Ch ch ch changes….
In September of last year I decided, for many reasons, to take a hiatus from the corporate world and basically quit my job. The decision to leave behind the security afforded to the gainfully employed (You know, little things like a steady income, health benefits for my family, and knowing for certain that I could pay my mortgage and feed my children) was not an easy one. But it was arrived at carefully after weighing out many factors. So I did it. I submitted my resignation, thought I might have an aneurysm for about 15 seconds, and then it came… I took in this fresh breath, let out a sigh of relief and it was done. Even security comes with a price, and once you leave it behind I think it’s easier to see when that price is just too high. So there it was, behind me. A hard decision but clearly one of my best.
“Wherever you wander, there’s no place like home”
First things First. I’ve gotten to spend priceless time with my family over the past 6 months. Two kids growing way too fast is certainly not unique to me. But stopping my own life for a minute to take a better look at theirs made me realize how many little moments I was missing. Not only when I was away, but I took stock of all the moments I missed when I was right there but not fully present – So many times my mind was somewhere else when some critical little word floated right by me. I would not make that mistake again.
A girl’s gotta make a living right?
With home life in balance, I am slapped with a reality check. Being a stay at home mom is just not in the financial cards for me. After dipping my toe into the waters of consulting, I dive in head first. Representing a varied and fantastic group of clients and working on my time and around my family life. Cake + Fork + Mouth = LOVED IT!
Home and work lives existing in harmony? Check. The lessons of the past 6 months still fresh and front of mind? Check. Everything I learned in the years leading up to my decision to exit etched in me? Check and CHECK! I felt ready to dive back in. But only if the absolute right thing came along.
The Moon and the Stars align!
Through some of my consulting work I got the chance to know the great team that would soon become my awesome colleagues. I instantly like them. First, these guys were smart, savvy, and most of all customer focused. The technology was innovative and their foundation as a company solid. So when they came to me with this opportunity I listened and then immediately thought ‘These guys are crazy. I’m not an operations person. I’m a front line, customer facing sales girl. Have been for years.’ Then I remembered a decision I made 6 months ago. I had evaluated the cost of security in the past and found it too has a price. Accepting the idea of change and walking outside your comfort zone is risk, but it’s healthy risk. So I shut my mouth for a little while to listen. Took it all in for a moment and then asked enough questions to make them want to rescind the offer and run screaming with their ears covered.
The position was clear. A smart and growing company that knows well enough to not get ahead of themselves is now asking me to help them manage growth and head up their operations in a refreshing new way. It’s operations for the New Company; This is not a board room position strictly managing staff and juggling P&L statements. This is an opportunity to take the customer experience and bring it directly back to the board room. It’s the opportunity to do what so many companies do not. It’s taking an already “sold” client and improving on their experience. It’s taking the feedback from every customer, prospect and technology partner and treating it like the valuable information it is. OK, so maybe it’s not sales — It’s way better!
On April 1st, I started my new role as Chief Operations Officer at the fabulous Optizmo Technologies without much fuss. I embraced change, tossed comfort behind me, and one month in, I could not be happier!
