Sometimes I forget how far I have come. A decade ago I was living back at home, going back to school with little hope. My mother-in-law loves to say how much I've blossomed. Growth can be slow but steady.

When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? My front yard was full of roses this June but it took me a while to really, fully appreciate it. I'd be about to open the front door after walking the dog, worried about my keys. But if I stopped, to really breathe in, I'd smell the roses.

Grateful for @seattlevoicelab.com for giving me work-life balance. Here's a headpiece I was able to make in my spare time. I love working with so many creatives that understand time to create is important.

Evening routines can set the tone for the next day.

For my wind-down routine I:
1. Plan my following day towards the end of each day's workday
2. I have a habit tracker I mark each day, and then write in my journal

How does your evening routine help you relax and start fresh the next day?

Finding your voice as a trans person is more important now than ever. We need your stories.Seattle Voice Lab is proud to host“Embodying Resilience,” a transformative workshop led by Lex Horwitz, designed for the Trans and gender-diverse community as professionals,and other allies who support them.

What do you listen to to focus and reset? I've been listening to Stevie Nicks with a bit of Jazz here and there.

I’m keeping: living with a growth mindset.

I’m ditching: giving up because my first attempt was not perfect.

What’s your version of this right now?

Brené Brown's message about the difference between shame and guilt was a life changer. Guilt is "I did something bad" shame is "I am a bad person". Learning the difference was key to my healing.

Before I started to approach life with a growth mindset, I struggled with perfectionism.

Before: I used to beat myself up for backsliding.

During: Then I tried growth mindset and learned it's not linear

After: But now, I am nicer to myself.

I'm always trying to improve my skills as a leader. Here are 2 books to that helped me with my journey :
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown taught about the power of vulnerability
and
Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy

Most people misunderstand true leadership — and it’s hurting their results.

In reality, as COO, a big part of my job is getting out of my team's way. Once I embraced this, they got creative and did their best work.

What’s something people often get wrong about your line of work?

I wish more people knew more about play in voice training.

When I started my public speaking lessons with Seattle Voce Lab, I took myself too seriously. But M'Lissa taught me that I can be curious, playful, and HAVE FUN!

How can you bring curiosity and play into your learning process?

Last month I got to go to the SCORE Gala to accept the Pitch Competition Award. I could not have gotten this far without my lovely hubby (pictured with me). Special thanks to SCORE and my business partner Claire Michelle that made the pitch.

Seattle Voice Lab hosts free weekly voice lessons in trans speech, voice masculinization, voice feminization, singing, and more? Join SVL Discord server as a resource. SVL Founder, Claire Michelle will be hosting Free Voice Feminization lessons all through Pride Month, every Tuesday at 5pm PT

My work Seattle Voice Lab has some exciting things in the works! I am so proud of my team and eager to reveal what we've been cooking up in the following weeks.

Hello! I'm new here. I am a catalyst and storyteller. My day job is chief operations officer @seattlevoicelab.bsky.social . I model, write and do photography. Let's connect and collaborate!