🌄 My Story: From Broken Homes to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur

The Beginning: A Rocky Start

I didn’t grow up with the safety net most people have. My childhood was split between two households affected by alcoholism, and by the time I was twelve, I was experimenting with drinking and drugs while bouncing between homes, friends’ couches, and periods of homelessness.

By my early twenties, I was living in a party house and using drugs multiple times a week. It was a destructive cycle, and one day, I decided to walk away. I started over.

The Reset: Learning Responsibility

I got a government job, stopped using hard drugs, and did everything society told me was “right.” I climbed the ladder, built a stable life, and played by the rules. But stability came with a cost — my creativity and entrepreneurial spirit felt stifled.

When the opportunity came to take a layoff, I took it — and bet on myself.

The Leap: Building Something New

I launched a gourmet food truck in Ottawa, specializing in smash burgers on brioche buns, perfectly crispy Belgian fries, rich gravy, and fresh cheese curds. I spent a season serving up joy at major festivals and downtown events.

But something bigger was calling me. I sold my house, packed my truck, and moved west to chase my dream of living in the mountains and snowboarding every day.

The Mountains: Finding Home

I discovered Kimberley, BC — a small, creative mountain town with a big heart — and made it my home. I ran my food truck for a year before being hired to open and manage a farm-to-table deli and butcher shop.

The shop thrived… until March 2020, when the world shut down. With no government support and no clear path forward, I pivoted again — this time with a bigger vision.

The Creation: Building a Community Space

With my girlfriends, I founded an art supply store in a town filled with artists but nowhere to buy supplies. We opened our doors in July 2022, offering not just products but workshops, inspiration, and a creative hub.

We’ve expanded every year since, added a UPS access point to increase foot traffic, and grown our sales month over month — without spending a dime on ads. The store practically runs itself now, thanks to an amazing team.

The Now: Living the Life I Built

Today, I split my time between running the shop, creating art, consulting with new entrepreneurs, and traveling North America in my RV with my dogs. I believe in designing a life that works for you — whether that means building a business from scratch, taking your work remote, or finally selling your art.

What I Do Now

• 🎨 Artist: I create textured, abstract snowboarding-inspired paintings, offer custom commissions, and sell prints and merch that celebrate adventure and freedom.

• 📈 Consultant: I help entrepreneurs and small business owners build brands, launch websites, and develop systems that actually work.

• 🧭 Guide: I mentor creatives and dreamers who want to turn their passions into sustainable income — without losing their sanity or freedom.

Why This Matters

I’ve lived the messy middle. I know what it’s like to start from scratch — more than once. Every business I build, every painting I create, every course I design comes from a place of grit, creativity, and belief that you can write your own story.

If you’re ready to launch your business, bring your creative vision to life, or finally step into the freedom you’ve been craving, I’d love to help you get there.