Celebration isn’t optional in business; it’s a leadership skill that drives growth, optimism, and resilience. When you’re growing or scaling a company (especially as a Black woman who has carried trauma), celebration becomes a strategic advantage – it trains your brain and your team to see what’s working and stay motivated when everything feels heavy.
I learned this firsthand when I became a mother at 16. I had my son while I was still a child myself. There was a good deal of support, but there was certainly an undertone of shame (from family, community, my own inner critic) about becoming pregnant so young. Today, as I watch my son turn 19, prepare for college, and live a pretty joyful life, I see clearly how celebration shaped the way I lead and build.
Celebration isn’t just about acknowledging milestones. It’s the intentional practice of marking progress, honoring your growth, and claiming space for joy, even when circumstances have been painful. High-achieving women (especially those who have survived trauma) often push celebration to the bottom of the list. You might take a vacation or buy yourself something nice once in a while, but a regular, meaningful celebration probably feels like a luxury. The reality is, it’s a life skill that strengthens you and your business.
When you consistently recognize progress, you train your mind to focus on evidence of good. This isn’t about ignoring problems. It’s about preventing the hard moments from erasing everything that’s working. Practicing celebration builds optimism. When you highlight what’s improving, your brain starts looking for more of it (this is how cognitive conditioning works). Over time, this mindset strengthens resilience, fuels motivation, and helps you create the business and life you actually want.
Some people call this manifestation, others see it as neuroscience; either way, your brain responds to what you emphasize. If you only focus on what’s broken, your mind will keep finding more of it. If you look for progress (even the smallest wins), your brain builds new pathways that help you stay solutions-oriented.
When my son was born, it would have been easy to see only the struggle. Even with help, raising a child as a teenager felt impossible, but in the middle of that, I chose to see the opportunity to love him well while I learned what loving myself looked like and create moments of joy and peace that he could grow into.
Building a business isn’t different – most entrepreneurs solve problems because they’ve experienced pain firsthand. You probably started your company because you believed something better was possible. As you grow and face new challenges, it’s easy to forget how far you’ve already come.
That’s why celebration matters. When business feels exhausting (just like parenting often does), you need to stay connected to what’s working. Recognizing and celebrating milestones keeps you grounded, clear-headed, and committed to the vision you started with.
This isn’t about ignoring areas that need work. It’s about claiming the full picture. Look honestly at what isn’t working, set goals, make plans, and execute. While you do that, remember what you’ve already overcome. Confidence grows when you name your victories without shrinking.
I’m proud of the ground I’ve covered as a business owner and a mother; a good part of that progress came from choosing to celebrate. It kept me clear-minded and hopeful, and gave me the strength to keep building, even when everything felt hard.
What have you achieved that you keep minimizing? What would change if you started celebrating it without apology?
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