Sunlight, Strategy and the Smell of Dog

Here’s the thing about transformation—it doesn’t arrive with fireworks and a trumpet fanfare. It tiptoes in with beach towels, Costco receipts, and the occasional cockroach murder. But make no mistake: this was a week of big moves, even if I smelled like a pitbull mix for most of it.

Let’s rewind to Saturday night: my first time in Dunedin (LOVE), St. Patrick’s Day chaos, and a business dinner at Lucky Lobster with #TeamRicardo. The vibe was electric, the food was fab, and I felt at home. Like, I-could-totally-move-here-right-now comfortable. And maybe I will. (Cue dramatic piano chord.)

That dinner wasn’t just fish tacos and flirty banter—it was the birth of a business plan. We’re talking investors, projections, and a very real $150K opportunity. (Don’t worry, we’re offering $300K in return—because #TeamRicardo doesn’t play small.)

By Monday, I was fired up!

Accountability call with the girls? Check.

Investor outreach? Boom.

Within hours, a potential backer from the Caribbean replied: “Send me the numbers. Include a pro forma.”

Cue me: Googling “pro forma,” shrieking internally, and calling Ricardo like my hair was on fire. We did it! AI helped, clarity struck, and the momentum was real.

Tuesday delivered a jolt of reality—and purpose. I booked five sales calls, prepped a PowerPoint, and had a heartfelt conversation with Ricardo where I realized: I’m more than the VA. I’m a partner. And yes, I still shower people with compliments like confetti at a wedding, but now I know—I need to give those gifts to myself too.

Midweek, I got a masterclass in boundaries, business, and emotional resilience. Ricardo, true to form, gently reprimanded me with so much kindness it felt like a warm hug wrapped in a spreadsheet. I’m learning to shorten the gap between idea and action, to lead with joy, and to ditch the need to chase. We’re building something real here. And real things require real habits—daily ones.

By Thursday, I moved to Tampa, cleaned like a woman possessed, and started organizing my new life—one drawer and one lemon-scented disinfectant wipe at a time.

Even when life threw the disinheritance curveball (yes, that happened), I didn’t crumble. I chose gratitude, smoothies, and beach towels. Because my life isn’t in California—it’s here, where palm trees meet possibility.

So cheers to Week 23: where big wins were sandwiched between tacos, tough talks, dog-scented revelations, and the rock-solid realization that I’m building a life that I love. One juicy pitch, sparkly beach day, and lovingly organized cabinet at a time.

See more about what I have learned in my Master Key Experience by clicking here.