that belief is reflected in ROTG 777, the global relaunch of The Return of the Gentle Man—a movement I first introduced in Atlanta in 2013.

Through ROTG 777, my goal is to bring men, families, communities, wellness leaders, advocates, and partners together to elevate conversations around men's mental and emotional well-being, strengthen healthy relationships, restore human connection, and address the devastating realities of depression, isolation, and suicide affecting men around the world.

Ultimately, I attribute my success to never losing sight of my “why.” My work has evolved, but my purpose has remained the same: to use whatever gifts, experiences, influence, and opportunities I have been given to help people feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered. If the work I leave behind helps someone rediscover hope, recognize their worth, strengthen a relationship, or find the courage to keep going, then that, to me, is success.

The best career advice I have received is to remain authentic and allow your passion to guide your purpose. I learned early in life that there is tremendous power in knowing who you are and having the courage to remain true to yourself.

My love affair with vintage fashion began at just 12 years old, when my mother allowed me to make a $100 purchase of a special vintage piece that I treasured so deeply; I still own it today. That moment became the beginning of a lifelong appreciation for timeless beauty, craftsmanship, history, and the stories our clothing can tell.

Over the years, my signature style—including my love of hats and gloves—has become an extension of who I am. When I enter a room, I do not leave myself at the door. I bring my individuality, my grace, my values, and my belief that how we present ourselves can communicate respect—not only for ourselves, but for the people and spaces we encounter. Staying true to that identity has opened doors, sparked meaningful conversations, and connected me with extraordinary people from all walks of life.

For me, authenticity is not about being different simply for the sake of standing out. It is about having the confidence to honor who you are while using your gifts to serve a purpose greater than yourself. Whether through fashion, advocacy, mental wellness, or my work empowering women and men, I have learned that when passion and purpose come together, your life can become a powerful vehicle for meaningful change.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to first know who you are before allowing the world to tell you who you should become. Trends will change. Industries will change. Opportunities will come and go. But your character, your integrity, your values, and the way you make people feel will become the foundation of your legacy.

Do not be afraid to be different. Some of the very things that make you stand apart may one day become your signature. I have worn hats and gloves when others did not. I fell in love with vintage fashion as a young girl, long before sustainable fashion became a global conversation. I created platforms around subjects that were not always easy or fashionable to discuss. I learned that you do not have to follow every trend to remain relevant—you can create something timeless by remaining true to yourself.

I would also tell young women to learn the business behind their talent. Your creativity is a gift, but understanding your value, your finances, your contracts, your intellectual property, and the importance of building meaningful relationships will help protect that gift. Ask questions. Find mentors. Continue learning. And never be so eager for an opportunity that you ignore your intuition or compromise who you are to enter a room.

Most importantly, do not measure your journey against someone else's timeline. I have learned that purpose continues to unfold throughout our lives. Some dreams are realized quickly; others may take years to reveal why they were placed in your heart. Every experience—the successes, disappointments, detours, and even the seasons when it appears that nothing is happening—can prepare you for what comes next.

Walk into every room knowing that you belong there, but remain humble enough to learn from everyone in it. Be gracious. Be prepared. Keep your word. Treat people with dignity, regardless of their title. And when you become successful, remember to hold the door open for another woman coming behind you.

I want young women to understand that success is not simply about becoming known—it is about becoming a woman of substance. Build a career, but also build character. Create a beautiful life, but make sure there is purpose beneath the beauty. And never underestimate the power of being authentically, unapologetically, and gracefully yourself.

One of the greatest challenges of our time—and one of the areas where I feel most called to make a difference—is the growing global mental health and wellness crisis, particularly among men. For more than two decades, my work has taught me that sometimes the most powerful conversations begin in the most unexpected places.

Through fashion, beauty, tea gatherings, contemporary social graces, advocacy, and community experiences, I have seen what can happen when we intentionally create spaces where people feel safe enough to remove the mask, speak honestly, listen to one another, and simply be human.

That understanding is at the heart of my mission. When I speak about the return of the lady and the return of the gentleman, I am not asking us to return to the past. I am asking us to reclaim the timeless values that still matter—respect, compassion, dignity, grace, integrity, accountability, and genuine care for one another—and bring them forward into the world we are living in today.

I believe we are facing not only a mental health crisis, but a crisis of human connection. Too many people are suffering in silence, and too many men have been taught that strength means carrying everything alone. Through The Return of the GentleMan and ROTG 777, I want to help change that conversation by creating spaces where men can speak, connect, be supported, rediscover joy, and understand that caring for their mental and emotional well-being is also a form of strength.

My greatest opportunity is to use everything I have learned throughout my life—leadership, advocacy, beauty, fashion, relationships, mental wellness, and the art of bringing people together—to help build a more compassionate and connected world. If we can help people feel seen, heard, valued, and less alone, then I believe we can strengthen not only individuals, but families, communities, and generations to come.

The values that guide my life and work are compassion, integrity, service, courage, and the belief that true leadership is not defined by a title—it is defined by how we use our gifts to uplift others. I learned the responsibility of leadership early in my career when, at just 23 years old, I became a European District Sales Manager. That experience taught me that leadership is not simply about achieving success; it is about inspiring people, recognizing their potential, and creating opportunities for others to thrive.

Throughout my life, those values have continued to shape the work I have been called to do. From serving as a board member and Board Secretary of NAMI Northside Atlanta to creating platforms that address mental wellness, interpersonal violence, self-worth, healthy relationships, and the well-being of women and men, I have always believed that our lives should leave something meaningful behind.

Compassion allows me to see people beyond what may be visible on the surface. Integrity reminds me to remain true to who I am and to the purpose behind my work. Courage gives me the strength to begin conversations about issues that are often difficult or uncomfortable. And service reminds me that whatever influence, experience, or platform I have been given should ultimately be used to help others.

For me, leadership is about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered. Whether through mental wellness advocacy, fashion, beauty, mentorship, or the global vision of The Return of the Gentle Man, I am guided by one enduring principle: success is most meaningful when it creates a pathway for someone else to rise.