By: Tom White
When people ask me, “Theresa, how did you get here?” I understand the curiosity. They see the luxury, the successful career, and the glamorous events, but they don’t see the road that led me to this place. It’s not the Instagram version of success — polished and flawless — but the raw, real, and often painful journey that shaped who I am today.
A Humble Beginning: The Farm Life
I wasn’t born into privilege. My story didn’t start in a mansion or with silver spoons in hand. I grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where the roads were dirt and the days were long. Work wasn’t a choice; it was survival. If you wanted something, you had to earn it with your own hands, grit, and determination.
On that farm, I learned the value of hard work — the relentless “get up and push forward” mentality that would eventually become the foundation of my life. This mindset, ingrained in me from an early age, helped carry me through the toughest challenges.
Overcoming Life’s Hardships
Life threw many obstacles my way, but each challenge seemed to strengthen me. I fought through four bouts of rheumatic fever and lived with a heart murmur, but nothing fully prepared me for the heartbreaks that were yet to come.
The unexpected death of my brother at age 23, the loss of my son, and the devastation of losing my father — these were all life-shattering moments. They brought me to my knees, broke me into pieces, and left me questioning how I could continue. But I did. Not because I was invincible, but because I had no other choice. I knew I had two options: stay down or rise. And so, I chose to rise—not in a graceful leap, but in painful, inch-by-inch steps toward a future that was still uncertain.
Lessons Learned: Resilience Through Struggle
I often think about the lessons that shaped me, especially the early ones. One summer, as a young girl, I begged my mother to let me rest while I was sick with a fever. I was too weak to help milk the cows, but she looked me in the eye and said, “No.” With no other choice, I got up, went outside, and worked through the pain, sweating, shaking, and crying silently. In hindsight, I understand that she wasn’t being cruel — she was teaching me one of the most valuable lessons of my life: Your responsibilities don’t disappear just because you’re uncomfortable.
This lesson stuck with me and came to life in later years. When I had a newspaper route in the city, I was faced with the bitter cold of a winter morning and two feet of snow. I begged my mom for help, but again, she said, “No. You signed up for this job — figure it out.” It was hard, but that experience helped shape my resilience, resourcefulness, and work ethic.
Finding Home: Texas and Reinvention
Though Texas didn’t become my home until later, when I arrived, I felt like I belonged. Texas, with its big skies, bold spirit, and wide-open dreams, mirrored everything I had always believed about life — dream big, show up fully, and build boldly.
But even Texas brought its own lessons. I once partnered in business with my best friend, only to see both the business and the friendship fall apart. It was devastating, but it gave me no choice but to reinvent myself once again — to rebuild, to push forward, and to craft a new path. That reinvention played a key role in bringing me to where I am today.
The Real Story Behind the Success
Today, people know me for the luxury — the cars, the closet, the events. My 3,000-square-foot, three-story closet became a media sensation. At first, I laughed when people fixated on it. But I now understand. People love a glimpse into a world they believe is untouchable and effortless. But here’s the truth: that closet, filled with fashion and achievement, is just a symbol. It’s not the story.
The real story is the woman who fought, scraped, hustled, and bled for every inch of the life I now lead. It’s about the challenges I overcame, the pain I endured, and the relentless drive to rise above it all.
Rising to New Heights: Adventures and Giving Back
I’ve climbed mountains — both literally and figuratively. I stood on the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, nearly 20,000 feet above sea level, not just for the adventure, but to prove something to myself. I wanted to remind myself that I could do hard things. I’ve walked through villages where people didn’t even have clean water and worked to bring it to them. But those victories were not just about what I gained; they were about what I gave back.
Giving back is at the heart of everything I do. Every year, I host Fashion Woodlands, a glamorous event where I raise funds for Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana. It’s about using my success to help others and give children facing unimaginable challenges a chance to make a wish come true.
The Vault: Helping Others Build Their Extraordinary Lives
I didn’t reach this point alone, and I believe success means nothing if you’re standing alone at the top. That’s why I created The Vault — my private coaching community where I mentor people who are ready to build their own extraordinary lives. In The Vault, we strip away the perfection, the filters, and the polished masks. We get real, do the deep work, and help each other grow, push, and stretch to become the best versions of ourselves.
Rising Again: The Power of Resilience
People see the wins — the media attention, the success, the luxurious lifestyle. But the truth is that every victory has been hard-won through heartbreak, resilience, and the refusal to stay down. I’ve been bankrupt in spirit, lonely in a crowd, and broken in ways I thought would never heal. But every time, I chose to rise.
If you’re struggling right now, wondering if you can rise, I’m here to tell you that you have what it takes to rise. You already have everything you need inside you — the fight, the strength, and the resilience. You are stronger than you think, braver than you feel, and more powerful than you know. And you don’t have to do it alone.
A Life of Purpose: Continuing the Journey
I’m still building, still dreaming, and still learning. I don’t believe we ever truly “arrive.” There’s always another mountain to climb, another mission to pursue, another miracle waiting. I wake up every day grateful for the opportunity to keep building and creating a life so big and beautiful that I can look back and say, “I lived every single moment fully.”
If you’re ready to rise — truly ready — I’d be honored to help you build something extraordinary. Together, let’s create a life that’s bold, beautiful, and worth every single step. Because this one wild, precious life? It’s yours to claim. And I believe with all my heart: it’s worth every single step.
Theresa Roemer is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, coach, and proud member of The Texas 100. She continues to mentor others, sharing her journey and helping people build lives of strength, resilience, and purpose.
Published by Jeremy S.
