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!
JANE WHITE
I’m very excited to speak about Elite Wizard Bitcoin Recovery, this cyber security company was able to assist me in recovering my stolen digital funds and cryptocurrency. I’m truly amazed by their excellent service and professional work. I never thought I could get back my funds until I approached them with my problems and provided all the necessary information. It took them 72 hours to recover my funds and I was amazed. Without any doubt, I highly recommend Elite Wizard Bitcoin Recovery for all your cryptocurrency recovery, digital funds recovery, hacking, and cybersecurity-related issues.
Email: eliterecovery247@cyber-wizard.com
Call/WhatsApp +1 (805) -386-9670
Ricky Peggy
I’m writing to thank
Pro Wizard Gilbert Recovery for finding my missing BTC and restoring it. A few months ago, I made a big investment in Bitcoin, and since then, the value of my investment has significantly increased. I was upset, though, when I recently lost access to my Bitcoin wallet. I desperately reached out to
Pro Wizard Gilbert Recovery, and they were able to retrieve both my wallet and all of my BTC. I am extremely appreciative of their assistance, and I heartily endorse them to anyone who has misplaced their Bitcoin.Contact: prowizardgilbertrecovery(@)engineer.com
wendy cutrona
Testimony on how I received my programmed blank ATM card to withdraw a maximum of $6,000 daily.
I would without reservation recommend working with MR, FRANK RICHARD, My Name is Wendy Cutrona. Programmed Blank ATM Card is no longer a news or a new trend I’ve been reluctant in purchasing this blank ATM Card all because of what I heard about it online everything seems too good to be true, But I was convinced & shocked when my friend at my place of work got a Programmed Blank ATM Card from MR, FRANK RICHARD & today we both confirmed it really works, without delay I gave it a go. Ever since then I’ve been able to make a withdrawal of $6,000 daily from the Programmed ATM Card. I’m so excited that ever since I ordered & paid for the delivery of the Programmed ATM Card, I didn’t get scammed & now I have been able to arrange my life with this Programmed ATM Card, I own a House & a business now kindly contact him today for more inquiries and enlightenment via Email: creditcards.atm@gmail.com
Website: https://creditcardsatm.wixsite.com/website-1
Your Satisfaction is their Aim and your working with them will be of a good experience, kindly contact them today for more inquiries and enlightenment via Email: creditcards.atm@gmail.com
Here is our price lists for the ATM CARDS:
Cards that withdraw $6,000 per day costs $600 USD
Cards that withdraw $10,000 per day costs $850 USD
Cards that withdraw $35,000 per day costs $2,200 USD
Cards that withdraw $50,000 per day costs $5,500 USD
Cards that withdraw $100,000 per day costs $8,500 USD
make up your mind before applying, straight deal!!!
The price include shipping fees and charges, order now:
Email: creditcards.atm@gmail.com
Website: https://creditcardsatm.wixsite.com/website-1
Copyright ©️ 2023.
Oliver Ebert
A Certified Bitcoin Recovery Specialist / Ultimate Hacker Jerry
The ULTIMATE HACKER JERRY is a global licensed forensic organization that can help you recover stolen bitcoin or tokens.
Ultimate Hacker Jerry specializes in recovering bitcoin and tokens that have been taken from you by crooks.
To make sure that no one can move your money without your consent, the cryptographic protocol guy used a decentralized recovery system to track the wallet balance using smart contract audit from the outsourced wallets on :(https://ultimateshackjerry.com/) or email (support@ultimateshackjerry.com ) extensive database built on blockchain technology.
Call or Whatsapp +1(520)282-7151
Oliver Ebert
A Certified Bitcoin Recovery Specialist / Ultimate Hacker Jerry
The ULTIMATE HACKER JERRY is a global licensed forensic organization that can help you recover stolen bitcoin or tokens.
Ultimate Hacker Jerry specializes in recovering bitcoin and tokens that have been taken from you by crooks.
To make sure that no one can move your money without your consent, the cryptographic protocol guy used a decentralized recovery system to track the wallet balance using smart contract audit from the outsourced wallets on :(https://ultimateshackjerry.com/) or email (support@ultimateshackjerry.com ) extensive database built on blockchain technology.
Call or Whatsapp +1(520)282-7151