Crying on a Green Velvet Couch: A Part of My Origin Story

Often, business owners are asked about their origin story. “Tell me about your journey,” they’ll prompt. I respond with a “How far back do you want me to go?!”

There’s a lot to my origin story, but I’ll spare you the 2001-2009 details and head right to my personal financial meltdown.

~squiggly arms taking you back to 2010~

I was working as an ASL/English Sign Language Interpreter for a high school hub for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing students. I took this job in 2008 (and it was my dream job coming off of seven years of college). I got to work with a team of thirteen other interpreters, and our office was a HOOT. We were always brainstorming, talking about which teachers were easy to work with, and figuring out who would cover the school play. 

The job didn’t pay well. It was in education after all.

And I had to get up at 5:15a every morning. I am a night owl.

On paper, this job was NOT made for me. But, somehow, it was. I was doing the thing I loved with people who loved it too, not to mention a few of my best friends. I was living the dream…

Until I hit my breaking point. The math was not mathing. My financial literacy (well, the lack thereof) hit me square across the face.

I had been treading water for a few years using credit cards, but the time had come when I couldn’t take it anymore. I was drowning in credit card bills I was terrified to open. 

I found myself in the staff lounge, sitting on a green velvet couch with a buddy, and the dam broke. Tears welled up and out of my eyes. It was there that I confessed money was stressing me the F out. She listened and helped me pull myself together as we walked back into our office of thirteen colleagues. One of the more seasoned interpreters on staff noticed my puffy eyes and asked me what was wrong. 

I divulged my money issues, and she looked at me with the kindest eyes and said…”Maybe it’s how you manage your money and not about the money at all.” She was right.

Being the studious human that I am, I started diving into personal finance books, podcasts, and spreadsheets to figure my shit out. This one was on me–I had to find the light at the end of the tunnel, and I did.

It took me three years, but I zeroed out all my debt + saved $15k for my wedding. I felt unstoppable. You'd think this is where I'd tell you I pivoted into the financial space, right? Although that would make a great story… quitting my interpreting job and becoming a financial consultant during my debt-free party… that’s only the beginning. My interpreting days were far from behind me.

Inside a cold staff office, I learned it's never just about the money, no matter how much you’re making. If you're ready to explore your relationship with money, feel free to book a 15-minute chemistry call here.