From Fear to Fierce: How I Built a Life of Unapologetic Joy
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
By Christina Collura
There was a time when joy felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. Between the demands of single motherhood, the uncertainty of raising a child with special needs, and the quiet guilt of wanting more for myself, joy seemed like something reserved for “later”—after the chaos, after the diagnosis, after the bills were paid. But “later” never came. So I stopped waiting.
I chose joy—unapologetically—and it changed everything.
My journey didn’t begin with a business plan or a bold declaration. It began with a chalkboard. A simple, dusty, black surface that became a canvas of possibility. My son, who is on the autism spectrum, struggled with fine motor skills. Traditional tools didn’t reach him the way I hoped. One day, out of desperation and curiosity, I gave him a chalkboard name puzzle and some chunky chalk. I watched his eyes light up as he wrote his name in the indented spaces, successful because of not being able to “go out of the lines”, he wiped them away, and tried again. It was the first time in a long time that learning felt joyful—for both of us.
That moment sparked the creation of Creative Beginning INC., a line of chalkboard-based puzzles and educational tools designed to support all children—regardless of their learning style, diagnosis, or ability. What started as a lifeline for my own son quickly evolved into a broader mission: to create tools that promote engagement, inclusion, and confidence for every child. Whether a child struggles with fine motor skills, sensory processing, speech development, or simply needs a different way to learn, I wanted them to feel seen—and supported.
Helping my son opened my eyes to just how many children are left out of traditional learning approaches. I knew I had to do more than just create products—I had to advocate. And so I did. I began speaking up at schools, community events, and even national media platforms, not just to share our tools, but to raise awareness about autism, neurodiversity, and the power of accessible learning.
But let me be clear—building this business wasn’t easy. I was a full-time teacher, a solo parent, and emotionally drained.
Fear was my constant companion: fear of failure, of judgment, of not being enough for my kids or myself. I worried I’d be seen as “just a mom with an idea.” I feared people wouldn’t understand the deep need for inclusive, hands-on learning tools. Most of all, I feared the voice in my head that said, “You can’t do this.”
But I did it anyway.
Every late night I spent packing puzzles, every early morning before school emailing potential partners, every ounce of love I poured into my products was a quiet rebellion against fear. I wasn’t just building a business—I was reclaiming my power. And with every step forward, I realized something: joy doesn’t come after you succeed. It comes because you dare to try.
Unapologetic joy, for me, means no longer hiding the parts of my life that once made me feel different. I speak openly about being a special needs mom—not as a struggle story, but as a strength story. I celebrate my son’s victories, however small, and I share them with pride. I no longer shrink myself to fit into spaces that don’t value children who learn or behave differently. I create spaces instead—products, platforms, and conversations—where every child is welcome and worthy.
And let’s talk about success. For years, I equated success with sacrifice. I thought I had to burn out to prove my worth. But joy taught me a better way. Success, for me, is watching a child light up while using one of our puzzles. It’s a therapist emailing to say their nonverbal client engaged for the first time. It’s a parent of a neurotypical child sharing that their child learned empathy and patience while playing alongside someone who learns differently. It’s being invited onto national television—not to chase fame, but to change the narrative around autism and ability.
Today, Creative Beginning INC. is more than a business—it’s a movement. It’s a reminder that innovation often comes from the margins. That moms, especially those navigating special needs, carry a wisdom the world desperately needs. That joy is not frivolous; it is foundational.
I’ve built this life on my own terms.
I’m no longer waiting for someone to give me permission to be proud, to be passionate, to be seen. I’ve learned that when you stop apologizing for your joy—when you claim it fully—you give others the courage to do the same.
If you’re standing at the edge of your own dream, unsure whether to leap, let this be your nudge. Fear will always whisper. But joy? Joy roars—when you let it.
I didn’t just build a business. I built a life where my children see their mom stand tall, live loud, and advocate fiercely. That is the legacy I’m most proud of.
Because joy isn’t selfish. It’s revolutionary.
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