Learning to trust my experience required recognizing the results I've delivered through my own judgment, ability, and leadership. Collaboration matters and is often required, but too many women are conditioned to deflect credit. Owning your contributions is not self-promotion; it is authentic professional integrity.

I stopped doubting my expertise when I realized that every story I've told and every person I've worked with has built a unique perspective I can't find anywhere else. Trusting my experience means trusting that my voice and my work can truly make an impact and amplify others.

Never give up on your dreams/goals it may be a bumpy road but it's worth it. Looking back, I believe that "little me" would be proud of the progress made. It is truly an honor to be recognized, and it has prompted me to reflect on the path my career has taken and the principles that guide my work.

The best way to trust your experience is to look at and learn from the results.

When my clients began quoting me, I realized I was not guessing, I was grounded in experience. From that day on, I started operating unapologetically.

I stopped doubting my expertise when I was the only person who had ideas in a room full of 'leaders'.

I value the feedback of my students, the true steak-holders, as the most important measure of my impact. The relationships we form guide my growth and success. Seeing them leave me and move forward with the skills, life skills, I have taught them show me the impact I make.

I stopped doubting my expertise when I realized my lived experience wasn't a distraction from my professional training: it was the very thing that gave it meaning.

It wasn't just one moment, it was affirmation received over time. Then, after a pretty intense internal team shake-up, I just took the reigns and knew I needed to lean in, trust myself, and own the leadership journey that was purposed uniquely for me. Even failure is an opportunity, so every step or misstep is mine to own, reshape, and celebrate.🎉

I stopped doubting my expertise when I realized the results I had been delivering were not by accident. The results came from years of experience, a little bit of instinct and earned wisdom. My confidence came when I trusted what I already knew and stopped waiting for permission to be a leader.

I gained confidence in my expertise in childcare when I observed other teachers adopting my techniques in their own classrooms after seeing how I managed the environment, interacted with the children, or engaged in conversations. Even more impactful were the numerous accolades I received from parents praising the progress their children made under my care. Their feedback affirmed not only my competence but also my excellence in the field.

You need to believe in yourself. Believe in what you know, what you've accomplished, and what you're capable of, regardless of if you may not have physically done it before. Experience isn't just about physically doing, knowledge is also considered experience. I stopped doubting my expertise and my abilities when I committed myself to the opportunity to learn and grow.

I stopped doubting my expertise when I recognized that my lived experience had been preparing me to lead long before any title did. Every challenge refined my judgment, strengthened my voice, and affirmed that I was already equipped to make meaningful impact.

I stopped doubting my expertise when I realized "I've done this." I had built a successful ballroom business for over 20+ years. When questioned how I was going to create a 3 day conference with 21 speakers in just 5 months after launching Women Getting Visible, I paused and remembered. Twice a year, I choreographed dancers & instructors and orchestrated moms and grandmas to come together for music, movement, and celebration. I left the doubt behind because, I've done this...then I did.

I stopped doubting my expertise when I realized people were already coming to me for answers. I kept thinking I needed another title, another certification, or someone else's approval to call myself an expert—but the truth was, I had already been doing the work for years. The turning point was when I saw the results: artists becoming more consistent, businesses becoming more organized, and creative projects actually gaining momentum because of the systems I built. That's when it clicked for me—experience is earned through action, not permission.