Never Stop Dreaming BIGGIE Episode 3

“It was all a dream…” but sometimes dreams crash into reality in ways we never expected.

In the latest episode of Never Stop Dreaming BIGGIE, I pulled back the curtain on one of the most challenging periods of my life—and why it became the foundation for everything I’m building today. Wearing my favorite Tupac sweatshirt (because comfort matters when you’re sharing vulnerable truths), I dove deep into a story I’ve never fully told: how I went from running successful six-figure events to filing for bankruptcy, losing everything to COVID, and ultimately discovering my true purpose.

The Rise Before the Fall

For 29 years, I built my career in PR, marketing, and large-scale events. I wasn’t just good at it—I was really good at it. Each success led to bigger opportunities, cooler projects, and what felt like an unstoppable trajectory. But here’s the thing about success: when it’s all you know, you stop appreciating it until it’s gone.

My passion project, BevCon, embodied everything I loved about creating experiences. This wasn’t just another beverage conference—it was something entirely different. Focused on small craft beverage makers, BevCon was intimate, authentic, and exactly what the industry needed. For two years in Charleston, I poured my heart (and my profits from other businesses) into making it exceptional.

When Giving Too Much Takes Everything

Here’s where my “over-giver” nature caught up with me. I gave away tickets to everyone I knew because I wanted them to experience it. I turned down big sponsors because I wanted to stay true to supporting small craft makers. I prioritized the experience over the profit margins, believing that passion alone would sustain the business.

When I moved BevCon to LA, seeking growth and new opportunities, the costs multiplied while the community support I’d hoped for didn’t materialize. Despite having an amazing event that attendees loved, the numbers didn’t add up. Hotel contracts had clauses I’d missed. Ticket sales from LA never flooded in like I’d prayed they would.

That miracle I was hoping for? It didn’t come.

The Hardest Decision I’ve Ever Made

I tried everything to avoid filing for bankruptcy. I paid every independent contractor who was counting on that money. I attempted to negotiate fair payment plans with the hotel. But sometimes, trying to do right by everyone leaves you with impossible choices.

Filing for bankruptcy was humbling in ways I can’t fully describe. This happened right when Brian and I started dating—talk about timing. But even in that darkness, I learned valuable lessons about resilience, about what truly matters, and about the difference between who you are and what you do.

When COVID Took the Rest

Just when I thought I was finding my footing again, COVID hit. In one day, I lost everything—all my client work, all my events, my entire six-figure income. Gone.

The irony wasn’t lost on me: I had been praying for something different. I was burned out on events and tired of client work. But this wasn’t exactly how I’d envisioned change happening.

Pride became a luxury I couldn’t afford. I did eight different businesses. I sold activewear. I worked for friends. I threw myself into any opportunity that could help me survive. It was during this time, while also navigating a divorce, that I realized I needed to reconnect with my faith.

The Real Comeback Story

Here’s what I discovered in that year of rebuilding my relationship with God: you are not defined by your career success

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