XII-IV-MMIII (December 4th, 2003) is a special date for me. It is tattooed on my arm. It was the date on which I took complete control of my life and put faith in my determination to build my future against the odds as it were.

On this day, 21 years ago at only 18 years old, I packed my things and took a one-way flight from Cleveland, Ohio to Los Angeles, California to pursue my dreams to work in the entertainment industry.

The second of four children from a working class family in a small town called Bedford, I didn’t have many resources, I didn’t know anyone in Los Angeles, I didn’t have any connections in Hollywood to “put me on,” and when I landed at Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, I didn’t have a job or a place to live.

What I had was $600, an unapologetic drive to succeed, an aggressive and almost foolish belief in myself to persevere and figure things out.

Over the next 21 years, I’ve endured incredible ups and severe downs, but I consistently found a way to bounce back and achieve higher while helping others along the way. I worked full-time to earn three college degrees — an associate’s degree from Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC), a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and a master’s degree from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). I combined my passion for entrepreneurship and the music industry, and my interest in social justice and community building to develop businesses that have empowered and educated independent music creators around the world. And today, in my role as Head of Third-Party Partnerships at The Mechanical Licensing Collective, my work has a direct positive impact on the livelihoods of songwriters on every continent.

I couldn’t be prouder of my 18 years old self for taking that leap of faith 21 years ago, and despite the hardships I’ve encountered along the way, I am incredibly grateful for the emotional support that I have received from family and friends, especially when my will to thrive and succeed was challenged by circumstances and self-doubt.

As I look ahead to my 40th birthday, in less than 3 months, I am filled with gratitude that the ups and downs in my life have led me to where I am today doing what I love with passion and dedication.

It was risky, but where there is no risk, there is no reward.

Here’s to December 4th. 🥂