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This as-told-to essay is based on a deep and revealing conversation with Makena Finger Zannini, the innovative founder and CEO of The Boutique COO and Brick by Brick Collective. It has been meticulously edited for clarity and length.

Makena Finger Zannini's journey began in rural Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where she was raised in an extremely conservative evangelical community. Reflecting on her youth, she recalls, I knew from the time I was 5 or 6 that I didn't agree with the principles that I was being raised by. In this small town, where cows outnumbered people, her aspirations were limited. The societal expectations laid out for girls were clear: become a teacher or nurse, and then inevitably leave the workforce upon starting a family, just as her mother had done.

From an early age, she felt a strong desire to break free from these constraints. By the age of 10, she was already mapping out her escape plan, with college serving as her ticket to a different life. Makena dedicated herself to her studies, putting in the hard work necessary to earn a spot at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous business program.

Being at Wharton was a culture shock, she admits. Upon entering the school, she quickly realized the magnitude of her achievement. Many of her peers had been preparing for years to gain entry into this elite institution, a reality she found difficult to relate to due to her isolated upbringing. Having grown up with limited access to popular culture, she often struggled to understand common cultural references in conversations. Even now, at 29, she acknowledges, Theres a lot I miss. You cant make up for so much time spent away from mainstream culture.

Financially, Makena faced considerable obstacles. Her parents were unable to assist her with tuition due to their lower-income status. Thanks to financial aid and an array of student loans, she managed to cover most of her education costs, but she also took on multiple jobsoften juggling four or five at a timeto meet her living expenses. For four relentless years, her life revolved around work and study, with little room for anything else.

The perseverance paid off when she graduated and landed a job on Wall Street, earning a starting salary of approximately $80,000a figure that was beyond her wildest dreams. Even though she faced the burden of repaying $1,000 a month in student loans and surviving in the costly environment of New York City, the sight of a flourishing bank account filled her with awe and excitement.

However, the grind didnt stop there. Alongside her demanding role on Wall Street and later in a tech company, Makena began freelancing to secure additional income. This side hustle was not just a means to an end; it became a passion project that allowed her to pay off debts and bolster her savings. Yet, with her work week ballooning to nearly 100 hours, she reached a tipping point where she could no longer handle all the tasks alone. In October 2023, she made a pivotal decision to hire her first employee, marking the official launch of her business, The Boutique COO. Just nine months later, she took a leap of faith and left her day job to focus solely on her burgeoning enterprise.

Fast forward to today, and her company has grown significantly. With a team of around 120 employees, The Boutique COO generates over $3 million in annual recurring revenue. Additionally, she has recently expanded her portfolio by launching a second brand, Brick by Brick Collective, further solidifying her entrepreneurial footprint.

On a personal note, reaching the million-dollar revenue milestone was a moment of triumph for Makena. Her husbands sweet gesture of baking brownies decorated with $1 million icing became a cherished memory. Although she doesnt yet identify as a millionaire herself, she is optimistic about the future and feels she is on a promising path toward long-term financial security through her businesses.

However, her journey is not without its challenges. Despite her professional success, the personal side of her life remains complicated. She no longer communicates with her parents or three younger siblings, who are deeply entrenched in their evangelical beliefs. Their fundamental differences in worldview have created an insurmountable divide. Theres no way for them to accept me if I dont agree with them, she laments.

Makena emphasizes that her motivations extend beyond mere financial gain; she values personal fulfillment and mental well-being above all. While she does not feel comfortable in luxurious settings, her newfound financial stability has afforded her the ability to prioritize self-care. A significant aspect of this journey into self-discovery involves her decision to become a mother through surrogacya choice she sees as a means to carve her own path to motherhood, distinct from the traditional route she was shown growing up.

Although surrogacy carries a hefty price tag, Makena believes it is worth every penny. Its a way to take care of my mental health, she states emphatically, noting that this is far more important to her than material possessions like a second house or an expensive car. As she embarks on this new chapter of her life, she is excited about the prospect of raising a child alongside her husband and is optimistic about the family they will build together.