When You Bet on Yourself — Everything Changes
There are moments in life when you don’t just participate — you commit.
Fully. Relentlessly. Even when it’s uncomfortable.
This past season of my entrepreneurial journey was exactly that.
I made the decision to enroll in two intensive business programs at the same time — something most people advised me not to do. It was demanding, exhausting, and at times overwhelming. But deep down, I knew one thing: growth doesn’t come from ease — it comes from intention and action.
Renaissance Lead Flow — And Winning a Top Scholarship
I was honored to be selected as a top scholarship recipient and winner in the Renaissance Lead Flow Program. This wasn’t just a course — it was a mindset shift. Lead Flow forced me to look at my business differently: how I show up as a leader, how I make decisions under pressure, and how clarity fuels momentum.
The program pushed me to refine my vision, strengthen my strategy, and step into my role as a founder with confidence and precision. Winning that scholarship wasn’t luck — it was validation that the work, the consistency, and the courage mattered.
Santander Cultivate Small Business — In Collaboration with Babson College
At the same time, I was also selected for the Santander Cultivate Small Business Program, delivered in collaboration with Babson College — one of the most respected institutions for entrepreneurship in the world.
This program was transformational.
Santander Cultivate doesn’t just educate — it empowers. It provides small food businesses with world-class education and access to generous grant opportunities of $20,000+. For founders like me, that kind of support isn’t just helpful — it’s catalytic.
The curriculum was rigorous, practical, and deeply relevant. From financial strategy and operations to growth planning and leadership, it offered real tools for real businesses — not theory, but execution.
Doing Both at Once — The Hardest, Best Decision
Balancing two demanding programs simultaneously while running a business was one of the hardest things I’ve done. There were late nights, early mornings, and moments when I questioned my limits.
But here’s the truth I learned:
You don’t find time for what matters — you make time.
I showed up. I did the work. I stayed disciplined. And I didn’t quit when it got uncomfortable.
And it paid off.
Why This Matters — For All Small Businesses
Programs like Renaissance Lead Flow and Santander Cultivate Small Business are not just educational platforms — they are lifelines. They provide guidance, direction, mentorship, and financial opportunity to founders who are willing to put in the work.
They remind us that we are not alone in the journey. That support exists. That excellence is cultivated. And that when institutions invest in small businesses, entire communities benefit.
Proud. Grateful. Just Getting Started.
I am deeply proud of myself for committing fully, for stretching beyond comfort, and for proving that discipline and belief create momentum.
This chapter reminded me of something powerful:
When you invest in yourself, the return is inevitable.
To Renaissance Lead Flow.
To Santander.
To Babson College.
To every founder grinding quietly behind the scenes.
This is what growth looks like.
And this is only the beginning.
If you are interested to apply here are some links to these programs:
https://www.renaissancesbs.org
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