NEW TOPIC IN 2019:
BACK COUNTRY TO BUSINESS: HOW THE WILDERNESS CHANGED MY VIEW OF BUSINESS
BACK COUNTRY TO BUSINESS: HOW THE WILDERNESS CHANGED MY VIEW OF BUSINESS
HOW TO GROW A FIRM & A FAMILY: INSIGHTS ON THE INTERSECTION OF CLIENTS AND KIDS
What do you do when you have the opportunity to recreate your life? I had the opportunity to do this because of two incredibly hard conversations. At the time it felt like my life was falling apart and I would never be able to put it back together. But I kept hearing the same message over and over, start your own accounting business. So I did.
My background was in public accounting. Working long hours during busy season (Jan - Apr). Over the years I had too many women crying in my office because they missed their kids, couldn't make bedtime, and wrestled with the work family blend. I knew this was not the life I want. Even more surprising was how inflexible the job offers were that I was receiving in private industry. I jumped in both feet not knowing what I was doing but purchased a business license, business cards, and told everyone I knew that I was accepting clients.
A hybrid lifestyle was born. I created an entire new way to approach work and family. Blocking out family time first on my calendar and adding work time in around it. Of course there was a lot of trial and error figuring out what worked best for my family AND still provided my clients the best possible service.
Aftereffect
What do you do when you have the opportunity to recreate your life? I had the opportunity to do this because of two incredibly hard conversations. At the time it felt like my life was falling apart and I would never be able to put it back together. But I kept hearing the same message over and over, start your own accounting business. So I did.
My background was in public accounting. Working long hours during busy season (Jan - Apr). Over the years I had too many women crying in my office because they missed their kids, couldn't make bedtime, and wrestled with the work family blend. I knew this was not the life I want. Even more surprising was how inflexible the job offers were that I was receiving in private industry. I jumped in both feet not knowing what I was doing but purchased a business license, business cards, and told everyone I knew that I was accepting clients.
A hybrid lifestyle was born. I created an entire new way to approach work and family. Blocking out family time first on my calendar and adding work time in around it. Of course there was a lot of trial and error figuring out what worked best for my family AND still provided my clients the best possible service.
Aftereffect
- Growing a firm (or career) and a family at the same time is not just possible but you can thrive doing it.
- Taking your fear and turning it into courage will take you places you never imagined.
- Hybrid life if possible with planning and creativity.
- Feel crystal clear on priorities in redesigning your life.
HIKING WITH YOUR LITTLE TYKE: GET OUT, HAVE FUN, STAY SAFE
Being out in the mountains makes me feel alive and calm all at the same time. I spent my 20's climbing mountains (Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams are two of my favorites) hiking national park trails and dreaming of spending more time outside than inside. Everyone said enjoy it now because when you have kids all that will change. I couldn't bring myself to believe them.
So when Ridge was born I was intent on staying active and that being in the mountains would be natural for us. I started a few months postpartum (after being cleared by my mid-wife) with smaller shorter hikes that felt like I was climbing Mt. Rainier but were very easy. Over the next several years I packed him more places than most adults have been in their life. I worked on teaching him about moving safely in the mountains from a young age and how to respect the outdoors. More often than not our hikes ended up being the two of us.
That's when the questions started coming. How do you do this alone? Do you feel safe? How do you keep him entertained? What food do you eat? What carrier do you use? I had answers but not enough time to share with everyone who asked. I combined everything I knew into a presentation and walked into my local REI and asked if they needed any speakers. Turns out they did!
Aftereffect
Being out in the mountains makes me feel alive and calm all at the same time. I spent my 20's climbing mountains (Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams are two of my favorites) hiking national park trails and dreaming of spending more time outside than inside. Everyone said enjoy it now because when you have kids all that will change. I couldn't bring myself to believe them.
So when Ridge was born I was intent on staying active and that being in the mountains would be natural for us. I started a few months postpartum (after being cleared by my mid-wife) with smaller shorter hikes that felt like I was climbing Mt. Rainier but were very easy. Over the next several years I packed him more places than most adults have been in their life. I worked on teaching him about moving safely in the mountains from a young age and how to respect the outdoors. More often than not our hikes ended up being the two of us.
That's when the questions started coming. How do you do this alone? Do you feel safe? How do you keep him entertained? What food do you eat? What carrier do you use? I had answers but not enough time to share with everyone who asked. I combined everything I knew into a presentation and walked into my local REI and asked if they needed any speakers. Turns out they did!
Aftereffect
- Everyone can get outside with their children!
- Tips and tricks for feeling your best outside.
- Safety is important and everyone can learn enough to be comfortable in nature.
- The magic is in getting out the door and smiling no matter what.
