Romancing My Life and Reclaiming My Brand Voice as a Small Business

I always get a little introspective this time of year. Maybe it’s the birthday vibes, maybe it’s the fact that I’m officially in my “pause and romanticize everything” era—but either way, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting.

This past year was full of growth, both personally and in my business. Some moments stretched me, others surprised me, and more than a few felt like full-circle magic. So I thought I’d sit down and write a few thoughts—about where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and the little things that make life feel beautiful along the way.

Birthday Reflections: Romancing the Everyday

It’s my birthday month. Every year around this time, I start looking back at the past year… and then usually a few years before that too. The older I get, the faster time seems to go. I used to think a week flew by—now a whole year vanishes and I catch myself asking, where did it even go?

Each year, I try to make a little promise to myself: to be more present. To really make memories. Recently, I heard the phrase “romancing your life,” and even though it sounds a little silly, it’s stuck with me. I kind of love it. Because I think that’s what it’s all about—soaking in the little things, not just living for the big, milestone moments.

Romancing your life looks like:

☕️ A slow, quiet morning with a warm cup of coffee

🌞 Watching the sunlight filter through the trees on a walk

🌸 Buying yourself a bouquet of your favorite flowers—just because

🌬️ Pausing to listen to the birds or the wind moving through the leaves

These are the moments where the magic lives—the ones we’re often too busy to notice, but that make life feel full and beautiful. I think that’s why I love a great tablescape so much. It turns an ordinary meal into an experience. It sets the stage for connection, for laughter, for memories.

Last year on my birthday, I did a photo shoot that ended up being the spark for a complete rebrand. I had been brainstorming with my photographer, and it was honestly the first time I sat down and expressed what I wanted to say through my work. I told her I wanted it to feel elegant, romantic—soft, but strong. And when the photos came back, it just clicked. The colors, the vibe, the entire aesthetic—it all reflected the direction I had been moving toward without even fully realizing it. It tied everything together and made it feel real. That’s when my current brand style was born.

Photography By: Rose and Wylder

Now, if I had to sum it up? My style is romantic, elegant, luxurious. I gravitate toward vintage design, soft, delicate florals, and anything that adds a little magic to the everyday. I finally feel like my brand reflects me.

But oh, it’s fun to look back.

I still remember my first commissioned cake—a semi-naked cake with fresh fruit. I said yes, even though I had no clue how to price it. (Spoiler: I probably didn’t make a dollar.) Pricing was a whole thing I had to learn—the hard way. Ingredients, boards, boxes, stickers, time, overhead… all of it. That cake was the first step into a much bigger learning curve.

Then there was my first wedding cake. Three tiers. Fondant. So much fondant. Things I definitely wouldn’t do now—but hey, we all start somewhere. I remember building it, proud and nervous, only to realize I had zero way to keep it cool. There I was, carefully driving it down a bumpy gravel road with no structure inside. By the time we arrived, it had tilted slightly, and I panicked. Total trial by fire. From that moment on, structure became non-negotiable.

After so many cakes, so many lessons, so many style evolutions, I finally feel like I’ve found my niche. I know what I love. I know what works. For years I grew my business part-time while working a full-time job, dreaming of the day I could take the leap. I prayed for that day.

And then it came.

Not in the way I expected—it never does. I had fallen out of alignment with the organization I was working for. I had survived COVID, but the entire healthcare landscape had changed—and it changed me. The impact on my mental and physical health was undeniable. I took a little time off to figure things out, which led to a very difficult decision: whether I could return… and how. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t go back. So I made the choice to step away.

And the moment I did? Things started to fall into place.

Since then, it’s been wild.

I’ve worked with Jillian Harris.

I’ve been featured in magazines.

I’m preparing for a shoot with Vogue.

(I know. I’m still wrapping my head around that one.)

I’ve met incredible small business owners, built a loyal customer base, and been invited into so many beautiful celebrations and milestone moments.

It’s easy to get caught up in comparison. To think, maybe I should be further along. But that’s why it’s so important to stop—to look back. To celebrate how far you’ve come. Because when you do, you’ll probably realize:

You’re exactly where you need to be.

Photography By: Rose and Wylder

And the best part? There’s still so much more to come.

So here I am, another year older, a little wiser, and maybe just a little softer, too. I’ve learned that growth isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like quiet courage, soft pivots, or a bouquet of flowers you buy for yourself just because.

If you’re in a season of dreaming, doubting, evolving, or just trying to keep up—take a moment to pause and look back. You’ve likely come a lot further than you think. And if you’re anything like me, you might just be standing in the very life you once hoped for.

Thanks for being here—for reading, for supporting, for cheering me on in ways big and small. I’m beyond grateful, and I can’t wait to see what this next year holds.