it’s been wild &
it’s worth sharing
“LIFE” WAS GOING WELL
I graduated school and wasted no time searching high and low for a career to apply my interest in Business. I didn’t exactly have a “dream job” in mind, I was just excited to start gaining “work experience” and find my way from there.
I intentionally tried out various fields - retail, legal, real estate. One day, I found it… Office Manager at Red Bull! I felt SO happy to have found work that was INSPIRING, because this was an industry based in lifestyle.
After 4 years, I was ready for more. I wanted to GROW. So for a while, I waited for an opportunity to open up in Sales Operations. But then between my increasing desire for more and managing my actual workload, I slowly fell demotivated and distracted…
“Am I stuck doing general admin work for the rest of my life??”
An Unexpected Leisure
Around the same time, my high school best friend introduced me to darts by DARTSLIVE.
Yes… completely random, and I was completely fascinated!
I picked up the game as a hobby and then very quickly became obsessed with it.
Since I was so discouraged at work, darts became a highlight for me - it turned out to be the perfect segue in that season of my life. Not just because it’s a fun, socializing sport
that helped to cheer me up. But from practicing the game, I actually found
genuine joy and passion.
I never could have imagined that learning how to play darts would show me the meaning to be truly passionate. Lucky for me, I have my friend to thank for it and I am forever grateful.
Time for CHANGE
My passion for darts came so naturally to me. It’s a strong feeling I had no doubts about and completely trusted. Being so passionate about darts made it obvious to me when something in my life was out of alignment.
While I continued trying to find growth at Red Bull, something became more and more obvious…
I was living life on repeat, year after year.
I kept telling myself the same things,
Kept falling back into the same patterns, and over and over again
Kept finding myself with the same thoughts and same feelings: unhappy, unresolved, and under-performing.
Because of darts and the real sense of joy and passion it gave me, when I began to feel off at Red Bull, I knew something needed to change. I thought it out for a whole summer and, finally, put in my 2 weeks notice.
When I said goodbye to being Office Manager of 6 years, I was not only willing to leave behind the stability and the comfort I had - I was almost eager for it. I had no idea what my future was going to be if I stayed - it felt paralyzing and intensely confusing almost everyday.
With each passing month, I felt less and less optimistic. On my last day, I had nothing else lined up, but I didn’t feel worried at all. I felt freed.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I FOLLOWED MY HEART
While I transitioned, I gave the corporate world one more try with a couple of term contracts - but no, it was not for me after all...
Why should my success be defined by how punctual I am to clock in and clock out?
Why should my potential be confined to how capable I am to sit at a desk everyday?
Not only did those conditions prove to suck the life out of me, but I began to question myself for them.
I started to feel not worthy, not good enough, not meant for what I want. It was all lies. But I didn’t know that.
I was taught that a modest, salary job would make me successful and happy. I was expected to climb the corporate ladder. So after I decided to find another way, my parents were worried AF. Especially after they learned of what I planned to do:
Run my very own neighbourhood coffee shop.
My entire childhood was spent helping out at our quaint-but-not-so cute family-run Chinese restaurant. I resented this life - I was bound to the place and my parents called all the shots in my life. I basically had no life outside of school and restaurant.
When they ended the business and I was free to work jobs of my own choice, I realized the skill set I gained from all those years… the willpower, the character, the perspective… all of it was invaluable. It helped me so much when I finally got to explore my own career.
Without a doubt, I knew that this kind of experience could help others too! So I wanted to be someone to offer that, and my own neighbourhood coffee shop would be my dream way to do it.
Doing Things Differently
The thing was… I knew nothing about coffee or barista craft. So I wanted to learn from an industry leader - STARBUCKS. I got hired as a barista and focused my efforts not only on learning coffee but also on leadership. As my responsibilities grew, so did my respect for Starbucks - they are truly invested in social responsibility and community.
The leaders that nurtured me really inspired me. Showing up for work didn’t feel like a job I HAD to do. Each day I got to grow myself and make a difference in someone else’s day.
The most fulfilling jobs I had before working my corporate 9-5 were customer facing roles. Getting to interact with people gave me life. Just from talking with others, I felt I was making small impacts by connecting through conversation. I lost this aspect in my life after I entered the corporate world. So Starbucks was the exact place I needed to be again - it lives and breathes for the customer connection and I felt so happy! Like I had finally found the right path for me.
My Dream Come True?
My passion grew and I committed myself tirelessly to my professional development. Within 2 years of starting as a barista, I got promoted to be store manager of my own Starbucks Coffee!
I felt so empowered and trusted to lead my own team. But then things got busy. Out of hand - in over my head - always working - crazy busy.
I had to be present to lead & support my team unconditionally, and I was responsible for everything behind the scenes.
Even though I went through a whole year of training to be ready - I was fully overwhelmed. I fell deep into anxiety and fatigue. Some days I reached the peak of imposter syndrome & self sabotage.
The sad part? I didn’t want to admit it. “I worked hard at this. I can do this. I don’t want to give up.” But even though this role had inspired me so much, I had to let it go. And it broke my heart.
So where did that leave me? I took a full stop.
I took time off, spent time alone, decompressed, reflected… and self-reflected.
When I decided to go all in with my dreams - leaving my 9-5 and starting at Starbucks - I knew I had to prioritize. I made very mindful choices for my time and energy. I fully committed to the cause. So when things took a turn, I felt defeated.
Strangely though, I also felt a calm sense of trust. “Everything is going to be alright” “Everything happens for a reason” - I knew I could trust my gut.
But I desperately needed to reconnect with myself again. I wanted to remember what happiness felt like, but more so I needed to believe in ME again. So I turned to the things that lit me up - my dog, my darts, and self-care.
One day I was listening to a podcast. A blogger I followed was speaking with a woman who resonated loud & clear to me. I didn’t know it then, but I had found my coach.
An Act of Self-Love
I binged all about this woman. Her energy was undeniably helping me.
I considered my options and decided… “I want her as my coach!” and signed the contract.
It was SCARY AF. I had never invested in myself like this.
I made big investments before, but it was never just for me. I had no idea what to expect,
but I knew it was not reckless - this was not a gamble. As cliche as it sounds, if
I was willing to bet on one thing, it’s going to be myself.
The rest was history. Working 1:1 with my coach helped me in ways that
could have taken me YEARS to do on my own. The bonus?
I found my purpose - a dream to connect others & empower.
The Carat Collective was founded to do exactly that - make an impact
by sharing all I have experienced and learned so it can help make a difference for others.
My life has taught me so much already that I want to share,
but the most important thing I needed to know was
It takes more than passion & purpose to make an impact.
I need the freedom to do so. And the best way to have that? Create it myself.
so babes, moral of this story?
stop waiting for your future to happen!
You already have what it takes to bring your desires and dreams to life. Consider this is NOT a coincidence that you came across my story. You can start living life the way you’ve always dreamed. Everyone’s story is different and unique. But a collective truth that applies to everyone?
The best time is NOW. The perfect time is NOW.
Why wait for the future to live your dreams?
You have the power to make your dreams happen today.
So don’t wait
