We’re used to the idea of *doing it scared*—but what about doing it guilty? This talk flips the script, showing why putting yourself first, even with guilt tagging along, is the brave choice that leads to freedom. James Beard Award Finalist Reyna Duong spent 17 years in corporate retail and wholesale, holding roles like Buyer at Nordstrom and Senior Financial Merchandiser for Michael Kors at Neiman Marcus. She later became a National Sales Executive, working with Warren Buffett companies and the Adidas Group. Drawing on her background in retail, finance, and branding, she founded Sandwich Hag and chimlanh, a Vietnamese restaurant and coffee shop inspired by her mother’s scratch cooking. Reyna is known for her transparency, quality standards, and zero-tolerance policy on harassment. A fierce advocate for people with disabilities, she proudly employs her brother with Down Syndrome and promotes inclusive workplaces. As a community leader, she mentors small businesses and curates events that champion equity. Reyna now consults with ConnectIDD, advancing social enterprise and advocacy to build a more values-driven future in hospitality and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx