Suspended between two worlds in seat 10A, I stare out the window, reflecting on the whirlwind week both on and off the conference floor. Just days ago, I was oddly anxious to face it.

But by Day 3, I tucked my personal turbulence neatly into the overhead bin and carried my confidence with me. I took the initiative to meet more people, stepped fully into this role, and owned the space I was trusted to lead. With a strong team beside me, we didn’t just show up—we showed out.

The conference left me feeling lighter, more confident in my team and the future of the business. Confidence gained, problems solved, and a few more items checked off the overwhelming house to-do list—it all feels like progress. Success inching closer, even if it comes with a few steps backward.

We closed the week with a final social event for our customers, partners, and—of course—a few uninvited party crashers. One of whom, unfortunately, was a ‘potential’ customer we’d met a few weeks earlier. You know the type: the guy who treats an open bar like Costco sample day and thinks women are there for his personal entertainment.  A few drinks past respectable, he got handsy, overshared his big ideas, and slipped into full-on stalker mode. My ever-watchful team—my band of brotherly bodyguards—swiftly swooped in to extract me. Smooth, swift, and very necessary.

The kicker? As I made my escape, I couldn’t help but shake my head at the irony. Here I am, trying to chart a path toward the right one, and somehow I’m still attracting the wrong ones—even in business settings.

While progress was felt with professional momentum and the somewhat humorous continuation of my wrong ones saga, a familiar tension lingered—the mental list of house repairs, the looming deadlines to clean and stage, and the unsettling uncertainty of where I’ll eventually land.

As I fly home with the sun shining through the window, I take this next flight to sit back and breathe—knowing full well I’m heading straight into the next storm. Literally. Trying to figure out when I’ll fit painting the deck into a 10-day forecast that shows rain for eight of them and the next conference 11 days away. All on top of the never-ending list of tasks still waiting, with listing day looming just a few weeks away.  One deep breath at a time.

And yet, in the middle of all the chaos, I’m reminded by a dear friend today that I’m not in this alone. I am surrounded by strength and love—my tribe of sweet family and dear friends—all cheering me on through this journey. And with them beside me, I know I’ll weather every storm ahead.  The 🌈 is coming…