Trusting the Next Step
This month marks a milestone I never quite imagined would feel so… “weird”!
For the first time in almost 31 years, I’m working halftime at the Walton County Chamber of Commerce. After decades of full-speed days, packed calendars, and constant momentum, there’s now space—space to think, reflect, and truly feel the transition.
Today is the day it really sank in. I am home. No facilitation events. No team-building sessions. No travel. And while that might sound strange to some, for me it was simply… real. Not unsettling. Not uncomfortable. Just different.
My word for 2026 is Trust—and I can already see why.
Trusting that this path didn’t happen by accident.
Trusting that the timing is intentional.
Trusting that even when I can’t see the full picture, the next step is enough.
Starfish Partnerships didn’t come from a business plan scribbled on a napkin. It came from decades of lived experience—working with businesses trying to build strong teams, watching people struggle to truly connect and network in meaningful ways, and walking alongside chambers of commerce and nonprofit organizations that needed clarity around governance, strategy, and annual planning.
I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t.
I’ve seen boards that want to do the right thing but don’t always know how.
New executives stepping into leadership roles with passion, vision, and a quiet question of, “Am I doing this right?”
Teams with good people who just need better tools, stronger communication, and a shared direction.
Those experiences are the reason for Starfish Partnerships.
This next chapter isn’t about leaving something behind—it’s about carrying it forward in a new way. The chamber world shaped me and I feel ever so grateful to have had this career. It taught me about relationships, leadership, service, and community. Now, I get to pour those lessons into businesses, chambers, nonprofits, and leaders who are ready to grow, align, and move forward with confidence.
So yes, this season feels exciting. And yes, it feels a little weird. But more than anything, it feels right.
I’m learning to trust the pause. I will trust the process. And trust that when you’ve spent years building something meaningful, God doesn’t waste any of it…in fact I believe this was His plan all along.
One step at a time—trusting what’s next.
If any part of this story resonates with where you are right now, I’d love to connect. Whether it’s team building, strategic or annual planning, governance training, or coaching for new executives, sometimes the best place to start is simply a conversation. If this is you, here’s my calendar link for a discovery call: https://tidycal.com/teri1/discovery-call.