I've been out of the workforce for a while. I was laid off from a contract position in June 2008, a mere 2 days before I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I was shocked, to say the least, but luckily the severance was fair.
Despite my emerging bump, I tried to find a new job. I knew this probably meant agreeing to a shorter mat leave but I persisted. As I got bigger, the interviewer's looks got more skeptical, so eventually I decided to count my blessings and enjoy a pampered pregnancy at home. My gorgeous daughter, Averi, was born on Valentine's Day 2009 and she is the love of my life. Sorry hubby! I've been so fortunate to spend the past year at home with her. Sleepless nights and the sheer fear of being responsible for another human being didn't stop me from loving every moment of my maternity leave.
Eventually, I did start thinking about going back to work. I physically had nowhere to go back to, but staying home was not an option. My husband and I have a home together and a lifestyle that needs two incomes. Plus, I do love my work. My biggest concern? After a year and a half away from cubicle city, I really couldn't envision myself back there again. More than that, the thought of Averi learning and growing and changing each day while I logged in major hours establishing myself in a new job, made me feel miserable. I knew if I went back to my corporate career, I'd resent my job and miss my little girl terribly.
I'm new to business ownership, but entrepreneurship isn't just a stab in the dark for me. When asked the standard "where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?" I would always allude to the fact that I wanted to have my own business. I didn't have any specific plans, but I did think it was sensible to launch following a leave since I might have time to do the research and planning involved without having to work a full-time job. That being said, I didn't have any concrete business ideas. I was always in awe of visionary mothers who were able to identify a hole in the marketplace and create an amazing new product that they can build a solid business idea around. I didn't think I was genius enough to invent a new product, so I knew I'd focus on building a service-oriented business.
The final decision to flex my entrepreneurial muscles happened late last year. The job market was terrible and all my efforts seemed to yield few results. I had always been able to find jobs quickly and am very confident in my skills, but interviews were just few and far in between. Any job offers I received were paying well below my previous salaries and I just felt compelled to take my career into my own hands.As the year-end approached, I really dug my heels in trying to come up with my big idea. My husband thought I was a bit crazy when I would urge Averi to give me some inspiration. Eventually I got some, more from my own closet than from her babbled suggestions.
Though most moms are at odds with their wardrobe post-baby, mine gave me my 'a-ha' moment! With 'nothing to wear', I really had time to analyze my clothing. I was constantly trying things on (please let these jeans fit!) and trying to create outfits that still made me look fashionable despite the fact that employment insurance can not possibly support any woman's fashion obsession.
My closet encounters helped me I realize that the pieces I love most in my wardrobe, were the ones I picked up at little known boutiques, not big retail chains. That really got me thinking about the great treasures you can find outside the institution of the shopping mall. Don't get me wrong, I love the mall, especially now that I get to park in those prime mom and baby spots, but Toronto is blessed with some amazing boutiques and talented designers that need to be as well known as H&M or Joe Fresh.
I don't know what the future holds, but I'm certain that my passion and my adorable assistant will make my new venture work.
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