When my dad passed away, my world changed forever. I realized how short life really is, and I decided to step outside my comfort zone and compete in a pageant. That experience was transformational- it gave me purpose, confidence, and direction.

But after winning, I faced another obstacle. I was horrendously cyberbullied, went viral for all the wrong reasons, and my mental health hit its lowest point. In that darkness, I discovered something unexpected: my outlet was creating. That spark of resilience became Crowned Creative Co., a business that now serves contestants all the way up to Miss USA- a dream people once laughed at when I was in high school.

Through these experiences, I learned something powerful: obstacles are guaranteed, but they don’t have to define us. What matters is how we rise, how we reframe the setback, and how we turn pain into purpose.

That’s why I created Obstacles to Opportunities- to help young women do the same. Whether it’s something as life-changing as losing a loved one or as everyday as struggling with school, I want to guide others in discovering that their challenges can become the stepping stones to their greatest success.