Have the Courage to Say "Why Not?" & Become the Fire: Why I'm Thankful for Elisa Schmitz Become the Fire Books Tribe Talk Relationships Career Entrepreneurs

Holly Budde
a year ago

What I’m thankful for today (and every day) is a story that may take you some time to read. I’ll start with I’m thankful for my friend Elisa Schmitz.

Many years ago I was tired, stressed and an overworked mom of two young girls whose husband worked out of town. And because I didn’t have enough on my plate, I had just started commercial real estate training. I started a blog outside of real estate, talking about my adventures. Initially, it was exciting to me to be online and seeing what would happen. I love new adventures and certainly, way back then, blogs were new adventures. Writing after the kids went to bed was also therapy for me. One day I received a message to reach out to Elisa and write for her at her startup, 30Second Mom. My first thought was, "Who me?” But I did it anyway.

Courage whispered, "Why not me?"

To my surprise, she did reply! I’ve been writing parenting and real estate tips ever since, for the company that she has grown into 30Seconds. I am so thankful for that! But it doesn’t end there.

I am so thankful for such a strong support system helping me turn my attitude and our lives around! Elisa and my peers taught me I didn’t have to be perfect. I didn’t need to overthink my plans. They were all learning and growing, the same as me. In fact, failure was no longer just an option; it was almost wished for so we could pick up from the lessons that failure taught us and go again (as crazy as it sounds). We formed a bond of friendships completely online for many years – many of them are my best friends to this day – from all walks of life and phases of their journeys.

It’s because of that crew and Elisa herself, I can sit outside on the patio tonight bundled up reading Elisa’s book, Become the Fire, take this makeup-free selfie, and tell you how thankful I am for it, with confidence. It’s because of them I have been able to grow and be confident in my real estate career, parenting and my personal life. The “Why not me?” became my mantra.

Recently, Elisa met one of her goals: she published her first book, Become the Fire. She asked me to be part of her launch team. It’s amazing. She is amazing. I encourage you to read it. Flex your confidence muscle, too! Learn from her, and from the women she highlights throughout her book, that everyone is the same. Seizing the opportunity is the difference. Not birthright, Ivy League schools or rich parents, but effort! You can do it!

I am thankful today and every day for my 30Seconds family, friendships that have influenced me beyond my wildest dreams, and how they have impacted my life. I’m thankful for every meetup we have had, Twitter parties, failures, conversations, tips I’ve written and tips I’ve read, the courage all of that gave me in my real estate business here at home, my writing passion and the opportunity to be part of it! Elisa, when you read this, THANK YOU. You just have no idea.

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Comments (9)

Elisa Schmitz
This is beautiful, Holly Budde ! I am crying. You are the most amazing person. I’m so grateful that you believed in me, and in yourself, enough to start writing for 30Seconds those many years ago. You have grown with us, spread your wings with us, become bolder and stronger and wiser and more badass every year. It’s been a joy to watch you evolve and become such a powerful force to be reckoned with. If I’ve had some tiny part in inspiring you to bring out your amazingness, then I’m so very blessed. Thank you for sharing this. I am so grateful for you. Here's to many more years of growth and evolution, together! Love you, my friend! XOXO
Holly Budde
I’m not crying — you’re crying !! ❤️😂 I love you so much. What’s a ride ?!!
Thank you for your support for all these years and for all the badasses you introduced me
To, and that being part of #30seconds opened the doors to know and love you you all ! You guys are the absolute best — you’re the badasses I’m talking about ❤️❤️ Huge thank you and big hugs to Meredith Schneider Heather Travitz Heather Frey April Bowers Donna John Joan Poindexter Meredith Sinclair Ashlee Benest Dr. Christina Hibbert Demika Caldwell No Happy Accidents Cheryl Leahy Danielle Omar Samantha Kemp-Jackson Kaira Rouda Christine Wolf Teri Brown Kaira Rouda Dr. Josephine Dlugopolski - Gach Amanda Armstrong Allison Peacock Alysa Bajenaru Christie Gosch Lisa Henthorn Shannon Guernsey Coulter Annette Jett Annie Burnside Jan Sailors Annie Dillon thank you all for raising the bar for us as women , mothers &
professionals ! Just wow !! ❤️❤️💕
If I missed anyone it wasn’t intentional!! Comment below bc I love you too 💕❤️
Holly Budde
Thank you!! Let’s connect. I would
Love that
Ann Marie Patitucci
Love this, Holly Budde ! "Seizing the opportunity is the difference. Not birthright, Ivy League schools or rich parents, but effort! You can do it!" Well put! I try to convince my students of this all the time.
Holly Budde
You are the absolute best. I wish all teachers were like you. Honored to love you friend
Kaushik Palicha
Thanks for Sharing
bepositive
This community is so special. Thanks for sharing your story. I love this book too. 🙏🏼
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