There was a time in my life when everything felt like it was stacked against me.
Financially, I was in the worst position I’d ever been in. The long tail of the GFC had finally caught up. Work was uncertain. Income was fragile.
I was single… no safety net, no backup plan.
My house had flood damage and was literally in pieces. The insurer was playing games, and at one point, they were threatening not to insure my only asset.
My home. My security. My future. Stress doesn’t even begin to describe it.
I barely slept. I was constantly calculating. Every decision felt heavy.
And in the middle of all of that, I had this idea.
To start a women’s networking group.
Of all times.
I had booked a dinner. Sent invitations. Locked in the date.
And as it got closer, I thought…
This is ridiculous.
I should cancel.
But I didn’t.
I decided to show up. I put on a brave face and hosted that dinner.
And somehow, it became one of the best nights of my life.
The conversation, connection and the energy in the room.
That night, my first women’s network was born. And no one there knew what was really happening in my life.
They didn’t know I was holding everything together with sheer will. They didn’t know how close I was to giving up. I wasn’t ready to talk about it then… I just wanted to take my mind off it.
What these women gave me, without realising, was confidence. And slowly, things shifted.
I secured two strong contracts.
The insurer finally paid.
The repairs were done.
My life stabilised.
I got my home back.
And my sanity.
And I met my husband!
That dinner changed the trajectory of my life.
Not because it “fixed” anything overnight.
But because it reminded me who I was.
Capable. Resilient. Resourceful.
I share this because so many women think they need perfect conditions before they take a brave step.
More money first.
More certainty first.
More confidence first.
Sometimes, the brave step is what creates those things.
Sometimes, you build the bridge while you’re walking on it.
That first dinner was born in adversity. And it became one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
If you’re in a season right now where everything feels heavy…
If you’re questioning whether you should pull back, hide, wait…
Don’t underestimate what one aligned decision can change.
You don’t need perfect timing.
You need courage, clarity, and the willingness to show up anyway.