Friends and colleagues reminded me how “lucky” I was, and for a while, I believed it too. But beneath the surface of what seemed like an enviable career, I felt a growing restlessness, a quiet dissatisfaction I couldn’t ignore. While I genuinely loved aspects of the work—building relationships, learning from incredible professionals, and being part of the hospitality community—the relentless grind of sales began to take its toll.

I keep having this dream. It’s the kind that sticks with you, lingering long after you wake up, like the smell of rain after a storm. I’m standing alone at the end of a pier, staring out at the ocean, which stretches endlessly in front of me.