Parallel Career Path
I’ve never talked about this, but I actually started a full blown parallel career path when I was 27. It’s currently scary for folks losing jobs, and many are still afraid even if they have one. But I'll share my experience creating a dual path for what looks like more “financial independence”, but could be seen as life adventure. Look, life's going to take you on an adventure anyway right now, might as well try to have a say in it.
I was working at Austin’s first venture studio, launching startups for tech execs. Then I was approached by the Austin mayor’s re-election team to basically create the go-to-market plans I’d do for our portfolio companies, but for the candidate. Soon after, Fort Worth heard about this and hired me to do what I did in Austin, but for their mayor's re-election campaign.
Both were successful re-elections. Both of my campaigns' strategy and execution won all these awards— but y’all I had never even done that before, so talk about imposter syndrome. When I flew to Napa to be recognized at the American Association of Political Consulting (in the pic), I didn’t even know how to describe that my job was actually just startups and not political consulting lol. I was branded “the startup girl”, but that conference community welcomed me even though I didn't know anyone, wasn’t really in the industry, unfamiliar with the system and terminologies, etc.
Maybe not everyone should start a business, or a side hustle because it’s so hard and it'll probably “fail”. But at least the life experience of betting on yourself is unlike any other. You could buy a ticket to “Bet On Yourself” Island for a certain amount of time, really commit and just see what it's like there. Maybe you’ll enjoy it and decide to stay as it can be a real dream of a place. You won't know unless you go.
But let's be real, there are limited opps to visit “Bet On Yourself” Island. It's hard to get to, and not accessible for most. It only exists in a short time window, and can be hard telling when that window's forming. But if you even have an idea, the skills, network, etc then you’re head & shoulders over others. That’s not even an excuse if you have nothing, bc look at the world we’re in. You have an internet connection and computer. You’re unstoppable! A reminder: life does reward action. It can be even more rewarding to those who are bold.
De-risk by resourcefully using your skillset, network, vision, etc, for one campaign, an extra project, anything out of your comfort zone. If you don't know already, it's being "T Shaped” + the mindset that this is a life adventure buying a ticket to “Bet On Yourself” Island, can make all the difference.
Tell me how it is/was. Leave a review. Maybe you're still there, extended your trip, or just got back. It’s a diff place for everyone and it changes across time & experience. But great that for folks who've been on that island, means we’re about the journey. Y’all are my people! 🙌
Photo caption below: A new and great friend I made at the conference, the of course highly revered leader of industry, Art Hackney, who served as chairman of the AAPC during that life changing event! Thank you, Art for your confidence in me and hope to catch up soon about things shaping out in Texas on the legislative front for startups and investors!
