LyraVega wasn’t born from one single idea or event but from a series of “yes, this is where we’re meant to be” moments. It was the result of saying yes to the right opportunities and no to the wrong ones, again and again. It was built on hard work, mistakes, failures, and perseverance.

I always knew I wanted to do my own “thing.” I didn’t know what it would be, but I wanted it more than anything. I tried—and failed—over and over again. To those around me, it seemed inevitable that I would fail and my chances were running thin.

Eventually, I felt I was getting too old to keep chasing dreams, so I took a corporate job and moved to D.C. I assumed that someone like me wasn’t good enough to have their own thing and needed to work for someone else.

For seven years, I gave up on my dream—until I couldn’t ignore it any longer.