I was a CNC programmer. I sold handmade products at farmers' markets on weekends. When I discovered people were building businesses online, I pictured myself working from home, close to my kids...
I didn't know what a consultant was. I didn't know what a coach was. I barely spoke English. I hadn't finished high school. I just knew I had drive.
It wasn't enough.
Not because I lacked potential — but because nobody ever looked at my real situation, my strengths, and told me honestly what I could build and how long it would realistically take. Everyone wanted to sell me something. Nobody wanted to tell me the truth.
That was 1999. It took me years longer than it needed to — not because I wasn't capable, but because I was navigating blindly.