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Rebuilding My Dream Life and Business After Financial Loss: What I Learned

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Emily sitting in chair

Let’s be real: If this were a Hallmark movie, this would be the part where I tell you everything’s perfect. Everyone’s happy. The snow is falling gently on a big dream house, and we all live happily ever after. And truthfully? Some days do feel like that. But other days? They feel like real life. […]

Let’s be real: If this were a Hallmark movie, this would be the part where I tell you everything’s perfect. Everyone’s happy. The snow is falling gently on a big dream house, and we all live happily ever after.

And truthfully? Some days do feel like that.

But other days? They feel like real life.

This is Part 4 of my money story—and the most vulnerable chapter yet. If you missed the earlier parts, you can check out Part 1 here, Part 2 here, and Part 3 here.

What Really Happened After Losing $250K

After a legal issue with a client resulted in a $250,000 loss, my life changed—fast. And not in the way I’d planned.

We made the tough decision to sell our dream home in Austin.
I had to let go of incredible team members.
And we moved back to my hometown of Ohio—something I never thought I’d do.

It was a huge identity shift.

We were exhausted. Uncertain. Still healing. But at the same time, we were clear:
We needed support.
We wanted our daughter to grow up around her cousins.
And deep down, we knew Austin wasn’t our forever place.

Selling the house was emotional—we had poured so much into it. But it also turned out to be a blessing. The market had shifted. The value had gone up. We were able to use that capital to pay off part of what we owed.

That gave us breathing room.
Space to reflect.
And eventually… the clarity to rebuild.

What I Learned From Losing (and Starting Over)

Now, I don’t want this to be a blog about finances. But if you’ve ever felt like things were falling apart, I want you to know this:

1. You can negotiate your own debt.

2. People want to help. Ask for it.

3. You are not broken. You’re being rebuilt.

Everyone has a “messy middle” chapter. Whether it’s about money, health, relationships, or career—you’re not the only one.

And everything is figureoutable. I promise you that.

How I Rebuilt My Life and Business With Intention

In many ways, I got to start over.

Not from scratch—but from clarity.

I asked myself:

  • What do I really want now?
  • How do I want to feel?
  • What does excitement look like for me?

And slowly, that new vision began to emerge:

✨ I continued pivoting I Heart My Life to reflect my true desires
✨ I launched a new brand, To Be Ambitious, for powerhouse female founders
✨ I started dreaming again—bigger, bolder, and wiser
✨ I laid the foundation for the I Heart Money Certification
✨ And I rebuilt the I Heart Money course from the inside out

There wasn’t always a clear plan. Some days, I had no agenda beyond “just show up.” But I kept going.

Looking back, I see it so clearly now:

That breakdown was the beginning of everything I’d been calling in.

I Haven’t Repurchased My Dream House Yet… And That’s Okay

Here’s the truth: I haven’t repurchased my dream house (yet). I’m not at a 7-figure year (yet). But I’m not waiting for those milestones to feel powerful.

Because I’m building my dream life right now.

Every single day, I’m walking it.
And I’m excited about the now and what’s to come.

What Does True Wealth Really Look Like?

The other day, I told a group of women inside my Manifesting Money Masterclass something I want to share with you:

You deserve to be excited about your life.

Not just “someday.”
Not just when you hit a revenue goal.
Not just when everything looks perfect from the outside.

Now.

Yes, there will be ups and downs. (In my case, the downs lasted much longer than I expected.) But even in those seasons, I stayed excited—because I knew the struggle had purpose.

I was being prepared for something more.

I could’ve resisted it. I could’ve ignored it.
But instead, I owned it—and I chose to transform through it.

Want to Rewire Your Money Story Too?

This experience—the pain, the pivots, the growth—is the reason I completely rebuilt I Heart Money.

Because I’m not the same woman who created it seven years ago.
And chances are… you’re not either.

This version of I Heart Money is deeper, bolder, and built for women who are ready to:

💫 Heal their money story
💫 Rewire limiting beliefs
💫 Step into abundance with confidence
💫 Make and hold more wealth—without burning out

We begin this Sunday, June 1st—and you still have time to join us.

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🎉 Click here to claim your seat »

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ABOUT the Author

I’m Emily. I had a Tumblr blog back in the day, but this cooler. 

Over a decade ago, I found myself in a quarter-life crisis—broke, unfulfilled, and wondering when life was finally going to “get good.” What changed everything was learning how to follow my desires, shift my mindset, and rewrite the beliefs that were keeping me stuck. Today, I’ve built a multi–seven-figure brand, written a bestselling book, and coached thousands of women around the world to do the same.

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