Let’s face it, most of us need to work to live. I think of my teenage years when I would hold a job for a few months and then get bored and quit but have a new “exciting” job within a few days. The cycle repeated for many years until the time came when I needed to be an adult. As an adult the expectation is to obtain and hold a good-paying job preferably with benefits. I have never been great at doing the expected. So, I went into business for myself and really enjoyed the challenge.
I woke up every morning excited to start working and worked late with pleasure. Then there came an interesting moment when a very large company came knocking and actually wanted to buy my business and have me come work for them. It was very exciting and of course very flattering but most of all it was a new challenge. You can probably guess that I enjoy challenges. Yes, I took the offer and sold or you could say in a way that I sold-out.
I found myself in senior management in a semi-corporate atmosphere and there were many many challenges, which I conquered and accomplished all they had expected. However, after a couple of years what I found is that I had not just sold my business. I had sold my freedom, my happiness, my peace of mind and my love of what I do. I became jealous of my husband who always wakes up with a pep in his step and excitement to get to work because he truly loves his work. Whereas I had to drag myself out of bed to face the day and each day hated the task a little more.
So, I began to think about the things I love and what makes me happy. Then I thought, why can’t what I love also be a business? And…Keeping it Real in Jersey…was born. This new and exciting venture may not be a high-paid corporate job with great benefits, but it will give me back my freedom, my happiness, my peace of mind and love of what I do.
