If you were in high school around the early 2000’s you likely recall a popular literary genre about drug addiction and mental illness. You may recall engaging in books like Crank by Ellen Hopkins, Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks, Cut by Patricia McCormick, and even the movie Thirteen directed by Catherine Hardwicke. In 2003 A Million Little Pieces, by James Frey came out. I was drawn to its iconic cover, a sky-blue background displaying a partially suspended human hand, dipp

In the Company of Women is a collection, by Grace Bonney, of inspirational moments and relatable reflections from a variety of professional women. This book was given to me by my mother about 6 years ago. Initially it did not fit into the typical compendium of professional resources but quickly became a place to jump in the minds of successful artists and entrepreneurs. I connected to these women by relating to their struggles, finding inspiration in their success, and welcom

Success isn’t about motivation—it’s about discipline. Habits lose their thrill once transformation turns to maintenance, and that’s where most people quit. Inspired by Atomic Habits, I learned that consistency, though boring, creates freedom. When I follow my routine—4 a.m. workouts, meal prep, focus—I operate at my best. Discipline may be dull, but it’s the secret to sustained success.

Abandonment isn’t just leaving—it’s disengaging when your team needs you most. Inspired by Amy Poehler’s lesson on never bailing during improv, I realized leadership is the same: you show up, even when the scene’s falling apart. I almost quit my first CEO role but chose to re-engage. Once I did, my team followed—and together, we turned failure into resilience.