Redefining Success
My Journey with the IEWBC
the IEWBC
When I stepped onto the stage at the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC), I felt the weight of every step I had taken as a dreamer, creator, and entrepreneur. Looking out at a room filled with current and future business owners, I wasn’t just telling my story—I was telling a story for anyone who has ever dared to chase a dream that seemed bigger than them.
For a long time, I thought success meant $1 million in sales. That number became a marker in my mind—the point where I would finally feel 'arrived.' But standing under those lights, speaking about my journey, I realized that success isn’t a finish line. Success is showing up for yourself and the dreams you are after.
What Success Really Looks Like
Success is believing in your vision even when others can’t see it yet.
Success is sitting at the sewing machine late at night because your heart won’t let you stop creating.
Success is taking risks, falling down, and standing back up again with more fire than before.
And sometimes, success is as simple as saying yes—yes to the opportunity to share your story, yes to stepping onto that stage, yes to representing the dreams of so many who are still waiting to begin.
How IEWBC Changed My Path
When I first connected with the IEWBC, I had passion but needed structure. Through their programs, mentorship, and guidance, I gained the tools to not only grow my business but to grow myself.
Because of the IEWBC, I’ve received:
• Grants that gave me the resources to expand.
• Vendor opportunities that connected me with new audiences.
• Recognition and awards that affirmed my vision and voice.
But beyond the tangible, the IEWBC gave me confidence, clarity, and community. They showed me that I wasn’t walking this entrepreneurial journey alone.
The Power of Telling Your Story
Being on that stage was life-changing. Not because I got to stand in front of a crowd, but because I got to reflect—to see how far I had come and to acknowledge that this is what success looks like.
It’s not about waiting for a million-dollar moment. It’s about showing up fully, authentically, and consistently for your purpose.
To My Fellow Dreamers
If you’re reading this and wondering when you’ll 'make it,' let me remind you:
You’ve already made it the moment you chose to believe in yourself. Every step forward—no matter how small—is success.
The stage was a moment for me, but the real victory is knowing I’ll keep showing up. And so will you.
✨ Call to Action:
If you’re an entrepreneur in the Inland Empire—or anywhere, really—seek out the resources around you. Organizations like the IEWBC aren’t just teaching business skills. They’re shaping futures. They shaped mine.
And as for me—I’ll keep sewing, keep dreaming, and keep showing up. Because that, my friends, is true success
.
