“Hey Little One, magic happens when you show up! Sometimes you have to give yourself a little push, but that first step can lead to the best adventures of all!”

Grandpa’s words this week feel incredibly personal. Almost five years ago, I debated whether to attend another business pitch meeting for the SMARTstart Pasco Entrepreneurship Programs.

I hadn’t yet found a business opportunity that aligned with my goals. With so much going on—developing our property and feeling physically and mentally drained—I thought about skipping it and attending the next one instead.

But something inside me said to push through and show up.

And I’m so glad I did.

Because at that very meeting, I heard a pitch about connecting local farmers to provide fresh produce to the community—a concept that immediately connected with my values and goals.

Fast forward to today, and that single act of showing up led me to connect with Nichole Dube and become part of her vision, which has now grown into Access to Fresh.

As they say, the rest is history. (I’m not even sure if Nichole knows this story!)

Grandpa’s wisdom reminds us that showing up, even when it’s the last thing you feel like doing, can open doors to unexpected magic.

Those moments can only happen if we’re there to see them, whether it’s a business opportunity, a new connection, or a life-changing idea.

So, as Grandpa encourages Macie to show up, I encourage you to do the same. 

Push yourself to take that first step, even when it feels hard—because sometimes, the best adventures begin when you least expect them.

And THAT’S when the magic happens!✨

Have you ever experienced the magic of showing up? I’d love to hear your story! 🍓✨

Peter Contardo