Expat to Entrepreneur:

I was 26 years old when preparation had met opportunity. As a University student, I knew only one thing about my future— that I would traveI. In my Junior year, I switched majors and I began studying Applied Linguistics and ESOL Studies. Two years after graduating I was offered teaching positions in Casablanca, Morocco and Cairo, Egypt.

Drawn to the history, food and aesthetics of North Africa, I was sold on Morocco. I downsized my life to two suitcases, sold my car and cut my curly hair short. I was ready for the world. I had a night flight out of Miami to Casablanca. I sat at the gate waiting to board, tears washed my face and my vision became blurry. I held a picture of my deceased mother in one hand and my father (who was against the move) in another hand. Entering the dimly lit Iberia Airways plane was the most terrifying yet courageous step I had ever taken. In retrospect, crying at the gate was the final purge. It was the shedding of my old self as I entered a new era of self discovery and resilience.

I quickly made friends with an adventurous crew and I was introduced to the craftsmanship of the Berber people. I was then inspired to connect people to beautiful things. 🤎