1. Gray Skies and Restless Nights: The Toll of a Misaligned Life
Seattle tested me in ways I never expected. While I didn’t mind the rain, the overcast skies felt like a constant weight. Months without sunlight weren’t just a weather issue—they seeped into the energy of the city and its people. I thrive on joy, connection, and the freedom to be outdoors. In Seattle, those elements were out of reach for most of the year. Even as I tried to socialize and build community, the seasonal affective disorder that seemed to hang over the city’s residents made it hard to find open, positive connections.
I realized I needed to change my environment. My joyful nature was suffocated there, and I couldn’t live a life of isolation and gray. I knew deep down that something had to shift—not just externally but within myself. I couldn’t keep going through the motions. I needed purpose, passion, and light—both literally and figuratively.
2. Answering the Call: Leaving the U.S. for Something Bigger
The decision to leave the U.S. wasn’t driven by fear—it was driven by clarity. I felt a strong, undeniable calling to explore a different way of life. I’d had a taste of life abroad and knew that my values and vision aligned better with cultures that emphasized community, respect for elders, and a deeper sense of connection.
Staying in the U.S. felt like the real risk. I craved a cultural shift, one that would nurture both my children and my dreams. Leaving wasn’t just about escaping—it was about finding a place where I could thrive, where the pace of life and values matched the person I wanted to become. The leap wasn’t scary—it was freeing.
3. Lowest Point: Swallowing Pride and Starting Over
Not every step on this journey was upward. The lowest moment came after COVID, when I had to put my startup ambitions on hold and return to corporate life. It felt like a step backward, like I was betraying my own vision. I had to swallow my pride and deal with environments I’d vowed to leave behind. It tested me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, forcing me to confront what I truly wanted and what I was willing to endure to get there.
But even in that low point, I learned resilience. I held onto the dream, even if it felt distant. I knew this detour wasn’t the end—it was just another chapter in the story I was writing.
4. Building Purpose: The Birth of Meet Amore and Nafasi Connection
Purpose became the foundation for everything I built next. Meet Amore emerged from a problem I saw all around me—people struggling to connect in meaningful ways because their biases and frustrations blinded them to possibilities. I wanted to create a tool that helped people break through those barriers and find real connection. It wasn’t just about relationships—it was about helping people see and choose better for themselves.
Nafasi Connection, on the other hand, was born from my long-term vision of becoming an angel investor and venture capitalist. It wasn’t a perfectly planned venture—it was a result of life presenting me with opportunities and me seeing how to connect the dots. By building teams for multiple startups and creating a space for innovation, I was able to bring together my passion for tech, community, and impact.
5. The Takeaway: Build Your Career Like You’d Build a Dream
The lesson I want people to take from this is simple: your career, your life, is yours to design. It’s a “build-your-own” journey, crafted from connections, conversations, and the courage to pursue your vision. I didn’t have all the answers when I started, and I still don’t. But by giving myself the space and time to explore, I’ve been able to create something uniquely mine—and I’m still building.
This isn’t a story about having it all figured out. It’s a story about being open to possibilities, about trusting the process, and about owning your path every step of the way. My journey isn’t over, but every step I take brings me closer to a life that’s truly mine.
