Everyday I’m Hustling
Everyday I’m Hustlin’
The Unpolished Truth About Chasing Dreams and Doing The Work
THE HUSTLE | Episode #3
Everyday I’m Hustlin’. I don’t just say it—I sing it. Thanks to Rick Ross, this phrase has officially become my personal life jingle. Hustling has been part of my story for as long as I can remember—babysitting at an age when I probably should’ve still needed a sitter, getting paid under the table at a friend’s family-owned pizza joint before I was legally employable, and juggling two jobs during full-time college semesters (one to pay the bills, the other strategically secured for the employee discount at Express 😉)…just to name a few.
Hustle isn’t something I picked up along the way—it was built through resilience. Growing up a 90s kid meant learning how to fall, brush it off, and keep moving—usually with scraped knees and zero audience. I watched the original hustling machine—my single mom, my hero—show up day after day, working relentlessly while still making space for love, kindness, and consistency. Through her, I learned how to push through the hard stuff, take pride in effort, and keep going even when the path wasn’t clear. Those lessons shaped my work ethic, my purpose, and my belief that showing up matters. Thank you mom. 😘
Running a creative business takes that hustle to a whole new level, and with it comes a slew of challenges. The risks are real—financial, emotional, creative—and the hats you wear are endless: designer, marketer, accountant, problem-solver, cheerleader… and sometimes therapist. It’s uncomfortable at times—like standing on a ladder on top of scaffolding to paint a mural, despite having a legitimate fear of heights. Mistakes will happen—I once misspelled “traditional” on a hand-lettered chalkboard and drove five hours to fix it. And then there’s the burnout that can sneak in when you least expect it. But at the end of the day, it’s the hustle that keeps me going.
Along the way, I’ve learned a few things. Growth requires risk and discomfort—sometimes while standing on something wildly unstable, both literally and figuratively. Progress takes patience—Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a sustainable creative business. I’ve learned to pause, reflect, and give myself permission to rest without guilt—because balance between work, family, and mental health isn’t optional, it’s essential. I’ve adjusted my mindset, learning to quiet the negative noise—the am I good enough? questions that creep in—and replace it with forward momentum and positive energy. And I’m still learning as I go, still gaining knowledge, still refining—and still Googling things I probably should already know.
So what keeps me hustling? My family. My passions. My ambition. The freedom and independence that come with building something of my own. The fulfillment that comes from sharing my creativity in hopes it inspires someone else to chase their own ideas. The ability to do what I love—and making a living doing it—is powerful, rewarding, and never lost on me. So here’s to the unpolished work, the long days, and the dreams worth chasing. 🎤✨
The Early Days
Built between naps, deadlines, selfies, and tiny moments. This was the early hustle — my studio, my first business, and one of my favorite little sidekicks along for the ride. And yes—her big brother was part of those early studio days too, even if the photos are playing hide-and-seek.
The Current Days
The hustle doesn’t stop—even when the dog says it does.
