The 3 People Who Shaped My Journey as a Solo Entrepreneur
I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. In fact, if you’d told my younger self — the forest fairy wandering through life with a degree in Ancient Art and Archaeology, teaching English abroad and go-go dancing in Toronto during my university years — that I’d one day own a luxury nail business in Mallorca… I would’ve laughed.
But life has a funny way of putting the right people in our paths at the right time. And when I look back, I realize how deeply three people helped shape the entrepreneur I am today. Each in their own way, they gave me tools, wisdom, and encouragement I didn’t even know I needed.
The 80’s:) Vintage photo of my parents and I at a pool along Lake Ontario, Canada.
1. My Mom: Strength, Confidence & Positivity
My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. She taught me what it means to be a strong woman — one who believes in herself, stands on her own two feet, and follows her dreams.
She constantly told me, “You can be anything you want to be.” She filled my world with love, positive words, and unwavering faith in my potential. And when the going has gotten tough, which I’d be lying if I said this journey hasn’t had many ups and downs, her powerful words has pulled me through. My mother is such a strong woman and this has most certainly rubbed off on me.
Because of her, I grew up with confidence, resilience, and a bright, hopeful outlook on life.
Also because of her, I didn’t end up a teen mom or in a gutter lol She knew I was boy crazy and liked to party so from a young age she gave me child-friendly sex education books, gave me “The Talk”, always told me to come to her if I was ever in danger or too drunk to take care of myself as a young crazy teen. If she didn’t keep an eye on me who knows where I’d be…ohhh probably a go go dancer in Belgrad! -While in university I was dating a hockey player who got drafted to play out in Serbia and I went to visit him after my winter exams and longgggg story short, I called my Mom and said I wanted to stay in Serbia and be a go go dancer and she said hell no! Quote on quote “I will get on a plane in a few hours and pull you by your hair all the way back to Canada. You aren’t moving countries until you finish your degree.” So I flew back home and finished university and just became a go go dancer on the weekends, until I graduated and then moved to South Korea. Mama knows best lol
2. My Dad: The Entrepreneurial Spirit & Life Skills
My dad is the sweetest, most sensitive man you’ll ever meet — and also a business owner himself back in the day. Without even realizing it, he taught me invaluable life lessons that still guide me now.
He gave me my money-savvy mindset and my gift of the gab.
My people skills, my ability to sell with heart, my understanding of saving and financial responsibility — all of that comes from him.
In fact, one of my earliest memories of being business-minded was with my dad. As a kid, I started a little loonie and toonie collection (for my non-Canadians — those are our $1 and $2 coins). I told him, “Dad, any time you have a loonie or a toonie, can you give it to me for my collection?”
I made it sound innocent enough — like I was building a cute coin hobby. But really, I was sneakily stacking up my own little treasure trove of cash. 😂
Looking back, I realize I was a savvy (and slightly sneaky) entrepreneur in the making.
I’ll forever be grateful for the practical skills he passed down, often without even trying.
3. My Ex-Husband: The Unexpected Mentor
My ex-husband and I ripping it around the Canadian west coast mountains!
I was lucky to be married to a genuinely good man, and I’ll always think highly of him.
I never planned to work in nails — I just knew I needed a creative outlet. It was actually my ex-husband who suggested I turn my nail obsession into a career.
I enrolled in a private nail school, assuming I’d land a job in a salon after graduating. When that didn’t happen, he said, “Start your own mobile nail business in Whistler.”
I thought he was insane. At that time in 2017, I had a phone, but I didn’t even have Instagram yet- While in university I only had an ipod, so I was only online in wi-fi zones lol I was the type who loved being disconnected, preferring nature and real-life connection over social media.
But he believed in me. He supported me financially while I built my client list, always reminding me, “Don’t worry — you’ll learn along the way.”
When we eventually decided to divorce and both moved back to Spain (he’s from Madrid), people thought I was crazy to leave a thriving business in Canada for a country with lower wages. But again, he told me:
“It’ll take time, your prices are high — but you’ll make it. You’re too talented not to.”
Even now, I hear his voice in my head.
When I landed my first production job on set here in Mallorca, I called him in shock and excitement. He wasn’t surprised. He simply said, “Of course you’re doing what you set out to do.”
I’m forever grateful for his role in my journey, and for having such a good man beside me for 10 years.
Closing Thoughts
These three humans — my mom, my dad, and my ex-husband — each played such different, important roles in helping me get to where I am today.
From emotional support and life lessons to business advice and tough love, they gave me the foundation to build a business (and life) I’m proud of.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned as a solo entrepreneur, it’s that we never truly do it alone.
We carry the voices of those who shaped us, cheered for us, and pushed us to believe in ourselves — whether we realize it in the moment or not.
I’ll love these 3 forever and ever.