When I turned 50, I found myself reflecting on my journey. In my early days as an entrepreneur, I slept on 19 different couches, bouncing from friend to friend as I pursued my dreams.
At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal. "Thank you so much" and "Who has a couch I can crash on next week?" were regular parts of my vocabulary. I was just grateful for any help I could get.
Looking back now, those 19 couches represent so much more than places to sleep. They represent 19 people who believed in me enough to open their homes. 19 people who saw my vision and were willing to help make it happen.
That experience built something in me that no money could buy – grit and resilience. It made every success that followed so much sweeter.
Recently, I sat down and wrote thank-you letters to all 19 of those couch owners. Not just for the furniture but for being part of my story when I needed them most.
Sometimes, the most challenging part of chasing your dreams isn't the work – it's asking for help along the way. But here's what I've learned: people want to help. They want to be part of your journey. You must be humble enough to ask and grateful enough to remember.
