Charles Esther
Makena Finger Zannini grew up in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, surrounded by farmland and rooted in a deeply conservative evangelical community.
Her early years were shaped by rigid gender roles and limited opportunities.
From a young age, she recognized the constraints of the life planned for her — one where women were expected to become wives and mothers, giving up any professional ambitions.
The Determination to Escape
By age 10, Makena had already started planning her way out of the narrow world around her.
She saw education as her ticket to freedom and worked relentlessly to stand out academically.
Her efforts paid off when she was accepted into The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious business schools in the world.
Adapting to a New World at Wharton
Wharton was a dramatic shift for Makena.
Surrounded by peers who had been preparing their entire lives for Ivy League success, she often felt culturally disconnected.
Growing up without access to mainstream media left her feeling like an outsider in many conversations.
Despite that, she focused on what she could control — her studies and her future.
With no financial support from her family, she covered her tuition through a combination of scholarships, student loans, and multiple part-time jobs.
Her life during those four years was nonstop work and study.
Landing on Wall Street and Launching a Side Hustle
After graduating, Makena secured a high-paying job on Wall Street — earning $80,000, more than she had ever imagined.
Much of her income went toward student loans and the high cost of living in New York City.
Still, she was grateful and determined.
To accelerate her financial growth, she began freelancing on the side.
Eventually, she was juggling her day job, freelance clients, and working up to 100 hours a week.
The Birth of The Boutique COO
In October 2023, Makena reached a turning point.
Unable to take on more freelance work herself, she made the bold move to hire help.
That decision laid the foundation for her business, The Boutique COO.
Just nine months later, she left her day job to focus on her company full-time.
Today, The Boutique COO boasts a team of around 120 employees and earns more than $3 million in annual recurring revenue.
Makena has also launched a second brand, Brick by Brick Collective, further expanding her entrepreneurial footprint.
Redefining Motherhood Through Surrogacy
Makena’s success has given her more than just financial stability — it’s offered her the freedom to choose her own path in life.
Now 29, she and her husband are beginning the journey to parenthood through surrogacy.
It’s a choice that feels empowering and healing, especially considering the limited vision of motherhood she was raised with.
While she doesn’t consider herself materialistic, Makena values mental health and autonomy.
She sees surrogacy not just as a luxury, but as an investment in her well-being and future family.
Navigating Family Estrangement and Staying True to Herself
Despite her achievements, Makena’s story is not without pain.
She remains estranged from her parents and siblings, whose strict evangelical beliefs leave no room for compromise or acceptance.
Yet, she holds no regrets.
Her journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and carving out a life that aligns with her values, not those imposed on her as a child.
Conclusion
From rural Pennsylvania to the heights of business success, Makena Finger Zannini’s story is one of courage, independence, and self-determination.
Her decision to pursue motherhood through surrogacy is just another chapter in a life defined by breaking barriers and building dreams — brick by brick.
