Happy New Year, Loves! 🥳 This past week, we celebrated FIVE years at Legal and Abroad®. Wow, time flies by! Five years ago, I took a leap of faith, not knowing where it would lead. I also had no clue what I was doing, haha. Legal and Abroad® started as a dream, blending my passions for law, travel, lifestyle, and storytelling. It was a passion project when so many wonderful things were lined up in my life. However, God had other plans, including an unexpected hiatus, a revamp, and a new focus for my brand, where we empower and legally protect minority and women-owned businesses.
Sitting here today, reflecting on everything, it is humbling to see how far this journey has come. To be transparent, this process has not been the easiest, as there were many tearful and frustrating nights. Thankfully, every single moment has been worth it. I have grown in so many beautiful ways and am genuinely grateful.
A Journey Worth Reflecting On
The past five years have been a rollercoaster of growth. There have been peaks and pits along the way. On this journey, I had stretches where I felt unstoppable. I achieved creative breakthroughs, implemented phenomenal ideas, and connected with incredible people worldwide. The progress was equally fantastic and exhilarating! Those experiences reminded me of the reasons I started this journey and to keep going. Everything fell together seamlessly.
And then there were days when I questioned everything, especially during my personal hiatus. I got to a point where I was unsure, doubted myself, and had a creative slump. Taking that pause was not only about stepping back, but I truly needed to take the time to focus on myself, rest, heal, and rediscover what truly matters. I depended on God because He was my lifeline. I learned how to trust God’s timing, embrace those still moments, and the power of letting go. It is okay to not have everything figured out. (Yes, the perfectionist in me died, haha). Now, the mantra is, “God got me, and everything will work itself out.”
Both of these phases were significant parts of my journey, teaching me persistence, resilience, and gentleness with myself. I learned more about myself during those questionable moments and difficult days. Reflecting on it, I realize that those obstacles shaped who I am today and the business I have built.
Additionally, I have had many celebratory moments both privately and publicly, including one recent highlight: my feature in SC Voyager Magazine. Sharing my background and the story of Legal and Abroad® was a full-circle moment. I was able to share and celebrate milestones. More importantly, I owned the challenges and victories that shaped me on this journey.
The Trademark: A Mark of Progress
Legal and Abroad® securing its trademark is more than just a business move; it is a personal victory. This was a long journey. I am still maneuvering some things for my brand and working through the weeds. Every step is progress. This is my legacy and proof that perseverance pays off, even when the odds feel stacked against you. There were plenty of moments of doubt, and we all know that imposter syndrome likes to knock on our doors sometimes. I started celebrating every small win, knowing they all added up.
This trademark registration symbolizes the hard work, late nights, and unwavering belief in the vision God placed in my heart. I am so grateful. Between you and me, I still wing it most days, but Big G has always led me on the right path. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. From family and friends to the clients who trusted me with their dreams, this moment is ours. This is only the beginning.
Welcoming 2025: A Year of Promise
If the last five years have taught me anything, the best is yet to come. As we enter 2025, I am more determined than ever to live boldly, authentically, embrace joy, and continue building something meaningful brick by brick. We will grow with fresh content, exciting partnerships, and services designed to uplift and inspire. I am eager to connect with new faces, take on new challenges, and leave an even more significant impact on the communities I serve.
On a personal note, this year is about love, balance, and connection. I am prioritizing time with my son, creating memories, and embracing new experiences.
I will continue to travel the world solo because I thoroughly enjoy it, and this year I will also go on more trips with people I love. (We will see how I adjust to traveling with others again more often after solo traveling for years, haha.) I am looking forward to more experiences around the world and sharing them with people I love. Solo travel almost made me forget how equally important and special it is to experience and share those moments with loved ones. 🥰
I will say that I dipped my toe in the pool last summer on a girls trip with my gworLS and had a blast! This was the perfect trip to get myself back out there and traveling with others. Do not worry, I plan to post more about our adventures from this trip on social media and wrap up with a blog post. We laughed, we experienced good food and great sites, and most importantly, we spent much-needed quality time together. I love those ladies so much and am grateful for reconnection and forever bonds with my gworLS. I love them DEEP! 💕💚
This year I am leaning into the life I have always dreamed of, one full of purpose, peace, love, and moments of unfiltered joy. I am opening my heart to receiving the beautiful things God has in store for me and my family, which is truly exciting. I have picked my word/theme for 2025 and will share it with you all in December for my end-of-the-year recap. 🤭
Ending with Gratitude: My Heartfelt Thank You
To everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so grateful for your unwavering support. Your prayers, encouragement, and honored to have you apart of the LAA Community. I am reminded daily that God’s grace and the love and support of the people around me make all this possible.
As we embrace 2025, live your life fully. You have got to keep living, no matter what curveballs come your way. It took me years to understand the importance of that, and I am finally embracing it. Let’s do this adventure together, audaciously, with faith and determination. We can even sprinkle in some calculated risks, lol. Here’s to a year of growth, love, and unforgettable moments. Let’s make it one for the books. The BEST is yet to come. 💋✨
Grab your bag, and let’s go!
Cheers! 🥂
