Angella Wilson

Founder & Chief Career Strategist

June 14, 2025

The older I get, the more I cherish the quiet, unfiltered conversations with those who

have known me since I first set foot on a college campus.

Last night, I had one of those conversations with a college friend. We didn’t plan it, but

somehow, we ended up talking about the journey for three hours! The journey that

began long before we ever had titles, resumes, or careers.

We discussed the advice our parents gave us: attend college, earn a degree, and find

financial security. It was love wrapped in caution. They wanted to protect us from the

struggles they faced, to give us comfort, options, and stability. But in that protection,

some dreams were quietly deferred. Dreams we whispered as teenagers, excited about

what could be.

Years later, we now find ourselves wondering.

What if we had made different choices? What if we choose differently now? Can we

believe in ourselves enough to take a risk? Can we pivot? Can we try something new

and step outside our comfort zone?

We shared the pressures that weigh on us daily: bills, responsibilities, expectations, and

fears. But we also reminded each other that safety isn’t always as secure as it seems,

and that the rulebook doesn’t always lead to fulfillment.

There’s something I often think about. When I’m 80 years old, sitting on my porch,

which memories will I cherish most? Will it be the times I followed the rulebook perfectly,

or will it be the moments when I took a chance on myself and lived life on my terms?

I woke up this morning with a sense of clarity that no conference or webinar could have

provided. Sometimes the best mentorship is organic. It comes from honest

conversation, vulnerability, and the power of friendship.

We weren’t just catching up; we were pouring into each other, reminding each other,

pushing each other, and believing in each other.

I’m grateful for professional women who show up for each other, not with all the

answers, but with honesty, reflection, and grace.