A little back story: I never believed I deserved much from life. I was raised in fight or flight mode from a very young age. I didn’t think much about the future or possibilities that the universe held. Head down, careful not to make waves, always trying to make good choices and be a good person.

 

In my early twenties, I was fortunate enough to find a company that helped me grow as an individual and taught me how to run a business. I was the GM of a hotel for almost 14 years, and in that time, the hotel saw some of its highest key metrics. However, celebrating those successes did not come easily to me. I am not a fan of being the center of attention, nor did I feel like I’m a person whose accomplishments were worth praise. My peers, friends, and family would applaud my wins, but I always brushed them off. In my mind, my achievements paled in comparison to others. I, however, love to celebrate others’ wins. I love cheering my friends and family on. It brings me incredible joy to show up to their events, to praise and encourage them to celebrate their wins.

 

After years of managing, I began feeling antsy and I knew I needed a change. My husband and I decided to explore opening our own business. While we discussed different ventures, I found myself continuing to discredit my own abilities and knowledge. Those around me would press that I could and do possess the ability to own a successful business. I knew that no matter what challenges I may face in this endeavor, I am tenacious enough to make it happen. After much contemplation, I finally took the leap of faith and went for it.

           

I successfully built and opened the doors to my business in the middle of a global pandemic and people were loving it! I had never felt so accomplished or proud of myself. I had proven my own doubts wrong. My people were right; I can do this! 6 months and 1 day after opening those doors, a pipe burst, flooding my entire business. I was heartbroken and devastated; I knew this was a silly idea… However, I didn’t work that hard, to let this be the end. After 4 months, and almost an entire rebuild, we reopened. The people came back, and it’s been growing ever since. I couldn’t be prouder of it- again.

 

            Despite some of the experiences in my life, including the flood, I never stopped believing in the good. I am not a religious person, but I’ve always had an innate faith in something. I believe in good. I believe that if you put good into the world, it will come back to you; sometimes even twofold. During the initial build and the rebuild from the flood, so much good came to me. People offered their time or services, gave me feedback and insight, and shared their vendor contacts or business tips. My friends showed up and helped clean & set up before opening. These people were there when the doors opened, celebrating. For me. For my new dream, and they asked for nothing in return.

 

How could I let all these people believe in me more than I did? If you’re not going to believe in yourself, why should anyone else? So, I began working on my mindset; seeing the good even more, but also believing that I am good. I deserve for good to come to me. I started thinking more about what I wanted (and didn’t want) in my life, and I decided to go for those things. Why shouldn’t I? Why should I think I deserve any less than the next person? Why should I let the fear of failure or rejection stop me? Look how “unprepared” I was to start a business, and how hard I crashed when it flooded. So much good came from those experiences! So many people believed in me; how could I let others invest so much into me, without investing in myself?

 

 I leaned into things that brought me good energy and made me feel good, like hiking, trying new things, and quality time with my friends and family. I said yes to experiences and events that I’d normally feel out of place at because I didn’t feel like I belonged. I actively made an effort to feel less stressed about things that are out of my control. Control the controllable, as I always say. I began to speak things into fruition, and as silly as it felt, say those things aloud sometimes. I am manifesting a good life, a successful business, happiness, and health.

 

I recently said it aloud that I’d win a beautiful diamond at the Children’s Village annual benefit. For a split second when the words came out of my mouth I hesitated, I’m not going to win, that’s crazy! I quickly squashed that thought and replaced it with: “well of course I’m going to win, why wouldn’t I win?!” Then they called the winner’s name. I won. She pulled my name; I won the diamond!

 

My biggest takeaway from that evening wasn’t the diamond (while it is gorgeous!), it was that I believed in myself, in my worth, and that I deserve good things. I put it into the universe that I can win, too. I’m not talking about raffles or diamonds; I’m talking about life. There is absolutely no reason that you or I cannot win at life. Winning isn’t reserved for those who grow up wealthy or with perfect families. It isn’t reserved for only those with impressive athletic or academic abilities. We can all win; even those of us who’ve been dealt some bad cards.

 

 The key is believing you’re deserving of winning, of good, and of prosperity. It’s putting good into the world and welcoming it back to you. In my opinion, welcoming winning means lending a hand even if it’s inconvenient. Sharing a kind word to a stranger or doing the dishes because your partner is exhausted. It is leaning into all the little things that scare you, but you really want to do. It’s trying a little harder and giving a little more, even if sometimes you feel like the only one trying.

 

Go for it. Do the things that scare you a little. Be a good person. Go out of your way to make things a little better for someone else. Believe in yourself. Manifest good and prosperity, speak fruition into the universe, and watch how much good comes back to you.

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Blog written by KCYP Member Ali Krupp

"I'm Ali Krupp, the owner and founder of 32 Below Frozen Yogurt & More! We're a self-serve frozen yogurt shop that also serves up beer, wine, boozy floats, food & more! My husband and I were both born & raised in North Idaho and we enjoy everything this area has to offer! My background is in hospitality and customer service. I built 32 Below from the ground up in 2020 after having managed a local franchise hotel for about 10 years. My ultimate goal with 32 Below is to create a place that all people feel welcome and want to spend time. High schoolers can come do homework, professionals can have a casual meeting, families can come play games and connect. We host events, classes, private parties and we're always looking for ways to give back to our community."