A Raleigh-based entrepreneur, writer and amateur photographer, I’ve always been one to follow my heart, take big leaps and see where I wind up. When you’re constantly looking for the silver lining, life isn’t so scary.
Back in 2013 I co-founded Dirty Larry Golf, what is now known as Dogwood Golf- an internationally distributed e-commerce golf training aid business with my husband, Dave and a few of his friends. While I knew little to nothing about golf at the time, I was excited about the prospect of building something from the ground up and seeing where we could take it. That startup journey taught me so much about myself, what fuels me, and what challenges me to be my best. And, yes, golf has become a true passion of mine over the years. The company is now run solely by Dave and me and has earned major endorsements from some of the top golfers in the world on the PGA, LPGA and Korn Ferry Tours.
In the summer of 2018, Dave and I set our sights on the brick and mortar side of entrepreneurship, opening our dream facility, Dogwood Country Club in the heart of downtown Raleigh, N.C. Dogwood is a boutique indoor golf facility and what we’ve coined an “urban country club.” We’ve poured our hearts and souls into creating a space that’s warm, welcoming and unique for every single person who walks through the door. While opening Dogwood allowed Dave to tap back into his passion for golf instruction, it’s also served as a means of growing the game of golf and allowed us to really connect with our community. I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of what our little golf club has become in just a short time.
All along the way, I’ve found myself consistently inspired to record our journey. And as I’ve figured myself out, I’ve leaned into writing and sharing the messages that matter to me most. Being a part of the startup world for so many years provided me with perspective and insight that I’m incredibly grateful for. I’m now a huge advocate for small business, shopping local and putting dollars where they mean the most. While a good bit of my focus falls on the beauty of every day from our life at home to marriage to business, you’ll probably notice that my values come through in my writing quite often. Growing up as the granddaughter of a preacher, Christianity has always played an important role in my life. In particular, I was raised to live out my faith through acts and good will. I’m huge on working with charitable causes, currently serving on the board for multiple local non-profits in the Raleigh area, as well as assisting in fundraising efforts for many others.
When we’re not on the grind, Dave and I live with our two dogs, Buster and Annie, and five chickens in a 100-year-old historic farmhouse we found a few years ago just outside of Raleigh. We purchased the home as a “fixer upper,” and have gotten a real kick out of renovating it in our spare time. We love to stay active and challenged, rarely sitting still. You’ll often find us cooking or decorating. And when our schedule allows, we’re passionate about travel, with a particular affinity for the South. After nine years together, we welcomed a beautiful baby boy in August of 2020. He has truly changed our lives for the much, much better and changed my perspective in the very best way. I couldn’t imagine life without him!
I hope this blog provides you with a sense of joy, confidence and inspiration to pursue what makes you happy.
