I was reminded of my "why" and it refuelled me.

...and who knew you could be productive in your underwear 👀.

Author

Melissa Charles
April 07, 2026

Hello,

Being an entrepreneur is hard.

I think it’s easy to get swept up with the glamorization of it all online where you see the depictions of working for yourself as working remotely from the beach, talks about hustling, how rewarding it is and, most importantly, the freedom. Some of these descriptors are true, I will say.

The freedom is real.

The freedom of movement and time is something I genuinely love. The ability to just go grab a coffee with friends in the middle of the afternoon. To build a schedule that works for you. And as life shifts, especially with aging parents, that flexibility becomes invaluable.

But what isn’t talked about enough is the weight of it all.

The financial uncertainty. The stress. The moments where you question everything. If you’re thinking about taking the leap, make sure you have a plan, or at least be prepared for a period where the numbers might not look pretty while things are building.

And yet… A bad day in entrepreneurship still doesn’t come close to some of the best days I had in an office.

I was in corporate spaces for over 15 years. I had my first office job at the age of 18 through a program called FSWEP, with the purpose of bridging university students into permanent government jobs. Even as I’m typing this, I can feel a cold sweat forming on my body. The thought of it always felt like a trap to me: honestly, like a prison. I couldn’t see myself working in an office for my entire life, let alone in Ottawa, which is known for being a government city since it’s our capital.

Since then, I moved to Toronto for another office job that jumpstarted my career in Canadian media. Then I moved to DECIEM, the abnormal beauty company. Though I was there for only four months, that experience was quite a rollercoaster (and that rollercoaster was public, so if you’re curious, the information is out there). After that, I worked for a talent payroll agency, followed by my time at the CBC, which ultimately became the catalyst for what you now know as Nubian Divinity.

This is an uplifting newsletter edition, especially as we step into Spring, so I’ll save the deeper dives into those experiences for another time. But I share this to say: this path didn’t come out of nowhere.

I sometimes think about how peaceful it would’ve been to just stay.
To clock in, clock out.
To receive a paycheque every two weeks.
To find fulfillment outside of work and leave work… at work.

That life is appealing in its own way.

But (un)fortunately, it wasn’t mine.

Entrepreneurship is fulfilling, and I have found my group of people who are also walking this path along with me. But it can be isolating. You don’t have the format of co-workers like you do in traditional workspaces. You have to make everything from scratch, right down to your community. You wear a million hats and you only have yourself to be accountable to, and that can be difficult.

Essentially, the point I’m trying to get to is just how rewarding it is when you get a good review, or validation that what you’ve decided to dedicate your life to has value and is making a difference in people’s lives… and who knew you could be productive in your underwear😅.

This particular thought came to me on a very specific kind of day.

I had gone to Pilates that morning and the class absolutely took me out. I got home, started doing household chores, and at some point I was in my underwear. One thing led to the next and I just never put pants back on. I started working, because that’s a perk when you’re self-employed at home: it doesn’t matter what state you’re in.

I had a session with a client that day, and afterward, they left me this review:

“awwww she gave me so much clarity and excitement! Thank you!!!”

I lit up!

This is the stuff. This is what I do it for, what makes it all worth it, and the signs that I need to keep me going. Not the aesthetics. Not the pressure. Not the uncertainty.

But for the impact, the connection, the clarity, the excitement.

Those moments are everything.

They’re the reminders.
They’re the fuel.
They’re the signs that say: keep going.

If you’re considering working for yourself, or even just trying something new, I can’t stress this enough:

Talk to other entrepreneurs.
Ask questions.
Get real about what it actually takes.

And most importantly, hold on to your why. It can’t just be money. Someone once shared something with me that stuck:

MONEY: My Own Natural Energy Yield.

Money is energy. And what you receive is often a reflection of what you emit.

Be passionate.
Do what you love.
And do it fully.

Whether you’re an employee, in an office, in retail, or self-employed, find what lights you up. And when you find it, pay attention to the moments that remind you: You are exactly where you need to be.

Monthly Reading:

April is a beginning, the start of Spring and a warm welcome to Aries season. A time for zest, boldness, and the kind of heat that matches its fire. It's the perfect moment to think bigger about money and lean into your most "go get 'em" ventures.

This month, we explore the reading "How Do I Make More Money" by Solis Divinity Tarot.

Feel free to use these spread for yourself if you’re exploring tarot or dabbling into your own readings. Tarot spreads help to bring a certain structure to your readings and it’s a lovely way to check in with your energy, your emotions, and the subtle shifts that may surface.

How to Make Money Reading

Additional Updates

My books will be closed from today until May 4, as I take an extended vacation. You’ll likely notice a pause in content as well on all social media platforms, but truthfully, that may not feel too different 😅… Social media has always been one of my biggest challenges (and least favourite parts of the work, that’s never been a secret), so this break feels right.

ANYWAY.

After this hiatus, there are a lot of exciting things unfolding for Nubian Divinity: upcoming events, fairs, and one project in particular I’m not quite ready to share just yet… but just know, it’s giving “venture of a lifetime”. The hype is very real. Trust me.

In the meantime, a quick heads-up (and I’ll remind you again next month):
I’ll be one of the readers at the Psychic Convergence hosted by
Angelina The Angelic Alchemist on Tuesday, May 12 from 7–9 PM at the Fireside Haven in Cambridge, ON. Tickets are now available.

This will be an immersive night featuring multiple intuitive practitioners, where you’ll receive a blend of messages, tarot/oracle insight, energy work, and a personalized ritual experience; all in one evening. This will be a night to remember!

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We look forward to connecting with you online and continuing the conversation.

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