Featuring: Aubria Ralph

Aubria Ralph is the kind of person who will inspire you to take a fresh start, try something new, and forge your own path. Listen to her journey to learn how a back ground in retail, a Master's in Medieval Studies and a JD led her to being founder of Scrappy Girl Project.

Check out her Journey Line here.

Transcript

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Hello and welcome to Journey Lines, the show answering the question, how did they get there? I'm your host Kim Minnick. Each episode, my guest is invited to complete a reflective exercise plotting the highs and lows of their career, and then they walk us through it. With me today is Aubria Ralph. Aubria, welcome. Thank you so much for having me Kim. I'm so excited to go through my journey line with you. I can't wait to hear your story. Aubria and I just met nine minutes ago. So really excited to get to hear everything. But first and foremost, what's going on today? What are you up to either personally, professionally, holistically? What's happening? So personally, I am actually in the middle of moving back to my childhood home because I am convinced that I can help sort out my mom's house. So we'll see how that goes. Really, it's about, I think, twofold. One, helping her just kind of prepare for her retirement. But then also kind of like clearing out the cobwebs, know, like all of the things that we just held on to for years upon years that like we haven't even looked at and deciding it's time, it's time to, you know, and I'm actually the perfect kid to do that with her because I don't have emotional attachments to things. Can you come to my house? I have emotional attachment to things. You know, like, I think I had an emotional attachment to a scarf once. And my mom, actually, this was like, I'm thinking back, this had to be like 2011, 2012. And I happened to be at her house then. And she was doing me a favor by trying to do my laundry for me. And that scarf was dry clean only. And... I cried like I lost a child. And after that moment, I was like, you can never have an attachment like that to anything. You know, but I remember it's funny that like I was latched on to that of all things. Maybe that's why I'm taking pleasure in going to her house and helping her. this is finally, we've come back around. What can I throw in the washer for you? But I think my mom has been kind of the hub for some of the extended family that lives in the States with us. And so she ends up just collecting everybody's stuff. And so we just decided that it would probably be better to do that. To just, Moving. Before the place that I'm in now, I think I moved something like six times in seven years. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it was during my 20s actually. I feel like I was always moving. Yeah, like, completely non-committal in the place that I was gonna live. And I think part of it is like, this like desire to not be pinned to anything and like just having it's like I've always just really enjoyed freedom in a way you know and mostly like physical freedom the ability to just kind of pick up and do what I want and it's bizarre because I'm also very very structured so like the two personalities working together don't make a lot of sense sometimes because on the one hand I'm little miss open free spirit on the other hand i'm like no it has to be this way and only this way in this order and you know and so like I feel like you have very strong frameworks that you can pick up and move anywhere, is what it sounds like. my gosh, amazing. Well, why don't you kick us off in your journey line? I see we are starting, or so many of folks start, in retail and corporate management. Corporate management, around 2003? We're kicking things off? All right, what's going on in your life then? I'm in, I'm like in high school and yeah, so it's my first job. I had been trying to get a job for, I don't know, four years at that point, but my mom was just not having it. And then I turned 18, I finally turned 18 and she was a little bit more open to me getting a job. And it started out as like a part-time, literally one day a week gig, because my mom said I could work weekends, but she really meant Saturday. And Sunday was church. so we don't do things on Sunday. We don't work on Sunday. So it was one of those things where I remember like just even getting a retail place to agree to that kind of schedule. I can't imagine. Just one day? Was it in a mall? I imagine it's in a mall. It was like one of those strip malls out on Long Island and it ended up being a stables and I think the only reason he agreed is because one of my friends from high school recommended me. So really my first job, like it wasn't a real application. It was like, you should hire her because she's great. And like, and so I ended up being like a copy and print center associate. Amazing. and as a result now have like, wait, I know way too much about like copyright and trademark and all this stuff as a result. Yeah, it's like, like I'm the person that's like holding that, is this 24 pound linen? And people are like looking at me like, what is wrong with you, Aubria? I like why, why are you this way? but yeah. deep. I know people who like started at grocery stores and they're like, I would prefer to pack my own groceries, thank you. It's funny how those early jobs stick with us. really do. I mean, I feel like I learned like looking back, I had a really good set of like managers in that place. Like I remember like the copy and print manager, she was just incredible. I like you always hear people talk about like servant leadership. I feel like she embodied that because she was just always so concerned about each person, like she knew everybody's story and it was constantly in her head. So even as she made a schedule, like she was always thinking, you know, like our Jewish employees, like she knew like they don't, they can't be there for Shabbat. Like, and it was just like so natural for her. Like I think like later on in life, when I started having to even discuss some of the things I had to discuss, it It was so odd to me because I grew up in my work around people who were just so aware and willing to meet people where they are, which I think seems to be going away more and more. Although we're talking about it a lot, I feel like there's really less. act of it. less like actually meeting people where they are. It's just, we want to meet you where you are. like, but these are all the conditions that are attached, which, doesn't really work. Right. And so I remember I graduated high school and my, my boss was like, you know, kind of looking for a new manager because the manager, she got promoted. cause she was so good. And. I was starting college and I was like, I don't know if I could do college and like, I don't know I want to risk it. Like, I just want to like focus on school. So I put in my two week notice and my two week notice was met with a no, no, no, you can't quit because we want to promote you. it was, it was funny because, And it's funny, I was just talking about this this past week and I feel like I've been talking about this a lot, just like the money aspect of work. And I remember when they said that, I thought about, I was like, well, how much does a manager make? And so I think it was like 10 or 12 dollars. Like it wasn't a lot of money, but for me it was a lot because I did the math. kid in the early 2000s, like that's not a, that's pretty good spending money. And then we had stock options too, and full benefits. And I lived at home and my mom paid for the car and she paid for the insurance. So like, that was all my money. And so I remember like saying, okay, like totally renegotiated the terms and now like I was going to be the manager. I didn't want to leave anymore. But I had the financial capacity to just pay whatever scholarships didn't cover for school as a result. And so getting that manager title on my resume that early, like it completely like it, I couldn't imagine, like, I don't know what it looks like. I don't know what it looks like to like not have control of your schedule. as an employee. I've been doing my own schedule since I was 18 and a half. So you've always had this like layer of flexibility within your work and working full time as a manager at so early in your career and going to school full time, I'm assuming. That's a wild time. And you go to SUNY and SUNY? so my mom like got in her head that if I went away to school, I was going to like turn into this like rebellious character that she created in her mind. And so like. I was kind of like, I was annoyed with, I remember being really annoyed with her and just being like, you know what, fine. And so I ended up just enrolling in like the local community college. And for me, like, it's funny, I hear people talking about, what did I call it? It's like the, like the shame, like some kind of, my God. We called it 13th grade when people would go to the community college. It was. In hindsight, 2020, now that I understand money, that's a better idea. no, it's like, like total. And that, and so for me, this is like the pragmatist in me. Like the dreamer in me was like, I'm going away to school. But then when I couldn't, it was just kind of like, all right, like, how can you afford school without mom? And so like the fact, like, yeah. And a lot of them. was going to get low. And that was the thing. I remember I had teachers that were willing to co-sign my loans in high school. I mean, that says a lot about, so much, like your ability as a student, the community that you grew up in, but also, now that I understand money, I'm not trying to cosign a loan for any 18 year old. for me, like looking back, I'm like, like I had at least three teachers in high school that were like, if you need it, like, I will do it for you. And me being like, nah, man, my, you don't know my mother, like, I'm not trying to, I'm not trying to wake that line up. Okay. and so like, and ultimately I didn't want loans. That was not of interest to me. And so like the goal was okay. We'll just pay for it cash We'll figure out how to pay for it cash and that's why when they offered that management role Like I did the math in my head and I was like, so I could pay for school in like like two to three months of work without overtime But there was always overtime so I could pay for I could pay for a semester of classes unlike maybe a month of school. Man, that's huge. you, I mean, you're taking a pretty serious load, chemistry and English major and a philosophy minor. That's a b- was like, I was such a nerd. I still am a huge nerd, even though I like, I try to like, act like really nonchalant. Then I like have these savant moments where people are like, wait, but you're, you don't do that for work. Why do you know about this? And I'm like, I just, I just read a lot. I know a lot about a lot of things. That's a nice place to be. of the reason my undergrad focus was the way that it was, it's because I remember taking like AP European history in high school and learning about like the Renaissance scholars and deciding I was gonna be a Renaissance scholar in like, in the 21st century. Perfect. so like that was the goal. and so for me, like I graduated high school, think we're like 24. Yeah. It was like 24 college credits. And so I went in. Yeah. It was like one of, you know, like I, I think I was like, I think we ended with me fifth in class. It was like so crazy. It was, it was absolutely nuts that I went to community college. Let's just put it that way. Like. When people saw me on campus, they were like, wait, why are you here? Like, are you? But for me, I never really cared about that. I never cared what people thought about what I was doing as long as I felt like it was right for me. I was never the kid that was peer pressured in school. I always tell people, even now as an adult, people will say, why aren't you doing this or why aren't you doing that? And I'm like, you can't peer pressure me, man. if, you know, but what I really liked about focusing my studies in the way that I did is, cause it just went back to that freedom that I wanted. I wanted to be able to do whatever I chose to, knowing that I had like, just like a vast interest base. And so it was one of those things where I was like, I was going to be a brain surgeon when I started college. you know, you know, and, and I, I was convinced. mean, I had all the credits, you know, like even before law school, I, I remember like thinking like, is it going to be med school? Is it going to be law school? Like I had that conversation with myself again because I wanted to be sure, but like I actually enjoy law. like, like I'm very like, I'm into rules, mostly like if I'm being honest, loopholes in rules. yeah, and so yeah, it's like, like just constant puzzles, right? And I think medicine can be that way too, so I don't wanna like say that it's not, but ultimately my obsession with books and people and how society works made me a better lawyer candidate than a, yeah. English and history, like that's so much of the written language. Like playing with language, know, writing in such a way where it's like either restrictive or, you know, the embodiment of what you need. And so like just playing with that. So for me, like one of my heroes was Chaucer because he was a legal scholar. Like he, you know, like I think he... love that. You know, he was like actually like a legal apprentice doing law by day while writing the Canterbury Tales at night. Like what? And like I read recently that he was like super controversial. I don't know, everybody is controversial. Yeah, in his time. No, but like if you look at him with a modern eye, he's like terrible human man. He's like a terrible person, right? But like... who wasn't in the Middle Ages. people's fame brings them throughout history. They're either really great or really bad. yeah, and you know, and the Dark Ages was just not a time for goodness necessarily. Like that's kind of why it was called that. You know, they say it's because of like no learning, but like there was a lot of dark stuff happening during the Middle Ages. So feel free to look it up on your own time. Yeah, yeah, take some time. Go educate yourself on the Canterbury Tales and then Chaucer. So it looks like you do decide to go to law school though around 2009. And then I see just a quick drop, and I also remember that market crash around 2009. How did those events play out in your life? Yeah, so I was at this point working as like a store manager at an assistant store manager at like Calypso St. Barth. And that's like, it's one of my favorite places that I worked because it was like, like I went into like a completely different world where people were buying resort wear no matter what time of year it was. Like it would be the dead of winter. and some beautiful woman would walk through my doors and ask me to help her pick out outfits. she would never be, like we would have cashmere and stuff like that, but she'd always want the sarongs and the bathing suits and the tunics because, know, after the holidays, they were going to Aruba and I got to like, and so like, just lived in this like suspended reality. when I worked at this place. But I loved, I actually really enjoyed it because it's like I got to play dress up the whole time. think prior to that, I was very tomboyish in a sense that like I wore a lot of baggy clothes. I think I've definitely regressed to that as an adult. Look, I'm in my soft era. I'm wearing baggy comfy clothes too, like cozy. You know, like, and so for me, I think that was like really good for me because it helped me like learn how to be like a feminine woman, right? Just being around women like that in a way that like, I'm sure like if I just paid attention to the women in my family, I could have done that too, but I was so anti as a kid. So yeah, yeah. it could be exactly what family is saying, but no, no, this person obviously knows. came to looks. I remember as like, I think I was 16 and my mom wanted me to like, I think she wanted me to do like New York, like do like Miss Junior New York or something like that. And I remember looking at her like she was nuts and being like, are you serious? I don't wanna be known for being beautiful. I wanna be known for being smart. And so it was like. And so like really minimal focus on looks. wonder how many other self-described young nerds go through that. Like, I feel like a lot of time young girls are given the choice, you are pretty or you are smart pick. And Disney, you know, puts the glasses and then they're smart and takes them off and then they're pretty. Interesting that that influence kind of came with you as well. And I think it came from like, like I'm West Indian. I come from a West Indian family and the mindset's very much kind of like beauty fades and like, you know, it's what you have on the inside that counts. Like I feel like they had been like sending me those subliminal messages like since I came out of the womb anyway. Yeah. You know. and then like upset that I didn't want to wear a dress, you know, you know, proves that you can adjust and people will still not be okay. know, but yeah, and so like what I, that place paid for the rest of undergrad, you know, they, I, I was making a lot of money there and they paid for the first masters. That's wild. Was this part of like the retail, like, pardon me, was this part of their like employee perks? Was it tuition reimbursement? Or was it just like that cash money? paid you cash money, like stupid money for like, like I got paid commissions and I was a good sales. was like, although I was managing, I was also really good at sales and managers got to like get their individual commission and then a store bonus as well. And I was like, I was so like frugal back then because the goal was always work is funding school. It was never like that was always the priority like and so the more money I got just went into my school fund and so I noticed you slipped in first masters. so I actually end up getting a master's in medieval studies and so So cool. Yeah, they didn't think so. The family were not okay with that. I remember, I remember. I've spent money on worse things. But you know, I had gotten into Fordham Law back then and they weren't giving any money for school. Mmm. And at Calypso, I was in charge of doing the screeners for people that were looking for jobs. And I remember interviewing a woman who I think she had graduated from Fordham Law too. And she couldn't find a job. She had been out of law school, I think, since 2008, which is when the market started becoming crazy. And so by like spring of 2009, she still hadn't found a job. And the pragmatist in me was kind of like, okay, if she's looking for part-time work here, I can't afford to take that kind of risk right now. Like, know. Yeah, and. And I knew, and I knew law school was going to be the school where I would have to take out some loans just because of the nature of law school. And I ended up reaching out to the people at CUNY Brooklyn College, which is where I ended up getting my bachelor's degree, well after the application period for the master's programs and begged them. to let me in for fall of 2009 when I find, cause I just had to like come to grips with the fact that like I was not going to law school that fall. But I wanted to go to school because I was like, okay, like you have your bachelor's degree, but you don't like, you need to like do more, you know, like, yeah. And so. feel like I graduated around that time, around 2009, and it was very clear. Bachelor's degrees aren't gonna get you very far at this stage. So as any responsible student, Medieval Studies. I will say looking back, I probably should have gotten an MBA. Probably. But like, I think I just, that like the anti-person in me, the free spirit in me was kind of like, well, I don't know anything about that period. I've read other things. I'll focus on this. And I ended up being like the only, I think one of two women in the medieval studies program. The only one, yeah, no, three people. the only, like everybody else was like a 20th century or postmodernist like person, right? And. So, and then I was like, I think I was the only black person at the school to ever get it. Like, it's just like so ridiculous. Just like, and so for me, I was like, this is gonna be great. And it ended up being really awesome. used to know Middle English. I don't know it anymore. But like, there was like a period of time where like I could and the- coolest part about that role was it was kind of a joke getting that degree because if people with degrees that made sense in 2009 couldn't find a job. Getting a degree in medieval studies during a market crash has to be the most that like to me it just it felt like such an act of rebellion like whatever world. It's a little like, f--- you economy, f--- you school. And I remember my mom being really proud when I told her, yeah, I enrolled in the master's program. And I didn't go further until her friends started asking her, what kind of master's is your daughter getting? And so I remember her calling me up and being like, you never told me what you're getting your master's in. And I was like, medieval studies. And she was like, what? I like medieval studies, know, like that period of time, like during like, like the 1200s and 1300s. And she was like, she was like, I don't understand. She was like, I don't understand. and I was like, yeah, no, I just thought it'd be really interesting. And I mean, I'm, paying out of pocket, so it's fine. Right. And she, and she was like, okay. I remember just like hanging up the phone and like, absolutely like dismay right. Two years later, it's like my spring, the spring I'm graduating, and one of my professors has put my name on a short list to get one of the three positions they're offering to graduates to be a professor, to be like, I think we were, yeah, like adjunct professors, like for the fall of that year. studies, I assume. Cool. And so like graduation day, and and I got a job. Like, I found out about that I think in like March that they were doing that. And then I like got a job as an assistant GM at Papyrus, the card store, the overpriced card store. So good. some stationary. I have way too much stuff from Papyrus still, from my stint working there. But I ended up getting a job there because I was like, well, it's adjunct day. I knew adjunct professors who didn't do very well financially. And I was like, I'd be not doing that. It's cool to say you're a professor, but it's cool to have money. so I did that. I remember like on graduation day, my mom was like, yeah, know, know, my stepdad was there too. And they're like so proud. And I didn't tell her about the, when I finally got, you know, I knew by then that I got the, the adjunct professor role. I was like, just so you know, I got a job because of this degree. And she was so happy because now she could like go back and report to her friends that now she had a college professor daughter. you know, but, but like for me, like it just worked out. so like, one of the things I always tell people, you know, that I meet is, you know, my life like didn't go the way I planned it, but I've gotten some really cool like bonus things along the way that I can't really explain. Like, I don't know why that professor took an interest in me and not an interest in other people. Like, I don't know why, right? I don't know why when I showed up for to quit my job as an 18 year old, my manager was like, no, no, no. Like, like I don't, you know, like, and as much as I think I'm great, like there are a lot of great people who didn't have those opportunities, right? And like, that's something I like always remind myself, like. Yes, like I've worked really hard. You know, I've been in the right place at the right time and like all of, you know, like I've planned and I've done all these things, but I know a lot of people who did, who worked, who even worked harder than I did and planned better and didn't like think it was a joke to spend two years getting a master's in medieval studies. who didn't get the opportunities, right? And so, I always remind my, and this is where my faith comes into things, because I'm like, the only way I can explain some of the things that have happened is like, God has to be real for me. Because there's just too many coincidences. There are too many things where I'm like, that wasn't supposed to work out that Like it was just so like it's like packaged so well, no struggle, right? Like I remember showing up for that interview. That was like the coolest interview I ever had. I like, and I took it seriously. Like I showed up, you know, in my suit with, you know, I actually combed my hair that day. Like I was really, you know, I was ready, right? Show up and two of the three people doing the interview for that role. We're past professors. You like know the whole interview panel. And they didn't even interview me. The two who knew me were concerned that the other person had never met me. And so they spent the entire time telling her all the great things about me. I didn't have to answer one question. We have more interviews that are actually just compliment panels. That would, that's my new goal. Change the interview process, compliment panels. but it was like i remember like i always think back on like and that's one of the things where i'm like what are the odds right the person who applies late gets a random degree but also the person who called and begged to be in that program. The person who since high school has been investing time and energy into medieval studies. So yes, and I think, you know, a little sprinkle of faith and showing up. no, and so I'm definitely a believer that you can have all the faith in the world, but if you're not doing anything, and that's not even just me. The whole Bible says that. Faith without work is dead. So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So you are, you're a professor for a long time, like eight years, nine years. and half years. It's crazy. and the school doesn't stop. No. I think I was trying to convince people to pay me to be a scholar and it just didn't, like I was trying to send subliminal messages to the universe to get me to be a paid student. Like just go to school, learn things, come up with ideas and go back to more school. But there was just no. just didn't, gave it your best shot. You get a master's in non-profit finance, is that what that is? yeah, so, it's And it feels like kind of out of, it feels very independent and free-spirited. Law school, English, chemistry, medieval stick, finance. how and why. So finance, so I actually never took a finance class, but being a store manager, you have to manage the budgets, you have to manage the finances of the store. And so I think that's where the interest came. But also I've always been a money girl. I negotiated when I was 12. 12 and a half, 13 with my mom that for every hundred that I got on tests, she would give me a hundred bucks. And she ended up having so good. she like, I've always been like, although I'm a good student, I'm a lazy student. And why I say that is like, I want to do as little as possible and get the highest grade possible. Right? And I know, like, you're not supposed to say that, but like, that's just who I am. And I feel like it got me, I mean, it got me through law school. Like, that's just how I've lived my life. Like, I never spent a lot of time studying, but if I'm like, I pay attention in class, I'm engaged, I always do the reading, because I'm a fast reader, and I have really good. reading comprehension skills, right? And so like for me, it's like, I'm the kid that has to show up to class because I need to like ask my questions because I don't want to teach myself anything. Like that's just, it's like. Like you've already got this time reserved to learn it. It's in class. I'm going to do it now. How smart. I wish I would have thought of that. I gotta go make money when I'm not out in class, which is kind of my mindset. And I feel like even in college, they let me get away with that where like, remember like not so. they let you get away with it. I don't think that's what they were doing. I think you were just a good student. why I say that is like, like every college has attendance policies, right? But they didn't always apply to me because if I wasn't gonna like, I would like give my professors notice, like I'd be like, I'm not gonna be in class for the next like three weeks, because like, it was like a busy time at work or something. And then I'd be like, But please find attached the like next like two to three assignments and they were just like Let me like even on stuff They hadn't taught sometimes because like they hadn't gotten to that in the lesson but it was like something I had learned before and could like write at that level and so like it's Talking about loopholes and so was like on the one hand. I feel like some of them were kind of like Here she goes again But like, no one ever like pulled me aside except for one professor and I think she just like, there's always that one, right? Where it's like, you need to be here. And I was like, I was like, thank you, but don't like penalize me because I did it by without coming to class. Like that's not cool, right? Cause like we're in college to learn and if I'm learning and showing you that I'm meeting the milestones. Or at least, to me, the very minimum, if you're giving me an A, it means I've surpassed basic expectations. That's really terrible. So bad advice for college students right now. No, because the rest of the advice is show up when you can, do the reading, do the homework, and if you're gonna miss, get ahead. like show them that like you're not being a slacker and nine out of ten times you'll be rewarded, right? And so See, I just didn't show up to class and my teachers liked me less. So I think your approach is quite nice, quite nice. I mean, this was I think I had a chemistry teacher that would call on me when I'd be sleeping in her class, because I was so tired from work. she would always call on me. And I, you know, and I remember like being startled so many times. But again, because I was did the reading. And guess I was like in those lectures by osmosis sometimes. Because I definitely like would answer the questions right and then she would be annoyed that like I was able to answer the questions, you know? But like, I don't know, I think part of it is like I grew up partially in the Caribbean. learned like school was just different there. And so when I moved here, I was ahead. I was ahead by like two to three years. And so it just, I feel like the things that I learned here in the States, I ended up reinforcing so much. Like they're just things I'll never forget because I had to learn the same thing over and over again for like, you know, yeah. You know, and so imagine like having a teacher teach you the same thing over and over again like five times for five years. You're not an engaged student anymore. You're just, I've got it at this point. yeah, and that's why I did a lot of outside reading, because like that was interesting to me, like, you know, and, and so finance, finance, because, like, like I said before, I'm a money girl, like, I don't think about life from like an emotional standpoint, I actually think about it from like an economic standpoint. Mm. even policy, like every, and I've looked at policy from an economic standpoint since I was a student in like, you know, I think the first time I made an economic argument for policy, I was in probably ninth grade. And I remember people looking at me like I was crazy. People still look at me like I'm crazy now. And I'm like, don't you understand? Like you can have the... heart that bleeds the most. But if you don't have money to effect change in society and you have to rely on somebody else to fund it. That ain't it. no guarantee there. People change their mind all the time. Just look at our Congress. Can I not actually? It's wild that so young you had that realization because I think so many of us are just, my hope and dreams and persistence will impact change. And you're coming in saying, money, and money. cash. need coal hard cash. But I think, honestly, I think that comes from the pragmatic side of myself, where it's, just, I read all of those philosophers, those political philosophers and economic philosophers. Why was I reading Descartes and Hume? I don't know why. Why was I reading that? Like I want to tell myself it was interesting, but I don't know like I think it was just it was more like curiosity Like what are these people thinking? What are they talking about? And how do we apply it like everything I read I'm like, okay, how does this apply in real life? You know, like the Bible how does this apply in real life? Like, you know and trying to like see like okay. Well, that doesn't really work but like how do we like shift this from a metaphor to like, what am I supposed to be learning when I read this particular thing? And I think that's. the sweeping lesson, what can I apply to my real life? Yeah. like, and I think that's what has kind of driven my, my curiosity is like this constant me constantly like challenging what I already know by reading more and more. You know, like, I was only a philosophy minor because I wanted to learn about like, other types of like religions and all of that. And I knew I didn't have the discipline at the time or maybe even the time to do it on my own. But I could do it in school. I'm like. the school would force you, not unlike those $100 bills for the 100. I care about grades. I know people say, it's not about the grades, but it is. It matters. I graduated law school five years ago, and people are still asking for my transcript. Speaking of, you, after two side quest masters, you finally land in law school in 2017. and you can thank the people in the nonprofit finance master's program for giving me like a good boot because, you know, before that degree, it was a student who challenged me because I always ask my students, you know, the first couple of days of class, we did an exercise where they had to do like a diagnostic essay just to see their reading and writing skills. And I always just asked them where they saw themselves in five years, best case scenario, and had them write it out. And in 2015, spring 2015, a student was like, professor, what's your five year plan? And I looked at her and I was like, oops. I'm like, know, but like, remember it was like, to me that was like a nice slap. Like, wake up, what are you doing right now? And because I should have been in law school at that point and I just hadn't done it. And there were like a lot of. you think you were still scared from that gal you interviewed who was still looking for a job? Were you kind of like hesitant to jump back into that wish or? No, I think I was just comfortable because I worked really hard the first two years after I graduated from my medieval studies program. I worked really hard because I had like a full-time job that started out as like an assistant manager position ended up with like a regional recruiting manager role. You know, and I only did that work for two and a half years. And I was teaching the whole time. So I was just like busy working, working, working, working. And then I think it was spring of, yeah, spring of 2013, I told the people I was working with that. I was gonna have a four day work week and make the same amount of money that I was making at the time. And then I made it happen. Yes! because by fall of that year, I was doing that. And I literally, like I taught my classes four days a week and then I would like just pick up random odd things to do. And I'll pick the oddest thing that I ended up doing, which was I was a professional gift wrapper for billionaires on the Upper East Side. And... That sounds like such a satisfying task-oriented job. those edges, crisp. It's wonderful. It's wonderful. And I did it for like four to six weeks every fall. Made anywhere from like five to 10 grand per four years straight. I have been doing the wrong things in my life, Aabria. And then they made them, they ruined it because like, I think it was like year four, they were like, we were thinking we could like bring you on as like a full-time team member. And, and in my head, I was like, to wrap gifts? But then they like explained like, she had like different house managers and I would be one of the house managers. And I mean, don't get me wrong. It was like psychotic money. Like, I think it was like two, $250,000 a year plus bonuses. like that pay comes with a price tag. yeah, and your girl likes her freedom. So that wasn't going to be it for me. And I remember, I remember like telling them, yeah, it was year four when I finally stopped. And I remember telling them at the end, like, thank you so much. I really appreciate it. and they also wanted me to sign an NDA that year too. And I remember, I remember being like, thank you so much. This has been so great. but I'm actually gonna go to law school. And they were like, we didn't realize that you were thinking about going to law school. And I was like, yeah, know, I'm actually a professor right now. They were like, what, you're a professor? And you know, I really value my privacy. think privacy helps you have a lot of freedom too. And so... I remember when they found out all these things about me in just that one conversation, they were like, it makes sense why you wouldn't want to do this then, right? But so yeah, it was, I will say it was comfort because I was going away every January. Like I would like get my family these like lavish like Christmas presents and birthday presents because of my job as a gift wrapper. And then I would go away every January for a month. So good. it was like wonderful. And so like, extremely comfortable, you know, I was like helping my mom. I was like co parenting my younger sister with my mom at the time too, because like, her dad ended up passing away as well. And so it was like, there was just a lot of stuff happening during that time. But when that student said that to me, was like, okay, this is literally like God being like, bro, what are you doing? Like, like you need to get on with your life. And so that that that second master's was literally me being like, I don't know if I could like do like classes anymore. So I did that master's for that purpose. and it was a it also was like, I was thinking, maybe you can like start your nonprofit that you want to start. And so it was like one of those things where I was like, it's information and education you'll be able to use later, but you'll know if you could actually like make it through law school, if you can make it through this program. And so it was like an accelerated one year program. so during that program, one, I think it was my contract, it was like a contracts class that I took. And the professor, he was actually an attorney. And I remember like having office hours with him and he was kind of like, okay, so like, what are your goals? You know, and I was like telling him, you know, I'm like thinking about law school, but I'm doing this. And he was like, okay, that sounds great, but your responses in my class look like what the JD students, which are like law school students should be doing. And so like, if you want to go to law school, you just need to go to law school and stop wasting time. I was like, okay. And so, yes, I had to retake the LSAC because I had dilly dallyed a little too long at that point. And then I applied to law school, fall of 2016 was when I submitted applications and got into like four of them. chose Brooklyn Law School because they had a two-year program. And if I am a money girl, I'm definitely a time girl. There's some pragmatism in there as well, right? Like shorter money, get it done. You've been waiting a long time to start. and so was one of those things where I was like, you just you cannot delay it. Just like get it over with. And I knew whether I did a two or three year program, I was not going to be able to work like full time eight hours. And so that year leading up to law school, I ended up getting a random store manager retail position for a high end brand to save money to save more money to to help me yeah to pay for to like just pick up wherever but i i still knew like i knew i was gonna have to take out loans and i was like but you need to have money in your coifers like you can't you can't like just go in there blind and just take as many loans as you want No, you're not doing that. So like that for me started like doing that to your program, which they don't they don't have it anymore. I don't think any of the law schools that ended up doing it have it anymore. But like that was I think maybe it was just invented for that time so that I would like go and get my like. Yeah, like it was like if. it. Like, like God and the angels got together and they were like, if we don't get this set up the right way, she's going to find an excuse not to go again. And so like, I just ran with it. And I remember like quitting. I remember, I remember thinking I was going to like stay with that like retail job, like longer than I ended up staying. And the only reason I was going to stay, I think like three or four months longer. And it was mostly because I felt a little bit guilty about abandoning them after I'd like we'd like built something really cool together. But when I told the manager, like the regional manager about it, she was like nice to me to my face. But then she like told my staff that I don't know what I'm getting myself into. And she hopes You're like, no, no, I have a pretty great idea actually. make it. And then they told me that. And I was like, And I was rearranging my life to be able to help them. And I remember just reaching out to her and being like, hey, I thought about it. And it actually just makes sense for me to be done. And I inserted the date and ended it. And I think maybe that was the last time I was loyal. to a job like that. You know, and I had to, you know, cause like, think up until even like being a professor that long, like it was just this like sense of loyalty that I had to my employers, but also to the students too. Like I feel like I created this like false sense of duty in being there to. to maybe avoid life, to avoid being a grown up. Well, speaking of life, it comes at you fast. And while you're in law school, your journey line is so interesting. We have two thirds of the things below the journey line happen in your two year law school. You're hit by a car and then we go up and you're a summer associate. And then we go down again because you have a mask removed. What the hell? That year was so annoying. That fear was so annoying! I mean, so I was literally well on my way, right? Like it was like I finally got a groove. I found out about like big law opportunities. I went into law school as a public interest fellow. And then like the smartest kid in our like class, he cornered me in the elevator one night. We're like headed to like property. class together. I shouldn't say he cornered me. We just ended up in the elevator together. So dramatic. And he like looks me in the face and he's like, so you're going to be doing big law too, right? I didn't know what he was talking about, but I thought to myself, well, he is certainly threatened that I'm going to be doing whatever it is this is. And so I said, sure looks like it. And then I like just, and then I was just quiet the rest of the ride, right? Hop out, go to the bathroom, take out my phone, Google what's big law. So ashamed. sure looks like it after I figure out what it looks like. And I remember seeing that, like what that was. And like I had heard about like corporate law and like top law firms, but like I didn't really know about the salary. looking back, I'm like, for a money girl, the fact that you didn't know about this is really hilarious. But I think for me, going into law school was more about getting my piece of paper than it was about getting money. because I knew and I, right? And so, but I knew with that piece of paper, I can get, I could guarantee myself at least$100,000 a year, which like in New York City, for the average person is not a lot of money. But for somebody like me who can like commit to eating rice and beans forever, it can be a lot. And so, and so like it was one of those things where that's why public interest looked interesting to me because I thought well I could do this but I can do like all my other odd things that I do anyway, you know. And I find out about this opportunity that's available and I look it up and I'm just kind of like wait what? They're paying people 40 grand to work for 10 weeks? How do I get this? I need to... I need to look into that! associate role. And I remember being like, we're getting one of those. And I wasn't even thinking like, I know people are to be so mad when they see this podcast, but, but, I'm okay with that. They're, they're already mad. This was as making more. And so like it, what was really funny and fun for me about it was I thought, girl, you're probably gonna work hard anyway. So if they're gonna pay you to work hard, you should at least try. And so like, I found out about it with enough time to make sure my grades were in line with what they were looking for, right? And so like, I think like my first semester grades, I had like a B plus average, which really annoyed me, even though I already told you I don't really work that hard. And so I was mad, but I think I was more annoyed when I found out that I could get a raw score of a 90 or better and still end up with a B plus. Like, it just didn't feel like justice to me. And I was in law school and I thought law school was about, I thought law school was about justice. And then they explained the curve to me and I was like, so like you guys only give out like X amount of A's? I was not aware of that. And so I literally made sure and they did like a percentage. And so for the rest of law school, I don't think I ever took a class that had less than like 50 people in it because I knew I could like keep doing. my current system of being a student and get and and for me like like people they're like they need the a plus like i was not that kid i just need it to start with a so it could be a minus it could be a it could be a plus i don't care as long as that letter has a like my name we're cool and so like i remember like doing the math and thinking okay well this class is like 100 people, they can only give out like 12 A's in this class. I think I could be one of those A's. And I would just sign, like I literally chose my classes in that way. And so I remember my GPA jumped so that I had like an A minus average by the end of my second semester. And then I got hit by a car. Jesus. Like a month later. And you're like, crush it, I genuinely forgot for a second. And you're like, yeah, I'm doing so great. And then I got hit by a car. then no, and for me, like, I think that's why, and that was like February 2nd, 2018, most annoying day of my life. Were you in a car? Were you not in a car? How? my- class. And yeah, no, it was it was crazy. It's like, it's like the car bounced off of me, man. think you might have bounced off of the car. I didn't fall. that's nice. And like, I used to think so, but like the pain that persists as a result of me not falling. It's kind of incredible. Like it's funny when I think about like that day, although I think if I had fallen, I wouldn't be here because I don't think he would have stopped because I think the person was on their cell phone at the time. And they just turned into me. And so like, I was, it's funny. It would have been a funnier story if I was headed to Torts. But I was, torts, they do like personal injury stuff in torts law. So like, that would have made it like, for me, like, it's like the only thing that I'm like, if I could change a fact about that day, it would have been I was like headed to torts and then I got hit by a car. But I was headed to contracts. No, it's good, no it's good. And so like my professors, had to like figure out and I'm so grateful for them because they ended up figuring out how to help me in my quest to not take a leave of absence. Because I was just kind of like, I only have two years. I'm not extending, I didn't want to extend my time in law school because like, I was already on the two year pay structure and too much money had already been spent kind of thing. No. I am... Were you dealing with injuries? Like, how were you managing? Were you scared to walk to class again? having... four bulged discs in my neck and three in my lower back and a bruised sacrum so it hurt to sit and lay down. And so sometimes I would have to like stand in the middle of class and some people were smart enough to know that like something was going on that was probably none of their business. And then there were people who would like come and be like, why don't you just find another chair? And it's like. You are not one of the 12 A's, are you, huh? You know, yeah. so, but like, I will say, like, I remember when I told, I told, I think it was my con law professor. Yeah, it was him. I told him about what happened. And he was like, no, we need to get you accommodations. And I think probably for the first time in my law school's history, they recorded all of the classes that I was in. And. Great accommodation. and every student got the benefit of it. Yes. Yes. Normally how that works when we do inclusive things, everyone benefits from it. And it was like, and I remember when I stopped being like a big baby about the whole thing. It was when I realized how, like I've never had any physical issues my whole life, right? And so like, as much as I think I'm aware and I'm like always paying attention to people, like I know I've definitely missed it before. this happened to me, but it raised my awareness like so much that now like if I'm headed anywhere, I'm thinking, wait, they haven't considered people who might be in a wheelchair, like how are they gonna get in here? Like I'm thinking about, it's like, I feel like I've always thought about like people with mental illness or. you know, or neurodivergent, you know, personalities, right. But I've, it's so crazy when I think about it. I didn't really consider physical disability nearly as much until after, until after, right. And yeah. Yeah. Yeah. you have another thing. exactly. so like, for me, like, it like I remember I had a coach in high school. She called me Arugula because she like she just couldn't say my name. And so it's like really terrible. And I love he's lit. I know my name is like super easy. I think she just loved calling me Arugula. So we'll go with that. And she used to always say to us that our team was as strong as the weakest link. And I started thinking about that statement. I got hit by a car. Being hit by a car actually ended up being more of a blessing than it was a curse because as they were doing all of these MRIs and CAT scans, they stumbled upon this mass. And so I actually found out about the mass about a month after I got hit by a The hits keep on coming! I remember being like, God, are you for real? What is your problem? Are you mad at me because I took forever to come back here? What is your deal? Give me a break, And it really did. felt like, I used this image earlier this year. I felt like I was an ant. under Billy's magnifying glass in the height of summer. Like that's how I felt during that time. And, and you know, I think rightfully so, you know, but what was really, again, it was like all of these crazy things, like really negative things were happening simultaneously. It was like, remember talking to my doctor and him being like, my God, we need to check that and like, get in on it. you know, like, I mean, I've been, I think I've been seeing my doc, my OBGYN since I was. 22 and he had to have been like 26, 27. Like I was like one of his like first patients he ever had kind of thing. And so it was like one of those things where it was like in my mind being like, this is why I still come to you because like you take care of me. and then his mentor ended up being the surgeon that took the mass out. And if I don't know if I would have been able to have his mentor do that for me if he wasn't my doctor. Because he normally had like a four month wait for an appointment and I was able to have an appointment in a week. And he examined me and he was like, listen, we can get you in and take it out. And he was like, we can have a date within a month. I checked my schedule already. But that would have been in the middle of a very critical semester for me. I mean, school comes first, clearly. like totally right. Totally and it was really funny because he was kind of like, well, we can put you on some hormones so that it doesn't grow anymore because we determined that it wasn't malignant. But it was just obstructing my digestion. It's causing problems. Like everything. It was a pain, right? And so like, but he ended, we ended up like, and I was like, well, how long can I like keep this thing in me realistically? And you know, and he was like, well, you can wait until after you graduate if you wanted to. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could if you're okay with like having this discomfort. And so I just, I let it rip. And so. I knew it was crazy because like I knew for a year and a half before that thing came out of me that it was in me. a ticking time bomb just chilling inside of you. and it was the size of a softball. Ooh, good size. Yeah, it huge. But I ended up getting 12 interviews for Big Law opportunities. You and your tumor, taking on the world. I ended up doing like a China abroad thing. I did like a China abroad thing that like that same It's so crazy like that six month period is bananas Because I get hit by a car Find out about this mass go to China Get these 12 interviews Get callbacks get a gig at like a magic circle firm, you know, and It's like a top It was like a top UK firm that like nobody ever heard of. But I was like, I like that name. I think I'm gonna work there. And so it was my first choice. The first firm I worked at was my first choice firm. And as soon as their offer came, actually, let me not lie. As soon as I met those people, I convinced myself that they loved me as much as I loved them. And I did not take any further interviews. Because I don't like to waste people's time. Hold move. And my career services advisor almost had a heart attack because she was kind of like, girl, nobody does that. And I was like, we'll be fine. Don't worry. We'll be okay. And a week later I got my call. And by then that was like, I think the second to last week in August, like we had just gotten back to school for the fall and... I was walking in the courtyard, got a call from that firm telling me, I was like, yeah. They were like, we just want to welcome you. And I remember being like, yes, it's that. celebrating in the quad. I feel like that's like a 90s movie moment of you just... and I actually did it too, which was like, look back, I'm like, who are you like early? But it was so like, I mean, it was like, almost like, yes, like things are finally going in the direction that they need to go kind of thing. And I feel like it did like it was just thing. It was just smooth sailing my second year of law school. And then I graduated high summer. My cousin finally got married. Congrats, cuz. And you stay at Allen and Overy for a while after your summer associates. so I ended up, it's crazy. So I ended up taking, they wanted me to start right away after I did the summer associate thing, but because I had delayed getting the surgery, I had to postpone that. And so I remember when I had those conversations with them, they were like, okay, no problem. And the fact that they even asked me to start right away. was something that like never happens. But because I had already graduated at that point, they were willing to make an exception. And so like they ultimately in my book, like they solidified themselves as a really good place to work because they were so accommodating and not in a way like I think there's like levels of accommodations where... As somebody who has had accommodations since this accident, I think that... There are a lot of people that have expectations of the workplace that just can't be met. They just can't be. And you kind of have to get creative about how you get those things met, right? Whether it's like negotiating it, because there's just no playbook for it, right? And it's so it's like doing it in a way that gets you the yes rather than a no. Yeah. I think going in with like your fist almost never gets you what you want. It certainly hasn't gotten me what I wanted. I mean, coming from the HR side of it, definitely like, I like honey more than fists, you know? And I think, you know, it's on the HR partner to be collaborative and responsive and listen, but yeah, make accommodations. Because as we already learned, they're probably gonna help more people than just the one. you know, and so for me, like, you know, I just want to plug them because like, feel like Like, I know that that's not how it is. Like there were just things at that organization that were just standard. Like you didn't need an accommodation letter. You didn't have to bring in your private doctors. Doctor Medical Records. Oof. like they just, it was just like some of this stuff was just standard, right? And I think when you're coming from a place of true inclusivity, you're thinking from the lens of we're only as good as our weakest link. And if the organization happens to be the weakest link, in that scenario, that's a problem. I love that. That's a mic drop. Well, you stay there for a while. You do your summer associate there. You're there for another two years post-grad. And then you move on to a new associate role. Keep stacking up. Tell me about the, we're towards the end of your journey line. Tell me what's ending and I'm excited about your last block and what's happening next. so I always wanted to be like, it's funny. Like I did have that blip where I wanted to be a brain surgeon, but I have childhood memories of wanting to be a lawyer. I've always been obsessed with like legal shows. To this day, like I'm like, so like if there's something about the law happening in the show or the movie. even if I've seen it a thousand times, I will sit there and watch it again. Like, it's that, like, for me. And it's crazy because most legal shows are about litigation, but I ended up becoming a transactional attorney. And again, that was actually a very intentional, strategic move for me. And it was a form of activism for me as well. because there aren't a lot of women, black women, doing finance. And it was something I was just naturally good at because no schooling, but the more I heard the concepts, they just kind of stuck to me like glue. I would think about it in a very just... just Broadway, like I'd get into the nitty gritty, but I'd also look at the big pictures while like it just always excited me in a way that even like, I remember asking myself sometimes like, are you for real right now? Like, why are you this excited about this? Like, this is like, like not even the people that have been doing this for 20 years are excited, like calm down. You know, but it just really excited me as it. It's funny because like I will never I know you're not supposed to say that It's very, very, very, very, very unlikely that you will ever catch me outside at a rally. Mmm. just not my ministry. It takes all types. Some are loud, some are out there, and some gotta work behind the scenes. And so like, when I was a professor, I could have tried to go and work at like an NYU, especially after I got my experience. I could have tried to like go to one of these other places, but I stayed with CUNY because I got to work with first-generation kids a lot of the times. I'm first-generation everything. I got to work with black women. I got to work with immigrant kids. so them seeing me and me being able to help them get what they wanted for me was always more important than me going. To me, I could be loud. I could be that person that is on the TV. I can do all that, but for me it's like I'm more interested in getting and people don't like this sometimes. I want bodies in the Mmm, okay. I'm here for it. Bring them together. you know, like I know there's been like this, I like really hate this quote, like, surround yourself with people who talk about you in the room. I'm not very trusting. So I want to be in the room. And I want to and for me, it's like I would rather have you come in the room and speak for yourself than pretend that I have the ability to speak for you. I love that. And so like for me embodying that was being a finance attorney, being the only dark skinned black person and like there were always people that identified as black but like they had to tell you. I don't have to tell you that there has to be some African in me, right? Like you just see it. And so in fact, I might have to explain the other parts of me more. And so, you know, which is why I always check the black box because it's like, it's just easier for me where I'm like, now I don't have to like, go through my whole family tree and show you where all the intersections happen. no one deserves to know all of that when they first meet, y'know? Like, it's a nuanced conversation. Like, people are trying to figure out their own family dreams, you know? And so, and for me, it's like, I actually like, I think I, I think I'm like most other black people in that way. Like, it's just the embodiment, right? And so one of my goals was people would see my face as a finance attorney. and they were in law school and they would think, that's an option. Hell yeah. That's an option. an option. Like you don't have to do it, but that's an option. And, and what I loved about the first room I worked at was they let me play a little bit when I first started. So I didn't just do finance work. got to do like some capital markets, like, you know, securities type work. but they like really valued pro bono work as well. So I got to do like immigration law stuff. help do memos for the litigation department. So I got to do a lot of cool things while working with them. And so my face ended up being in a lot of places, doing a lot of things, showing the different options that are available to you. And so for me, I can't afford to be in a box because I think part of my reason for being is to just show people. that they're possible? and like, and just be that for them. And like, it takes sacrifice because like sometimes I just want to go on a road trip and like live my life and not be visible and be visible. Which is why when I'm not online or, you know, in public, I spend a lot of time alone or just with immediate family. because I'm like, you can't be public all the time, Juan. Yeah, yeah. Exactly. And you kind of, and like for me, like I have to live my own life too. And so it's like balancing this like new evolved form of activism where it's like. When I left law last year, you know, I left because I had come to a crossroads where I was going to have to fight to stay. But I shouldn't have had to fight to stay. It was one of those things where I just decided I'm not gonna fight. I'm just gonna see how far you will take it. And however far you decide to take it, I hope you're willing to deal with whatever consequences come as a result of. the actions that you take. so, and normally that's not my personality. I, while I will fight for myself, I'm not a, I'm not a like confrontational person, although people think I'm confrontational person. I'm really not. I would rather like not be that person. but I have the inability to smell something that stinks and not say something. I just don't have that ability. And so, you know, I came to this point where I've actually quit all of my jobs except for my first job. I was fired from that job and I was fired because somebody was bullying me. They knew that this person was bullying me when I complained there was retaliation. Mm. And my only saving grace back then was... Cause at that point I had like transferred to a different location or whatever. I had been working part time at this Calypso place that I was really enjoying. So I already had like my second job in play. Yeah. And so like, like I didn't, you know, I was annoyed, but I was just kind of like, whatever. I have my degree. Like you already paid for the bachelor's calm down, you know? And out. You know, but I remember like I thought about it's crazy because after they fired me, they asked me to come back. Amazing. because the person who fired me didn't like run it up the chain. And so up the chain, I found out they had already like put my name was already on the list to be promoted. So I started getting calls about why I left. because they had no idea where I left. Because on the books, it was like I quit, but they had actually fired me. And so it was like, and I remember being like, thank you so much for reaching out, but I don't want to work for a place that doesn't have accountability and oversight or words like that. I don't think I use those words, you know, but like, I was having a similar type of situation at this place, right? And it was after, I'm gonna speak it. And it was after they poached me from the first firm. They spent seven months trying to get me to even just submit my resume. And then they waited three months after I submitted my resume because I didn't want to leave my first job high and dry because I was in the middle of like a psychotic deal. And I wouldn't be able to tell somebody how to pick up where I was leaving off. There was just too many moving parts. And so I negotiated to start three months after I accepted their Okay. I didn't get a sign on bonus, but I didn't want that. I wanted time. And so they just offered time. I didn't have to negotiate that. And the time was I lost a year by delaying starting at that first firm for a year. But because of how much work I had done at my first firm in those 22 months that I worked there. I had done more work than people that would have been 40 years at the new place. So they made me a third year associate. Right? And then two years after that moment, I had people trying to convince me that I didn't know what I was doing. And it's kind of hard to skip a person a year. and then tell them they don't know what they're doing. It's just hard. So, I'm assuming you decided to leave. so I ended up leaving and I started Scrappy Girl Project. Scrappy Girl Project. I love it. the name is funny because like people think that like it's because I want it to be like a woman centric company, but the name is all about me. It's not about the people. It's really all about me because if you look, you know, but like it's about it's really about like a mindset. It's about a lifestyle of no matter what life throws me, it doesn't matter what scraps you give me, I'm gonna make a masterpiece out of it. That's what Scrappy Girl Project is all about. And if you look at my background, if you look at my journey line, just the parts I've shown you, you see, wait a minute, this stuff doesn't really fit until you meet Aubria. And you're like, This makes sense. Right? Now that I have met you and heard the whole story, it does kind of make sense. you know and and it's crazy because I can actually rewrite my story to make every single piece fit exactly perfect but I don't do that on purpose because I like I have to be honest about it for myself so I remember like no girl you didn't plan that don't lie to those people You didn't plan on being a professor. You didn't even think about it. It just happened. And, you know, I think that's why this is so interesting because like sometimes you just stumble into the right path and going from retail to professor to lawyer to now CEO and author. yeah, and I wrote children's books randomly too, somewhere in there. Yeah, just a little sprinkling of literature. Avria, that's the end of your journey line. What are you looking forward to next? So I'm actually entertaining law firms right now because I miss, I actually miss being a lawyer. And I didn't think I would miss it as much as I did initially. And so like, know, I know I've never had that before. This is the first time I've moved on from something where I'm like, you need to go back and like, you're not done. And And I think part of it is the rest of my journey really relies on me completing this leg. And so what does that mean for Scrappy Girl Project? Like, how do I keep doing that while also being an attorney? And I think for me, it's less about me as a crutch. I think... I don't have to be involved in every day all the time. And it's more about empowering people. And so I've been doing that by creating resources for people because my goal, even as a company owner, is not like most people's goals because I don't really want repeat customers, at least not for repeat. not for repeat problems. Like I'll help you solve a new problem, but we're not going to spend the next 10 years of my life trying to work out. Like we grow and build. And so you kind of have to be a certain kind of client to work with me, where like you have to be serious about wanting to. finish what you start and build on what you're doing so that you are in charge of what comes next. that there are a lot of, I wouldn't say I'm a coach and I know that I'm not because I don't want to be in your ear 24 seven. I want you to be in your own ear 24 seven because I've been in my own ear, although I've had coaches. And I do seek counsel and advice for pretty much everything. At the end of the day, my mindset is... to live with every decision that you make. give anybody percent over your next move. Like you have to, you have to decide this is what you want. And you know, and so that's kind of, I guess that's it. The goal is go finish being a while also helping anybody who wants to. keep pushing the envelope of where they are, know, develop that mindset, that mentality, and get it done. get it done. Well, Aubria, thank you so much for joining us today. Y'all can check out all of her links and information and her journey line in the description, and we'll see you next time. Bye, everyone. Thank you.