Why I Started LifeWithCates

I’ve never been someone who stayed in one lane. My style has always been a mix of whatever felt fun, expressive, and true to me. The same goes for beauty. I’ve never believed in rules about what you “should” or “shouldn’t” wear at a certain age. For me, it’s always been about what makes you feel alive and confident.

Style can make you feel alive & confident

I grew up without the guidance a lot of people take for granted. At sixteen, I was on my own. No safety net. No one showing me how to navigate life, relationships, or even the small things like makeup, self-care, or personal style. I had to figure it out as I went.

That independence shaped me. It made me strong, resourceful, and resilient. But it also left me craving connection. Encouragement. The kind of support I didn’t have when I needed it most.

I became a mom young and raised four kids. I survived a marriage that was rocky and painful. When it ended, I moved back to Michigan with nothing but my children and the generosity of my brother’s family, who gave us a place to land. I knew I had to build something better for my kids, so I went back to school to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Moving on

Life didn’t stop testing me. During school, my first husband tragically passed away. It shook me and my children to the core, and it took years to find our footing again. But we did. I finished school, bought a house, and slowly rebuilt a sense of stability. Eventually, I met my now-husband, someone who not only loved me but embraced my children as his own.

Together, we built a new life. With his background in motocross, we started a suspension business in 2011 with a simple belief at its core: people deserve high-quality products without being priced out. That lesson stayed with me. Good things should be accessible. Support shouldn’t feel exclusive.

LifeWithCates was born from that same belief.

Building a new life

This space isn’t just about fashion or beauty tips. It’s about creating a place where women feel seen, supported, and inspired. A place for style that doesn’t follow rules, beauty that feels playful and real, and reflections on life that allow for both messiness and magic.

Her Light Spotlight

Why Her Light matters to me

As LifeWithCates grew, I realized something important. My story wasn’t the only one that needed space.

I’ve always been drawn to women who carry depth. Women who’ve lived, struggled, healed, and kept going. Women whose strength isn’t loud, but steady. Women who remind you that there is no single version of empowerment.

Her Light was created to honor those women.

It’s a space where I spotlight women whose stories deserve to be shared, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re real. Each feature is a reminder that we all carry light in different ways, and that sharing our stories creates connection, understanding, and strength.

This is the encouragement I wish I had when I was younger. And it’s the kind of space I want to offer now.

LifeWithCates is still evolving. So am I. And that’s exactly the point.

This space is for every woman who wants to live boldly, dress freely, care for herself without guilt, and embrace life in all its complexity.

Welcome to LifeWithCates. I’m really glad you’re here.