A year ago, if someone had told me I’d be writing a blog and hosting a podcast, I probably would have laughed. That wasn’t my plan. At the time, I was working a job I’d had for eight years. I believed I had security. I believed that if I showed up every day, worked hard, and gave my best, I would always have that stability. Then, in a single moment, everything changed. I didn’t just lose a job. I lost my sense of security.
I remember sitting there feeling completely overwhelmed. I was worried about how I was going to pay my bills, how I was going to keep everything together, and how I was going to make it through the weeks ahead. Bills don’t stop coming just because you’ve lost your job. The rent is still due. The lights still have to stay on. Life keeps moving whether you’re ready or not.
I was depressed.
I was stressed.
I was scared.
What hurt almost as much as losing the job was how it happened. After giving eight years of my life to that company, there wasn’t even a phone call to tell us they were shutting down. There wasn’t a meeting. There wasn’t a conversation. We received a text message, and that was it. Eight years of loyalty ended with a text. That moment changed something inside me. I remember saying to myself, “ Never again.”
Never again would I pour so much of myself into building someone else’s dream while leaving my own dream sitting on the shelf.
Never again would I place my entire financial future in the hands of one company. That doesn’t mean I won’t ever work for someone else again. It means I also want to build something that belongs to me, something no one can take away with a single text message.
During one of the hardest seasons of my life, my sister said something that completely changed my direction. She told me, “You need to start a podcast and a blog. You’re a good writer. You’re entertaining. You love talking to people, and you always have something to say.”
At first, I wasn’t sure. I had no idea what it took to start a podcast. I didn’t know how to build a blog. I didn’t know about microphones, editing software, hosting platforms, or websites. But I decided to learn. I started researching everything I could. I watched videos. I read articles. I asked questions. Then I bought myself a little microphone from TikTok. It wasn’t expensive. It wasn’t professional. But it was my beginning.
That little microphone represented something much bigger than a piece of equipment. It represented hope. It represented taking a chance on myself.
It represented believing that maybe….just maybe….I could build something meaningful from one of the hardest moments of my life.
Since then, I’ve poured my heart into creating the Ask Velvet Podcast & Blog. I’ve spent countless hours writing blog post, recording podcast episodes, creating graphics, learning new skills, and trying to reach people through stories, conversations, opinions, and encouragement. I’m passionate about this. More passionate than I have ever imagined I could be. And I truly believe that one day, this passion will pay off. Not overnight. Not without hard work. Not without setbacks. But I believe it will. Building a business isn’t easy.
Behind every podcast episode and every blog post are hours of work that most people never see. There are late nights writing, recording, editing, learning, promoting, and trying to figure out how to keep growing. There are financial challenges.
Better microphones.
Better recording equipment.
Software.
Website cost.
Marketing.
Podcast and blog merchandise.
All of it requires resources.
Right now, I’m taking it one day at a time.
One episode.
One blog post.
One lesson.
One victory.
One step closer than I was yesterday.
While this season has been one of struggle, it’s also become one of growth.
I’ve learned that progress isn’t always measured by how quickly you arrive.
Sometimes it’s measured by the courage to keep going when nobody knows your name yet.
Sometimes it’s measured by refusing to quit.
Sometimes it’s measured by believing in yourself before the rest of the world does.
I truly believe this podcast and blog will become successful.
I believe consistency matters.
I believe hard work matters.
I believe faith matters.
Most of all, I believe that every challenge I’ve faced is preparing me for something greater.
Right now, I’m being completely honest, I’m still robbing Peter to pay Paul. I’m doing everything I can to keep my bills paid while I continue rebuilding my life and investing in this business. There are days when every dollar already has a purpose before it even reaches my bank account. It’s not an easy place to be, but it’s where I am in this season. And while it can be frustrating, I refuse to let my current circumstances determine my future.
For me, though, my dream is to become financially independent through something I’ve built myself. I want this podcast and blog to become my security. I want to build something that allows me to pay my bills, provide for myself, and never again feel the fear I felt the day I lost my job. That dream is what keeps me going.
If you’ve been reading my blog, listening to my podcast, or following my journey, first of all, thank you. Your encouragement means more than you know.
Today, I’m asking for your help.
I’m currently raising funds to purchase better podcast equipment, improve the quality of my recordings, continue growing my blog, and create exclusive ASK VELVET PODCAST & Blog swag for my listeners and readers.
Every donation, no matter the amount, helps move this dream one step closer to becoming a reality. If you’d like to support my journey, you can donate through my Cash App:
Cash App: $AskVelvetPodcast
As my way of saying thank you, everyone who donated will receive exclusive ASK VELVET PODCAST & Blog swag once it’s available.
After making your donation, please send an email to:
Email: askvelvetpodcastnow@gmail.com
Include:
- Your Name
- Your Mailing Address
- Your Tshirt size
Once the merchandise is ready, I’ll send your thank you gift to you. I’ll also give you a shout out on my podcast and blog.
Whether you donate, read a blog post, listen to an episode, share my content, or simply tell someone about the Ask Velvet Podcast & Blog, you’re helping me build something that means the world to me.
A Final Thought
A year ago, I never imagined this would be my life. Looking back now, losing my job was one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever been through. But it also pushed me toward something I might never hav4 discovered otherwise.
Sometimes our greatest disappointment become the beginning of our greatest purpose. I don’t know exactly when this dream will become everything I know it can be.
But I know this:
I won’t stop building.
I won’t stop believing.
And I won’t stop telling stories.
One day, I’ll look back on this season and realize that losing my security wasn’t the end of my story. It was the moment I finally started building my own.
Thank you for believing in me, believing in this dream, and walking this journey with me. Together, we’re building something special one story, one conversation, one blog post, and one podcast episode at a time.
