Change of Pace

I have written this post about 3 times now, each time erasing the words because they just weren’t expressing what I wanted them to (yes my words often have a mind if there own). This time I think I finally got it right.

My life has recently taken me on a wild winding road. A few months ago I decided to look for a position back in the restaurant industry to allow for some time to implement all the great things I’ve learned recently without having to worry about money coming in. A job instead of a career, just for now.

It took quite a while for this idea to sit well with me as my doubter (I call her Britney) kept telling me that if I did this I would be quitting on my business. I’m not a quitter! I can make this work! But as much as I told myself this I knew that in order to get where I want to go, I need to make some changes.

On May 1st, I began working back in the industry that gave me so much to begin with. I came into the experience with a new outlook, setting opportunity for growth and change at every turn. I was exhausted as I have not been on my feet that long in years. I was memorizing and cutting, eating and playing, but most of all I was starting to see my future in a new light. My goal of via 100k year was closer to being a reality than it had been in years.

So where is the rollercoaster ride, right?! Sounds pretty straight forward. Well just as I was getting used to my new life, I was presented an opportunity to interview for a national non profit organization where my social media and marketing skills would be used.

I leaped at the chance as I felt like it was just what I was looking for. Well… I got it!!! So once again my life has taken a turn, but I know this change of pace will make me a better business owner and more competent leader.

My head is spinning, my feet are soar but I’m ready to run into this new path at full speed.
I am so interested to hear how you deal with major changes in

your life. Do you run and hide or welcome them with open arms? Leave a comment and let me know

Mother’s Day Memory

For over half of my life Mother’s day has been a day of remembrance and reflection. My mother passed away from cancer in 1994 and though she is no longer here to sees me grow I am always reminded that where ever she is watching from she is proud of the woman I have become. Because of her I am strong, intelligent and of course gorgeous!

Cinco Reasons to Celebrate

Today I am celebrating Cinco De Mayo with cinco (five) reasons I have to celebrate my life. I find myself needing a reminder of the great things going on because it’s so much easier to focus on the things not going as planned. So here it is, enjoy:

1. A loving and supporting relationship
I am fully supported in every decision I make regardless of the out come and that is amazing. It let’s me be fearless because no matter what I know I will have someone in my corner!

2. Money in the bank
It may be just a little bit of money but it will take me where I need to be!

3. Friends both new and not so new
Wow, the people in my life have  so fabulous! People that I have just meet this year have transformed my life just from being a part of it.

4. Good food in my belly
Because food is awesome and good food is even better!!

5. A life of possibilities
Right now in my life I fell like I could literally do anything. I know it sounds a bit cliché but it’s so true.

I really don’t think I could ask for anything more (I could but I’ll wait a bit don’t want to look greedy).

I hope today and everyday you take a little time to reflect on the positive parts of you’re life. It really is pretty amazing!

Different Paths, Same Destination

I was invited to participate in the Latina Lifestyle Bloggers 2013 Conference this week and it kicked off  with a VIP party, where some of us got to meet and get to know each other. While looking around and talking to some of these wonderful women, I realized there is no one way to get to any destination, let alone our dream destination.”what are you talking about Alex?” I can hear you asking me already!

Well, there were women who joined us by flying from Canada, driving from New York or by taking a bus and a train from Santa Monica. Some who’s journey started a while ago with a move across country and me with a drive from what sometimes feels like the edge of civilization but better known as “THE INLAND EMPIRE”( I imagine that said in a really menacing echoey voice like the movies). Yet despite the different paths we took to get there we still ended up in a room together sharing drinks and swapping stories, right where we wanted to be.

I see my entrepreneurial path the same way. There are millions of women just like me who have dreams of owning a successful business. We all know ( a least in the very general way) what our final dream would look like. For me it’s a legacy, something I can pass down to my currently unborn children. Now the process is where we get all mucked up, because there is no right way to do this.

There are twists and turns, ups and downs, times where you want to just give up and times where you feel on top of the world. i often forget, and maybe you do too, that the “right way” is whatever way we choose to do it. It’s different for each of us, it may lead us down different paths but that’s what gives our businesses character.

My business may not yet be a runaway success. I may still look at my bank account on the daily and think “how am I going to do this?! “. There is one thing however that I never have a doubt of and that is the end game. I always picture my office, my staff, my house that was bought because of the business and those kids that i will raise taking it and making it there own.

There is no one way to get to any destination. Mine is filled with unscheduled stops and re-directions, yours may be a straight road to success, or a winding road of false starts. No matter what the road looks like, own it, because it’s yours!

So now's the time to stand up for your road and share a little bit. Tell me what is your dream and how has the road to that dream been? I know it’s kinda scary to talk about but if I can do it, so can you!
Xoxo AlxMarie

Why Now

I have just finished my second year of running my business so why start a personal blog now? I could have started this years ago! Well here is the long and short of it: I need this to move forward. Owning a business and following a dream is so much more then I ever anticipated.  I have gone through many, many things to get me to this point but I am no where close to being done and I want to share the process with others, I want to look fear in the face and say I just don’t care (thanks P!nk for the right words).

So I have opened my heart and my soul to this sacred place and I look forward to watching it grow into what I think is going to be fantastic. I want it to be a place where others will gain inspiration, learn something and look back and realize they grew up gorgeous with beauty all around them. There will be a podcast that coincides with this blog that will feature some amazing women that bring light and excitement to my life and they will share with you about their journey to gorgeousness in business, love and life. I will occasionally posts about products and services that I think can benefit you, because this is for both of our growth after all and if I don’t share then what good am I doing?

Are  you wondering who I am to be declaring all of this? It’s OK so am I! I am just like you or someone you know a 30something woman trying to find her place in the world. Looking behind cupboards, within closets, in  a bottle of nail polish or the bottom of a purse to find all the pieces of me. I am *finally* doing it out loud without a care of who is watching. I was over worked and under paid and broken and all of the sudden I took control of my life and it made all the difference in the world.  Want to know more? Take a look at Who Am I and you can get a little bit better picture of me.

So back to the question at hand I guess, why now? WHY NOT? Will you join me on my adventure in growing up gorgeous, I promise it will be entertaining, thought provoking and you may even learn a thing or two.

Leave a comment and let me know if you are in on taking this wild ride with me! See you soon xoxo AlxMarie