Style House Events & Rental

Story time… 🎓✨

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak at Neighborhood House Charter School, and moments like that will always mean something to me.

Because it’s bigger than just “career day.”

It’s about access.
It’s about exposure.
It’s about showing the next generation that there are real pathways in this industry — beyond what they’ve been told or limited to.

And if I’m being honest… it was a full circle moment.

When I was first starting out, I was just trying to get my foot in the door — looking for mentorship, opportunities, anything to gain real experience.

I was told:
“You have too much ambition… we don’t take interns who want their own business.”

Another time, I showed up ready, open, and willing to learn… and was left on read.

No follow up. No opportunity. Just silence.

And those moments could’ve easily made me feel like I didn’t belong in this industry.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

Not everyone in leadership is actually a leader.

Some people lead with proximity.
Some lead with titles.
Some lead with ego.

But real leaders?

They reach back.
They create access.
They open doors they once had to knock on.

And that’s the kind of leader I choose to be.

Because it’s not our job to convince people to see our value.
And it’s definitely not our job to shrink our vision to fit someone else’s limitations.

The validation is in the work.
The impact is in who you help along the way.

To the next generation — your vision is valid.
And to those in positions to give opportunities…

Who are you making space for?