Ever since I can remember, I have always worked for someone. I started babysitting at the age of 12 – every Saturday night. At the age of 13 I got my worker’s permit and started working at a local pizza place (where I subsequently lost my taste for pizza and garlic rolls for many years) – and babysat on Saturdays.
My love of fashion brought me to my next job, at a children’s clothing store, where I worked until I graduated high school – and babysat on Saturdays.
I didn’t work my first year in college as I needed to get acclimated to my new surroundings and wanted to focus on my studies; but once Summer rolled around, I was once again working.
I know this sounds a bit like a resume here, but stick with me as there is a reason to this!
Once I graduated college, I decided to set my sights on even bigger and better things. I broke away from the security of “the known” and applied for my first “career position”. Year after year, I slowly climbed up the corporate ladder. My last position as Director of Marketing ended abruptly in 2014, when the company I worked for dissolved their marketing department. My husband was on a business trip in California when I called him to tell him the news. I was a bit numb as I usually had the foresight to plan accordingly, but this occurrence really took me for a loop. I’d been laid off before, but was given ample time or foresight to plan and acquire my next career move.
Being the supportive man that he is, my husband told me to take a break for a little while. I had always complained that I wish I could stay home with my boys; that I was one of the very few of my friends that was a full-time working mom. Now was my chance to be able to bring my boys to their doctor appointments instead of my husband taking them. I could volunteer at the school, instead of sulking behind a desk wishing I was with them on their field trip.
At first I didn’t know what to do with my newfound time. The thought of going to the mall during the day instead of grumbling that I couldn’t go while working was novel, for a few weeks. I went to lunch with my stay-at-home mama friends. Trips to Costco and Publix during normal business hours were a reality to me.
The newness and excitement of not working slowly faded. This wasn’t ME. I didn’t realize until that point, that I truly enjoyed working, communicating with people other than my husband and my dog (no offense, but you know what I mean), and being creative. I love taking a project from a thought in someone’s mind to a reality – whether it is a logo, website, print advertisement, social media account – the list is endless.
I needed to find something that would afford me the flexibility that I wanted for my sons’ events but something that made me feel more like “me”. That is when I took a leap of faith and started my own marketing company.
I was scared, don’t get me wrong. I am usually the traditional, conservative one in my marriage, and here I was putting it all out on a limb. I was the one that needed to take home the consistent paycheck every week and the health insurance provider. Now I was going to be an entrepreneur – hitting the pavement on my own and working for myself. At first I thought, “Holy crap”, but there was something deep down inside that was pushing me to just do it.
Fast forward to the present. I am still a bit in the “holy crap” thought mode but for different reasons. I did it! In a little less than a year, I have a few clients under my belt. I’ve looked into getting life insurance to make sure that my family is protected if anything happens to me. I work super hard because I want to succeed, and have the flexibility I’ve always wanted. If you were to ask me 5 years ago if this scenario would be a reality for me, I would’ve said, “No way.” I am my own boss and hold my success in my own hands. It took me years of working for everyone else and then abruptly stopping to find out what I truly love. It was like my “a-ha” moment and I grabbed it by the horns.
My advice should you be interested in taking a chance like I did – sometimes you need to just take the leap of faith and set yourself up to just do it!
Emilie says
My dream is to be my own boss someday. I don’t have an exact plan yet but I’m working on it. Congratulations on this big project, it’s nice to know that other people did it and that I’m not crazy to want to start a buisness someday!
Dana says
Emilie, if you can dream it I wholeheartedly believe you can do it. Work on the plan like you are currently doing, and it will fall into place. I wish you the best of luck, and if you need a sounding board or have any questions, please feel free to email me! dana (at) pellerini (dot) com. xo
Rachel @ Countdowns and Cupcakes says
So glad to hear you’ve found success and happiness as your own boss! I would love to get to that point someday and have taken the very first, teeny tiny baby steps to get there. Do you have any good resources for folks looking to start their own business, especially about the technicalities?
Dana says
Thank you Rachel! You can totally do it…it does take planning and deep breathing (maybe some meditation along the way). Please feel free to send over any questions – dana@pellerini.com
Nikki-ann says
I totally agree, sometimes you just have to take that leap of faith… It can be difficult though. Still, it’s better to try rather than to regret not giving it a go.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I am one of those people that’s not good with taking risks. Sometime they really do pay off, though 🙂
Heather says
I’m about to take a risk on a career change and I couldn’t be more scared, happy, excited, and nervous!!
Elizabeth DiBurro says
Is there ever really a right time? You would definitely have to be financially stable before playing around with a career choice.
Dana says
I agree Elizabeth, there is definitely planning that needs to be put in place, especially in the finance department. I “audited” my spending and categorized what expenses were needed as opposed to wanted, created a rock solid budget, and have always been a saver.
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side says
Sometimes we need to take these opportunities as a kick in the butt and think I was meant to do this instead. Good luck!
charline says
Wow, this was a great post to read since we are both graduating from college this year and want to head into the field of marketing. Thank you so much for the insight!
Dana says
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from college and best of luck!!!
Dalba says
Great post! I’m sure your story will inspire many women that are on the fence. I also made a career change about 8 years ago and could not be happier with my decisions. Sometimes all it takes is a leap of faith.
Dana says
Thank you Dalba, and I’m glad I’m part of the club now. I completely agree with you that I am so happier with the decision I made.
Leah says
We are on our way to doing this now and it’s terrifying, because it will be both of us, so giving up the hubby’s paycheck is scary! We are hoping to open a craft cocktail bar, and we are just hoping it will be successful! So glad it has worked for you!
Dana says
It sounds like you are planning it out, which is key! I think you will do wonderfully – just from reading your posts alone, I think your cocktails are going to rock it!! Where are you opening the bar?
Melisa says
I’m the kind of person who gets stuck in a rut because I don’t like change. I know I need to grasp life by the horns and go after what I want, but practice isn’t as easy for me as theory is.
Dana says
Melisa, I am the same way – I don’t do well with change. I was almost thrown, per say, into change and I think that is what helped a lot!
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
Taking chances is the only way we will also succeed in life. I took a chance two years ago and now, I have clients I handle and I have more time with my son.
Dana says
That’s so amazing Kathy! 🙂
Ri says
I definitely believe in taking risk in careers and doing what you truly want to. Glad to read that you took the risk and are successful now.
Dana says
Thanks Ri!
Keating says
I absolutely love this! I’ve never been the type to be happy working for other people, but I’m also not the type to unemployed either. I’ve always wanted to own my own marketing and PR firm so that I could be a “SAHM” and be there for our children when we start our family. Its ‘s important to both myself and my husband that I’m able to work from home so that we don’t have to put our children in daycare or hire a babysitter to constantly be taking care of them. We don’t want to miss a single moment of their lives. SO in February 2015, after paying off a ton of bills and a car loan, we could officially afford to have me quit my full-time job as a preschool teacher. I haven’t yet launched my marketing and PR firm, BUT I officially work for myself as a full-time blogger and couldn’t be happier! It’s so amazing to be able to have the flexibility in my schedule and be the one to call all the shots. I now make more than I did at my teaching job and cannot wait until I’m able to launch my company (hopefully in the next year or two).
Dana says
I am SO excited for you Keating! Keep up the awesome work, and if you have any questions please feel free to email me! Maybe we can collaborate on projects once your company is up and running!
Elizabeth O. says
That’s such an inspiring story. I guess being laid off was a blessing in disguise. It’s so nice to hear that you’re doing what you love and that you’re doing great!
Dana says
Thanks Elizabeth! I too feel that everything happens for a reason, so being laid off was the door opening for my new company. 🙂
Doran @ Haute Beauty Guide says
I agree on leaps of faith. I would also say know when to fold them and move on. I think I sometimes hold on to things out of want even if they aren’t working out.
Dana says
Great point, Doran. Know when to fold and move on is just as important as taking that initial leap.
Eugenia says
Your post is so inspiring! I am glad you found success being your own boss! I agree sometimes we need to just take the leap of faith and just do it!
Dana says
Thank you Eugenia! I am glad you found it inspiring – I hope to inspire others to take that leap!
Jessica Cassidy says
I LOVE taking chances, if we fail then we try again and find that perfect career or job that shows how we really are as individual.
I started working again after 13 years in a health care facility. It is the best job I ever have though it is so tiring but talking to the residents and make them smile is priceless to me.
Dana says
Jessica, I love that you love to take chances! I am sure your residents love you as much as you do in making them smile 🙂
Kusum says
Dana, I have to say, I love your blog (and you) even more after reading this post!! It takes a lot of courage and everything you have got to turn around a situation and own it, I am so glad to hear that you have been able to achieve success within a year and it is just the beginning, sometimes things happen for a reason and it usually is for the best! Good luck, I am sure you have a lot of success ahead of you 🙂
P.S: I had never thought I would quit a full time job too, I did last year and been trying my hands at different things, have to say it is the best feeling.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Dana says
Awwww, Kusum thank you SO much – and the feeling is mutual 🙂 I am so thankful for everything that has transpired so far, and sometimes have to pinch myself to confirm it’s real! Good luck with your ventures too!!
Shaylee says
This is so wonderful! I’m so glad this leap of faith worked out so well for you and that you can be your own boss and be with your kids! I hope everything keeps going as well in the future!
Amanda says
Congrats on your success! I too was thrown into my new career, and I can’t believe how rewarding it is!
Dana says
Thank you so much Amanda! I am glad that you are on the same rewarding path 🙂
Mardene Carr says
I think this was meant for me because I have been toying with the idea for a long time. Just because I am tired of the rat race…I am thinking very hard about this and working on it, thanks for the reminder that it can be done
Amy Jones says
I am a big fan of big leaps, i always encourage people to do so, love your post thanks for sharing!
Dana says
Thanks Amy!
R U S S says
Congratulations for taking that leap! I think I am planning to take my own as well, but I have daughter duties that I still have to fulfill right now for my Mom. The price of transferring to this other industry that I want to be in and my daughter duties are conflicting but I know I will eventually get there. You just inspired me.
Dana says
I am so glad that I inspired you! The time will come, and you will be so happy! In the meantime, it sounds like you are being a GREAT daughter!!
Life as a Convert says
It could be a terrifying time when making that leap. I’m blessed that I’ve had a fairly consistent career and haven’t had to make any big changes.
Dana says
I agree, it is terrifying!
Sage says
I can relate to so much of this post. I moved abroad to be the Senior Managing Editor of a major global website, then five years in, after I’d married someone overseas, there was a re-org and I ended up with a sociopath for a boss. He harassed me to the point that my doctor put me out on sick leave and wouldn’t sign me back in. Sue to the language situation, my employment options were limited, and movingback to the US wansn’t an option, so I resigned and started up as a freelance copywriter/editor. I love my current situation and wouldn’t change it, but if not for a sociopath, it’s a path I never would’ve otherwise taken.
Dana says
Wow, Sage, I’m so sorry you had to deal with that type of a boss BUT look where you ended up 🙂
MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) says
It is so amazing t hear success stories! I hope you continue on this path.
Dana says
Thank you! 🙂
Ana Fernandez says
That leap of faith got me here! Fortunately it ends up pretty well for me.
Dana says
That is GREAT news Ana – and I love your blog!
Sarah Bailey says
Taking that leap can be so scary – but it is most definitely something we should all do when we feel passionate about something. x
Dana says
I completely agree Sarah!
Mhaan A. says
I totally relate! I gave up my corporate job to become a stay-at-home mom / blogger so I can spend more time with my little one while blogging. So far so good, no resentments at all.
Dana says
I am so glad everything’s working out so well for you Mhaan! 🙂
Laurie says
best of luck to your new adventure! Stepping outside the box can bring the greatest rewards sometimes.
Dana says
Thanks Laurie!!!