Here’s to 25-year-old me that didn't listen.

In the heart of the 2008-2009 recession, with economies crumbling and businesses folding, the idea of starting a new venture wasn't just daunting—it seemed almost ludicrous to everyone but me. Armed with nothing but a dream and a Discover Financial Services credit card, my 25-year-old-self didn’t realize that there was a lot I didn’t know … I didn’t know.

Starting With a Swipe

With no investors to court and banks tightening their belts, that Discover credit card became the unlikely key to unlock my aspirations. So I did what might seem unthinkable to many. I signed a 3-year lease and swiped my dream of starting a business into reality. 

The furniture I chose wasn't hand-crafted or bespoke. It was functional, flexible, and most importantly, affordable. I remember bribing friends with pizza and assembling the 63 boxes of IKEA furniture in an empty, echoing space that would become our first office. After we had our first Expedit workstation assembled, I remember walking around to take a seat and discovered I forgot to buy chairs. 

The next morning I went from store to store searching for office chairs that I could afford.  As I walked into Office Depot , I saw a big yellow clearance sign on a cluster of executive style chairs. I didn’t want someone else to walk in and see what a good deal they were, so I took all of the clearance signs and walked over to the checkout and told her I’d take as many that would fit in my truck. We decided that I could fit 8, so I held my breath and prayed that my credit card would go through. It did.

Those IKEA desks and clearance chairs became the foundation of our workspace. They were the silent witnesses to late nights, early mornings, and endless brainstorming sessions. 

Five Moves and a Decade and a Half Later

Now, 15 years later, I sit in a kneeling ergonomic chair, in a larger office, with a view of uptown that I could once only envision in my wildest dreams.

But the thing that fills me with the most pride—is the old IKEA furniture and those once new, now worn, clearance chairs that have journeyed with us through four office moves.

Artifacts of Advocations' Resilience

These pieces are more than just furniture; they're artifacts of Advocations resilience. They've seen the high points—the breakthrough deals, the expansion, the journey. But they've also been there for the challenges—the uncertainties, the lean periods, and the times when I thought it was time to call it quits.

If you want to start a business, but have a list of reasons why you can’t start today. Maybe that’s a sign that you're not cut out for entrepreneurship or maybe you just need to read the book “Burn the Boats” by Matt Higgins .

There is never a perfect time to start your own business, but what I can tell you from my experience is that the longer you wait the harder it’s going to be. To start, all you need is to muster the courage you need to take the leap and then go ALL in.

15 years of learning & gratitude

I want to express my deep appreciation to those who have taken a moment to celebrate Advocations' 15-year mark. The full impact of this milestone hit me only a few weeks ago when I found myself giving away 5 of the 7 remaining chairs from our initial set.

But as I pause and reflect, I can't help but to think about what's next. Here's the next chapter of Advocations. Here's to the dreams that drive us and to the humble beginnings that shape our paths. Here's to surviving—and thriving—and learning every chance you get.