Is There a Hole Where Your Whole Should Be?

​We work hard, we play hard, and sometimes they are the SAME THING. Turning my passion into a career has brought me joy that I didn't know could be mine. People often ask me how I decided to take the risks that make ME whole.

I dunno exactly HOW I chose NOW, but I believe in energy attracting what you desire when it's TRULY what you desire. My love for and dedication to what I do comes through in my events, my book and every professional interaction I have with people.

Renee joyfully experiencing Santorini Greece

Strangers​, colleagues ​and friends constantly comment that they can instantly tell that I love what I do, and it's been attracting similar, positive, passionate and impactful people ever since I made ONE change.

I used to push myself to succeed at something OTHERS told me was my "gift" because I really did (humbly) do it well. Outwardly, I thrived. I did truly enjoy creating joyful experiences and guiding others to entrepreneurial success- but inside, something was still missing.

For years​, I ignored that niggling voice that sighed with "here we go again- you HAVE to do this" vibes, and told myself "it is what it is- comes with the territory" resignation. But when I took the leap to combine my "gift" with my passion- everything finally clicked, and the universe responded by bringing me what it had always been waiting for me to accept: MYSELF.

​R​EFLECT ON YOUR SUCCESS.

Is it soul-filling, or is there a hole where your WHOLE should be...? Just being great at it isn't always enough to bring you the full joy that is absolutely attainable when you identify, accept, then ​l​et go of that "thing" that keeps you from filling ​the void. For some it's imposter syndrome. For others it's excuses ranging from lack of funds or time to lack of confidence or support. But in my experience, EVERY reason is rooted in the same barrier: FEAR.

Fer is heavy. Self doubt is draining.

WHAT ​FEAR DID I KICK TO THE CURB?

The fear of screwing up something I cared deeply about. While I'm not afraid to fail- hell, I embrace the chance to do it better next time, FAIL UP is my mantra! I was afraid to disappoint others in the wine industry. Scared to o lose- or never gain- the respect of my peers. Worried that I would lose my love for the industry by getting caught up in the negative aspects of it.

HOW DID I FIGHT THAT FEELING?

I finally gave my own voice just as much respect and consideration as I gave my coaches and mentors. Trusting ME to be ME was harder than it sounds, yet more rewarding than I imagined.

It wasn't easy to ​believe myself, believe IN myself and invest in BETTING on myself.

It wasn't instant- it took about a year to fully manifest. Am I still waiting on the financial profits? YUP. Just like any investment- takes time to mature and yield dividends.

Is it worth the wait because of my inner peace and feeling of FULL alignment?

ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY, I trust that my value is JUST as worthy of patience for profits as any stock or company I've invested in.

Three goals were realized when I took the self-imposed shackles and blinders off:

• Arival 360 Global Tourism conference. I flexed my expertise and love for building tourism Bizlationships(R) through impactful collaboration strategies, and was asked to speak in multiple sessions for the 3rd year in a row.

• American Wine Society Conference. I trusted my ability to edu-tain wine industry peers, with decades more experience and education than I have, and was accepted to speak at the at not one but TWO sessions of my design.

• Wrote a best seller. I finally uncorked the book that had been ageing inside of me for years, and it became an Amazon number one best seller- life long goal that I always dreamed but NEVER believed would happen!

​WHAT ARE YOUR ANSWERS?

Three questions I had to ​ask and answer. They might help you decide how you want to spend the next years of your professional life:

• Does what I do reflect who I am? ​

  (Partially, but there's more to me that that I wish I was tapping into.)​

• Does what I do satisfy me as much as ​it satisfies those I serve? ​

  (No, even though I enjoy it, I give others more than I give myself.)

• Can I apply what brings me profits to something that brings me joy?

  ​(I don't kn-- wait, YES I CAN!)

​Professional success can bring personal satisfaction, and when you meet someone who has cracked their code- YOU KNOW IT, even if you don't know that

THAT'S what you know.

Cheers to the courage to take vulnerable risks- they are worth the reward.

Want to learn more about Renee? Enjoy this interview on

Great Day Washington on WUSA9