Rooted in Change: What Business (and Life) Have Taught Me About Growth, Grace, and Getting Clear

I remember sitting at my study, papers strewn across the surface, desktop blinking with unanswered emails, and a calendar that looked more like a battlefield than a plan. I had just taken on a client I knew wasn’t the right fit—my gut told me so from the start. But I said yes anyway. I told myself, “It’s temporary. It’s money. It’s just this once.”

It wasn’t just once.

And it came at a cost—not just time, but energy, alignment, and joy.

When Kristin Golliher and I met virtually to record her episode for Thriving Changes, her words hit home. Not just because she’s built a successful business, but because her wisdom is rooted in real experience. And she, like many of us, has learned that staying true to your mission isn’t just good business—it’s good for the soul.

Here are the lessons that stuck with me long after the interview ended—along with the stories they stirred up from my own journey.

“Change is constant—build strong foundations from the start.”

Kristin’s words took me back to my first attempt at launching a group program. I had passion, I had people, I had purpose—but I didn’t have a system. Emails went out late. Zoom links were wrong. Payment tracking? A mess.

I learned quickly: enthusiasm is not a substitute for infrastructure.

Strong foundations don’t just make things smoother—they help you show up fully for what matters most. They allow you to lead, not just scramble. Whether it’s a business or a personal goal, structure creates space for creativity to thrive.

Try this: Pick one area of your life or work that feels messy. What small system could support it? Maybe it’s a calendar routine, a shared folder, or a weekly planning session. Start small. Start now.

“Invest in the right systems and people—it pays off.”

I used to think delegation was for the ultra-successful. “I’ll bring in support when I make it,” I’d tell myself.

But the truth is, I didn’t make it until I brought in support.

When I finally hired a virtual assistant to help manage podcast editing, social media and scheduling, I got back hours each week—and more importantly, I got back mental clarity. I wasn’t just doing more; I was doing better.

Kristin’s reminder is powerful: the right systems and people aren’t expenses—they’re investments. They give you the capacity to grow into your vision.

Reflection: Who in your life makes you better? Who fills in your gaps? How can you invest more deeply in those relationships?

“If your business isn’t profitable, why are you in business?”

It sounds blunt—but it’s a wake-up call.

There was a season where I was giving everything away. Discounted rates. Free workshops. Countless hours of “just one quick call” with clients. I told myself I was being generous. But in truth? I was undervaluing my work.

I once had a mentor say, “People value what they pay for—and they commit more deeply when they invest in themselves.”

That changed everything.

Practical step: Know your numbers. Create a simple profit/loss tracker. Even if you’re not running a business, track how your time and energy are spent. What’s draining you? What’s feeding you?

Profit isn’t just financial—it’s how your efforts return joy, meaning, and momentum.

“Delegate what you can but always understand how things work.”

In my initial days as a Leadership Strategist and Facilitator, I hired someone to design my website without really understanding my own brand voice. It felt clunky. Off. Inauthentic. I had skipped the step of owning my message—and it showed.

Delegation only works when it’s rooted in clarity. You don’t have to do everything, but you do need to understand the essentials. Kristin’s reminder here is golden: outsource with intention, not abdication.

Takeaway: Before you delegate something, ask yourself: “Could I explain this clearly to someone else?” If not, get clear first. Then, hand it off with confidence.

“Map it out: Who are we? Where are we going?”

Every year now, I block off two days for what I call my Vision Reset. No calls. No emails. Just me, a notebook, and the big questions.

Who am I serving? What do I want this to look like in a year? What’s working—and what’s not?

The first time I did this, it felt indulgent. Now, it feels non-negotiable.

Kristin’s advice to check in yearly isn’t just good business practice—it’s a radical act of alignment. It keeps you from drifting. It helps you stay intentional in a world that pulls you in a thousand directions.

Try this: Schedule your own Vision Reset. Doesn’t have to be fancy—just quiet. Bring coffee, your journal, and your honesty. You’ll be amazed what clarity shows up.

“Clients are like dating—it’s a two-way street.”

There was a time I treated every inquiry like a test I had to pass. I wanted to be chosen. I forgot that I also had a choice.

The most draining clients I’ve ever had weren’t “bad people”—they were just mismatched. The more I’ve aligned with my own values, the more those mismatches have fallen away. And the more energizing and fulfilling my work has become.

Kristin’s brilliance: Not every opportunity is worthwhile. You get to choose. You must choose—if you want to build something that lasts.

“Sometimes you have to say no—to stay true to your mission.”

The first time I said no to a client offer that didn’t align, I was terrified. But something strange happened. I felt… powerful.

Kristin’s right: It’s hard to say no in a service-based world. But saying no doesn’t mean rejection—it means direction. It means standing for something.

Script to try: “Thank you so much for thinking of me. This isn’t the right fit, but I’d be happy to recommend someone who might be.” Grace + clarity = a boundary that builds trust.

“Have faith in all things. Everything works out the way it’s meant to.”

I’ve held this close more times than I can count.

Faith isn’t about certainty. It’s about presence. It’s about trusting that even when the path isn’t clear, the next step will be.

And sometimes, the hardest seasons are the ones that prepare us for the greatest growth.

When things fall apart, when plans fail, when clients leave, when launches flop—what remains is who we are. And often, that’s more than enough.

My practice: In the chaos, I come back to breath. To silence. To the belief that I am being shaped, not punished. That change is not the end—it’s the beginning.

What Thriving Through Change Really Means

At the heart of this conversation—Kristin’s and mine—is a shared belief: that change is the soil in which something extraordinary can grow.

But only if we’re willing to pause, get honest, and choose intentionally.

So, here’s your invitation:

• Build your foundation. Even if it’s imperfect.

• Get clear on your values. Even if it takes time.

• Choose aligned people. Even if it means fewer clients.

• Say no with love. Say yes with purpose.

• Trust that the right things will meet you when you show up with integrity.

Your life—your business—isn’t just happening to you. You are co-creating it. Every step. Every pivot. Every pause.

And that, my friend, is where true resilience begins.

With love,