My Career Shift and Currently Things, no. 5
I’ve hinted at it for a while now and if you’ve been following me you might have seen some subtle changes on my website and instagram profile…but I’m finally ready to talk about my career shift.
But first, let’s go back a few years.
In all my years of blogging (close to 15 at this point), I never shied away from the fact that I worked full time in the nonprofit industry. I loved my job and I was really proud of myself for getting my Masters in Arts Management and having a fairly successful career doing fundraising for nonprofits. But the pandemic really got the best of me. I was working constantly, I was exhausted and I jumped into a brand new job without taking a break. After getting laid off (the nonprofit decided to go in a different direction), I had the most relaxing 6 months of my adulthood while trying to find a new job. I know that that makes absolutely no sense, but if you’ve ever been unemployed, you know that after the first few weeks, job hunting is not a full time job. Outside of interviews, its maybe a 10 hours/week job. It gave me time to really start thinking about if I wanted to stay in fundraising or if it was time for a shift. Ultimately, I ended up taking a new full time job in fundraising and worked right up until giving birth to my first child, E.
I’m going to skip a lot of stuff, but basically, after coming back from maternity leave, my job and I ended up parting ways. Between that and not having full time care for E (in DC, daycares are expensive and the waitlists are long), my husband and I decided that it would be best for me to stay home with E. It also gave me time to think about my career in fundraising and if it was the best fit for me.
I decided to use the time I had to start talking to people and exploring new and different career opportunities. I ended up reconnecting with a friend who had been working as a stylist her whole life and talking to her was like a breath of fresh air. The more I thought about it (and shadowed her on a few client meetings), the more it felt like a perfect fit. I absolutely love fashion (duh, I’ve been writing about it for years) and helping people put outfits together.
So a super long story short (ha!), I’ve started my own personal styling business! I’ve shared more information about it here, but I’m excited to work with clients and help create the perfect wardrobe for them. I’m also going to be working as a stylist at a trunk show event coming up in DC, which I’m incredibly excited about.
If you’d like to learn more about my styling business, you can head over to my website or set up a 15 minute consultation call so we can talk about how I can best help you! I’m doing everything from single outfit styling to full on wardrobe makeovers, so I’m excited to help you however you need it.
Currently
Sharing
My latest newsletter, 1 Item, 5 Ways
How to rebuild your work wardrobe after coming back from maternity leave or remote work
Heather’s story about the impact of medicaid cuts on her life and how being disabled has taught her to be resilient. Heather is actually one of my sorority sisters and one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Her newsletters are always incredibly insightful and she’s a delight to follow in general.
Listening
Have you heard of the app “Music League”? A friend introduced me to it, and it’s so much fun. Basically, its a way for you to make playlists with friends based on different themes and then vote on your favorite songs from the playlist that week. It’s been a fun way for me to discover new music and see some of the different songs friends suggest.
I’ve started playing music more whenever Eli and I are playing or eating. Sometimes I’ll put on kids specific music, but I’ve also had fun using it as an excuse to play music I enjoy listening to. Lately, we’ve listened to a lot of Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and this week we added in the Vitamin String Quartet.
Has anyone else fallen in love with Gabby from The Traitors? (Or the Bachelor/ette, but I never watched those.) I learned the other week that she also has a podcast, so I’m adding it to my queue immediately. I think she’s so funny and I love her and her partner, Robby!
Eyeing
I keep telling myself that I don’t need sneakers…..but I need these sneakers, right? And maybe these too….
This polo would be great for lounging around the house or a coffee shop date!
If you have to go into an office for work, this fun jacket/cardigan would be such a fun piece to add to your wardrobe.
Reading
xo,
Dana