The Four Levels of Happiness

What my business taught me about success, purpose, and what truly matters

A few weeks ago, I was driving my daughter to school early in the morning. She was preparing for her theology test, holding a paper in her hands and trying to memorize everything before class.

As she was reading out loud, something caught my attention. The paper was talking about the different levels of happiness. The first level was the kind of happiness you get from physical things. Food, pleasure, something you

buy. It’s real, but it’s short. It comes quickly, and it disappears just as fast.

The second level was happiness from relationships. Love from your family, your partner, your friends. That deeper connection that makes life feel warm and meaningful.

The third level was happiness from helping others. Serving, giving, making someone else’s life better.

And the fourth level, the highest level, was having a purpose. Understanding why you are here, and living a life connected to God and something greater than yourself.

As she was reading this, I found myself thinking about my own journey.

When I first started my business, like most people, my focus was financial. I wanted to grow. I wanted to succeed. I thought that was the goal, and honestly, I think that’s how most people begin.

But over the years, as I grew, as I learned, and as I stepped into leadership, something began to shift inside me. I started to realize that business is not just about money.

It’s about who you become.

I’ve been very lucky in my life. I’ve always been surrounded by love, from my parents, my grandmother, my family, and now from my community. Sometimes, I receive so much love and respect that it honestly makes me feel shy.

And over time, I started to understand that success has many layers. Some are visible, and some are felt deeply within. The ones you feel, those are the ones that stay with you.

When I think about those four levels of happiness, I can clearly see my journey through them.

In the beginning, selling a beautiful piece of jewelry made me incredibly happy. I still remember the first big diamond I sold. I was so proud and excited.

But over time, that feeling became normal. It wasn’t enough anymore.

Then came the second level, the relationships. The love and respect I received from my customers. That connection meant more than the sale itself.

Then the third level, being able to give. Supporting my employees, helping them grow, being there for them in their lives. That brought a deeper kind of happiness.

And today, I feel like I’ve reached something even more meaningful.

My purpose.

For me, that purpose became something I now call the Brax Girl. The Brax Girl is not just a customer. She is not just someone who wears jewelry. She is a woman who chooses herself. A woman who grows through her challenges. A woman who

carries strength with grace. A woman who is not afraid to become who she is meant to be.

Through my business, I realized that I’m not just selling jewelry. I’m building confidence. I’m creating a space where women can feel seen, valued, and empowered. Helping the young women who join my team grow into that version of themselves… supporting them, believing in them, and watching them discover their own strength… that has become the heart of my life’s purpose.

And today, my vision has grown even bigger.

My ultimate goal is no longer a number. It’s no longer about how much I sell or how much I grow financially.

My goal is to be able to help more girls with dreams, to give them the support, the confidence, and sometimes even the opportunity they need to believe in themselves and build something of their own.

And that purpose lives through the Brax Girl Foundation.

That is what I’m building now.

I’m still working hard every day. I’m still growing. I’m still pushing forward.

But I’m no longer chasing numbers. Because I understand something now:

Even if you reach every financial goal, without purpose, that happiness doesn’t last.

You’ll always find yourself searching for something more. I never thought that starting a business would change me this much. I thought I was building something outside of me.

But in reality, it was building me.

And for that, I’m grateful.