In many ways I think it's easier to find what you love to do when you are young and untainted. When we are young everything is possible, the world is truly our oyster. But as we get older and "wiser," we are faced with impossibilities, many of them self-imposed, that become roadblocks all the same. With children to raise, homes to look after, and often aging parents to care for, how does one find their passion? I've found that sometimes we must be quiet and simply listen to the universe.
The Early Years: A Creative Career
I have been a graphic designer most of my adult life, building brands and creating voices for countless businesses along the way. Running my own design business for more than 15 years gave me joy and success, but it was also vulnerable to downturns. When the economy began to plummet, design work became scarce, and I faced the painful reality that maybe I needed a new path. Little did I know, the universe was already laying out the stepping stones.
Life’s Turning Point: Bees and My Mother’s Illness
Around this time, my husband, always the Renaissance man, became fascinated with bees. He started keeping hives, and I was intrigued by their brilliance and by the nourishing ingredients they produce.
Then came the defining moment of my life: my beautiful mother was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The ground beneath me shifted forever. My sister and I immediately sprang into action, adjusting her diet and trying to give her body every fighting chance. But the chemo was brutal. It dried her skin terribly, and we were constantly applying lotions to soothe her.
At the same time, a friend working in product formulation for big brands shared how many toxic chemicals were being used in lotions and creams. I was shocked. How could we be so careful with what my mother was eating while unknowingly slathering harmful ingredients onto her skin?
Discovering Natural Skincare
This realization set me on a path of research. I discovered that many products labeled “all natural” were anything but. I began creating simple, truly natural formulations for my mom. As I learned, I fell in love with pure plant butters, oils, and beeswax, the kind of ingredients our bodies actually need. What started as necessity became therapy.
I also grew closer to my husband’s bees, realizing how much nature gives us if we just pay attention. These small acts of creation and care gave me comfort during the most difficult time of my life.
From Grief to Purpose
We eventually lost our sweet mother, but out of that sorrow came clarity. All the puzzle pieces, the downturn of the economy, my design skills, my friend’s insight into the industry, my husband’s bees, and my need for healing, came together to point me toward Sans.
It's really amazing, looking back now, I can see that the universe was nudging me all along, whispering until I was ready to listen.
Listening to the Universe
So, now I ask you: when the universe talks, will you listen? Sometimes the quietest whispers lead us to our truest passions, our deepest healing, and the work we were meant to do all along.
🗝️ Key Takeaway
Life has a way of guiding us, if we pause and listen, we may find passion, healing, and purpose in unexpected places.
Recommended Sans Product
A nourishing blend of pure plant butters and oils. The initial product, inspired by the healing journey, that sparked Sans.
