In the beginning….
Can anyone ever really pinpoint, with absolute certainty, when the seed of an idea was planted? I’m not sure. Looking back at life changing decisions I have taken over the years, my memory tells me that the thoughts that led to the final decision had always been bubbling away under the radar for a while before they took shape and became concrete ideas.
During my formative years, I learnt the importance of discipline and the joy of embracing creativity to be a part of my life. Discipline was paramountly responsible for the “academic” achievements such as learning a few languages, reaching an above average level of piano playing and buttoning down to get a degree and then a successful career. But, the creativity I enjoy and appreciate today, was borne out of being allowed the space to investigate and act on the natural curiosity, that is typical of a growing and thriving child. Here I refer to everything from cooking to painting, from sewing to gardening and from singing (to myself in the shower) to photography and an ongoing desire to learn new skills, irrespective of age.
A number of years ago, I read somewhere that the happiest people are the ones who change their careers three times during their working lives. When I read that, I wondered how that would be possible, especially since professional skills tend to be specific for certain industries. I studied pharmacy and worked as a community pharmacist for some years. Generally, in that kind of profession, most people start and finish their careers in the same sector. At some point, I felt that I could do the work in my sleep, and whilst it was a satisfying job, I could not imagine doing it for the rest of my life. And so it came about, that I did my first career pivot. The main learning blocks of a pharmacy degree are chemistry, more chemistry, then some more chemistry, a good dose of pharmacology and a sizeable dose of business studies. At this point I need to mention that I studied in South Africa, where pharmacy is very much more patient/client focused and business oriented than here in the UK. The knowledge and skills I had acquired as a pharmacist fitted perfectly into a corporate business in the cosmetics and toiletries sector. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of my new career and stayed with the business for 10 years, until we relocated to the UK.
After a short stint as a full-time mum, I started a new e-commerce business in partnership with a friend; career change 2. We imported high quality educational toys and children’s soft and hard furnishings from Europe. We took the company from zero to a profitable business in just under 5 years, after which we sold it, as we moved to a different part of the country.
It didn’t take long to realise that I was ready for career change 3. This happened by chance, and it came in the form of being asked by a local company whether I would be interested in working as an interpreter. Being fluent in a few languages and with substantial pharmaceutical, medical and business knowledge and experience, it was a relatively uncomplicated transition. I have met many interesting people, both professionals and clients in the 9 years I’ve been interpreting, and I have been privileged to be involved in walking alongside people undergoing various investigations in hospital, people going through tough legal matters and various social issues. I find the work extremely rewarding and plan to continue interpreting for the foreseeable future.
You may well ask what any of this has to do with starting a jewellery and handbags venture, which, by the way, is a total career overhaul! And this is where the “creativity” thing I was talking about earlier comes in. I’ve been itching to free that creative spirit that has been hiding during all the other career paths I have enjoyed. I have a passion for experimenting, colour, texture, movement, depth, composition, diversity, character and style. From imagining and visualising, to designing and drawing, to making and testing the products, it has been a joy.
I guess that this will be my last career change….maybe.