An Unexpected Tragedy Inspires Entrepreneur to Unpause Her Dreams and Help Others Do the Same

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Oct. 9, 2024 - PRLog -- The phrase "get your head out of the clouds" is one many people hear growing up, and Charlene Ridley was no different. However, as she grew older, she realized that embracing her dreams was key to finding excitement and purpose in life. As a Charlotte-based entrepreneur and business strategy coach, Charlene set out to fulfill her dreams and inspire others to do the same. Now, as the owner of Unpause Your Dreams Creative Studio, her mission is to foster a sense of belonging, empowerment, and inspiration. Through the studio's holistic approach, Charlene helps women take actionable steps toward achieving their personal and professional goals, transforming "someday dreams" into right now realities.

The journey to open Unpause Your Dreams Creative Studio took on an even deeper significance after the unexpected passing of Charlene's 16-year-old son, Jayden, in June 2023. Jayden had always been her biggest supporter, urging her to chase her passions. The studio is both a tribute to him and part of her own healing journey through grief, where she now encourages others to follow their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

Since its opening, Unpause Your Dreams Creative Studio has become a sanctuary for women looking to build their businesses. Available for rent, the studio features:

• Fully-furnished content creation spaces for photoshoots and video production
• A podcast recording studio
• Flexible Staging Options
• Co-working days to foster collaboration and
• Workshop or meeting spaces to enhance professional skills

In fact, statistics support the need for spaces like this. The SCORE office in Charlotte, a resource partner of the Small Business Administration, receives around 200 applications monthly, with 65% of them from women entrepreneurs. One of the greatest challenges for aspiring and new entrepreneurs is finding an inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial community—a gap Unpause Your Dreams Creative Studio seeks to fill by hosting events that foster both personal and professional growth.

Reflecting on the purpose behind her studio, Charlene shared:

"As a child of the 80s and 90s, I was raised to prioritize stability and security over dreaming big. The message was clear: find comfort in the workforce, not in your passions. But I've learned that our dreams won't wait for us. Life isn't like Netflix—nothing's going to ask if we're still dreaming. It's up to us to  stop pausing our dreams and press play. Taking deliberate action turns dreams into reality."

For more information about Unpause Your Dreams Creative Studio, visit www.unpauseyourdreams.com and follow on Instagram at @unpauseyourdreams. For interview inquiries with Charlene Ridley, please contact Candice Nicole at candice@candicenicolepr.com.