FINDING MY PATH

From a young age, I was captivated by modeling and the world of fashion. While my peers were flipping through Teen Beat, I was studying the pages of W Magazine, completely drawn in by the artistry and elegance. Competing in a pageant at 16 was a formative experience it gave me my first taste of the industry I would one day call home Still, unlike many of my classmates who had their futures mapped out with in-state colleges, I didn’t have a clear plan. But I did have a strong sense that I was meant for something different.

With family in Los Angeles and an aching desire to break free from the confines of my hometown of Elmwood Park, Illinois, I packed my bags and moved west at 18.

What happened next was serendipity. I landed a job accidentally, really at a casting studio that was still under renovation.The founder hired me on the spot as an assistant, despite the fact that I had no experience. I was green, but eager. He suggested I use my middle name as my last name for my business card, and something about that small shift gave me a new sense of identity. From that moment, I fell in love with the business.

That studio, Castaway Studios, became my training ground. Its founder was an eccentric but brilliant man who saw potential in me and promoted me to general manager within a few years. I suddenly found myself overseeing veteran professionals who had been in the business longer than I’d been alive. It was there I learned one of the most important lessons of my career: background and connections don’t determine your success your work ethic does. I showed up, I worked hard, and someone noticed.

Navigating the industry as a woman without connections wasn’t easy. I wasn’t the stereotypical beauty average height, average looks but I learned how to carry myself with confidence A firm handshake, steady eye contact, clear boundaries. While others may have dealt with inappropriate behavior, I made it clear that I was not someone to mess with. I earned my place by keeping my word and holding my ground, and over time, that reputation became my armor.

My first job couldn’t have been further from where I eventually landed I was a bathroom attendant at the Oak Park Country Club, making sure the facilities were spotless for wedding parties. It was humble, hard work. And at the time, I didn’t want that life But looking back, I see the thread: even then, I cared about showing up with excellence.

In those early years, my dream man was Dan Conner from "Roseanne " a hardworking, blue-collar dad who deeply loved his family. They didn’t have much, but their home was full of warmth and laughter. Growing up in an apartment, I longed for that kind of house a place full of love, stability, and belonging.

As I matured, my sense of self-worth grew and so did my ambitions. I began to understand that knowing my value was the key to unlocking my potential. That realization changed everything.

Now, with We The Studios, I’ve created something I once could only dream of: a platform that tells honest, beautiful, family-centered stories. We’re redefining entertainment for people who’ve long felt unseen. And we’re just getting started

The name itself came to me during a quiet moment of reflection. I was in the pool with my husband, and I noticed the tattoo on his arm: We the People. In that instant, it all clicked. Our studio would be called We The Studios. Inspired by the founding documents of our nation, the name serves as a daily reminder of our commitment to foundational truths freedom, faith, family, and integrity.

But this isn’t just my professional mission it’s a family affair. My children are watching me build this dream from the ground up, and they’re not just observers they’re part of it. They’ve made sacrifices, offered ideas, and even joined me on set My mom moved across state lines just to help with childcare, proving that this vision truly has our entire family's heart behind it.

As the Founder & CEO of We The Studios, I saw a clear and urgent need for a different kind of media platform one that puts families first and reflects the values so many of us hold dear but rarely see represented on screen.

What we’re building isn’t just a studio it’s a lifestyle. It’s bold. It’s hard-working. It’s grounded in faith and fueled by purpose. We The Studios is the embodiment of our belief that entertainment can be both excellent and edifying that content can reflect our culture without compromising our convictions This is more than a job. It’s a calling. And I believe we’re just getting started.