06/11/2026
The creative director behind
The Haven Collective.
💛Growth never goes out of style.
I came across these photos today and they made me smile!
Back in May, one of my Hospitality Management finals at NIC was a Mocktail competition.
I ended up winning with a drink I created called Porch Light Fireside Peach. The funny thing is, I don’t remember being focused on winning that day.
I remember being nervous.
I remember hoping I didn’t forget anything.
I remember standing in front of the class wondering how I somehow ended up back in school at this stage of life. Looking at these photos now, I’m reminded how much can change when you finally decide to bet on yourself.
Today, I’m maintaining a 4.0 GPA, building businesses I’m passionate about, raising three incredible kids, and slowly creating a future I’ve dreamed about for a long time.
None of it happened overnight. It’s been built through a lot of early mornings, late nights, hard conversations, setbacks, small wins, losses and choosing to keep going even when I couldn’t see the full picture yet.
Winning the competition was exciting, but it isn’t what I’m most proud of. What I’m most proud of is showing up.Taking the class. Doing the work.Trusting myself enough to try. Because this wasn’t really about a Mocktail.
It was about proving to myself that growth is still possible, no matter where you’re starting from. And that’s something worth celebrating.
P.S. Porch Light Fireside Peach, holds a special place in my heart. 🍑🔥