Beyond the Brand — How Personal Style and Self-Belief Shaped Honey + Hue
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When I think back to the roots of Honey + Hue, I realize it didn’t start with a business plan or even a design concept. It started with a feeling — the quiet desire to be seen, to feel worthy, and to help others experience the same. That feeling was shaped by a lifetime of lessons, challenges, and moments of personal growth.
I come from a working-class family, where the women in my life carried the weight of expectations. My maternal grandmother grew up on a rural farm, in a house with dirt floors. My paternal grandparents ran a tiny counter-service restaurant for over 50 years. The women in my family had grit, resilience, and an unshakable work ethic — but they also lived in a time where their roles were rigidly defined. My paternal grandmother even ironed my grandfather’s and father’s underwear because that was what was expected of her.
I learned the value of hard work from these women. But I also learned that the world had different expectations for women — to be everything for everyone, to smile through the struggles, and to hold it all together without complaint. And while I am deeply grateful for my roots, I’ve also spent much of my life unlearning those expectations and discovering my own identity beyond what I was taught.
Finding My Voice: The Journey to Self-Belief
Growing up, college wasn’t part of the conversation. You finished high school and started working. I worked my way up through sheer determination, eventually becoming an executive director. But even as I climbed the career ladder, I struggled with self-doubt. I remember the sting of a message from a high school friend who, after hearing about my success, said, “Wow, I never thought you’d do anything or be anyone.”
That comment stuck with me for a long time. I felt like a fraud — like my achievements weren’t real, and I didn’t deserve my success. It took time, reflection, and a lot of self-compassion to realize that my worth wasn’t tied to other people’s opinions of me. My value comes from who I am, not what I achieve.
One pivotal moment came when I was asked to lead a major hospital commissioning project — something I’d never done before. I was terrified, sitting in my boss’s office, wondering if I could handle the challenge. But I realized something in that moment: I could spend my life doubting myself, or I could take a leap and see what I was capable of.
So I took the leap. And that hospital project became a success story — completed ahead of schedule, under budget, and fully operational from day one. It wasn’t just about the achievement; it was about proving to myself that I am enough, just as I am.
Personal Style as a Reflection of Self-Worth
My personal style journey mirrors my evolution in self-belief. In high school, I chased name-brand clothes to fit in and gain social capital. Later, in my corporate career, I dressed to prove myself — choosing polished, no-fault outfits that sent a message: I am capable. I belong here. I even told one interviewer, “I might be the least experienced, but I will work harder than anyone else and learn faster than anyone else.” That mindset carried me far, but it wasn’t until I left the corporate world that I truly found my style.
Now, as a business owner, I dress for me. I wear what makes me feel good — cozy, casual pieces with pops of color or empowering statements. I want my clothes to reflect who I am and what I stand for. If I can wear something that makes someone smile or brings a little light into someone’s day, that matters to me.
The Heart of Honey + Hue
Honey + Hue is more than a clothing brand. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to conform to anyone else’s expectations. We don’t need to hustle for our worth or prove our value to anyone. We are already enough.
Every piece of clothing is designed with that message in mind. Whether it’s a hoodie with an empowering statement or a sweatshirt that makes someone smile, Honey + Hue is about creating a moment of grace and self-acceptance. It’s about reminding women that they have a right to take up space, to be seen, and to embrace their worth.
Because I’ve been there — sitting in rooms, wondering if I was enough. And I’ve learned that we all are. No matter where we come from or what we’ve been told, we all deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to know our worth.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not enough — that you need to achieve more, look better, or prove yourself to be worthy — I hope Honey + Hue can be a small reminder that you are already enough. Your journey, your style, and your voice matter. And you deserve to be seen, just as you are.