Have you ever been abused?  Taking advantage of? Stolen from? Bullied?

Maybe as I ask you those questions you are flashing back to childhood. How many of you, though, have experienced these kind of things as an adult?

I have for sure. And it’s interesting being an entrepreneur and experiencing those kinds of things in your adult business life. I honestly had never imagined being hurt like that as a business person. Ever.

I never expected to feel lied to, abused, bullied and betrayed. Maybe I thought there was some emotional distance in my work.

Boy was I wrong.

See, I had an amazing relationship with an organization. We dated well! Both of us seemingly knew our roles and loved and respected that partnership. It was great until I decided to leave. With full grace and integrity I gave plenty of notice and opportunity to train my replacement. Then the nightmare began.

I had led so many women to love this organization I didn’t know what to do. And I didn’t know how to deal, so my warrior retreated to her safe place.

Some people close enough to me came and learned and understood. The majority of women had no idea why I just disappeared. I hurt them unknowingly because I was hurt.

In this fragile space I actually had a client, who got tremendous results working with me, ask to teach my work. About a month later she stole it all and made it her own business. That placed me in full victim mode.

I retreated even deeper because I had to learn how to be vulnerable and open again and not be worried about being taken advantage of. It meant that I left people in my network hanging. And I deeply apologize for that.

Now I have come out the other side: a better woman, and surer of how to deal in the future with the crazy things that can knock you upside your head and business. I’ve come out unafraid to share my story. I’ve come out unafraid of the bullies and bad-mouths.

They can’t hurt me anymore. I’m excited to re-emerge. Excited to be more vulnerable. More successful. More ready.

All I hope is that, if you are one of those people left disappointed in me, and you’re reading this, you will forgive me and get to know the new Ann. I look forward to getting to know you once again. And if you did not know the old Ann. I think you will really appreciate the new one!