Quarterly Review: Behind the Scenes of My Biggest Lessons of Q3

Business

Hey friend,

This is one of my favorite episodes to create every quarter because it’s a chance to reflect, recalibrate, and if I’m honest, remind myself that slow and steady wins the race.

Welcome to the Q3 Quarterly Review, aka the “Laying Bricks” episode, where I break down everything that happened in July, August, and September of 2025.

I started calling these episodes “Laying Bricks” because that’s exactly what they are. Each decision, each challenge, each win, it’s a brick. And brick by brick, I’m building something lasting. I document it all so I can look back and say, “Here’s why I made that call. Here’s how a flop turned into fuel.”

This quarter began with what I called our “Vacation Miracle.”

We booked a trip to Santa Barbara for some much-needed rest… and spoiler alert: it started out rough. Our hotel was overrun with crowds, messy, chaotic, and absolutely not the relaxing recharge I was envisioning. I was ready to call it quits after just one night.

But then, a friend offered us her beach house at the last minute. We packed our bags in minutes like the hotel was on fire and found ourselves waking up the next morning in what felt like a scene from The Holiday. Picture Kate Winslet pressing a button and the blinds open to a private beach cove in Santa Barbara. Yep, that was us.

I learned something powerful: sometimes the plans we think are failing us are really just detours to something better than we imagined.

That unexpected gift turned into the peaceful, soul-filling time my family desperately needed. It reminded me that we’re not always in control, and that’s okay.

But this episode isn’t just about vacation miracles. It’s about the bricks I laid in my business during Q3:

  • I gave myself permission to pause, which allowed me to dream bigger.
  • I made hiring and team changes that hurt in the moment, but cleared the path for long-term clarity.
  • I leaned into what felt scary, saying no to good opportunities to make space for great ones.

And most importantly? I kept showing up.

Because even when the “hotel is packed” and the vibes are off, there’s always a gate code to something better…you just have to stay open to it.

So here’s to laying bricks, trusting the timing, and letting go of what we thought should happen to make room for something even more magical.

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:01] Discover why I document the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape my business trajectory.

[00:45] How a chaotic, overcrowded hotel nearly ruined our family trip—and what happened next.

[03:40] How an unexpected offer transformed our vacation (and my mindset).

[05:15] Why waking up in a dream-like beach house felt like divine intervention.

[06:25] Why our biggest breakthroughs often come when we surrender control.

[07:20] How this vacation miracle mirrors entrepreneurship (and why we need to stay flexible).

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