So.

Yeah.

So it was kind of an interesting scenario because when I sold my business, I thought all the women did the same thing and wrote big checks directly to the companies.

And I was doing a lot of direct investing because I didn't even realize these funds existed, to be honest.

And I hate to admit that.

41 years old and I just thought the only way to invest in a company is directly.

Well, then I started getting introduced to other funds that I was really intrigued by.

Yeah.

That's right.

And whether it's surrounding us with the right folks, I mean, we went out and we found the best of the best in the business, people that knew way more than we did.

We created a culture and environment where they really wanted to be there, and we wanted to be part of their ownership too.

And so if you can do that, then when you exit, you don't have to be the one that's still there.

And also, it increases your value tremendously because the buyer's not just focused on you as an individual.

That's right.

Right? So we brought in the best of the best that could help us build a company.

It's not just about the team, but the governance, the leadership, the culture, all of those things we're having to do at the same time while standing up the team.

So y- so you sell the company to private equity in 2015, and then what happens with you?

Well, that was an interesting story.

You know, we also think that, you know, you have it all moment.

You know, in my life growing up, success was all based around money and title.

And so I thought that if I got to that point, that everything in my life would fall into place.

Everything would be perfect, right? The white picket fence, the perfect family, perfect career.

I'd have it all.

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I am an athlete.

So, you know, I started in a really interesting way because I played baseball in Oklahoma when I was a kid and I was the only female that played.

And I got to the point at the age of 12 where they said, we just won't let you play anymore because the boys are getting stronger and we're scared you're going to get hurt.

So I had to switch to softball.

And I didn't like that, to be honest, because I could hold my own with any of the boys.

And so, but it taught me so many great lessons, resilience, how to lose, but still support, confidence, all those things that it taught me, I feel like helped me get to where I am in my business career.

And so I played softball all through high school.

So can you share a little bit more about why was that important to you? And, and I guess the, you know, the other piece to like, what are you learning now from really building an ownership group from the ground up?

For those who don't know you yet, maybe a little bit, I know this is a big, old question, but, you know, in terms of your, some of the key point pivotal moments growing up to what led you into this work around redefining success, leadership, how to even, like, what does that even mean? Where, where would you like to start? I'll let you, you go wherever intuitively you'd like to start for people to get to know you.

Oh, gosh.

Well, I think it's, it's kind of a, it's kind of a messy story like everyone else's is.

You know, where we think we're headed in life and where we end up are usually two different things.

But, uh, Julie, I grew up in a family where success was all revolved around money and title.

So as long as you hit money and title, you were successful.

That was your value, your worth.

Well said.