It’s like Mom says, “You give up some things, but the return is always worth it.”

I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened to me if in the end, I’d still be the Marketing and Media Vice President of Blend Digital Media. It sounds like a lot of work, but I balance my professional life with my personal one.

After investing so much time, now my schedule is tailored to fit a healthy lifestyle. I work from home Monday mornings, after Reggie and I go to ‘yoga at the bark’ at seven. At eleven, I walk to work and arrive before our weekly meeting.

I’m one of the few people who can say, “I love Mondays.”

“Morning, Ms. Solis,” Pam, the receptionist, greets me as the elevator doors open.

“Pam,” I address her and set a small bag on her desk with dog cookies. “Here are some of the samples I told you about. The dark ones are peanut butter, the ones in the shape of strawberries are mixed berry, and the others are pumpkin seed.”

She smiles warmly. “Thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing.”

Really, it’s marketing. Mom decided to start selling her homemade dog treats. If Reggie likes them, every dog should buy them. That’s her slogan. I’m not letting her use that line. I’ve worked hard on her branding.

My parents have become a couple of entrepreneurs. They sell fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables, and fruit. They plan on opening a public pumpkin patch this year. Thomas bought the property next door and he’s become my mother. All organic zen and shit.

“I thought we weren’t allowed to sell personal stuff at the office,” Danielle, my best friend, and assistant, tells me.

“Hey, I’m just passing Mom’s treats around. Whatever people decide to do afterward isn’t my business.”

“Her website address is on those stickers.”

“Again, not my business.”

She chuckles. “Of course, boss. You have a conference call at two. All your messages are on your desk, along with your tea. The meeting starts in thirty minutes, and the copies you requested are already in the conference room.”

“Thank you so much. Did you confirm tomorrow’s appointment?”

She nods. “The client will be here at nine. The art department should have the promotional mockups ready this afternoon. We can go through them after you’re done with the meeting. Your lunch is also on your desk.”

“What would I do without you?”

“Starve?”

“Solis,” Shelby, my boss, calls me from her office. “Come over here, we have a few things to discuss before the meeting.”

I look at Danielle, who shrugs.

“Wish me luck.” I smooth over my skirt and go to face the music.

My boss’s office is as extravagant as her. A combination of artifacts, from all over the world, with posters and material from every campaign she’s worked on. I like her.