I worked red carpets and toured with country stars. Then losing my dad made me rethink my dream career.

In 2012, I was working in a career that many would consider a dream. I was a publicist in the Country music industry. As a lifelong lover of music and a classically trained pianist at New York University, it was thrilling.

Every day was exciting, whether I was working a red carpet in Las Vegas or escorting music legends, like Dolly Parton and Carol Channing, to a media interview. I had the opportunity to travel all over the country, including touring with some incredible artists.

But behind the scenes, I could feel the burnout rising.

My dad died unexpectedly

That same year, the unthinkable happened: My family’s home on the Jersey Shore was…