Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared: Summary & Key Insights

My story begins long before Noonday. I grew up in Texas, and from an early age, I was aware of two contrasting worlds—the comfortable one I inhabited, and the wider one beyond, where poverty was not an abstract idea but an aching reality. Travel shaped me profoundly; seeing inequality up close made me restless for a life that meant something deeper than security. I would later realize that these early experiences—walking through markets in Guatemala or meeting families struggling to provide for their children—planted seeds of empathy and compassion that would never stop growing.

Adoption also entered my life as a defining chapter. When my husband Joe and I pursued adopting a child from Rwanda, the process connected us to a community of global families and illuminated the connections between economic opportunity and human dignity. We discovered that behind every handmade item and every artisan’s story was the heartbeat of hope. That realization would become the foundation of everything I built later. My worldview shifted: the purpose of success could not be measured by profit alone; it had to reflect shared humanity. I began to see that our lives could serve as bridges—between privilege and need, abundance and scarcity, isolation and belonging.

The moment Noonday was born wasn’t strategic—it was deeply personal. While in Uganda during our adoption journey, I met Jalia and Daniel, two local artisans creating beautiful handmade jewelry. Their craftsmanship was extraordinary, but their opportunities were limited. They needed a market, not a handout. I returned home with baskets of their work and a burning desire to connect these artisans with women in my community who loved fashion and cared about justice.

I held the first Noonday trunk show in my living room, never imagining that this small gathering would evolve into a global movement. Women came not only to shop but to hear stories of resilience, artistry, and transformation. There was a spark—something in these gatherings transcended business. They became a platform for connection and empowerment.

The name 'Noonday' came from Isaiah 58, a passage about shining light into darkness, and that is exactly what I hoped this company would do. We started partnering with artisans in vulnerable communities around the world—helping them access sustainable income through the beauty of their craft. It wasn’t perfect. Mistakes were endless, resources limited, and fear ever present. But every challenge reaffirmed that meaningful work begins when we say yes, even while scared.