The Places, People & Moments That Fill My Cup

A Month of Small Moments That Added Up

There is something about certain seasons that do not feel defined by one big moment, but instead by a series of smaller ones that quietly stay with you. Conversations that linger, places that feel familiar even when they are new, and people who remind you of who you are when life gets loud. This month felt like that in the best way.

It showed up in coffee stops, small-town weekends, conversations with entrepreneurs, and community events that all carried the same thread, connection. Not the curated kind, but the real, everyday kind that happens when people simply show up as themselves.

Girls Weekends, Coffee Shops, and Time Well Spent in Pella

One of the most grounding parts of the month was a girls weekend in Pella. We stayed at The Rock House and moved through some of my favorite local spots like Brew Coffee House, De Kelder Speakeasy, and Tassel Ridge Winery.

What made it meaningful was not the places themselves, but everything in between. The conversations that were not rushed, the laughter that came easily, and the reminder of what it feels like to be fully present with people who know you well. That kind of connection resets you in a way you do not always notice until later.

Small Businesses That Make Iowa Feel Like Home

That same feeling followed me through the month while visiting small businesses across Iowa. Found & Formed in Cedar Rapids was one of those places that immediately felt intentional, with every detail carrying personality and purpose.

I left with a vintage piece I did not need but absolutely love, and more importantly, I left thinking about what it takes to build something from the ground up. Every small business starts with someone deciding to take a risk on themselves, and that alone is worth recognizing.

Supporting local has never just been about shopping or dining. It is about investing in people and their stories.

Whether it was brunch at Cooper’s Central Table, browsing books at I’ll Meet You There bookstore, or a night out at Bar Martinez, each place added something meaningful to the month. These are not just stops along the way. They are where conversations happen, where friendships grow, and where everyday life quietly unfolds.

Community, Chambers, and Showing Up Together

A grounding moment this month was a Third Thursday event with the Des Moines West Side Chamber of Commerce at Dough Co. Pizza.

There is something steadying about walking into a room full of people building something in their own way. Business owners, leaders, dreamers, and problem solvers. Everyone is in a different season, but the shared experience is the same, showing up, figuring it out, and continuing forward.

Community is not about having it all figured out. It is about not doing it alone.

Speaking, Mentoring, and Watching the Next Generation Grow

I have also had the opportunity to spend time with entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders through speaking and mentoring, and every conversation leaves me with the same impression. There is so much heart behind the work happening in Iowa.

Over the next few weeks, I will be speaking to over 100 students about the beauty industry, and I always say it clearly. This is the greatest career on earth.

But it is not just about beauty. It is about confidence, leadership, connection, and purpose. It is about helping students understand who they are, where they shine, and how their passion can become something meaningful and sustainable.

Tools like the 9-Grid Qnity help bring that clarity, helping students see themselves beyond skills and into strengths, identity, and direction.

Because the beauty industry is not just what you do with your hands. It is heart, people, growth, and impact. And if even one student walks away believing there is a place for them, then every conversation is worth it.

Service, Leadership, and What Success Really Means

I was recently honored to receive the Women Who Make a Difference award from the Des Moines Women’s Club, which gave me a moment to reflect on nearly 30 years in the beauty industry and what this work has meant to me.

What I have learned is simple but steady. Success without service does not mean much.

Through Trixie’s Salon & Spa and Heart of a Hairdresser, I have had the privilege of walking alongside people during some of their most vulnerable seasons. Illness, loss, transition, and rebuilding. Sometimes that means providing support. Sometimes it means helping someone feel seen again. And sometimes it simply means showing up.

Those are the moments that stay with you.

They shape how you see people and how you show up in the world.

A Reminder to Slow Down and Notice the Good

When I look back on this month, what stands out is not one event or place, but the thread running through all of it. People choosing connection, businesses choosing courage, and communities choosing to show up for each other in real ways.

That is what fills my cup.

So if there is anything I can leave you with, it is this. Slow down when you can. Support the small businesses that make your community feel like home. Take the trip. Have the conversation. Show up for the people in your life.

Because the small, ordinary moments are often the ones that matter most. 🖤

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