How does one make the decision to become self-employed? I guess the path each of us takes is different but I would wager a pretty strong guess that each path is fueled by our natural inclination and drive to make our lives fit our dreams. At some point in our lives it feels as if the fast-forward button is on and your life is just flying by with each workday blending into the next. It is very easy to find yourself so far from your dreams that it seems impossible to find a path back. A few months ago, that was where I found myself – following a path away from my dream.
It was always my dream to live a life where I could balance it all – a rewarding career and a happy family. I knew people who had achieved that but no matter what I tried I kept moving farther away from it. Either my family was happy and my career unfulfilling or my career challenging but my family unhappy.
If someone had told me a year ago that I would have my own business by now, I would have laughed out loud. In a move that is utterly unlike me, I didn’t exactly plan far in advance for this major change in my career path. Yet, I realize now that I have been heading in this direction my whole life. My parents both worked outside of the home and I remember as a young child wishing that I could spend more time with them. As I was preparing to send my youngest to Kindergarten this past year, I realized that I was following the same path as my mother and knew that my children were wishing for more of my time too. I also realized that I had become the person I was by following the examples of hard work, dedication, and devotion to family that I saw my mother practice every day. I knew a change needed to be made but wasn’t exactly sure yet what that change was.
What I did know was that the job I was in was not meeting my needs. I loved being a media planner and knew that I wanted to stay in that career. At the same time, I had made a home for my family in Dubuque and had no desire to leave. That said, I did find myself unfulfilled in my job. I consistently found my skills undervalued and my career success connected with people who didn’t appreciate my contributions and didn’t want to follow the same path that I did. I knew a change was needed.
Starting my own business seemed like a far-fetched idea at first.But the more I discussed the idea with Betsy, the more I realized that it was exactly what I was looking for. I could have the flexibility to be there for my children when they needed me but could also challenge myself and take my career destiny in my own hands. I was surprised when I first discussed the idea with Rick, my husband, that he was completely and totally supportive. After all I was talking about a risk to the financial well-being of our household. He saw it differently though - I was following the path I needed to follow.
So with the purchase of two laptops and a printer, I left my job of eight years to partner with one of my best friends in the challenging, exciting, and unknown world of entrepreneurs. I am once again on a path towards my dream.
Writing this has prompted me to inquire with Betsy what her reasons were for starting Plaid Swan. Look for her thoughts to be posted next week.
