My story is one of transformation. Like most people, I entered adulthood with a lot of expectations of myself and of the world. I got married young, and soon had all the “things” I could want but something was missing. My brother, whom I was very close to, was killed in a work accident just before my 25th birthday, and that threw my world into a tailspin. It suddenly hit me that all the dreams I had for my life were up to me to fulfill, and not someday: now. I quit my job, took a trip to Greece, and started a home staging business with my husband. Just after we launched our company and just before our 6th anniversary, our marriage ended: another thing I never thought would happen. After a couple of intense years working for myself, I decided to put my business to bed and get a normal job being a fundraiser. Working in a non-profit taught me that I thrive on having meaning in my work and helping people: for the first time in a while, I was truly happy. That’s when I met my husband, Jeff, who lived in Edmonton. One year after meeting, we got married on a mountain in Banff. Our marriage is built on friendship, passion, tons of laughter and support, and I know he’s the person I was meant to find. After living and working in Edmonton for a couple of years, I decided it was time for my next big challenge and moved back home to get my bachelor degree in psychology. Two and a half years later, I have just completed my degree. Now I am launching my new business: What Would Audrey Wear, a personal image consulting company. I help women dress themselves for career advancement, job interviews, public speaking, or just for them. I use psychology to ascertain what kind of non-verbal communication is appropriate for each person’s job and life, and then help her go about building a wardrobe that will speak her personality ,values and just make her look and feel amazing. I love doing what I do, and plan to start my masters in psychology soon as well. There are always new adventures for me, but I’m also just loving the life I have right now.
What has been YOUR biggest challenge or life obstacle that YOU feel has dimmed YOUR GLOW?
The big thing trips me up over and over again is the false belief that I’m not talented, smart or tenacious enough to run a successful business, or life for that matter. Going back to school has really helped me practically in that I’ve proven to myself that when I keep at something, I am successful in it. I also try to monitor my self-talk throughout the day and make sure I’m telling myself good, positive things rather than undermining myself and my abilities, which is so easy to do. People will say all kinds of things about you as well, especially when you put yourself out there and do something new or unexpected. In my experience, the naysayers only affect me when I believe them: so I work on not believing them! It takes daily work to change your own mind, but gets easier over time.
How have YOU grown as a woman in the last year? What lessons, insights or ah-ha moments have you had?
This past year I had a herniated disc in my back and couldn’t walk, stand or sit for a month: I had to take a final exam laying down in my classroom! I had never experienced that kind of pain before and didn’t know when or if it would end, which was terrifying. I found help and got better though, and resolved to do daily work to stay healthy so that I never have to be at the mercy of my own unhealthy body again. Now I go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and have a personal trainer to kick my butt when I need it. I’m working on giving up sugar (it’s hard!!!), as well as taking time for me each day and doing relaxation exercises. I feel so much better, and never want to take my health for granted again!
What else do YOU want to share with the YOU GLOW GIRL!® Community
We live in a society that tells us we have to be a certain way to be considered beautiful, smart, talented, whatever, and it’s all crap. The only thing any of us needs to be is who we were created to be, and we were all created differently. I want us to celebrate that more, don’t you? I want us to stop categorizing each other and cutting each other down, because a victory for one of us is a victory for all of us. We are women, we are unique, and we are powerful: let’s stop asking permission to be ourselves and instead be bold about it. That’s my mission, and I hope you join me!
Check out Brianna’s website at http://whatwouldaudreywear.me/
Are you interested in sharing YOUR story and being a #glowgirl? Contact Diane today! diane@glowleadership.com