We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aerial Guest. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aerial below.
Alright, Aerial thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment
The absolute best investment I’ve made has been in my continuous education and personal growth. It’s been a journey of realizing that the world around me is shaped by my thoughts, actions, and the people I choose to surround myself with. Transforming on a deep level means aligning my actions with my goals and the person I aspire to be.
My childhood was filled with trauma—abandoned by my parents raised in a very strict and controlled environment. I was heavily medicated and constantly told there was something wrong with me because I struggled with isolation. I was not permitted to see my family, be involved in school activities until high school when the principal finally took my side, celebrate holidays, or have friends outside of our religious circle. In essence, I was not allowed to have a normal childhood.
My teenage years brought further unimaginable pain, including multiple assaults, the loss of loved ones, and battles with depression that led to drugs that almost cost me my life. In early adulthood, I faced a challenging marriage that ended in various forms of abuse from my ex and his now-wife, an experience that nearly cost my daughter her life and had severe negative impacts on both of my children, some of which I still have to navigate until this day. I also found myself working for people who revealed their true, unpleasant nature behind closed doors—individuals who devalued my worth, exploited my skills, and preached leadership and self-development to the public while reacting with anger and jealousy when I embraced those principles. Some even used my children to instill fear, claiming they made sure my children were okay, rather than truly valuing and supporting me with genuine intentions.
And it was very much so in my investments of personal growth, where I learned I was surrounding myself with people who did not truly respect or value my time—or anyone else’s for that matter because I was not respecting or valuing myself. All these deeply challenging experiences taught me that my relationships and life circumstances were reflections of my inner world and what I was allowing. Recognizing that my reactions and feelings, were all choices that determined my outcomes was a massively pivotal lesson, guiding me toward resilience, self-awareness, and growth where I have been able to transform some of my relationships and even give me the confidence to walk away and not look back.
In hindsight, many people respond to deep hurt with anger, blame, ghosting, or lashing out. However, I have learned that true self-control, self-love, and self-value come from the strength to heal within. This involves gaining clarity beyond the pain and detaching from myself to see everything from a subject-object perspective. When I understand others’ perspectives, I replace anger with compassion, recognizing where they choose to remain stuck. I’ve learned that having hard conversations is often the healthiest choice. If those conversations lead to no positive change, I set tough boundaries or even remove myself from negativity, hoping that they eventually find their own path to self-awareness.
A crucial part of this journey has been learning to observe myself from a detached perspective. By noticing which traits emerge in response to certain people, I learn not only about them but also about myself. I ask questions like, “What are their goals?” “What excuses do they make?” “Are they willing to have hard converstaions and find solutuions?” “Do they hold me accountable or simply tell me what I want to hear?” “How do they talk about others when they aren’t in the room?” “How do they talk about themselves?” and “How do they handle criticism or conflict?” These reflections help me evaluate whether these relationships truly support my growth and align with my path. Ultimately, we define ourselves by the company we keep.
My biggest goal is to learn as much as I can and grow wise. I’ve learned that immersing myself in pop culture distractions or conversing with people caught up in constant drama won’t bring me closer to making a real difference or giving my children an actual childhood. True growth requires stepping back from distractions, isolating myself in a healthy way to ask, “What are my goals?” For instance, if my goal is to earn $5 million by 40, I must focus on building a plan with achievable steps—reading, seeking therapy, learning about business, crafting a strategy, taking action, failing, and learning from those failures so I can move forward stronger and face future challenges.
This mindset has transformed my life. It means developing genuine, authentic relationships with people who inspire me—understanding how they think, move, and structure their lives. By listening intently to their insights and learning from their experiences, I align my choices with my dreams. At 33, I run three businesses, homeschool and travel with my young children, and continuously build relationships that propel me toward bigger goals.
When I finally stood on my own, I made it my mission to invest in myself and educate myself—not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually. I focused on being a better mother, a better leader, and a better version of myself. Through reading and introspection, I discovered that true discipline and constructive isolation isn’t meant to be restrictive or abusive—but to create the foundation for freedom with balance, flexibility, and openness to new perspectives.
One surprising lesson is how much life mirrors our inner state. The people we meet are reflections of where we are on our journey. By stepping back and observing from a detached viewpoint, I see how my life unfolds through these relationships and experiences.
To truly grow, we must invest in learning, reading, observing, and self-reflecting, but also be adaptable enough to apply what we learn immediately. Personal growth is a continuous, evolving process that rewards those willing to invest in themselves. For me, the best investment has always been being a lifelong student.
Aerial , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Aerial, and my journey is a testament to living authentically, creatively, and with unwavering dedication. Every role I embody—mother, entrepreneur, community advocate—reflects my commitment to connection, empowerment, and genuine living.
How I Got Into My Industry and Craft
My pursuit of freedom and a deep love for business and wanting to create a world where people benifited from the simple fact that I never want anyone to ever feel any way that I or my children have been made to feel really led me to multiple ventures. Each business I’ve founded reflects a unique aspect of my personality and passions:
Short-Term Rentals: I combined my love for hospitality with a desire to create exceptional experiences for travelers. My properties exude comfort, elegance, and local charm, ensuring every guest feels at home.
So Socialite: Born from my passion for business, storytelling, and branding, this venture helps businesses articulate their identity and forge meaningful connections. By blending elegance with strategic insight, I craft narratives that brings business growth.
EC Squeezy: This playful, innovative business brings joy and is really my way of getting to project my happiness and love on to the world. Recently recognized as the Best on the Emerald Coast for 2024, EC Squeezy shares happiness through delightful products and services.
Mothers in Business: I created this platform to support mothers juggling entrepreneurship and family. It offers resources, networking opportunities, and leadership tips to empower women in their dual roles.
Additionally, as a Board Member of the Angel Force Foundation, I work to advance school safety through education and practical initiatives, ensuring children learn in secure, supportive environments.
What Problems I Solve
Across my ventures, I focus on creating memorable solutions that empower, inspire, and connect:
For travelers: I pair with other mother-owned businesses to make sure their home away from home blends comfort and charm.
For businesses: Strategic Marketing and Business Ideas that encourage a healthy growth enviorment.
For families and women entrepreneurs: Opportunities for growth, learning, and meaningful connection.
For communities: Initiatives that foster safety, resilience, and shared prosperity.
What Sets Me Apart
I take a holistic approach, blending business acumen with creativity, maternal wisdom, and authenticity. I’m not just building businesses; I’m cultivating connections, fostering joy, and creating spaces—physical or emotional—where people can thrive. I also use each venture to teach my children about business, life, and humility.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I am especially proud of:
Being continuously underestimated and 100% of the time blasting through.
Winning the Best on the Emerald Coast award for EC Squeezy in 2024, which celebrates the joy and community spirit it brings.
Empowering mothers through Mothers in Business, proving that motherhood and entrepreneurship beautifully coexist.
Contributing to the Angel Force Foundation’s mission to create safer schools and stronger communities.
Continuously learning through Harvard Business School Online and embracing my personal growth as a mother and entrepreneur.
Being the mom I needed and wanted, giving my children the childhood they deserve.
What I Want You to Know
At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to authenticity and helping others do the same. Whether you’re a traveler seeking an unforgettable stay, a business hoping to connect more deeply with your audience or grow/sell your business, or a mother balancing multiple roles, I invite you to join me on this journey of growth, empowerment, and shared success. Together, we can embrace the possibilities and create something extraordinary.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I believe my early life speaks volumes about my resilience. Experiencing severe trauma forces you to develop a flexible mind. Without that flexibility, a single tragedy can leave someone angry and stagnant for life.
We often discover who we truly are when our worlds are on fire. Tragedy strips away pretense and forces honesty. We all become who we choose whether that is for the better or for the worse and its in these moments, we face a choice: cultivate resilience or remain trapped in repetitive patterns. When challenges arise, our first reaction might be to ask, “Why me?” or to blame others, hiding from accountability. But sooner or later, whether we are the victim or not, we must face ourselves and ask, “How can I grow? How can I make my life better?” “What do I need to focus on to get to my goal?”
Resilience requires a no-excuse mindset. That doesn’t mean we won’t stumble—it’s natural to feel tired or experience setbacks there have been some commitments that I simply did not fall through on. But true resilience means trusting ourselves enough to know we cannot remain stuck. When we falter, we pick ourselves up and keep moving forward. If we’re exhausted, we get innovative. We learn to be creative—whether negotiating to delegate tasks in business or finding new ways to tackle obstacles.
Resilience also demands humility. It means taking accountability for our actions, being open to new perspectives, and respecting others enough to meet them where they are. By handling situations and people with grace, we maintain forward momentum.
No matter the challenge, treat it simply as a challenge. Step back and assess fully. Write down every possible solution, then test out different scenarios. If you don’t know how to tackle something, learn. It’s that simple: keep going, keep trying, and never stop moving forward.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My work ethic and consistency have been the cornerstone of my reputation. Consistency for me isn’t merely about showing up—it’s about arriving energetically, holding myself accountable, listening intently, and making the necessary changes to improve. Also accountability for when you dont show up or when you are having a bad day and you have to be honest about it. Equally important is ensuring my clients, customers, and guests clearly understand my expectations, communicated respectfully, as I strive to understand theirs. This mutual respect and open communication have been fundamental in fostering trust and consistently delivering exceptional experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sosocialites.com/aerialguest
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshine__elegance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aerial.guest/
- Other: www.sosocialites.com
www.ecsqueezy.com
Image Credits
http://joecarabeo.com For the first photo of me.