When I was struggling with this question—how do you keep going when you can't see if it's working—I found wisdom in one of the most consequential moments in American history. Abraham Lincoln. October 3rd, 1863. A man whose consistent leadership literally held our nation together during its darkest hour. The Civil War is tearing the country apart. Brothers fighting brothers. The outcome? Completely uncertain. The future of the Union itself hangs in the balance. And in the middle of this crisis, this president—carrying the weight of a fragmenting nation on his shoulders—issues the first national Thanksgiving Proclamation. But here's what's remarkable about what he wrote: "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come..."

A fellow veteran once said to me: "You're such an accomplished woman." My actual response out loud, "Am I?" I wasn't being falsely modest. I genuinely didn't know. Because I don't think much about my credentials: B.A. in 2005—that was a long time ago M.A. in 2022—took forever to finish Military service—yet I never deployed to combat Building this business—we're still small Let me pause on that last one. Do you know the actual SBA definition of a "small business"? Depending on your industry, you can have 500 employees or make millions in revenue and still be classified as small. But I was using "small" like it meant "not enough yet." Like it carried shame. Being shameful and being humble are not the same thing. Humility recognizes gifts received. Shame dismisses value earned.