WELCOME
to the
Member Soptlight

At 18, my life looked full of promise. I was an artist, a scholar-athlete, and a soccer player who had broken the school record for goals in a season. I had been accepted into the college I wanted and had scholarships available.

I also had a childhood filled with animals, creativity, outdoor adventures, and a father who made everything memorable. He was funny, adventurous, and larger than life.

​

Three months before my high school graduation, my dad died by suicide, and our home was destroyed. I was overwhelmed and had no idea how to process what happened. I stopped caring about school, didn't go to college, began partying and using drugs, and eventually faced arrests for underage drinking and drug possession.

Having my daughter changed the direction of my life. As a single mother, I worked hard to provide for us. There were times we relied on food stamps, food banks, and community assistance. I know what it feels like to be the person receiving help.

​

I eventually entered the trades, learning flooring and tile through trial, error, and mentorship. I taught myself industry standards, started Legacy Tile, built a strong reputation, and had my work published in the National Tile Contractors Association magazine.

After ten years, I realized I no longer wanted to be a tile setter. I moved into showroom sales, cabinetry, and design, eventually starting Trade Roots Cabinets & Design. The name reflects my belief that quality matters, even when no one sees what is underneath or behind the finished product.

​

My story is not about traditional success. It is about continuing to get back up, even when life feels impossible.

I have also experienced the loss of my grandfather, aunt, uncle, and several friends to suicide. Those losses have shown me how much people may be carrying beneath the surface. We know how to help with visible needs like food, clothing, and housing, but loneliness and hopelessness are often harder to see.

​

I support the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay because they answer suicide hotline calls in our community. I may not be able to change the whole world, but I can make someone laugh, offer help, give my time, or make someone feel seen.

​

That is what Rotary means to me. It turns a problem that feels overwhelming into small, meaningful actions that can make a difference.

​

Today, I am raising a daughter I am incredibly proud of, running a business I never expected to start, and living in a community I love. I am not finished, and I don't have everything figured out, but I can use what life has taught me to make my corner of the world a little lighter.

For now, that is a pretty good place to be.