This is 30...

When I was 5 years old, I declared that I wanted to be President of the United States. I wanted to be an Olympic athlete, a teacher, a farmer, a reporter, a lawyer, a hockey coach, but most importantly, I wanted to change the world.

I spent most of my youth wishing that I were older.  When I was 15, I wanted to be 16 so I could drive. When I was 16, I wanted to be 18 so I could vote. When I was 18, I wanted to be 21 so I could drink. I never wrote goals. I never set a plan.  I constantly kept my eyes open for new opportunities and adventures and followed my heart.

Yesterday, I turned 30. I never actively wanted to be 30, ever. To be frank, I was petrified of 30. It always seemed so old. Yet, here it is. I feel exactly as young as I did at 20, and the first 24 hours of 30 have been some of the best hours of my life.

I don’t believe in New Year resolutions. I only believe in birthday resolutions. As I say goodbye to my 20s, I thought it was only fitting to reflect on the meaningfulness of the last decade and try something new - set some fun goals for my 30s. 

People don’t realize how important it is to stop and reflect. We get so caught up in everything happening in life that we fail to make time for others, make time for ourselves, and make time to be thankful and have gratitude for what has passed and what will be coming.

The beginning of my 20s was spent at Penn State. Penn State changed my life. I tried everything – Archery team, got an underage, went abroad. I interned at amazing companies, pursued international politics and public relations. My appetite for learning was insatiable. I was elected student body president of 42,000 people. It taught me the insanity of craziness and how to operate with grace and resilience. 

After Penn State, I moved to NYC. I got lost in NYC. I didn’t know whom I was or what I wanted to do. Your 20s are for finding yourself. I worked on Wall Street. I moved to a new apartment every year. I went on loads of adventures. I made friends. I fell in love.

At 25, I went to UVA for business school. I interned at an artisanal craft spirits company, Altamar Brands. Working for Altamar Brands taught me creativity, accountability, focus, sales skills, and an understanding of flavor profiles. 

At UVA, I started Lumi. A trip to Whold Foods inspired a dream. I wanted to change the way people consumed food. I was 27. 

With Lumi, I am learning that entrepreneurship can bring out the best or worst in everyone. I am a work in progress, but it has ultimately brought out my best. It taught me how to be empathetic, to communicate better, to not be afraid of difficult conversations, and to hold steadfast to a vision.

I have wanted to quit at many junctures along my Lumi adventure. Then, small miracles happen that give me reassurance.

To the stranger at the United States Department of Tax who helped me with an EIN number, listened to my Lumi story and said that Lumi was an awesome idea. Thank You! To my customers, thank you. To my Lumi team, investors, friends, family - Thank you. To my haters, I see where you’re coming from – Thank You.

Ultimately, I lost and found myself in my 20s. I learned our energy is completely fueled by the people with whom we surround ourselves and the state of mind that we choose to put ourselves. Good energy is contagious – surround yourself with awesome people and remember only you can create your own happiness. Don't let your circumstances define you. Define your circumstances. 

I learned that life and people are constantly changing. You may not see it, but take a moment to look back a few years. Be awed by every little thing that added up and brought you to the wonderful place you are now. Be grateful that things didn’t work out the way you wanted – I know I am.

Everyday I fall in love with being alive. We have one life to live – and I haven’t accomplished what I want to do yet. I haven’t changed the world.

I’ve done a lot, but here we go 30 - not only are you a fresh year – full of new chances and new experiences – but a new decade full of endless possibilities.

Highlights of my 20s by year:

2006 – When I turned 20, my driver's license was suspended for 60 days thanks to an underage that I received the summer of 2005. So, I decided to go study abroad in Salamanca, Spain. I was legal to drink there and didn’t need a car!

2007 – At 21, I was elected Student Body President of Penn State’s 42,000 undergraduates, sat on the Penn State Board of Trustees, and managed to talk my way into the Penn State Master’s in Media Studies program. 

2008 – At 22, I graduated from Penn State, traveled Europe with my best friends, moved to NYC, worked at Lehman Brothers and lived through one of the largest corporate bankruptcies in history.

2009 – At 23, I accelerated through the ranks of Wall Street and exceled at Barclay’s Capital.

2010 – At 24, Barclays Capital sent me to London, and I was going to move to London permanently to head up European analytic sales; however, Avenue Capital Group offered me a job – and I chose to stay in NYC. Dumb decision, but I knew if I moved to London – I wouldn’t come back.

2011 – At 25, I applied to business school because I disliked my job at Avenue Capital Group. I wasn’t changing the world. I got into UVA and moved to Charlottesville, VA!

2012 – During my 26th year, I worked for a spirits company called Altamar Brands. I fell in love with Tequila and entrepreneurship. It solidified my desire to start my own business.

2013 – At 27, I personally grew a tremendous amount. I started Lumi, graduated from business school, built a manufacturing facility, and bought a house. Life got real.

2014 – 28 was an exhausting year of my life. I structured Lumi’s first buyout and expanded the business to 25 states. I averaged 4 hours of sleep a night and worked 17 hours plus a day.

2015 – At 29, I expanded Lumi, restructured the business, scaled back and learned more about life, love, friendships, business, and myself. 

Goals for my Thirties:

1. Fall madly in love and start a family
2. Teach
3. Relax
4. Spend more time at the beach and the mountains
5. Write a book
6. Open a restaurant
7. Attend more sporting events
8. Throw more dinner parties
9. Run a 400 in 50 seconds again – and qualify for the Olympics – why the hell not?
10. Run for Office

Also, these aren’t my favorite songs of all time, but I went through and chose songs that bring me back to awesome memories that were released during each year of my life. If you follow me on Spotify – you’ll see the playlist 1986-2016.

To all of you 20 somethings – don’t freak out. Thirty is great. Trust me. Keep taking chances and having fun. 

Love yoU, Mean It - stay young. 

xoxo,

Hillary