Part Two: The Evolution of Hope – Letting Go & Embracing Growth
When I started Hope Magazine, I had a vision. I wanted to empower women, pour into them, and create something that made a difference. But what I didn’t know — what I couldn’t have known — was how much I still had to learn, heal, and grow along the way.
For 20 years, Hope has been my heart. It’s been the thing I fought for, sacrificed for, and, at times, struggled to hold together with everything I had. But recently, I made one of the biggest decisions of my career: I let go of the title of Editor-in-Chief.
That sentence alone carries so much weight. For years, I thought that if I wasn’t at the helm of every single decision, Hope wouldn’t survive. But the truth is, the real power of Hope Magazine has never been just about me — it’s been about the legacy it has created, the women it has empowered, and the community it has built.
The Shift: From Carrying It All to Building a Team
For the longest time, I carried Hope on my back. I wore all the hats — the visionary, the writer, the editor, the marketer, the financial manager, and everything in between. But the cost of trying to do it all alone was exhaustion, burnout, and doubt.
I now realize that growth requires trust — trusting others to help carry the vision, trusting that I don’t have to do everything, and trusting that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away.
This year, I made a major shift:
✔ I brought in a Chief Operating Officer to help lead.
✔ I hired a Senior Copy Editor to oversee content.
✔ I secured a Marketing Advisor, Financial Planner, Attorney, and Accountant — all things I should have had long ago but didn’t know I needed.
I stopped feeling guilty for what I didn’t know and started celebrating everything I’ve achieved despite not knowing.
A Legacy Bigger Than Me
Someone recently told me, "You’ve empowered an entire generation of women."
Wow. I had never thought of it like that.
I was so caught up in the grind, the struggles, and the need to keep pushing forward that I never paused long enough to see the impact. Hope was never just about me — it was about every woman who has ever read its pages and felt seen, heard, and valued.
For years, I was so afraid to loosen my grip, but now, I see that letting go is part of the process. It’s not an end — it’s an expansion.
What’s Next: Embracing New Possibilities
This journey of healing and growth has taught me that:
Success isn’t about doing it alone — it’s about knowing when to bring others in.
There’s power in stepping back — it allows you to see the bigger picture.
Legacy isn’t built in isolation — it’s created through community, leadership, and impact.
So what’s next? More growth, more impact, and more Hope.
This is only the beginning of a new era for Hope Magazine — one that I no longer have to carry alone but can watch flourish in ways I never imagined.
To those who have been on this journey with me, thank you. Your belief in Hope has fueled me, even when I didn’t always believe in myself. And to those still building, still figuring it out — know that you don’t have to have all the answers to create something meaningful.
You are enough. And your vision, like mine, is worth fighting for.
Here’s to growth. Here’s to legacy. Here’s to Hope.
💛
