Honestly Kelsey, this feels really vulnerable and scary sharing this because, well, money is an emotionally charged subject.

But I’m sharing my story because – spoiler alert – it has a happy ending. And I’m betting I’m not the only one to experience this…

For all of my 20’s (and yeah, into my 30’s), my parents gave me an “allowance” to buy Christmas gifts for my family because I couldn’t afford to pay for them myself. 

^^^ For a decade+ I felt a lot of secret shame about that. ^^^

You might not know this about me, but for 10+ years I was actually an actress and screenwriter in Hollywood…but even though I was “successful” (in Big Movies & on TV shows like “Modern Family” & “New Girl” & in Off-Broadway plays) – I was often quite broke.

…Even though I saved EVERYTHING I made and paid myself a “salary” from my savings account.

…Even though I worked 3 PT “day jobs” to make rent & pay for groceries.

…I was broke but happy. I was pursuing my passion at the time and I was grateful for all the blessings I did have.

Here’s me on the “Modern Family” set because pics or it didn’t happen, right?

Then, in December 2017 I had a Millenial Meltdown.

I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck, job to job.

I was tired of hearing ‘no’ all the time.

Acting and screenwriting just weren’t filling my soul anymore – EVEN THOUGH I was “successful” and “living the dream” in LA.

(I also had just come off an Emmy-winning show as a lead character, found out “the one” was cheating, and had just signed my first-ever solo lease and was financially responsible for every bill for the first time in my life…if you want to, you can read the whole story here).

After a period of soul searching, career research, and a lot of freaking TED talks – I came upon COPYWRITING.

A cartoon lightbulb went off over my head. (Pay attention when this happens to you). It seemed too good to be true…

I could use my emotional storytelling and writing skills honed over a decade in entertainment and use them to help empower women to build their dream businesses! 

I spent the next two years learning EVERYTHING I could and building a business that felt good in my soul, as well as my wallet.

• I helped 1000’s of women grow their businesses to 6-figures (& beyond).

• I offered tons of free content and scholarships to women in need.

• I built the coolest-ass course for NON-writers that teaches them how to write their own copy.

And this year – even though 2020 will absolutely go down as the worst year ever- one good thing did happen… 

For the first time in my life, I’m able to *comfortably* afford to buy ALL the Christmas gifts under the tree. 

I cannot tell you how much pride I feel in my heart when I walk into the living room and see the presents beautifully wrapped knowing they are *truly* gifts.

Of course, my parents never made me feel shame for not being able to afford to buy them presents(that was in my own head) – and if you’re not in the position to do this yet, it’s COMPLETELY okay! I’m sharing this story because I think we’re too often presented with the “After” without getting a full picture of the “Before” – especially in business.

All this to say: Build your damn dream business. Just ‘effing DO IT. 

It will be hard at times, for sure.

You will feel dumb A LOT.

But it will be worth it when you walk into your living room and see the gifts you’re able to give your family because of something YOU BUILT.