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By Lucinda Dunn, Editor-in-chief of The Rock Hill Runway Newspaper  The Selfmade Chick Runway: Who is the Self Made Chick? Tell us a little about your self? Christine: My name is Christine O’Kelly, aka Self Made Chick. I up and left my corporate job without any plan of action in search of a better life as an entrepreneur. I’m also a mom of two wild and awesome kids, ages 6 and 8. They were my inspiration for leaving the corporate life. I was determined to find some way to be more available to them than my cubicle job would allow. Runway: A very close friend who is always finding wonderful and inspiring information on the internet sent me your blog. When I saw it, it spoke volumes into my life. She said it did the same for her. Since that time, I’ve sent this blog to several people. Every person comes back with the same testimony. “This is me!” My question to you is, when was the defining moment when you said enough and left corporate America? Christine: Oh man… this is one story that really makes me feel like a loser! The day I decided that enough was enough was a bittersweet day. I was working for a fast-paced internet startup company in downtown San Diego and that day we were having an award ceremony at a local restaurant/bar. I was thrilled to find out that I had won the company’s most sought-after award. That part of the day was great! After the awards were all given out, everyone in the company celebrated with drinks and laughter before walking back to the office. When I returned to the office at around 7:00, I called home to check on the husband and kids. To my horror, he was asleep and no one had picked the kids up from daycare! They had been sitting there for an hour wondering where we were. I had won this great award… but at what cost? I was hardly ever at home anymore and was not spending the time with my kids the way I wanted. That’s when I realized that something needed to change. Runway: When I read that you fell asleep at work while actually talking to someone, I completely understood. You write in your blog that your relationship with your job was bittersweet. Explain for the readers what you mean? Christine: Yes – I did fall asleep while talking to someone right at my desk! How embarrassing is that? I was burning myself out in a major way trying to juggle this ex- tremely demanding job and my family. I loved my job because it was really exciting and challenging to me. I worked with a team of outstanding overachievers and we loved to tackle giant challenges. That part felt great… but then I didn’t have the energy left over for my family Runway: Of course, we see the blog and the great advice, tips and business information represented on your site. However, tell those of us who are still trying to reach where you are. Tell us how to become a self-made chic. What can someone do who is in a 9-5 job that they like but not passionate about. What’s the first step he or she should take Christine: Well… I guess there are two ways to do it. The “safe” way never worked for me, but I don’t necessarily recommend doing what I did! The “safe” way would be to build a small business on the side and continue to grow it until you are ready to make the leap. That never worked for me though because I found that I would not put my entire heart and soul into a part-time venture. I decided that if I jumped into entrepreneurship without any life preserver, that I would be forced to figure it out because I didn’t want to face the consequences of failing (being homeless, broke, etc). I suppose that what makes more sense is to convince yourself that failing at your goals is absolutely not acceptable. Runway: What advice do you have for those persons who are good at writing but not interested in writing a book? What are some of the things they can do as a Freelance writer? How do they get started as freelance writer? Christine: There are lots of opportunities for writers! In this age of the internet where almost all communication is written, companies need good writers more than ever be fore. In the past, businesses depended on sales people to talk to customers when they walked into the store or office. Today, the majority of that selling is happening online.Writers can find work writing web copy, landing pages, Adwords ads, press releases, and articles for companies. There are opportunities to write for newspapers, magazines, and trade journals. Blogging can be a fun way to earn some additional money. Then there are e-books, online teaching programs… wow – you name it and there is an opportunity for writers! Runway: On your blog, you talk about pulling the trigger. What do you mean by that? Christine: By pulling the trigger, I mean taking action. I think that some of us over plan and over think things as a way of avoiding taking action. Taking action is scary – and exhilarating. It’s not always comfortable. I think it’s important to know that taking action is not supposed to be comfortable or easy. This is something I had to learn to do. I have a tendency to over think everything! Once you do start pulling the trigger, it gets kind of addictive and it’s amazing how much you can actually accomplish! Runway: Do you have any regrets of leaving corporate America? Was it worth you pulling the trigger? Christine: I did have regrets about leaving corporate America at first, but after about 8 months, I never wanted to go back! In the beginning, I missed the team atmosphere of working at a larger company. But now I work with so many great clients and meet so many amazing people through blogging that I feel like I get a lot of interaction with people.I also found it very stressful at first to constantly worry about where the next check was coming from. In corporate America, you don’t have to worry about that. It just shows up in your account every other Friday. But that’s also the downside to working for someone else… no matter how many amazing things you do for the company, you still get the same ole paycheck. When you work for yourself, you can define what you want to earn and then figure out how to make it happen. Runway: How can readers reach the Self Made Chick? Christine: The best way to reach me is through the contact form on my blog.I also have an e-book that is available on my website for $12 called “How IBuilt a Profitable Freelance Business for Under $50 (And How You Can Too!)” http://selfmadechick.com/make-money-freelancing/. As the title implies, this e-book explains how I went from totally broke to making a living as a freelancer on a very tight budget. My goal is to help as many people as I possibly can take back con- trol of their life. It just requires a new way of looking at things and the courage to pull the trigger! |
The divorce process is at best like juggling dozens of balls in a circus act. At its worst it may be like fighting for your life against a multi-headed dragon, often under the tremulous gaze of your hollow-eyed children.
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