Grit Fuels the Journey to Success

Rosemary Kowalski's extraordinary journey to entrepreneurship is a testament?to her talent and perseverance, an?example of grit—and an unwavering will to achieve the things you want.

Meeting Rosemary, sipping coffee, and talking about her journey, she shared valuable lessons, and lessons she wishes to share with women, to empower, and show grit, inspiration, resourcefulness, and opportunity.

Today, we begin with one of my favorite Rosemary Quotes: “You don’t realize what you can do until you do it” is a powerful message of courage and action.

As an entrepreneur she says, you are reminded daily that starting a business requires a leap of faith, grit, and a high dose of optimism. In moments when you are feeling down, dig into what you are passionate about and share it with others, you never know when people will be ready to make an introduction or give you an opportunity, so seize it, the way ahead is never guaranteed but it is your dream, and you are the only one that can fight for it.

Embrace hurdles, tough competition, financial restraints, integrating family, and the humble process of creating a brand from scratch. In moments of doubt and anxiety, when goals and dreams appear out of reach, take one step, get into action, and look for possibilities. Remember that every step forward, no matter how tiny, will expose new strengths and opportunities, so keep your eyes open.

This journey called life has taught Rosemary the value of perseverance and resilience. She fervently believes that each setback presents an opportunity to learn and progress. Each achievement, no matter how small, serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished with hard work, compassion, and determination. The process of doing, of pushing beyond perceived bounds, unleashes opportunities, connections, and moments of learning, so don’t be afraid to reflect, fail, and do it all over again.

To anyone embarking on their own entrepreneurial journey, she encourages embracing a growth mindset. Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back. Start small if you must but start. Rosemary started her catering business with two people working for her. They began with small gigs and gradually grew to four, taking on larger ventures but staying true to her core team. The larger events brought in more money, and she paid her staff overtime. “You must have a vision” she shared. She trained her team members so well and with such attention to detail and knew early on that her greatest asset was her people. Offering overtime was an incentive, and they didn’t mind the extra work. She shares that one must trust in one’s abilities and in the process be prepared to “surprise yourself”. The road may be tough, but the rewards of discovering what you are truly capable of are immeasurable. Remember, you don’t realize what you can do until you do it, and “Three things to always remember...say 'please, thank you' and work, work, work!”