A Confidence Lesson I Didn’t Expect

Hi ,

I had an experience this week that surprised me — not because of what changed on the outside, but because of what it stirred on the inside.

If you’ve followed my travels for a while, you’ll know I spent most of my life as a budget backpacker. I chased experiences, not appearances. Makeup barely existed in my world. My “uniform” was a sarong and flip-flops, and I was lucky if a brush ever touched my hair.

Somewhere along the way, I labeled caring about my appearance as vain or unnecessary. And yet, quietly, I judged myself for not looking or feeling like I was at my best. That tension grew as my work expanded and visibility increased. It became harder to fully step into my voice when part of me felt unfinished, unsure, and disconnected from my own confidence.

This week, something shifted.

I had a makeover at Moxie Hair Salon in Raleigh, and while the hair and makeup were beautiful, the real magic had nothing to do with how I looked.

It was how I felt.

The joy I walked out with wasn’t created by mirrors or styling chairs; it came from the ethos of the salon and the people inside it. Every interaction was intentional. Every stylist worked together with a shared mission: to elevate others, to instill confidence, and to wrap people in joy, kindness, and genuine care.

I overheard stylists talking about a client who had just left, not critiquing her hair, but speaking about how much they adored her and the thoughtful ways they’d continue supporting her afterward. It moved me more than I expected.

In a world that feels increasingly loud, divided, and heavy… that kind of human connection is rare and deeply valuable.

I realized the confidence I felt wasn’t about “looking better.” It was about being seen, poured into, and reminded of my own worth. And confidence, I’m learning, is one of the most powerful forces we have. It changes how we walk into rooms. How we speak. How we create. How we treat others.

That experience reignited something in me.

A renewed commitment to live by that same principle — to elevate the people in my immediate circle, to meet strangers with warmth, to pour kindness into the small interactions that make up our days. Whether that’s someone we meet out and about in Raleigh, a reader who stops us to say hello, or this very space we share through emails and stories.

I want to be a light, not in a grand or performative way, but in a human one. The kind that spreads joy, love, and encouragement quietly, consistently, and authentically.

Because I truly believe this:

The true butterfly effect.

This moment reminded me that transformation doesn’t always come from big adventures or far-flung destinations. Sometimes it comes from being reminded who we are and choosing to pass that feeling on.

Passing on the love and light,
Caroline

On the blog lately…

For our US Readers..

This one’s especially for fellow entrepreneurs and anyone who has to organize their own health insurance — because wow, what a nightmare.

Our health insurance premiums were about to triple this year to an unaffordable $1,800 a month. And honestly? It already felt like too much. We rarely use it, and aside from a free annual wellness check (woo 🙃), we still had to spend $9,000 out of pocket before any real benefits even kicked in. The system feels completely broken.

So… we went looking for alternatives — and I’m relieved we did as we would have been uninsured!

We found a crowd-funding style health coverage option that works a little differently than traditional insurance but has already been a game-changer. It’s keeping our monthly costs way down, has low out-of-pocket thresholds, free virtual care, free virtual talk therapy, and support to help you access the lowest self-pay rates.

And can we talk about those self-pay rates for a second? The difference compared to traditional insurance pricing is eye-opening. Once you see it, you really start to question how the system works.

So far, we’re really happy with it — and I couldn’t not share.

If you’re curious, we’ve included a link to learn more. It also gives you access to a reduced rate of $99/month for your first three months, which makes it easy to explore whether it’s a good fit for you. Check it out now

Imagine how much more travel I can do reducing outrageous health insurance costs that I don’t even use?