About My Journey
Fourteen years ago, I finally decided that it was time for a career change. I had worked as a Restaurant Manager for several years, and was actually pretty darn good at it. I was earning good income, and advancing my investment portfolio. My boss was great, and my team was stellar. On the surface, my career was in a good place. However, this work did not allow me to get home in time to eat dinner with my partner, unplug on days off, or allow me to use my favorite skills everyday. I finally acknowledged how important those things were to me. So, I quit.
I immediately felt a powerful variety of feelings including relief, freedom and control. The timing of this decision was complicated by the ongoing “Great American Recession” which brought widespread layoffs and historic unemployment. The reality of this job market created other feelings... fear, hopelessness and confusion. I learned how to creatively explore careers, leverage my network to discover meaningful opportunities, bounce back from rejection, and ultimately find a fulfilling career as a Career Coach. This included a relocation from New Hampshire to North Carolina, two years of graduate school, and a ton of compromise. The journey wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
After my career transition, I served as a Career Coach for the University of North Carolina Asheville for four years. Asheville is a beautiful mountain town that has earned a reputation for having perhaps the most educated collection of wait staff and bartenders… it’s a tough job market with widespread underemployment. I worked with college graduates from 35 academic majors ranging from English to Engineering. I helped hundreds of graduates creatively launch their careers in the challenging Asheville job market, and helped many others relocate for opportunities across the country.
In 2018 my journey evolved again. I moved from North Carolina to Colorado to pursue an exciting work opportunity (and bigger mountains). At Galvanize, I worked with graduates from Web Development and Data Science programs. Students came to Galvanize from a remarkably diverse background of experiences and education, allowing me be a part of some remarkable career changes.
After yet another big career evolution in 2020, Iife is a good bit different for me today. Kim and I are back home in Asheville, and I work for myself in my home office. I resell used clothing online and teach others how to start and grow their own at-home reselling businesses.
Career change has been a prevailing theme of my life, and the focus of my professional work for more than ten years. Hundreds of professionals have leaned on me when they are exploring and activating brave career changes. I provide personalized coaching and a step-by-step process for professionals as they confidently navigate career change and new business ventures.
Every journey is unique. I would love to infuse some confidence and creativity into your journey.
