Initially struggling with math due to its abstract nature, the author found their way into a data-driven career by linking numbers to real-world applications through various roles in hospitality, customer success, and analytics. Their journey from avoiding math to becoming an advocate for data-led business practices was marked by pivotal career moments that demonstrated the practical value of numbers, such as adjusting room rates based on datasets and utilizing tools like Mixpanel for efficient data analysis. Emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions over fearing numbers, the author shares insights into building a data-focused mindset, using data to inform decisions, and enhancing community engagement. This transformation highlights that understanding and leveraging data is accessible to everyone, including those initially averse to math, as demonstrated by the author's father, who eventually recognized the benefits of data for financial planning.