Through life’s challenges, I’ve learned that success comes from living authentically, pursuing what lights you up, and building a life that aligns with your values.
From a young age, I was taught the importance of having a strong work ethic and, as my parents put it, “building a firm foundation.” I had a vision of what life and success should look like, and for a while, I felt like I was on track. That changed in high school when I developed a vascular issue that required multiple surgeries and made everyday life a struggle. My confidence and sense of self-worth took a serious hit.
The Early Days
During recovery, I discovered a love for creative hobbies, especially portrait photography. Capturing people’s true essence and helping them feel confident sparked a passion I hadn’t known existed. Even as I began booking photography sessions, I felt tied to the idea of following a "typical" career path. Having spent so much time in hospitals, I started out as a nursing student, hoping to make a difference in the system. But two years in, I realized it wasn’t the right path for me. Despite my parents’ reservations, I switched to advertising, where I found joy in blending creativity with strategy.
A Creative Spark
My health challenges continued, but I learned to manage them by building a life that prioritized rest and balance. Slowly, my confidence grew as I pursued work that aligned with my passions. After graduating in 2020, right into the pandemic, job opportunities were scarce, and I found myself back at home, feeling lost. Yet, photography remained a steady source of income and fulfillment. It was during this time that I had an ambitious idea: to open a rental photo studio. With the pandemic limiting in-home sessions, I created a natural light lifestyle studio for photographers to rent. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to see the idea come to life and to witness its impact on the creative community.
Building a Life that Worked for Me
The studio taught me invaluable lessons about running a business—from marketing and customer service to accounting and resilience. More importantly, it reinforced my love for supporting other women in their creative pursuits. Seeing their success was even more rewarding than recognizing my own. After three years, however, I realized my role had shifted into being a landlord, which wasn’t where my heart was. I made the difficult decision to close the studio and focus on what truly brought me joy: photography and design.
Lessons from Twelve Studio
Storyteller Creative was born out of my desire to combine all the things I love—design, community, and empowering women—while building a life that works for my body. It’s not just about helping you showcase your unique essence and connect with aligned clients; it’s also about living with purpose and doing work that lights you up.
The Birth of Storyteller Creative
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to learn about my journey. It’s been full of twists and turns, but every step has brought me closer to where I’m meant to be. If you’re an entrepreneur navigating health challenges, know that you’re not alone. It’s a different path, but it’s so worth it—and I’m here to support you however I can.
