Before they were business owners, creators, and community leaders, they were girls with crooked ponytails, big dreams, and zero idea where their lives would take them. For this special feature, each woman brought a favorite photo of her younger self—the school picture, the snapshot, the moment where her personality already sparkled. We invited them to consider two questions—what they’d tell that younger girl now, and the experiences that most shaped who they are today—and the reflections that followed are funny, tender, and honest; proof that the path to wisdom is rarely straight, but always worth walking.
Dr. Deanna Tang, Executive Director, Huntington Learning Center Laguna Niguel
Looking at that photo of myself as a shy two-year-old, I see a quiet, observant child who was always a little hesitant to step forward. Throughout school, my teachers often wrote the same note on my report cards: she needs to break out of her shell.
If I could speak to that little girl, I would tell her that her voice matters. Ask the question. Be curious. Do not be afraid of making mistakes because that is how we learn and grow. I would remind her not to shape herself around the expectations of others, but to discover who she is and move forward with confidence.
Kelly Leonardi, Owner, Blue Moon Pilates
Trust yourself and the path unfolding before you. Even the hardest seasons and unexpected beginnings will shape who you’ll become.
Motherhood, while navigating a professional dance career and eventually leading my own business and passing on the integrity of Joseph Pilates to future generations, has shaped me deeply. These experiences taught me love, resilience, and the importance of building supportive communities.
Heather Chee, Founder & Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Stylized Threads
I would tell my younger self to trust herself and to trust the quiet wisdom within her. Life unfolds in ways we cannot always see or understand in the moment, but every experience is gently guiding her toward who she is meant to become. Even the difficult seasons carry purpose, shaping her strength, compassion, and resilience.
I would remind her that the path ahead will ask her to grow in ways she can’t yet imagine, but each step will lead her closer to the life she’s meant to live. One day, she will look back and realize that every moment of faith, perseverance, and self-trust was preparing her to step fully into her purpose as a woman, a leader, a wife, and a mother.
Jena Minnick-Bull, Executive Director, Founding Partner, South Coast Conservatory
Your degree may be a foundation, but your curiosity is your superpower; don't be afraid to ask the 'dumb' questions now. Trust that the discipline you learned in the dance studio since age eight has already given you the grit you need to lead, even when you feel like the youngest person in the room.
Most importantly, remember that you don't have to 'arrive' by 30—life is a long, beautiful performance, and some of your greatest intellectual and personal triumphs won't even begin until your forties. Build your life on the strength of your relationships, because those connections will be the safety net that allows you to fly.
Jaqueline Parent, Owner, Orange County Party Rentals
I would tell my younger self to trust myself and my instincts more. Early on, I often looked outside for validation, wondering if I was making the right decisions or if I should follow the advice of others. Over time, I realized that intuition is built through experience, and learning to listen to that inner voice has been one of the most valuable tools in both business and life.
Buying a business and being able to transform it has been the experience that shaped me the most. Entrepreneurship forces you to grow in ways you never expect—you learn resilience, how to make difficult decisions, and how to trust your instincts. There were moments that tested me, but those challenges ultimately shaped the confidence and clarity I have today.