Core values should be more than just a poster on your wall. They should be the compass guiding every decision you make, both personally and professionally. 

But here’s the thing: many people can’t name their six core values off the top of their head.

How can we expect to make decisions aligned with our true purpose if we haven’t clearly defined what that purpose is?

The right rooms don’t just open doors… they change your pace entirely.

This past week, I went to three different events, all hosted at my coworking space.

None of them were required. They pulled me away from friends and came at times that weren’t exactly ideal. I was tired. I had work to do. I could have easily stayed home. But I went anyway.

A few years ago, a coach introduced me to The Model by Brooke Castillo, and it stuck with me.

It’s simple but powerful, and I still use it regularly.

Every time I fly back to Madrid to visit my team, I see them again.

That backpack.

Gray. A little boxy. Bright orange accents. The Basic Fit logo stamped across the back.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. It’s not trendy or sleek. Not the kind of thing anyone’s showing off on Instagram.

For the past two weeks, I’ve seen NYU grads in their purple caps and gowns on nearly every walk I take with my dog. They gather in Washington Square Park, posing, laughing, blocking sidewalks with photographers, flowers, and champagne. And every time I pass them, I can’t help but think about what I wish someone had told me when I graduated.

Yesterday didn’t go how I expected.

Around midday, Spain and Portugal were thrown into a massive blackout. Airports shut down. Trains froze mid-route. Cell towers went silent. No warning. No time to prepare. Everything just... stopped.

This week marks the beginning of Passover.

It’s a time for tradition, storytelling, and reflection. And there’s one part of the Passover story that’s always stayed with me: the matzah.

Today I turn 28. Yes, I am an April Fools baby, and no, I have never been pranked. In the spirit of self reflection, I took some time to think about some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way as a business owner, leader, human.

When I was in high school, my best friend and I started our first business, Strung on Hope. It was a handmade gemstone jewelry company where we designed and sold pieces, donating a percentage of every sale to cancer research foundations.