nine years ago, i made a promise to my 18-year-old self. last week, just two weeks away from my 27th birthday, i finally kept it. 🤍 eight days after launching @CREATOR ATELIER, we made nearly half a million dollars… and for one of the rare times in my life, i cried tears of gratitude, tears of vindication 🥺 not because of the money. but because of what it took to get here. nine years ago, my family lost our business and our beloved home. i became an “entrepreneur” out of necessity: juggling law school, multiple jobs and late-night tutoring sessions to help support my family. i worked relentlessly. i burnt out, battled depression and grieved the youth i never got to experience. but through it all, i never stopped believing that one day, i’d build a better life for us. my first job out of high school was as a private English tutor to high school students. and until Creator Atelier, it was still my favourite job. because there was nothing more fulfilling than watching my students discover what they were capable of. knowing that my knowledge, encouragement & belief in them could change the course of their lives. this year, i made over $1 million through brand partnerships alone. but Creator Atelier means something money could never measure. nine years later, i’ve come full circle. i get to teach again. only this time, it’s women who remind me of the girl i once was. women with extraordinary ambitions, who deserve someone in their corner who believes in them as fiercely as they believe in themselves. at 18, i taught to help my family survive. at 27, i get to teach because it’s what i truly, deeply love ❤️ and perhaps that’s the most beautiful part of it all. i spent nine years fighting for a life where i wouldn’t have to worry about money. only to discover that the greatest reward wasn’t the money at all, but the freedom to do something that gives my life meaning. to the 18-year-old girl who gave up so much of her youth believing that one day, it would all be worth it: we did it. and now, we get to help other amazing women do it too. 🤍 #creatoratelier #launch #eldestdaughter #ambitiouswomen #femalebusinessowner - @vnessali