For years people have told me that I am living every moms’ dream – running my own successful business from home, contributing to our household income, managing my own flexible hours while being accountable only to and for myself. And in many ways they were right. It does sound pretty perfect, doesn’t it?
Just like children, businesses mature and grow and change.
So, you can imagine the response I received when I announced that I would be switching it all up in 2014 to rejoin the corporate rat race at a 9-5 job for Nestlé Canada. Am I crazy?!
I could be but the truth is, nothing is perfect. And some things that are close just don’t stay that way forever. I adore UrbanMoms like it is my third child but, just like children, businesses mature and grow and change. When UrbanMoms was in its infancy so was the industry. In fact, the term “social media” had yet to be coined and most marketers had never even heard of a blog. It was exciting and challenging and new and I was learning and teaching and creating at every turn. I was also volunteering in my children’s classrooms, taking them to the park and juggling my role as mom of a busy 2 and 5 year old with my role of entrepreneur.
Nearly 9 years later and the business of social media marketing is well established and saturated with bloggers from hacks to innovators. Businesses have social media strategies and budgets and UrbanMoms is secure in its place in the mix. At home 9 years have also passed and my kids are no longer babies. At 14 and 11 they are independent and at school all day so they need little of my time.
I would like to feel the challenge again, to stretch my thinking.
The business I loved for its mystery and excitement has become a well established, well respected go-to for many Canadian marketers. Internally at UrbanMoms we have process and policy and standards. I am so proud of what I have accomplished but, if I am honest, I want more. I would like to feel the challenge again, to stretch my thinking, and I would like to use the vast experience I have gained over the last 9 years in a bigger way. In social media years I am like the old shaman, wise and experienced in ways that surely need to be shared with others to be of any real value.
So, with the support of the wonderful staff and writers at UrbanMoms I am venturing out into the big, scary world to try my hand at something new. I won’t be too far from home (literally and figuratively) as social media and content marketing will continue to be my focus at Nestlé. I will also continue to oversee UrbanMoms while using everything I have learned to take on this next challenge.
Am I giving up The Dream? Maybe to some but for me the dream has always been to learn and grow and challenge myself. So, the way I see it, I am still living it.
By the way, my first day at work is Monday so wish me luck! Any tips or advice would be very much appreciated.
Congratulations on a job well done. Life is full of changes and as you embrace this new one so shall you grow. Take things in baby steps the first few days, get to know your new team and the ins and outs of the office. Live, Learn and Laugh. Those are my words for you.
Congrats on your many successes, Jen! You are brave and not crazy at all. I love what Candace said and I second it! In my 9-5’er at DQ CCanada I work with some great people at Nestle. Maybe our paths will cross! All the best on Monday!
Thanks for all of the support everyone! I am feeling really excited, a bit panicked about getting the kids prepared, but otherwise totally ready. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes 🙂
Best line in the whole post: “for me the dream has always been to learn and grow and challenge myself”
Continue to follow your dream(s) as they (and you) grow and evolve, Jen, and you’ll always be happy. As usual, you’re going to rock it!
Good luck! And let us know how it goes?
Working from home was never my dream, so it is interesting to see how different modes of work and life fit different people’s wishes and needs. Of course, I can’t do what I do at home anyhow, and I love what I do, so in my case, it all works out. Hope this is a great move for you!
i used to dream about donny osmond and really wanted to live that dream…however, my dreams changed (thankfully) so i don’t think you’re giving up anything! you’ve lived it and loved it which is a lot more than many of us can say. congratulations on your 9-5’er! 🙂
Julie, your comments always make me laugh 😉 Donny Osmond…LOL.
How exciting for you! I totally get it – you have to make the right choices for what motivates you, and being challenged is your thing! Plus, as you’ve said, the kids no longer need you all day long. Good for you – enjoy the new opportunity, I’m certain you’ll excel!
Good Luck and congrats! You’ll be amazing and you’re an inspiration!
Great article, Jen! Best of luck to you on Monday. I’m sure you will knock ’em dead!!
Ah Jen! You and I are leading somewhat parallel lives at the moment. I love what you said about it being your dream to learn and grow, Here’s the other thing – dreams change as our lives change. So do our interests, abilities and commitments. Like you, I have loved my business for the last 10 years. It has given me learnings, skills, experiences, opportunities and friendships that I take with me. One thing that I am most looking forward to is being out there, collaborating everyday and then coming home to my family. While there are many out there who say that we have been living the dream, I can say for myself, there have been many people and many times that thought that same thing about someone else. Best of luck to you on Monday. Here’s to new dreams.
Ah Jen! You and I are leading somewhat parallel lives at the moment. I love what you said about it being your dream to learn and grow, Here’s the other thing – dreams change as our lives change. So do our interests, abilities and commitments. Like you, I have loved my business for the last 10 years. It has given me learnings, skills, experiences, opportunities and friendships that I take with me. One thing that I am most looking forward to is being out there, collaborating everyday and then coming home to my family. While there are many out there who say that we have been living the dream, I can say for myself, there have been many people and many times that thought that same thing about someone else. Best of luck to you on Monday. Here’s to new dreams.