I was 5 years out of college, content with my job, satisfied with the money I was making, passionate enough about the career path I chose, but something felt like it was missing. All the ingredients were in the mix but the recipe just wasn't tasting right. I was hungry for more. I had an itch, an uncontrollable one. I knew I was meant for something else. What? I wasn't so sure.
I was working for a large apparel manufacturing company in NYC, my fourth job in the fashion industry since graduation, when my boss and my greatest mentor (I've had a few) took it upon herself to ask me some pretty profound questions about what I wanted out of life, not just my career. She encouraged me to hone in on one thing that I wanted to focus my energy on and challenged me to define my "why".
This whole concept of finding my "one thing" and thinking bigger about my purpose had me starving for answers. ONE THING? I can't even decide what to eat when I am literally starving. How am I supposed to pick one thing to focus my whole being on? What was worse than not being sure of the answer was being sure of what the answer was not. I felt like I should have been thinking, "I want to fill your role one day" or "I want to be promoted and have a powerful title". Neither of those were the things I was coming up with. I had something different in mind and I was more worried about "how" I was going to redirect my path.
For the first time in my life, I had to accept I didn't have all the answers. I knew two things; I did not want to continue in the direction I was headed and the voice inside me saying, "just go for it" would not shut up.
The only thing that made me more uncomfortable than admitting it to her, was admitting it to myself. But, I had to do something about it.
So, I started my very own business plan in the spring of 2017 and by the fall I debuted Island to East Side on November 10th, launch party and all, hosted by my best friend and her mom. I truly had absolutely no idea where this would go and how fast, but I believed it was going somewhere.
For almost 2 full years, I was working full time (in a very fast paced and high stress environment), building the ITES brand on nights and weekends, all while managing my hectic personal and social lifestyle. I finally left my job in September 2019 to pursue entrepreneurship full time. But getting there was no easy task.
I was trying to focus all my energy on my new venture, but I still had to manage that thing called my job which was becoming a daily energy suck. My relationship with my job was like a bad, toxic boyfriend. We had so much history, it made me really happy sometimes, but really sad other times. I would try to leave, but then something would happen and it would reel me back in. When it was good it was great, when it was bad it was miserable. But I accepted it for what it was - the good and the bad - and all along it helped me grow as a person. Come on, doesn't that sound exactly like that ex we all have?
Also like most relationships there's never a "right time" for anything. For example, when is the "right time" to move in together, get engaged, buy a house, or get married. It literally doesn't exist. Well neither does the "right time" to take a huge risk and leap of faith. You kind of just have to roll with it.
My close friends, family and fiancé would always ask, "What are you doing? When are you leaving your job?". I had no answers for them but I would fantasize about the day I quit nonstop. I guess that's why they say to be careful what you wish for because once I got to the point of it being realistic for me to run Island to East Side full time, I was scared sh*tless. Would I regret leaving? Would I want my job back? Would I be able to support myself? Would the business sustain itself? Would my lifestyle have to change? All of these questions filled my head for months on end.
Once I accepted I didn't have a crystal ball and neither did the 1254753 people I consulted with on this matter, I realized I would never know the answers to these questions unless I tried. I knew I had to quit to grow. Not only to grow my business, but also to grow as an individual. I would set deadlines for myself at work... let me finish this project, close this sale, launch this brand, you name it, I had all the excuses in the book to hang on a little longer. I agonized over the decision and to be quite honest, procrastinated pulling the trigger.
This might sound like the craziest cliche ever, but once I left, I didn't look back at all. How could that even be? A decision that caused me so much internal and external struggle finally was solidified and all of a sudden I forgot the distress it caused me. I guess the bright side is despite the fact it took forever and a day to get here, I at least know I made the right choice.
I don't want to say that anything about this has been easy, because it hasn't. If you think answering to a boss is hard try having to answer to yourself. Of course, I have the luxury of "making my own schedule" but that privilege also comes with a price. My work and my business is part of me. It is mine and I am a part of it. There's no separation of the two, they're connected. If you're asking yourself, well what about work life balance? Then you're probably not wired like me and that's ok. But if this is resonating with you in the slightest, I am writing this to encourage you to take the chance on yourself.
I don't think of work and life as a scale I need to balance, I think of it more as a wheel. I work, I play, I work while I play, and I play while I work. It never really stops - it just keeps spinning, and I love it. People always ask, what's the best part about owning your own business? For me, it's been the "wow" moments. The moments when the crazy thoughts you have about yourself and your business actually become things. I distinctly remember saying things like "When we do X amount in sales in a year, I'll be excited." Then X goal happens in a month. Or, when I dreamt that my commute to work would one day actually be me walking to my very own office. In fact, I even remember walking to the printer one terrible day at work while telling myself I was going to write about this once I transition into a full time entrepreneur, and look, here I am!
To look back and realize I have accomplished all those things, is pretty wild. It's made this journey even more worthwhile.
The same boss who made me search for my "why" (also known as my favorite boss ever) used to talk about "fire in the belly". She would use this phrase to refer to the people with guts, passion, and ambition. She had all three. I guess I did, too, part for which I definitely have her to thank. I also had that relentless voice in my belly. I'm here to tell you I am happy I listened to it. The first 8 months of entrepreneur life have been incredible.
My hope is that this blog sheds light on my journey, but more importantly empowers you to find your "why". If you have an itch, a fire in the belly, ignite it. And let it burn baby until you blow that sh*t up!
momos smith
My Name is Momos Smith, From Ohio United states
Am really happy that i and my Husband are cured of (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) with the herbal medicine of LORD RICHARD , i have been
suffering from this disease for the past 3 years without solution until i came across this doctors who have cure so many people with his
herbal medicine, i also choose to give him a chance to help me and my husband, he told me what to do and i kindly did it, and he gave us
his herbal medicine and direct me on how to use it, i also follows his instruction for use and he ask us to go for a check up after 3 weeks and
which i did, to my greatest surprise our result came out as negative, we are really happy that there is someone like this lord richard who isready to help anytime any day. to all the readers and Viewers that is doubting this testimony stop doubting it and contact this Dr and see if
he will not actually help you. I am not a stupid Woman that i will come out to the Public and start saying what someone have not done for me .contact him now if you are also in need of help viaemail lordrichardspell@gmail.com
whatsaap number +1(360)884-0286
May God bless you sir for all your good works. contact LORD RICHARD today for your following diseases below
HEPATITIS,
CÁNCER,
HIV
HERPES
ASTHMA
DIABETES
EPILEPSY
INFERTILITY
STAPHYLOCOCCUS.
BARENESS
Kidney?
Farley Long
Good work deserves good recommendation, I met a powerful spell caster who is 100% real and powerful. I was heartbroken when my wife left me and moved out of the house. I felt my life was over and my world was crumbling around me. I tried to be strong just for the kids but I could not control the pains that tormented my heart, my heart was filled with sorrow and pain because I was really in love with my wife. I have tried many options but she did not come back, until a friend directed me to Dr Kala, a powerful spell caster and I explained my problem to him and he helped me to get my wife back within 24hrs. Me and my wife are living happily together again, This man is powerful and if you have any problem with your marriage and relationship? Just tell him your situation and he will help you.. If you are in need of help to get your love back, you can contact Dr Kala on email: kalalovespell@gmail.com
Farley Long
Good work deserves good recommendation, I met a powerful spell caster who is 100% real and powerful. I was heartbroken when my wife left me and moved out of the house. I felt my life was over and my world was crumbling around me. I tried to be strong just for the kids but I could not control the pains that tormented my heart, my heart was filled with sorrow and pain because I was really in love with my wife. I have tried many options but she did not come back, until a friend directed me to Dr Kala, a powerful spell caster and I explained my problem to him and he helped me to get my wife back within 24hrs. Me and my wife are living happily together again, This man is powerful and if you have any problem with your marriage and relationship? Just tell him your situation and he will help you. If you are in need of help to get your love back, you can contact Dr Kala on email: kalalovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2347051705853
Kristine Welleinstein
I am so grateful to Dr Kumar for helping me to win the lottery. I was looking for tips to improve my chances of winning the lottery and i saw so many good testimonies about Dr Kumar on how he help people to win the lottery and i promise myself that i will give him a try and if he help me too i will also publish his name on the internet for people to see and get help from him which i am doing now by writing this testimony. I contacted him and he cast a spell on the winning numbers and gave them to me to play and I bought my ticket and played Behold I won $426 Millions. If you also need his help to win the lottery here is his email: spellcasttemple@gmail.com or whatsapp him on +2347051705853. I will forever be grateful to you Dr Kumar for what you did for me by sending me the winning numbers to win the Mega Millions.
Emily Rose
HOW TO GET BACK STOLEN, HACKED, OR LOST CRYPTOCURRENCY ?
(BINARY OPTIONS SCAM, CRYPTO INVESTMENT SCAMS, LOAN SCAM). WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAPTAIN WEBGENESIS.
Captain WebGenesis is a Cyber skilled hacker with special abilities and skills that enact penetration to help victims of Crypto Fraudulent activities who are faced with cyber challenges get back their lost funds. Simply file your complaint through the website (https://captainwebgenesis. com) and have all your crypto recovered back.
For more information and prodigious services,
CONTACT; Mail; Add (captainwebgenesis@hackermail.com).
SMS / Call; +1 (501)436-9362.