As part of the What’s your story? campaign going on the Noisette Blog, I’ve decided to share a bit about myself with – yikes! – the world. We all have stories, in fact, we have lots of stories, and some are tragic while others are, well fun. I have my professional story written here, and mine is about winding roads & deciding to control your life. Let me explain:

I was always the creative child. The one who was sent to drawing class, who took art as an option in my senior year (when everybody I knew took sciences) and the one who won awards for her painting. It was not a surprise to my parents when I declared I would want to be an artist (oh dear!). But when it was time to go to college, I got scared, and went in what was told at the time to be a career with a future, graphic design. To my surprise, I kinda liked it. After College, I stated working as a Junior in some Montreal’s agencies. And then, life hit me with a sledgehammer.

People are mean.

Now I can see that my self-esteem was maybe to blame for the fact that I was incapable of working in a «cubic» environment. And the fact that I took the whole bossing thing not super well. And the fixed working hours. And the no-creativity part, «will you go and make me coffee Valerie?». Yeah right, that will happen!

I was not meant for working in an agency, but at 20 years old, being all alone in your first apartment, with a depression (that you don’t even know you have!) and full adult responsibilities, you just try to «make it».

Anyway, I did quit and started working in cafes because I had to pay the rent. It was really humiliating in my mind, and that was my «lost period», which I don’t like to talk about. Self-esteem was replaced by misery, and depression was lurking by. I remember being cold at winter because we didn’t heat too much to keep utility expenses low. I remember taking in cats because we had… rats! I remember my dad giving me a rent-check for Christmas and me crying of joy AND humiliation.What saved me? Therapy? Nope.

Camp!

I went to work at a summer camp and there I found myself. I was strong. I was funny. I had leadership (who knew!). Seems I loved kids too. I met there kids who were scarred at 9 years old, and that, my friends, gave me perspective.

Stop winning, get over yourself and your pride, and take control of your life.

After that summer I went to University in Art, option for teaching. I was sure it was what I wanted, to be an art teacher. I thought I would fit into that lifestyle perfectly! I was good with kids, was creative, liked school… It would go perfectly, right, I would make it this time?

Take a guess!

I lasted a year after graduating. What was wrong with me?! I couldn’t fit into my working environment (again!). Stupid rules, stupid fixed working hours. Being good with the kids was not enough! (On a side note, if you are a teacher and reading this, let me tell you kudos to your work. You are a hero to me!)

So humiliated once again, I had to make a choice and look at myself. What if…

What if I made my own job. I could… Make it!

So I first started out doing jewelry: I was doing consignment, had my own online shop coded by Chéri (my husband), did shows and all of what you need to do to have a DIY business. I did all my branding (that graphic design degree came in handy after all!), took business class, learned it the hard way! It paid off, I had some local press, then was in magazines, did interviews, was finalist in a entrepreneur contest. I was loving my new life even though I was working a lot more than when I was employed. I had control over my work. I was being creative. What was missing then?

The money. I wasn’t making ends meet after 3 years, so I took then my first mature decision in my career. I decided to make money AND to be happy. Took me only 10 years to get there, but I finally decided to listen to what I needed to be happy, thriving and successful.

So what happen then? I returned to graphic design, which never really left me completely (checking wine label and commenting them? Watching the Super Bowl for the ads? Doing side gigs for free to friends?), with a purpose this time. Making it, for myself and for my clients, which are mostly start-ups and small biz. Been there, done that, I can definitely help! I’ve been my own boss since 2005, learned new skills all by myself and with the help of my soul mate (he organized me, wow, how I lacked organizing skills in the beginning!). Still working hard, but now it’s the life I wanted and deserved!

So as to any story, there is a lesson to be learn from the experience of others. In the end, you just have to make it, for yourself, your family. You have to ignore the other’s expectations, thank every soul mate that trow a light bulb your way to ignite your soul and be patient with yourself (I did a LOT of breathing the first years I was my own boss!). You have to take control of your career and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that’s what will make you stronger. ^_^

PS: Something I haven’t mentioned, having the support of my spouse, both emotional and financial was something super important to me when I decided (that night, in tears and somewhat in a mid panic-attack!) that I was going to become a freelance worker. I love you Chéri (I know that you read me en cachette!).