When I look back on my younger self, I see a shy, anxious girl who preferred to stay in the background. I was the quiet daughter, the one who blushed easily, avoided the spotlight, and doubted her own abilities. For many years, I believed that was simply who I was. But life has a way of nudging us forward, often in unexpected ways, until we discover strengths we never thought we had.

My journey from Sandy, the quiet and reserved young woman, to Alexandra, the confident and independent business owner, was not something that happened overnight. It began with small changes and grew through challenges I could not have predicted. Each step showed me that confidence is not about becoming someone new—it is about uncovering what has been there all along.

The first turning point came when I worked at my father’s Kirby vacuum store. At first, I was nervous. I thought my role would be limited to bookkeeping and answering phones, but I found myself in situations where I needed to talk to customers, explain products, and even close sales. I watched my father work—how he spoke warmly to people, how he listened, and how he guided them toward a purchase without pressure. Slowly, I began to try it myself. To my surprise, I could do it, and I was good at it. Every sale was a small victory, and each one built my confidence a little more.

Then came the opportunity to buy The Window Gallery with my husband. I almost let fear stop me. I told myself I knew nothing about running a window covering business. My husband reminded me that I had felt the same way before starting at the Kirby store and that I had succeeded there. So we took the leap. At first, my anxiety resurfaced. I was faced with new responsibilities: managing employees, dealing with customers, and making decisions every day that could affect the business. But with each challenge, I discovered that I could figure things out, adapt, and make good choices.

One moment that stands out is when I had to fire a difficult employee. For someone who once avoided confrontation at all costs, this was a huge step. But I realized that if I wanted the business to succeed, I had to act. That decision marked a turning point in how I saw myself. I was no longer just Sandy. I had stepped fully into the Alexandra side of me—the part that could be decisive, strong, and in control.

Confidence for me was never about losing my original self. I still had moments of shyness and anxiety. But now, I knew how to work through them. I learned that preparation, experience, and small successes could quiet the self-doubt and let the capable part of me shine.

Perhaps the most rewarding part was seeing the people around me recognize the change. My father, who once worried about my decision not to go to college, eventually told my husband how proud he was of me. In that moment, I knew that my path—though different from what he had imagined—was the right one for me.

Finding the confidence I didn’t know I had was not a sudden transformation. It was a steady process of facing fears, learning skills, and trusting myself. It taught me that we often carry within us far more strength than we realize. Sometimes, it just takes the right opportunities and a willingness to step forward to see it.

If you have ever doubted yourself or wondered if you could take on something new, I encourage you to read my book “Releasing Alexandra.” It is a story of growth, courage, and discovering that the strongest version of ourselves has been there all along.

Here is a link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1967109621.