This Is Becoming Real
I thought this would be a good week to give an update on Serene Efficiency because a lot of exciting things are happening behind the scenes, and it’s starting to feel like we could be going live before too long — it’s starting to feel very real. And I have been very busy, so instead of researching this week, I wanted to just give an overall update on the progress of Serene Efficiency and life in general!
As many of you know, I left corporate finance after 15 years. Since then, I’ve been working full-time driving as a flexible income source — while building this business in every pocket of time I can find.
And here’s the part that surprises people: I am happier than I ever was in corporate. I’m also making more per week than I did at my last place of employment. Some days are slow. Some days are crazy good. It evens out. But overall, I’m making more per week than I was when I was employed.
There are slow periods throughout the day that allow me to work on my laptop. Sometimes I can even go home between deliveries and work on the business. It has turned out to be the perfect bridge for this chapter of my life. It’s not glamorous. But it works for me — for now. Over the last few years, I’ve learned that money alone isn’t even close to the most important thing. Thankfully, I have a partner who believes that too.
For the first time, I feel like I’m intentionally building something I’m passionate about instead of constantly feeling like I’m surviving something. That is an unexplainable feeling.
What Has Been Built So Far
Serene Efficiency is no longer just an idea.
Since the week I came up with it, I started building.
• The LLC was registered and EIN obtained immediately.
• The logo and brand identity were completed early on.
• The mission, vision, and core values are clearly defined.
• Portfolio materials are assembled — operating statement, terms & conditions, privacy policy, etc.
• The base workshop structure is fully outlined.
• The core curriculum is written and ready to be tailored per company.
• Interactive exercises and activities have been developed.
• Pricing tiers are structured
• A questionnaire the customer will fill out to start the quote process, so I can give a customized bid, based on their customized workshop
• I built a bid template based on the questionnaire.
• Post-workshop surveys for both employees and leadership are prepared.
• Professional letterhead is ready for print (thanks to my cousin).
• A business checking account is set up and expenses are being tracked for proper reporting.
• Including the LLC in my taxes for 2025 (my taxes are complicated because of like 7 different reasons 🤦♀️)
• Initial conversations with potential clients have taken place — and I believe I have a first booking ready once I finalize launch.
In addition, over the last few weeks I have been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. They recognize individuals who have overcome adversity and created meaningful impact. I’ve also been approached about speaking at a few events — nothing finalized yet, but enough to confirm that momentum is building.
The foundation of the business is built. Now it’s about execution.
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
— George Eliot
What Serene Efficiency Actually Does
Serene Efficiency provides brain-based workplace education that helps leaders and employees understand how mental health conditions affect behavior, communication, and performance — and equips both sides with practical strategies to improve culture, accountability, and results.
We help companies:
• Educate and advocate around mental health disabilities
• Understand how mental health shows up at work
• Improve communication between leadership and employees
• Reduce burnout through awareness and structure
• Build leadership strategies rooted in understanding, not assumption
• Strengthen performance without ignoring the human element
• Additional topics can be added, such as Domestic Violence, Addiction, Suicide Prevention, etc.
This is not therapy. I am not a licensed mental health professional.
This is workplace education grounded in lived experience — including recovery, leadership roles, and independent study — combined with practical business understanding. I’ve experienced both the employee side and leadership side. I know how businesses operate, I know what it feels like to have major mental health challenges impact performance, causing my life to be turned upside down…. multiple times.
Serene Efficiency emphasizes shared responsibility — where both leadership and employees meet in the middle to build healthier communication. Too often, someone struggling with mental health is labeled incompetent. In reality, they may need different communication, clearer expectations, time off, support, or simply understanding.
Misunderstanding costs both employees and employers.
There aren’t many businesses doing this — which is exciting and, if I’m being honest, a little intimidating. Building something in a space without a clear path takes time. It requires continued education, trust-building with my potential clients, and patience.
About 90% of the feedback I’ve received has been incredibly encouraging. The other 10% simply don’t fully understand the vision or the need for mental health diversity in the workplace. However, every person I have spoken to that has been in that environment, has thought it is a very needed service.
Not every company is ready for this conversation. But the ones who are? They seem eager. And that feels good.
Working with My Cousin
This progress has not happened alone.
My cousin, Brandy Alexander (Sunflower Audio Post Productions), deserves a huge shoutout. Her services have essentially been donated at this stage — something I do not take lightly.
She has helped with website development (which is very close to being launch-ready, where I can prep it, and looks amazing), branding, graphic design, and will be editing advertising content. Bringing her into this process has accelerated progress more than I can measure.
We’ve been communicating often, brainstorming, and refining ideas. We are not scrambling — we are preparing slowly and intentionally. Since I am working full-time, and we both have so much in life happening, I am not putting an expectation on the time (within reason). And actually the progress I believe is impressive, considering everything.
To hire a professional at this level would cost tens of thousands. She has helped make this feel more real and like a business that can be reached. She has eased doubts when they creep in. She believes in the vision as much as I do — and that means more than I can explain. And now she has agreed to stay assisting with the business more long-term! If someone had told me a year ago I would be building a mental-health-focused education business with a family member, I would have laughed to tears.
It’s amazing how much can change in a year.
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.”
— George S. Patton
What’s Next
At this stage, we’re refining and finishing final touches.
• Finalizing the website
• Completing workshop materials and handouts
• Networking with local businesses and HR departments
• Preparing advertising content
• Continuing to order materials and supplies for workshops
• Preparing for the first official workshop
And as I said, I am not naive, and know that it will take time for the business to grow. It will take time to grow to a place where there is consistent and material revenue — and I’m prepared for that.
This isn’t a quick-profit idea. It’s long-term impact work. It’s a, “what is my purpose in life” type of situation.
And until it scales, I’ll continue doing what I need to do to support it — even if that means earning significantly less in the short term.
Strong. Grounded. Motivated.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
— Frederick Douglass
Long-Term Vision
Right now, Serene Efficiency is focused on businesses. However, the vision has always been bigger.
Over time, I hope to expand into schools and rehabilitation centers — bringing education and awareness earlier in the cycle regarding mental health, addiction, and domestic violence.
I would also love to help improve access to recovery and mental health resources in Northwest Arkansas. Possibly partner with someone to provide more accessible meetings, more recovery housing, and more community education. There are a lot of gaps in NW Arkansas — and it’s an area that needs attention!
But that growth must begin with a sustainable business and steady income flow — so those resources can eventually expand into the community. This was never meant to stop at corporate workshops.
And that is still the plan.
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
Closing: Proud of the Progress — Momentum Is Increasing
For years after graduating college, I tried to fit into businesses that didn’t fit my personality — and it caused years of quiet misery (sometimes loud).
Now I’m building something that fits me. We’re almost ready. The outlook is real. The feedback has been strong. The need is clear — especially in certain industries.
The next step is walking into businesses with a letter, flyer, and card — and learning how to confidently sell something I genuinely believe in.
I am proud of how far this has come in such a short time.
I am proud that I didn’t back down when it felt risky, when it still feels risky.
I am proud of the growth — personally and professionally.
I am proud that I am still standing.
This business isn’t just about revenue. It’s about purpose. Redemption. Alignment. Building something that matters.
And maybe — just maybe — it opens doors I haven’t even imagined yet.
We’re just getting started!
Thank you to everyone who has supported me over these last few years and continues to support me while I figure out exactly what I’m meant to do.
Talk next week! 😊
New Business Card:
Educational Flyer:
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