“You deserve to take up space.” Those words became my mantra after years of shrinking myself to fit someone else’s expectations—and they’re the heartbeat of S.H.E. Rise Network. But let me take you back to where it all began.

The Spark: An Outfit That Didn’t Fit

It was 2015, and I was days away from finishing my college degree—trapped in a job I dreaded and staring at a bleak job market. On a whim, I treated myself to a new office wardrobe. As I tried on outfit after outfit, the overhead lights revealed a problem: nothing celebrated curves or made plus-size women feel confident. I realized the women who didn’t fit “standard sizing” were being told they weren’t enough. That moment lit a fire in me: I would build a boutique that honored every body.

R. Loop: My First Venture (and Lesson in Resilience)

With guidance from my local women’s business center, I poured my heart into a business plan for “R. Loop,” a boutique in Bozeman. I learned every nuance of inventory, cash flow, and vendor negotiations—skills that would become the backbone of every project I’ve ever tackled. But when I sought funding in 2016, I heard the same thing: “You’re asking for too much,” and “Why go alone?” My then-husband’s lack of support only deepened my doubts. Despite the plan’s promise, R. Loop never opened its doors—and I buried that dream for years.

Hitting the Wall—and Crawling Back

The real obstacle wasn’t a lack of ideas; it was a toxic relationship that eroded my confidence. By summer 2016, my ex-husband’s emotional affair shattered my world. In five days, I became a shell—my ambition hidden so deep I barely recognized myself. I spent years in survival mode, patching broken pieces of my identity, and learning that self-worth can’t be negotiated away.

A New Turning Point

Fast-forward to 2021: layoffs at big companies had me rethinking everything. I decided to start a consulting practice, helping blue-collar tradespeople tackle the paperwork that bogged them down. Though the idea was solid, life—and economics—pulled me back into a day job. Then, in early 2025, I tried a business-coaching program… and learned the hard way that not every room has your back. Surrounded by outdated “boys’ club” thinking, I realized that the women hustling just to be seen deserved a different kind of space.

The Birth of S.H.E. Rise Network

What began as a sales funnel became my calling. I envisioned a community where women step into their power, charge their worth, and build bonds that outlast every setback. No shrinking. No hiding. S.H.E. Rise Network is the culmination of every triumph, every mistake, and every late-night problem-solving session. It’s our launchpad.

What Keeps Me Going

• Creative Visualization: I manifest the future I want, drawing clear pictures in my mind of the life—and business—I’m building.

• “Fake It ’Til You Make It”: On days when doubt creeps in, I lean into the confidence of someone who already has what she’s working toward.

• My Tribe: Family, close friends, and my co-founder sister surround me with unwavering encouragement—and hold me accountable when I stray.

Lessons Learned (So Far)

1. You Will Fall Flat—And That’s OK. Every misstep sharpens your instincts and brings you closer to the right path.

2. Healing and Growth Go Hand-in-Hand. Piecing yourself back together after a setback isn’t a detour—it’s preparation.

3. You Deserve to Take Up Space. No compromise, no apologies. Your dreams, your body, your voice—they all matter.

Your Invitation

If you’re tired of going it alone, of second-guessing your worth, or of feeling like you don’t belong at the table—welcome home. S.H.E. Rise Network is a space to learn, to lean in, and to rise together. Our first free virtual meet-up is coming soon; join us and let’s build the future we deserve.

Ready to rise? Sign up here and take up your space with us.