The real shift, the exact moment I stopped downplaying my worth, happened when I looked at the industry recognition finding its way to me, specifically when I was awarded the Sam Gilmer National Supplier of the Year. I was worried about seeming egotistical when sharing my recognition, but realized that ego relies on being better than others. Confidence simply relies on being secure in yourself. When you know exactly what you bring to the table, you never have to make someone else feel small just to make yourself feel big.

I believe that we never reach a point where we stop learning. But for me, the turning point was when I stopped focusing on the endless road ahead and decided to own what I had already accomplished.

When I wasn't afraid to admit that I had an MBA. Often times, your education can intimidate others so they will expect you to downplay your knowledge so they won't feel bad.

My career was full of moments of anxiety and lack of confidence, despite my having a doctoral degree and being methodologically sound. It took getting out of corporate and annual reviews stopping for me to realize just how competent I really was. That's when I stepped into my own and started consulting as an expert, and I've never looked back.

I spent most of my life taking care of everyone else while making myself small. Owning my value meant finally understanding that the girl who had to grow up too fast, survived what I survived, and built something real out of it and she deserves to take up space.

I began owning my value when I realized that expertise is about the unique perspective I bring. My military service, educational journey, and leadership and life experiences have given me insights that no one else can offer with the same heart, courage, and conviction. I am not like others, and others are not like me, and that's exactly where my expertise lives.

Comfort has not built the women I am becoming. Discipline has. I have learned that growth often requires discomfort, and grit is the decision to keep going with a sound mind, steady faith, and clear purpose.

For me, it was when I found myself telling people I was a paralegal that supported 6 attorneys and now working for a non-profit and having the Executive Team believe in me enough to run the legal department solo with outside counsel available as needed. At what point does the final brick you lay in your foundation become worthy of the knowledge, skill, and title you have spent years earning?

I stopped downplaying my experience when I realized the pattern I'd been seeing for years was valuable enough to build something around. That was the moment I stopped questioning whether I belonged.

It dawned on me that Virgil realized something important, "They can because they think they can." So, if they can, so can I.

When I went from just being me to being the SME (subject matter expert). After countless meetings and presentations, I finally realized not only my potential, but my power. My words carried weight, my input had influence and my actions made an impact. As a leader, I inspired others, I was trusted, respected, and made a lasting impression. It was a defining moment in my personal and professional life, and now there's no turning back. Ready? Set? Make an impact!

For me, the shift happened when I stopped apologizing for my expertise and started recognizing the value of what I bring to the table. Just yesterday, I was on a call about providing day-of support for a holiday event. The client asked if there was any flexibility in my fee. In the past, I might have immediately tried to accommodate or justify lowering my rate. Instead, I confidently said no and explained exactly what my fee includes, the years of experience, the planning mindset, the ability to solve problems in real time, and the peace of mind that comes from having someone who knows how to lead an event from start to finish. I don't know yet whether I'll win the work, but that wasn't the victory. The victory was standing firm in the value I bring. Owning my expertise means understanding that clients aren't just paying for my time, they're investing in the confidence that their event is in capable hands.

As a marketing specialist with a diverse technical background working in the A/E/C industry, I bring unique expertise that complements the technical strengths of the professionals that I serve. My ability to translate technical work into clear compelling messaging helps our team communicate value, build trust and develop stronger relationships with our clients in support of the firm's overall growth. Teamwork is a true value in this industry and that is how we are stronger together.

For most of my life, I simply did what needed to be done. I never thought of that as expertise. It wasn't until my cancer journey, when my oncologist kept asking, "How do you do it?" that I realized resilience, perspective, and hope are lessons worth sharing, and perhaps the most meaningful expertise I have to offer.

When I recognized my value and worth I stopped downplaying my gifts and owned that I have something meaningful to contribute to society.

It's always much safer to play it small, but you only live this experience in this lifetime. How much does it cost you and what benefits do you bring by being your true self without any apologies.

We as women often think/feel as though we have to know 10/10 things in order to be successful. Often times the extra stress we put ourselves through only signifies why we are initially the BEST fit!

The moment I published Oceans of Thoughts Book One, which is subtitled "An Inspirational Walk through the Inner Self, Life and History," is the moment I stopped downplaying my life experiences.

Validation of the value of my hands on experiences and expertise happened the day I met with one of our customer teams the Sales team had been working with for 2 years. I met with the customers Decision Maker team for one hour. After I explained step by step why they needed to modernize their systems and applications, the primary decision maker asked me how come all the other Consulting organizations did not provide them with the insights I did, I said because they have no one in their organizations who has the same first hand and end to end processing experience I had amassed at the time over my 26 years of experience at that time. In less than two weeks a multi million dollar contract was in the works and ready to be signed for a phased project upgrade and implementation. Fast forward to present day, another multi million dollar contract to once again modernize their systems and applications to gain the benefits of AI integrations is currently in the works!

The moment I owned my value was the moment I stopped asking for permission to be taken seriously.

I realized when a potential resident stood up and hugged me with gratitude because they did not think there was any way they could stay in this beautiful resort-like assisted living. I told them about a little-known benefit for military Veterans that provided over $2000 a month!

I stopped downplaying my experience when I realized I had spent decades doing the work of leadership while waiting to feel like a leader. The truth is, I became an Executive Director, Managing Director, and Founder of a few organizations because I kept saying yes to the work before self-doubt had time to organize a committee.

Motion is Lotion, as we must keep active and moving as much as possible! On the days we do not feel great, it's even more important to get up and going!

I stopped downplaying my experience when I realized I wasn't just building a dog treat company. I was building a mission-driven brand that's improving pet health, supporting families, and creating community. Confidence came when I started focusing less on proving myself and more on the impact our work was making.

I stopped waiting for someone else to validate my value and realized that my experiences weren't just part of my journey; they were my expertise.

I stopped questioning whether I belonged at the table when I realized many of the people making the biggest decisions were asking for my perspective before making theirs. Expertise isn't about having all the answers—it's about bringing insight that others rely on.

One conversation stands out in particular. Someone thanked me for helping them navigate a challenge and said, "You make this seem so easy." I remember thinking, 'It's only easy because I've spent years learning through mistakes, setbacks, and hard-earned experience.' I've worked intentionally to stop minimizing my accomplishments or qualifying my expertise. Not because I know everything—I absolutely don't—but because I've learned that expertise isn't about perfection. It's about experience, resilience, perspective, and the willingness to share what you've learned with others.