Reflecting on 2023: A Year of What Would Happen If...

Wishing You A Happy New Year!

Every year, I set a goal to improve and work towards being the best version of myself. This year, I challenged myself with the theme of “what would happen if…”

What would happen if I took time for myself, stood still, focused on investing in myself, and walked away from everything draining? Life often distracts us from daily, weekly, and necessary commitments. For me, 2023 was about taking full control of my life, investing in myself and my family and driving positive change.

There is so much that goes into greatness and success. They require consistency, commitment, mental toughness, routine, and analyzing what works. That's been my 2023—a year of improvement! Including home improvements for our place in paradise.?

In 2023, I saw Chloe graduate eighth grade, enjoy her middle school Junior Prom and start high school. Jayden won a varsity soccer championship his sophomore year and made it to the Puerto Rico Track and Field Championships for a second year, and two weeks ago, he turned 16 and got his Learner’s Permit. He upped his AP course count to 3 for his junior year, and we recently launched JaydenMaillian.com, to showcase his sports and academic journey and achievements. This year, I looked up and saw my children as young adults. I saw my husband, Robert L. Palmer , take on new levels and echelons of his career as an Executive Health and Performance Coach while having an immeasurable impact on the major leaders who are his clients. He ensures they perform at their best and highest selves as ambitious executives and pillars of their families who strive for excellence. I count myself as a beneficiary of his coaching and my 2023 routine that set me up for success!?

This year brought personal and professional transformation. I prioritized myself and my vision with intentionality about how I wanted every area of my life to be lived. The process landed me exactly where I should be. This year, I left leading a nonprofit organization that I had? scaled to 5x revenue to intentionally be me. I became Cartier Women's Initiative 's DEI Jury President, took a company I invested in, Next.e.GO Mobile SE , public on the Nasdaq (and became the youngest woman to ever take a company public in a SPAC), was tapped to lead Hero Media Inc. as President, Digital Innovation, joined the Advisory Board at Overtime and closed my first private equity purchase of a $100M Black-owned hair care brand. I wanted to learn and master different areas professionally and I’m proud to say that this mission was more than accomplished.?

This year pushed my family and children to be their best. For the first time, I felt all of the advice I had ever received and given had been lived, tried, and triumphed over. Parenthood, my most important job, made me want to raise my standards and learn more as the world continued to evolve and change.

As a family, we traveled to Cartagena, Aspen, New York, San Francisco, Martha’s Vineyard, and spent 3 ? weeks in France and Monaco after attending Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity , creating unforgettable lifetime memories. We stayed home for? Christmas this year and explored the beautiful island we live on that’s affectionately known as La Isla de Encanto with a visit to Cabo Rojo and Rincon last weekend.?

If you’ve been following me for years, you might’ve seen me flow through single motherhood, 3X entrepreneurship, the emotional sale of my first business and the new frontiers that I would go on to explore in innovation, brand building and investing. Though many of you are also meeting me professionally more recently and might not know my entire story or why I do the things I do, and make the moves I make. But there’s something I want you to know that is important to me: respect, self-confidence, hard work and inclusive values guide me every single day to seize untapped opportunities and ensure my intentions are clearly achieved. These principles remind me that I’m worth it and that no mountain is too high.?

In 2023, by focusing on myself, I challenged myself daily for mind, body, soul, and career progress with a focus on peak performance. While not perfect, 2023 brought so many improvements and valuable lessons.

Entering this new year, I wish you the happiest holidays and a prosperous 2024!

I’d love to know 3 things you might wonder, “what would happen if… I did _____ every day?” It’s been life-changing for me, and I believe it can work for you too!

In 2024, efficiency will power my approach to building and doing more in business so that I can do good on my promise to not to miss precious family moments.

Here’s to the bold ones and the believers and another year of productive reflection!

All my best,

Lauren