Standing Out in 2025: Embracing Vulnerability + Bold Moves
Making 2025 my year of bold moves and meaningful growth. Read about the moments that have shaped my journey so far in this busy city.
The start of a new year always brings fresh energy and goals. Sometimes we set the bar a little too high—I'm talking to you, my friend who didn't quite make it through Dry January. It's okay; it’s still a start, and I'm proud of you, babe.
A little over one month into 2025, and it’s already been full of milestones for me. I kicked off the year traveling to Nashville to shoot a corporate Leadership Summit, helping capture a company’s mission and vision through photography and digital marketing. I was able to watch their incredible speakers and thought-leaders give inspiring presentations that left me wanting to scale a mountain while simultaneously unraveling the mysteries of E=mc².
I’ve watched close friends step into new chapters of their lives, celebrating engagements and wedding planning, buying their first houses, and even watching their babies get bigger and start walking before my eyes. It’s already been a season of growth for everyone around me fueling my own drive for personal and professional development.
One of my biggest priorities this year has been networking. It’s a skill I’ve always believed is essential, yet one that so many people overlook or struggle with. I’ve made incredible connections both in and outside of my industry, expanding my circle and sharpening my skills.
A standout moment came at a recent networking event when the CEO personally recognized me in the closing remarks for my vulnerability, strong connections, and for fully maximizing every opportunity presented that day. That moment reinforced a lesson I learned early on in my marketing and communication career: showing up with confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, not just to prove what you know, can open doors for you. Because as it turned out, in a room full of professionals, I had stood out. Not because I had the most experience, the flashiest title, or the biggest network. But because I showed up, took up space, and leaned into every opportunity that was handed to me.
This personal philosophy is at the heart of what I do: helping businesses craft their own unique narratives so they can rise above the noise in competitive markets. So many businesses spend their time trying to blend in, checking off the same marketing to-do lists as their competitors, hoping that consistency will lead to credibility. But the ones that truly win are the ones that take risks, make bold moves, and show up with a clear, confident message. The ones that don’t just exist in their industry, but own it. This experience also reminded me of a lesson I learned early on— being open to learning and receptive to constructive criticism is a skill in itself. (Shout-out to all those acting classes my parents paid for.)
Some other highlights for the first month of 2025: In a full circle moment I booked a singing gig, a jewelry commercial I filmed aired, and an old coworker texted me to say she saw me on TV. And somewhere in between, I've become dedicated to Pilates, yoga, and healthy eating. Balancing creativity, business, and life demands real energy, and when I feel my best physically, everything else aligns.
But the biggest thing I’ve learned so far this year? Growth comes when you’re willing to show up. To put yourself in rooms where you don’t have all the answers. To raise your hand, ask the question, and introduce yourself first. And to stop talking, and just listen more often than we think we need to. Whether in business or life, standing out isn't about being the loudest person in the room; it's about being the one with something meaningful to say. And as I look ahead, that’s exactly what I plan to help businesses do—stand out with purpose, own their space, and show up in a way that makes an impact.
Because at the end of the day, what’s the point of being in the room if no one remembers you were there?
Let's make our presence unforgettable in 2025 and beyond.
