Living the Dream: Kelly Arms

Glorious. That’s how it feels to be chasing your dreams.

Now that 2023 is here, it’s important to take some time to think about life. Assess your goals, dreams and happiness. While I spend a lot of time focused on the future, I know you have to sometimes look back at what got you here. What happened? How did you respond? The most important part is to find ways to grow from the answers to those questions.

When I think about 2022, there is one giant elephant in the room. Since 2012 my family put it all on the line and has made countless sacrifices to launch a new business in Washington’s cannabis industry. In 2021, the financial investors for that business made a deal with someone else behind our back. They showed up one day and changed the locks, the bank accounts, security systems and seemingly gave away everything we had worked for.

At the time it felt like one of the worst things that could ever happen. We had sacrificed so much and tried so hard … for nothing.

But January 2023 marks one full calendar year since that happened and I no longer feel the same. In fact, I feel completely different. Don’t get it wrong, I will never forgive them. However, I am thankful to the universe for pushing me to grow.

The good news is that the universe knew what I was made of. It knew I was ready to move to a new level and take full control of my own fate. It knew I didn’t need to be making all those sacrifices for people who could care less about me. The universe knew I was ready for the next chapter.

It also knew what my team is made of. The Captain Yeti founding team members were all fired by the same business. They had to face the same reality as me. They risked everything to pack their bags and their family and move across the state to join me in the new adventure that is Captain Yeti.

That belief in yourself, and in your team, cannot be bought. It cannot be taken away from you. Like the quote says, “They can steal your recipe, but the sauce won’t taste the same.” The drive, the passion, the hard work and the love are the intangibles that can’t be replaced.

So, to anyone who is reading this and going through hard times, please know that the universe has a bigger purpose for you too. We all have to go through bad days, tough times and overcome problem after problem. But working through the problems is the only way toward growth. It is not easy, but it’s worth it. The universe puts you and everyone around you right where you need to be.

Now get back out there and chase those dreams, move those mountains and trust that the universe will guide you on the path to show anyone who doubted you just how glorious you are.