After 22+ years in the creative industry, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about what you build, it’s about who you bring along for the ride.

I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to be a mentor. It was a natural evolution. I’ve mentored over 30+ event planners through a program built on trust, transparency, and real talk. I founded The Signature CEO Conference, launched a national association, and stepped onto stages to share the wisdom I’ve earned, not just the wins, but the messy middle too. Even in casual one-on-one chats, I’m an open book. And when I don’t have the answer? I connect people to someone who does. Because that’s what leadership looks like.

Here’s the truth: I don’t gatekeep. I guide.

As a seasoned industry leader, I know that sharing what I’ve learned doesn’t diminish my value, it multiplies it. My style is mine. Yours is yours. And that’s the beauty of it. Our uniqueness sets us apart, but our shared knowledge strengthens the entire industry. When we exchange ideas, we raise the bar for professionalism, creativity, and excellence.

But let’s talk about the elephant in the ballroom: gatekeeping.

Yes, it exists. There are folks who clutch their knowledge like it’s a secret recipe locked in a vault. They fear that sharing will somehow empower their competition. So, they stay in their silos, whispering strategies behind closed doors, afraid to let anyone peek behind the curtain.

But here’s the thing, great leaders don’t hoard wisdom. They hand it out like confetti.

They share their wins, their flops, their “what-was-I-thinking” moments. Because they know that entrepreneurship can be lonely, and locking away knowledge only makes it lonelier. Sharing creates connection. It builds community. It opens doors to opportunities that benefit not just the individual, but the brand and the entire industry.

Gatekeeping doesn’t just hurt feelings — it stunts growth.
When leaders choose secrecy over support, they create an environment of fear and scarcity. New talent feels unwelcome. Innovation slows down. Collaboration becomes a risk instead of a reward. And worst of all? The industry starts to feel like a competition instead of a community. Gatekeeping breeds distrust, discourages diversity of thought, and keeps the same voices echoing in the same rooms. It’s like trying to grow a garden but refusing to share the water. Eventually, everything wilts. We need fresh ideas, fresh energy, and fresh perspectives, and that only happens when we open the gates and let people in.

But when we choose openness? Magic happens.

Sharing makes people feel seen, valued, and empowered. It says, “You belong here. Your growth matters.” And that kind of energy is contagious. Friendships are formed over shared stories, not guarded secrets. Communities are built when people feel safe to ask questions, take risks, and show up as their full selves. When we open the gates, we don’t just create opportunities — we create connection. And in an industry that can often feel isolating, that connection is everything. It’s the heartbeat of a thriving, inclusive, and forward-moving creative space.

So, when you see me on stage, hosting a conference, or mentoring a planner, know this: I’m not giving you the CliffsNotes. I’m giving you the full story. Raw. Real. Relatable. My hope is that something I share sparks a shift, a breakthrough, or even just a little more confidence in someone listening.

My advice to fellow entrepreneurs?
Surround yourself with people who share. People who build bridges, not walls. People who believe that success is sweeter when it’s served family-style. Because when we all adopt a mindset of openness, entrepreneurship stops feeling like a solo mission and starts feeling like a movement.

Let’s stop gatekeeping. Let’s start growing together.

“Gatekeeping may protect your ego, but sharing protects the future. Real leaders don’t build walls — they build legacies.”