After my last few posts, you might think Amazon is where my entrepreneurial journey began. It wasn't. It started right here. This photo was taken in our backyard around 2008. My daughter was two. My son was just a baby. At the time, my husband and I were both teachers. I had recently gone part-time because I wanted more time at home with my kids. We didn't have a lot of extra money. We lived in a little starter home. But we believed that having more time together was worth it. That decision led me to start asking a different question. How can we earn a little extra income without giving up the life we're trying to create? I've always loved technology and saving money, so I started a couponing blog. I taught graduate classes at the University of Phoenix one evening a week while my own kids were asleep. I loved helping other teachers, and it fit our family's schedule. And then there were garage sales. See the swing set in this picture? It wasn't just where my kids played. It was one of the playground sets we'd learned to buy, clean up, let our kids enjoy, and then resell. Before long, we knew exactly which brands held their value and which ones didn't. Looking back, I realize we weren't just earning a little extra money. We were learning how to recognize opportunities. We were learning that one small income stream could lead to another. Years later, that mindset led us to invest in so many ways. Buying our mountain condo while we lived in Shanghai. Then, turning it into a vacation rental. Then writing my first book in Belgium. Then journals. Then consulting. Then speaking. Then Skool. And now AI. None of those opportunities appeared overnight. They grew one decision at a time. One season at a time. One small experiment at a time. When people ask me why I believe in building multiple income streams, this is why. Not because I wanted more stuff. Because I wanted more choices. Looking at this picture today, I don't just see my kids playing in the backyard.

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Don’t organize the whole house. Just pick one room and do this: ✅ Find 12 things to donate 🗑️ Find 12 things to throw away 🏠 Find 12 things to put back where they belong That’s just 36 small decisions. You’ll create more space, reduce visual clutter, and build momentum without spending your whole day cleaning. Small, consistent actions beat overwhelming weekend projects every time. 💛 Who’s in? What room are you tackling first?

Long before the first sale... Before the website... Before the product... There was a reason. Maybe you wanted more time with your family. Maybe you were ready to leave a job that no longer fit. Maybe you wanted the freedom to travel, create, or choose how you spend your days. Maybe you wanted to prove to yourself that you could build something of your own. Maybe you wanted to make a difference. Maybe you wanted financial freedom. Or maybe you simply wanted a life that felt more like you. When business gets hard, it's rarely our strategy that keeps us going. It's our reason. I'd love to hear yours. Why did you decide to start your business? Share your story in the comments. You never know who needs to hear it today, or who might realize they're not alone on the journey. 💛

Let’s continue to support each other’s businesses! Drop: 🛍️ One product you sell for under $20 🔗 Include the link Then tell us: • What it is • Who it’s for • How it helps or what problem it solves Browse what others share too. You might discover your next favorite book, journal, course, template, printable, or tool while supporting a fellow entrepreneur. Small purchases can lead to big relationships. 👇 SHARE YOUR PRODUCT BELOW! 🔥

I can’t get enough of this! 🎁 Show me a picture of what you are thankful for. ⬇️