A personal note from Trish, owner of CITRUS

I’ve never fully told this story before.

Bits and pieces, yes—especially to those who’ve followed CITRUS since I took it over. You may know I left my corporate job to run the business. You may have heard me talk about connection and purpose and how meaningful this brand has become to me.

But what I haven’t shared until now is the deeper reason behind that change. Not the polished version, but the honest one.

It’s taken time for me to find the words, and more time to feel strong enough to share them without self-doubt or the need to keep a brave face. I feel ready now.

So here it is.

I had just turned 50, life was returning back to normal post COVID and the world was beginning to open up. I was working at the top of my career in a dream job at an amazing company.

On the outside, everything looked fine. I had a great job. I worked with people I admired. I could take pride in the career I had built over decades. But something had shifted. Slowly at first, then more forcefully.

What began as fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog eventually led to a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. It gave me a name for what I was feeling, but not the full picture. I sensed the real problem wasn’t just physical. It was emotional too.

I remember reading the book, The Body Keeps the Score and feeling like someone had cracked open a window in a room I didn’t know I was suffocating in. My body wasn’t just breaking down. It was speaking up. It was telling me something had to change.

At first, I tried to dismiss it. I told myself I was lucky. I had a good job, a mortgage to pay, kids heading off to university, a partner I loved and wanted to support equally. There wasn’t space for a re-do. So I carried on.

But the voice didn’t go away. If anything, it got louder. A low, persistent whisper that continued to ask the question "what if...".

And so without a plan, without all the answers, I quit my job.

It was the scariest but also the most honest decision I’ve ever made and with the support and encouragement of my partner and family.  That choice led me to CITRUS.

I had always loved the brand for what it represented, personal storytelling, connection, moments that matter. When the opportunity came to take it over, I followed the pull. I didn’t have a detailed roadmap. But something in me knew this was where I was meant to be.

Now, one year later, I’m so proud of what CITRUS has become. We were recently featured in ELLE UK, and I still feel a little stunned writing those words. This small Canadian brand is being celebrated on an international stage—and I couldn’t be more grateful.

But this isn’t just a story about success or reinvention. It’s about listening. About noticing what no longer feels true, and trusting the whispers.

CITRUS is more than a business to me. It’s a reflection of everything I’ve learned, and am still learning, about what it means to follow your heart. To create and connect with what is sacred and personal and real.

If you’re standing at a similar crossroad, I hope this is a reminder that you’re not alone. You’re not too late. And it’s okay to begin again, even if all you have is a whisper.

My story is still unfolding. I’m learning every day as I navigate what it means to build a meaningful, sustainable business rooted in purpose, creativity, and connection. And I’m so grateful that you’re here on this journey with me.

Thank you for listening. And thank you for being part of CITRUS.

—
Trish
Owner of CITRUS