It was 2008. I was 20 years old, and I felt like I had completely messed up my life. 🤦🏻♀️
I went to college to pursue a career in acting, and as I progressed in that field, I realized that I was simply clouded with childhood dreams of fame and glamour and that acting was definitely NOT what I wanted to do with my life.
But I had already accrued all this college debt and felt as if I had essentially wasted my first two years out of high school.
So what was I to do? I knew I loved administrative work, organization, and office supplies, but unfortunately those admin skills I had would not pay more than $10 an hour at some establishment that was hiring for a receptionist.
So there I was, a college dropout with no hopes to ever make more than, what, $25,000 per year at the time? Keep in mind that I was in an area where cost of living for a tiny little apartment would eat up about half of that salary. Add onto that the college debt I did accrue, and I was in a bad position.
I felt stuck...trapped in my life...basically I was at a complete loss.
What I wish I could tell my younger self is that you are SO much more than the options you are presented with.
What I wish I could tell her is that the combination of talents that you have, along with your tremendous potential to grow, will soar you to new amazing new heights you can’t even see right now.
A few years later and sick of struggling to pay my bills, I somehow got the ambitious idea to start my own company, and through this journey, I had essentially forced myself into having to grow and learn new things.
It was HARD. I would work a 9-5, drive home, scarf down some form of a dinner, and then head to Starbucks to work on my business until I was about ready to pass out. I did that every single night.
Worth it? 100%.
Fast forward to 2023, and after much research, trial and error, and many mistakes along the way, and I am now a self-employed, self-sufficient 34-year-old woman running a virtual administrative support company with the best clients in the world and with two incredible full-time employees…plus the freedom to work where, when, and how I want.
In fact, I am about to celebrate my business' 10-year anniversary this fall!
The possibilities are truly endless now. I have broken out of that box, and it’s gone forever.
What if I had listened to those in my life who told me I’d be nothing without college?
What if I had never broken free from the assumption that I’d be working for minimum wage the rest of my life?
What if I had never allowed myself to think outside of the box, take a chance, and see how God leads me?
Never allow yourself to be restricted by traditional boundaries.
You have so much potential and beauty, and are capable of achieving some great things.
If you're stuck in life, my best advice for you is to just tell those voices in your head to shut up already, and make your dreams happen. You've got this.
Amy Joan