Why Kissing Frogs Isn’t Gross After All
When people talk about “kissing frogs,” they usually mean waiting for Prince Charming. For me, it has meant having a plan, weighing the risks and rewards, and then having the courage to take the leap — even if the outcome wasn’t perfect.
As a kid, I was always creating something to sell. Refrigerator magnets from a craft show? Worth a shot. Perfume rocks? My friend and I collected pearly stones, scented them with my grandmother’s Chanel No. 5, wrapped them in organza bags, and called it luxury on a budget. The idea was to drop them in your drawer so your clothes would always smell like Chanel. Not bad for eight years old.
By seventh grade, my best friend was selling Polaroid pictures while I sold lip gloss and bubble gum. We teamed up, later adding t-shirts, CDs, anything we could hustle. That’s what entrepreneurship looked like then: noticing a need, designing a solution, and being willing to test it in real life.
In my twenties, the frogs kept showing up — and I kept leaning in. I launched ASM Services, a notary and admin business. It started with real estate closings, where I watched people sign the documents that handed them the keys to their new home. That never got old — being part of such a pivotal life moment. Over time, I added on loan signings, admin support, even marketing kits for football players heading into the Scouting Combines. I dabbled in voiceovers too, recording phone greetings and messages. Each venture had its own rhythm, its own lessons. Some fizzled, some flourished for a while, but every single one stretched me and added another layer of skill.
Eventually, I opened A Hair Boutique Shadyside. That was another frog. At first, I didn’t know exactly who my client was. I knew they wanted privacy and personal care, but my inventory was everywhere — bargain wigs, high-end wigs, purple wigs, “old lady” wigs. Casting too wide a net taught me who truly valued my work and gave me clarity on the clients I serve best.
Here’s the AHA: kissing frogs isn’t failure. It is the antidote to paralysis analysis. Too many people get stuck waiting for perfect conditions before they move. Frogs prove that clarity comes in the doing. Each attempt sharpened my focus, built my confidence, and reminded me that I could always adapt.
No one has it all figured out. The courage to start is the real win. I kissed a frog, and I liked it.