We met several times.
Shared stories.
Talked about fears, goals, values, and what it means to age with dignity.
For a while, it felt like the start of a partnership—one built on mutual trust and human connection.
And then, just like that, it shifted.
They let me know they were taking a different route.
In the world of home care, this isn’t unusual. But when you lead from the heart, it never feels routine.
This week, I almost welcomed a new client into our circle. Almost.
And while “almost” might sound trivial in the language of business, it carries weight in the language of purpose. Because in this work, people aren’t just leads or numbers in a CRM. They are families in transition. Stories in motion. Lives on the cusp of change. And when they invite you into that moment, it’s never just a transaction. It’s sacred ground.
So yes, it stung. I felt it.
Not because of ego, but because I gave them my all—my time, my listening, my best guidance—not to convince, but to serve.
And yet… they chose differently.
For a moment, I questioned myself:
Was I not persuasive enough?
Too patient? Not strategic?
Should I have followed up more assertively?
But then, a deeper truth emerged: When you lead with integrity, there’s nothing to regret.
I’ve been in this field for almost 15 years. I’ve seen the moments where deals close fast and others that slip away after weeks of rapport. And I’ve learned that the outcome doesn’t define the worth of the offering. Nor does it diminish the intention behind it.
Sometimes, people simply choose a different path.
Not because you weren’t enough.
But because something else felt right—for them.
And that’s okay.
Because leadership—real leadership—isn’t about securing every win. It’s about staying anchored in who you are, especially when the answer is no.
I’m sharing this not because it’s rare, but because it’s real.
Because so many of us in service-oriented industries carry silent disappointments. We debrief them quietly. We move on without applause. But each of those moments carries wisdom—if we let it.
So here’s mine:
I’m proud of how I showed up.
Proud that I never pushed, never performed, never pretended.
I was honest, human, and clear.
And that’s the kind of care I will always stand behind—whether someone says yes, not yet, or no.
To my fellow entrepreneurs, founders, and caregivers who pour yourselves into your work: remember this…
Not every relationship is meant to convert.
But every genuine connection is part of your integrity story.
Keep showing up.
Keep leading with heart.
Even when no one is watching.
Even when the deal doesn’t close.
Because in the end, that’s what makes your work worth doing—and your leadership worth trusting.
With heart, always,
Vanessa
