Nine years ago, I stood in the back of a conference room at Sellers Summit, checking badges at the registration desk. I was a single mom of three young kids, recently laid off, bartending at night, and selling rain ponchos on Amazon to make ends meet.
Last week, I returned to that same conference—this time as the closing keynote speaker.
What changed? A lot. But more than anything else, it was the power of connection that transformed my journey. My talk was called The Network Effect, and I want to share it here—because whether you’re just starting or pivoting to your next thing, these lessons apply to all of us.
1. Relationships are the foundation of success
In 2011, I was deep in the chaos of raising toddlers and juggling part-time work. A friend came over one day to talk side hustles, but every idea I offered was met with “yes, but…” The conversation stuck with me. Later that day, while folding laundry and listening to a podcast, I heard this quote from Jim Rohn:
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
It hit me hard.
I realized my circle wasn’t challenging me to grow—and I wasn’t challenging them either. So I made an intentional shift. I started seeking out people who were a few steps ahead of me, people who could help me stretch my thinking and raise my expectations.
That decision led me to my first marketing conference, and eventually to a mastermind group of women who believed in me before I believed in myself. Those relationships were everything. They didn’t just connect me to opportunity—they helped me see what I was capable of.
2. Success isn’t linear—embrace the turns
The path that brought me to that keynote stage was anything but straight.
Before I ever knew what e-commerce was, I was running a homeschool mom conference. Before I launched a product, I was working as a road manager for an author. I’ve been laid off, changed industries, and started businesses that didn’t work out.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Every “wrong turn” added something valuable.
A casual conversation while working registration one year led to a job at Jungle Scout—one that changed the trajectory of my career. I started in customer service and eventually became Chief of Staff. Not because I mapped it all out, but because I stayed open to unexpected opportunities and had the courage to say yes.
Your detours might be the most important part of your journey.
3. Set ambitious goals—and stay flexible
In 2023, I launched Fluencer Fruit as a side project. My goal was to become the go-to resource for creators navigating the Amazon Influencer Program. I built tools, hosted weekly office hours, and grew a strong community.
But as Fluencer Fruit took off, something unexpected happened: sellers started asking for help too. I hadn’t planned to serve sellers—but I listened. I adapted. And I added an agency arm that connected brands with influencers creating on Amazon.
Fast forward a few months, and I found myself in acquisition talks with Wayward. It wasn’t part of my original plan—but it was the right next step.
That’s the power of having clear direction but flexible execution.
If you’re building something, here’s my advice:
- Write down your goals—but don’t be afraid to change the route.
- Look at your setbacks differently—they might be your next breakthrough.
- Curate your circle—find people who see more in you than you see in yourself.
The people you surround yourself with will shape your vision, your momentum, and your success.
Today, I’m not just running Fluencer Fruit—I’m part of a larger ecosystem with Wayward, scaling tools and education for both creators and brands. But I’ll never forget that it started with a side hustle, a few yeses, and a whole lot of courage in the in-between moments.
Wherever you are on your journey, I hope you’ll stay open to the pivots, the people, and the possibilities. You never know what they might lead to.
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