Right out of college in 2010, the economy was terrible. Our professors were telling us basically to just stay in school because the likeliness of getting a job were slim. Like what?! I just went to college for 4 years, worked my tail off, made good grades and for what nothing?! Ok… maybe not for nothing but at that point in time that’s what it felt like. To be honest, I never really had a clarity moment of ok this is exactly what I want to do with my life. I was in school to get a degree and then figure it all out afterwards. I wish I knew now what I knew then. No, I don’t regret my bachelors degree and going to school for 4 years. I met some of my best friends and my husband through college, but I wish I would have educated myself more on what I can do besides the basic 9-5 job. Isn’t this what we are taught? You need a stable job with health insurance and a 401K. You will gradually make your way up to the top… yeah right I will never make more than the owner or CEO of the company and thats a fact jack.

I have always been determined. In high school, I was the point guard for our basketball team. I loved it so much, and I wish I could have made money playing basketball forever. It brought me so much joy. I was working on a “jump stop pull up jumper” at practice one day. The assistant coach was helping me with not arching my back. I was determined to get the shot right before I left practice that day. I also used the determination through my cheerleading days to get the perfect toe touch and heel stretch (cheer talk). I’m not a perfectionist by any means, but I have just simply always had a determination to be successful or “get it right.”

Being married to a professional athlete, your dreams and goals tend to go on the back burner for a bit. I was ok with that because I honestly wasn’t even sure what I wanted to do I just knew I wanted to be my own boss, work from wherever I am whether on vacation or not and use my platform to make a difference. I had a ton of fear in my head… “What if no one supports me?” “What if I fail?” “What if I can’t get the money to begin?” Worry and fear clogged my brain and till this day they still do. After some prayer and clarity, Sweet Tea Magnolia was born. It is just the beginning stages, and I honestly have no idea where it will go or if it will even become something I can make a living off of but it’s a start. In addition to Sweet Tea Magnolia, Beautycounter sort of fell in my lap July 2017. It’s a company that has everything I am looking for to start up a business with.

1. Safe products
2. Amazing group of ladies
3. Christian women who uplift me
4. Products that changed my skin completely
5. Comp plan that was set up for success

I have made more money in Beautycounter than I did at my full time job in 2011 working super part time. I’m able to travel with my husband, stay home with my son, advocate for safer beauty, be my OWN BOSS and make a lucrative income with no caps. When S and I were getting married in 2012, the pastor told us something I will never forget. He said, “You don’t just have to do one thing your whole life.”

Have you always dreamed of running your own business? Working for yourself on your own schedule? You see bloggers on Instagram and like how are they doing it? Do you let fear get in your head? What is keeping you from living the life you have always dreamed of? I used to be a realist… like this is the way life is suppose to be so just suck it up and deal with it! After marrying S and traveling with him full time through his baseball career, I turned into a dreamer. We were both chasing that dream of playing in the MLB; it was our goal and that’s what we set out to do. He made his Major League debut May 2, 2015. Our dreams became a reality because we both never gave up.

This sparked my dreamer mentality even more. I struggled with seeing what others were good at would translate into a great corporate or 9-5 job, and I just didn’t see myself fitting into that mold. The progress of social media has allowed women who are great at writing, fashion, relationships, stories to tell, advice givers and dreamers just like me be able to make an income through other means. Do what you love and don’t look back! Remember you can do more than just one thing with your life. I’m Hillary and I’m a wife, mom, entrepreneur, blogger, Christian, child of God, baseball wife, advocate for safer beauty and dreamer! What does your description look like?

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

HC