What does Success mean to me?

I recently came across a letter I wrote in October 2019 to be accepted into Aveda Institute when I decided to change careers, so I feel this is very fitting to be my first Blog post. I also spoke about this when I was awarded as one of the Top 5 Young Professionals under 40 in Livingston Parish. This is how it all started......

“A successful person will learn from their mistakes and try again in a different way. Perseverance is the key to true success. Always have the courage to follow your intuition and heart, for they somehow know what you truly want to become”-Steve Jobs

This quote by Steve Jobs resonates with me. I am a 38 year old woman with an MBA, in a career that many people would dream to have. However, my heart and intuition is telling me to go out and inspire, do something different and touch people on a deeper, more meaningful level.

Most days I reflect and asked myself, “What if today were the last day on Earth for me, have I accomplished what I wanted to?” I can honestly say on a personal level, the answer would be “No, I have much more to offer to this world.” By society’s definition, I’d like to say I have achieved success in my current position. In the past 3 years alone, one of my largest accomplishments has been the implementation of offering free breakfast and lunch daily to the 26,000 students in our parish (county). Giving back to the community is gratifying and rewarding, especially knowing that may be the only meal that child may receive during the day. The daily operations of the 43 ‘’restaurant franchises” I oversee, serving 35,000 daily meals, while managing 340 employees is challenging to say the least. It takes a fearless leader to be successful, as well as, one that is not afraid to have the momentum and persistence to move forward in a world that is ever changing. And believe me, this world is ever changing.

Beauty to me is not measured by appearance. Confidence, gracefulness, yet, being bold and fearless is what comes to mind when I think of beauty. Beauty resonates from within and when you are beautiful on the inside your light shines and attracts those around you. To me, that is true beauty. The main contribution I’d like to make when I finish my training would be to help others find their “beauty.” I feel this would be rewarding in the fact that many women (and men) do not know their self-worth. By providing services to them and boosting their confidence to the point where they begin to feel valued is not quantitative, which is gratifying.

I have found that the more you succeed, the more you want to succeed. It becomes contagious. You want to become something even greater than what you are. This is why I am seeking to become a student at Aveda Institute. I want to grow and become greater, all the while, inspiring others along the way. I believe that living a fulfilled life is more important than living a successful one. Success can be measured by others, but being fulfilled can only be measured by your own intuition and heart. And that is how I want to live…not by being successful, but being fulfilled and allowing my inner beauty to radiate.