I am thrilled and honored to have Dana from Pellerini Proclaims sharing her words on the blog today. Dana's story is one that so many can connect with, one where we've stopped for moment in life and realized that something just isn't....us. Read more of Dana's story about taking a chance and chasing her dream.
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.
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.
Dana is a thirty-something year old who owns her own virtual marketing agency, with her most important job being a mom to two gorgeous boys. She's always loved to journal her day to day events and LOVES to share advice on fashion, travel, parenting, and more. She blogs over at Pellerini Proclaims, and you can follow along with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
This is awesome proof that everything happens for a reason!
ReplyDeleteIt takes a little convincing, but it's so true!!
DeleteSo true Katie!
DeleteSo awesome to read about Dana! I love her blog, and it's so great to learn more of her story. Thanks for sharing it Kelsie and Dana!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shann!! :)
DeleteI love girl bosses like Dana! Great for International Women's Day :).
ReplyDeleteGreta | www.gretahollar.com
Thank you Greta! :)
DeleteWay to go, Dana! I, too, started staying home rather unexpectedly. It's the best option for our family right now (my husband has a haphazard schedule) but I have definitely missed the interaction I had in my job... and I feel a little suffocated being home with a baby and toddler--- thank goodness for blogging. I dream a lot about what I would do if I had no restrictions--- maybe I just need to start making those dreams happen. Inspirational!
ReplyDeleteI hope my post helped to inspire you!
DeleteI loved reading your story, Dana! I can totally relate to your feelings of "This is awesome!" at first, but then wanting to do more. I've definitely been in those seasons before. Good for you for chasing your dream, and what a blessing that it could grow out of a less-than-ideal situation.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brittany!!
DeleteI love your story, Dana! There are so many bloggers who'd eventually love to make the switch to working at home, so stories like yours are so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks Abby! I never thought it would be me, but it is!! :)
Delete