In 2017, my family and I traveled to Cuba to trace the roots of one of the most dynamic women in our lives—my grandmother. She was a Cuban powerhouse, and we wanted to see where the legend herself grew up. While exploring the countryside, we came across a field full of beautiful butterflies, and suddenly, my aunt broke out in song. At first, we couldn’t quite place it, but then it hit us—she was singing “Don’t go chasing butterflies” to the tune of TLC’s famous hit, Waterfalls. We all burst out laughing when we realized she’d been mixing up the lyrics!

But that funny moment stuck with me, especially when I came across a quote recently by Lewis Howes: “If you spend your time chasing butterflies, they will fly away, but if you spend your time building a butterfly garden, the butterflies will come to you. We attract based on who we are, not on what we want. Don’t chase, attract.”

It reminded me of my aunt's version of that song and how it applies to our lives today. So often, we spend our time and energy chasing goals—like those butterflies—only to find they’re just out of reach. But what if we shifted our focus? What if, instead of chasing after what we want, we worked on cultivating an environment where our goals would come to us naturally?

As we gather in Wise Women’s Network meetings across the country this month, I want to encourage each of you to focus on building your own "butterfly garden". This year, our theme is centered on investing in yourself by investing in your network. Just like you can’t force butterflies to land, you can’t force success to happen. But you can create the right conditions to attract it.

At Wise, we believe that building meaningful relationships is the foundation for success in real estate investing. By strengthening your network, enhancing your skills, and supporting one another, you’re not just chasing fleeting opportunities—you’re attracting sustainable success. This isn’t about quick wins; it’s about long-term growth.

Our network provides access to resources, mentorship, and community support that helps women confidently step into the world of commercial real estate. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your portfolio, Wise is here to help you build your garden and achieve your goals. We're about cultivating knowledge, sharing strategies, and empowering women to make smart, informed investment decisions.

So, let’s take a cue from my aunt's catchy, if not entirely accurate, song: Don’t go chasing butterflies. Instead, invest in yourself, invest in your relationships, and watch as the opportunities and success naturally come your way.

Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and Wise decisions!

Stay Wise,

Dedee Boring

Wise Founder