August marks the beginning of my ritual—a quiet turning inward as I prepare for the new year ahead. It’s the season when I begin to look back, not just at the past twelve months, but at the echoes that stretch beyond them. I revisit the intentions I set, the goals I envisioned, and gently ask myself: Did I move toward them? Did they still matter?
But this isn’t a time for judgment. I’ve learned to release the binary of pass or fail. That kind of rigid thinking once clouded my self-awareness, and I’ve come to see how it can do more harm than good—especially to the emotional and mental landscapes we’re meant to nurture.
Now, I approach this reflection with softness and depth. Assessing goals must be a holistic practice. It requires honoring the emotional, physical, and mental states that shaped the journey. Because growth isn’t about ticking boxes or collecting accomplishments.
Resolutions, for me, are about evolution. They’re about shedding what no longer serves, and rising—bit by bit—into a higher version of myself.
One of my deepest gratitudes this year is the successful launch of my blog, Real By Nature, by JB. It stands as one of my most meaningful achievements—not because of the blog itself, but because of the intentions that breathe life into it.
I didn’t create this space for applause or visibility. I created it as a sanctuary for truth. A place where authenticity could stretch its limbs and speak freely. Where thoughtfulness, positivity, and depth could coexist. Real By Nature was born from a vision: to expand the soul of this brand into something that invites growth, nurtures self-awareness, and encourages others to look inward with courage. It’s more than a blog. It’s a reflection of my own evolution. And I've been honored to share that journey with anyone willing to walk alongside it.
As I’ve reflected on the growth of Real By Nature, I’ve begun to ask myself what more I want to create through it. From the beginning, I sensed that this blog would be more than just a platform—it would be the first step on my path toward entrepreneurship and personal freedom.I’ve long held the dream of building my own business, not just for financial independence, but for the liberation that comes from living in alignment with purpose. Yet for years, I wasn’t sure what shape that dream would take. I’ve always believed that for a business to truly thrive, it must be rooted in passion. Not just strategy or profit—but soul. And now, with Real By Nature, by JB, I feel that alignment beginning to take form. The vision is becoming clearer. The intention, deeper. And the journey, more my own.
One of the quiet battles I’ve faced on my entrepreneurial journey has been the fear of abandoning my career. I’ve earned both my Bachelor and Master of Science in Biology and Health Science, with a specialization in Microbiology. That path wasn’t easy—it was carved with discipline, sacrifice, and a genuine love for the field. And that’s the thing: I actually love what I do. Microbiology has always fascinated me—the way invisible particles shape our health, our environment, our very existence. It’s a science of the unseen, and that mystery has always pulled me in.
A few nights ago, I found myself in a soul-stirring conversation with someone who knows how to ask the kind of questions that linger. They asked me, “What is it about you that makes you love your job?” At first, I gave the polished answer—the one I’ve rehearsed for interviews. I spoke of my passion for studying microscopic life and its profound impact. But they paused, looked at me, and asked again: “Okay, I get that. But, what is it about YOU that makes you love microbiology?”
And I was stunned.
I realized I’d never truly asked myself that question. I’d always moved by instinct, by the feeling microbiology gave me, without ever tracing that feeling back to its source within me. That moment cracked something open. It reminded me that passion isn’t just about what we do—it’s about who we are beneath it. And sometimes, the journey isn’t about choosing between paths, but understanding how they intertwine.
It took time for me to truly grasp the question that was asked of me. At first, I couldn’t answer it. I couldn’t even comprehend what this person was really asking. But through reflection and honest conversation, the truth began to surface.
I love microbiology because it is boundless. It’s a field that never stops unfolding, never stops teaching. And I am, at my core, a student of knowledge. Learning is my lifeblood—it nourishes me, challenges me, fulfills me.But it’s not just about absorbing information. I also love to share what I learn—though in my own way. I don’t teach to persuade or to be followed. I inform to awaken. To help others become more self-aware, more curious, more empowered to evolve. My intention is simple: to inspire. To offer a nudge—a spark—that helps someone step outside the matrix of societal conditioning and into their own truth. Whether it’s through direct advice, the quiet power of personal testimony, or the subtle ripple of indirect inspiration— each moment of impact, no matter how small, is what I define as success.
Days after that conversation, I found myself still sitting with its echoes. And in that stillness, a revelation emerged—one that gently wove together my questions, my worries, and my wonderings into something whole.
This person reminded me of something I had forgotten to fully claim: That because of who I am, what I am, where I come from, and what I do—I carry a unique and powerful skillset.
I am a woman. A woman of color, raised in the heart of Dayton, Ohio—a city I love and that shaped me. I am a scientist, one who chose Microbiology not just as a career, but as a lens to better understand life, health, and the invisible threads that connect us all. I am a mother, devoted to sharing wisdom with my children and my community. I am a spiritual woman—divinely blessed, divinely protected.
That conversation stirred something ancient and new within me. It awakened a higher calling, one that allows me to weave together all that I love, all that I believe, and all that I’ve become.
So please—be patient with me as I continue to grow Real By Nature, by JB. This is only the beginning. There is so much more to come. And every word, every offering, will be rooted in truth, in purpose, and in the radiant unfolding of who I am.
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