Finally Being Seen: What My First Speaking Engagement Meant

I once joined a women’s group that promised encouragement, support, and motivation to chase dreams. Sounds great, right?

So one day, I shared what I thought was a “win" with the ladies in the group. It wasn’t a promotion, a new client, or anything financial. It was personal: I had just landed one of my first speaking engagements.

For me, that moment symbolized so much more than being on a stage. It was about years of perseverance. It was about chasing something I’d set my sights on since I was 21. It was about so much more - and you can ask me what it meant to me on a phone call.

Nonetheless, the admin of the group thought I was just plugging myself—like it was a marketing post. And in that moment, I realized something important: sometimes people will completely miss the point of your journey.

Here’s the truth:

That opportunity to speak wasn’t about promotion. It was about achieving something I had chased for years.✨ It wasn’t about asking others to listen.

It was about finally being valued after years of paying dues on teams.✨ It wasn’t about ego. It was about identity—acknowledging I’ve always been a little “different” as a CPA and that finally a group realized: hey, she has a different perspective… hey, she has a story to tell… hey, she’s learned lessons that could help us grow or motivate us to try things in a different way.✨ And it was about finally using my voice after years of being pushed down into an “audit closet” or “basement.”

The truth? I’m fantastic at speaking, building relationships, motivating teams, and yes—making money.

Why This Matters

We often think milestones are about external recognition. But sometimes the deepest victories are the ones only you can fully understand—the ones that represent persistence, resilience, and refusing to give up when it would’ve been easier to shrink back.

If you’re chasing something that feels too big, too bold, or “different,” don’t stop. Even when people misunderstand your win, it doesn’t make it less valid.

Your dreams aren’t up for a group vote.

Why I Built Hylender Solutions Differently

That speaking engagement—and everything it represented—reminded me why I started Hylender Solutions.

Because in business, just like in life, being “different” is often your greatest advantage. My firm isn’t a traditional CPA practice that just hands you reports. We bring tech fluency, strategy, and a voice that helps clients see things differently—so law firms, family offices, and high-net-worth clients can grow with confidence.

I was never meant to stay in the basement (that is where they send auditors). And neither were you.

👉 I’d love to hear from you: Have you ever had a moment where your win was misunderstood by others—but it meant everything to you?