The Golden Thread: Faith in Your Future Self

Hi

We visited quite an incredible place on Saturday for a partnership with This is Raleigh — and honestly, it left me buzzing with inspiration.

We caught the train just 30 minutes down to Selma, in Johnston County. I know JoCo well — it’s where I first landed in the U.S. as a teacher 20 years ago.

Back then, Selma was a run-down old railroad town that had lost its spark. But here’s the thing: never write off a place — or a person — that’s gone a little sparkless. All it takes is a little faith and vision from people willing to take a chance.

One of the first business owners we met, Erica, summed it up perfectly. She and her husband Chris recently opened Retrograde Vintage, a 9-week-old store that takes Gen Xers on a nostalgic journey through the ‘80s and ‘90s.

She said,

Goosebumps.

It’s exactly what Christina and I call stepping into your future self in our Empowered Women’s Collective. That’s the leap — to believe in what’s possible before there’s proof.

For Erica and Chris, Selma was where they could afford to take that leap toward their dreams. And that same theme echoed with every business owner we met next — all creating something that’s slowly transforming this once-forgotten main street into a hip, thriving destination.

There was Christina and Alex, Boston transplants who opened The Hahvad Yahd Café. At first, they ran a small boutique gift shop, but when they realized there was nowhere to eat in town — and that customers were leaving hungry — they took another giant leap. They built the café, serving Boston-inspired comfort food like clam chowder, sandwiches, and the most delicious gluten-free flatbread I’ve ever had (shipped in from Boston, of course!).

Then there was Ed, owner of Hidden Temple Toys — a massive wonderland filled with toys for all ages. Ed was once a graphic designer, but he wanted more joy, more connection to his childhood passion for collecting toys. His eyes sparkled as he showed us Japanese collectibles and vintage figures, surrounded by laughter and nostalgia.

And finally, The Quantum Toad, a new cocktail bar that looks like it belongs on the streets of Sydney — stylish but unpretentious. Emeric and Robert had the vision years ago when they bought their building, determined to create their dream bar. Emeric’s family owns a NYC tea company, so they infused that legacy into their menu with signature tea-based cocktails and artisanal blends.

Each story was a reminder of what happens when you see opportunity before it’s obvious — when you have the courage to act on your belief in what could be.

I walked away from Selma both inspired and humbled. I immediately texted friends to plan a day trip back — they’re already in.

It’s moments like this that make me fall in love with what we do all over again. Getting to the heart of local stories, hearing people talk about their “why,” watching a town rise again through their dreams — it’s a privilege.

And here’s what Selma reminded me of:

So next time you find yourself in a place (literal or metaphorical) that feels a little sparkless… pause before you walk away. Look again. Maybe it’s not dying, maybe it’s just waiting for you to believe in what it can become.

Here’s to having the courage to see the beauty in what’s becoming.

With love and wonder,
Caroline

✨ Thread to Reflect On

Where in your life have you stopped believing in what’s possible — because it looks too small, too quiet, or too far gone right now?

What if it’s simply waiting for you to have faith in its future self — and take that first step toward it?