ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 minutes

As the soulful voice of Miley Cyrus echoes in my mind—“There’s always gonna be another mountain, I’m always gonna wanna make it move”—I can’t help but reflect on the mountains I’ve climbed in my own journey as the owner and designer of SingleTree Lane. Her anthem, "The Climb," captures the essence of what it means to persevere, face setbacks, and embrace the process of growth. For me, this song is more than a melody; it’s a reminder to keep going, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

The story of SingleTree Lane is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering determination. Much like the lyrics of Miley’s song, my path has been lined with obstacles—failed relationships, personal heartbreak, trusting the wrong people, and learning the art of detachment. Yet, every challenge has carried a lesson, a disguised opportunity that has shaped me as a designer, a business owner, and a person.

“Ain’t about how fast I get there, ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb.” This lyric resonates deeply with me because my journey wasn’t about arriving at success overnight. Starting SingleTree Lane was a labor of love born from a desire to merge artistry, diversity, and purpose into wearable fashion. Early on, I faced setbacks that tested my resolve—delays in product launches, missteps with vendors, supply chain issues pre- and post-covid; and navigating the complexities of building a sustainable brand. These weren’t just professional hurdles; they were personal tests of faith, endurance, perseverance and trust in my own intuition.

Faith has been my anchor through it all. Designing the Faith-Based Collection, for example, was a moment of reconnection with the Divine. It wasn’t just about creating artful tops; it was about celebrating spirituality and diversity in a way that inspires confidence in others. Prayer became my compass, guiding me to the clarity I needed to make tough decisions—whether it was ending relationships that no longer served me or taking risks that felt aligned with my purpose.

One of my greatest lessons has been learning to let go. Healthy attachments and detachment are skills I’ve had to master. Letting go of toxic partnerships and friendships, releasing self-doubt, and even saying goodbye to old versions of myself were necessary steps to move forward. Each goodbye was painful, yet liberating, because it created space for growth, inward reflection and healing; as well as an opportunity to nurture and love SELF.

During my “hermit” period of isolation—stepping away from outside energies and a few toxic relationships—I found the time and space to fall in love with myself while doing something I had once feared: performing for the world on a global stage through social media. It’s not a path I would recommend to everyone, but in those moments of pre-planning, filming, and later watching myself in my own TikToks, my heart fully blossomed. I saw the light within, and to my surprise, I was overjoyed by what I saw.

These videos became my personal collection of what I now call my “music videos,” where I modeled my clothes and accessories (including shoes), danced, and acted out skits. I put myself out there, embracing every part of me—even the theatrical and melodramatic. Through this journey, I realized that I am worthy of all good things, including respect, loyalty and love.

“Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose, but it’s not about how fast I get there.” Loss, in all its forms, has been a part of my climb. But through every loss came an opportunity to rebuild...to rise from the ashes so to speak.  Another collection, I'm very proud of is our Gold Label Collection. This upscale collection of limited artful tops was born out of a desire to redefine quality, incorporate art that inspired me while fostering sustainability after facing production challenges in early 2024. It was a testament to the strength that comes from turning setbacks into triumphs.

Today, I wear my scars like badges of honor. They remind me that the journey—the climb—is where the magic happens. I’ve fallen in love with the process of building something meaningful, learning to trust myself, and embracing every twist and turn along the way. Through SingleTree Lane, I strive to share this message: that with faith, resilience, and purpose, you can rise above any challenge.

And as Miley so beautifully sings, “Keep on moving, keep climbing, keep the faith.” That’s exactly what I intend to do. One wearable art piece at a time.