The 5 Things I Had to Sacrifice to Build The Mami Collective

(And Why I’d Still Choose It Again)

No one talks enough about what building something meaningful actually costs.

We love to celebrate the launches, the growth, the sold-out events, the community photos. But behind every “wow, look what you built” is a quiet list of sacrifices no one claps for.

The Mami Collective didn’t come from spare time or perfect conditions. It was built in the margins-during nap times, late nights, voice notes in the car, and a lot of internal negotiating.

Here are five real things I had to sacrifice to build The Mami Collective and why I still believe it was worth it.

1. Predictable Income

This one hits first—and hardest.

Building The Mami Collective meant stepping away from the safety of “guaranteed.” Predictable paychecks. Clear job descriptions. Knowing exactly what was coming in every month.

Instead, I chose uncertainty with purpose.

Some months were strong. Some months required faith, spreadsheets, and restraint. But what I gained was ownership. Ownership over my time, my ideas, and the direction of what I was building.

Security can be comforting. Autonomy is powerful.

2. Free Time (Especially the Kind That Looks Like Doing Nothing)

Rest looks different when you’re building something from scratch.

There were weekends where I could’ve unplugged…but didn’t. Evenings where I chose editing, planning, or answering one more email instead of zoning out.

Not because I had to. Because I cared.

I’ve learned that building a community often means holding space when no one sees it. And yes, that sometimes meant sacrificing mindless rest for intentional work.

(Not forever—but for a season.)

3. Being Palatable to Everyone

This one was sneaky.

Early on, I realized I couldn’t build The Mami Collective and stay universally liked. Speaking honestly about motherhood, ambition, money, identity, and burnout makes people uncomfortable.

So I stopped softening my edges.

I sacrificed being agreeable so I could be honest. I chose resonance over approval. Depth over mass appeal.

And in return, I found my people.

4. Doing Things the “Traditional” Way

There is a very clear blueprint for how women (and especially moms) are supposed to build things.

I didn’t follow it.

The Mami Collective didn’t grow through hustle culture or perfectionism. It grew through relationships, trust, vulnerability, and consistency. Through showing up before it made sense. Through experimenting publicly. Through learning out loud.

I sacrificed the comfort of the proven path to create something that actually fits real women’s lives.

5. The Version of Me That Played It Safe

This is the biggest one.

Building The Mami Collective required letting go of the version of myself who waited for permission. Who second-guessed every idea. Who kept her dreams small so they felt manageable.

I sacrificed safety thinking-for self-trust.

And that changed everything.

The Truth No One Tells You

Sacrifice doesn’t mean suffering forever.
It means choosing what matters most right now.

The Mami Collective may have cost me things, but it gave me community, impact, alignment, and a sense of purpose I couldn’t ignore anymore.

And I’d make the same choices again.

Every time.

If you’re building something of your own, let this be your reminder:

You’re not behind.
You’re not reckless.
And you’re not wrong for wanting more.

You’re just early.