When I was in my early 20s, fresh out of college, I got my first job as an intern at a small news station called WTWO. My dream since I was five was to have my own talk show. My career path was to start out as a reporter and work my way up to a larger market like Oprah Winfrey did. As my internship was coming to an end and I was getting more excited to take the reporter position that I trained for, I was denied the job! I was told by the news director that I was too feminine or “too gay” for such a small market. See, as a reporter you have to start off in a small market (small town) to gain experience before moving on to a bigger audience. I tried everything – shaving my head, wearing suits, even deepening my voice, but I was still denied my dream job. Every time I was forced to be masculine, the suicidal thoughts would follow. After a few months of drinking my sorrows away, I realized I needed to start over and move to a bigger city where I would be accepted for me. #feminine & #fabulous  After moving to LA, I immediately started beauty school. I wanted a career I would be accepted in. I also wanted to learn how to be beautiful as I transitioned from male to female. When I signed up for beauty school, I had no idea my career would have me styling my best friend all over the world. I was so blessed to have such beautiful souls in my life, and I learned so much about the beauty and entertainment industry.

After 7 years of styling, I took a year off to have all my surgeries. It was my cocoon phase and, just as it is for a caterpillar, it was a vulnerable time. My days out would consist of me reading spiritual books at my local cafes. My spirit was going through its own transformation as the universe shifted, allowing me to finally embrace my femininity. Once the healing was finished, my masculine features faded into the past, I was left with that feeling of what’s next? Is there more to learn? After spending so much of my cocoon phase in cafes, I decided to buy one. I honestly didn’t know what I was doing but I trusted the universe. Over the years I would think about my dream career as a talk show host – would I ever have the opportunity to have my own show? A platform to educate and inspire others? I felt the same great pain that comes with any rejection, so I stayed on my new path, which led me to my very own business. My cafe was an old, rundown bagel shop that I transformed into a beautiful cafe called Sundara. I was living my new dream in the butterfly phase, cooking, eating and laughing with the community I fell in love with. Many of my customers were in the entertainment industry, so when they would get to know me they would always ask, “Why don’t you have your own show? Maybe a cooking show? Or a reality show!” I honestly didn’t think my five-year-old dream could become a reality, so I laughed it off.

During my time at Sundara, I met some of the most wonderful people, a few in particular that I now call family. They saw me in a way I never saw myself – they saw beauty, light and love. They saw a powerful businesswoman who was unstoppable. These beautiful souls put a mirror in front of me, they showed me how far I’ve come and how far I can go. I remember one busy Sunday afternoon, a woman came in and asked for me. She was determined to talk to Billie Lee, the owner. As a business owner, I immediately thought it was a complaint so I rushed her to the corner table away from the line of people. Her first words were, “Why are you here? Why do you own this cafe?” I was confused but intrigued. She explained that she had been told a powerful trans woman owned this small cafe in Sherman Oaks, but kept her trans experience a secret, even to her lovers. I was blown away by her perception of me. It was the ultimate cosmic mirror right in front of my face. She asked why do you own such a beautiful place of business but don’t own who you are? I was left in a puddle of my own tears. Why am I hiding? She left me with a hug, encouraging me to write my story down, to embrace my trans experience and strive for a bigger platform.

I spent a month crying. I couldn’t get this woman’s words out of my mind. I remember hearing Oprah Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday say, “When are you going to pick up the call? Your life calling is waiting.” It was time for me to embrace my journey, to take back my childhood dream and answer the call. On March 1st, 2016, after two years of owning Cafe Sundara, I closed the doors. On April 20th, I came out as a proud trans woman. If you ask me, my journey has only just begun. I now have the opportunity to educate and inspire others because I finally answered the call. The universe fully supports me and I feel that more than ever. Every day is an opportunity to take back your dream, to embrace your journey and live the life you’ve always wanted. You are never too old, and it’s never too late to start over.