Finding Yourself At 40

At one point in time, everyone falls prey to letting time pass by and getting our priorities out of wack. Well, for me - it was a little different than that.

I have been trying to find my way......

As some of you might know, I am the owner of The Bronzed Beauty in Dallas, Texas. For the past 15 years I have been a Special Education public school teacher and working my salon part time for over 5 years.

During my last year of teaching, I had an experience that crushed my love and passion of a career that I had dedicated my life to. I put my job before my own children. With that experience, I learned that doors open and close for a purpose. I decided it was time to try being my own boss full time.

With the love and support of my family, I decided to postpone my teaching career and give my heart to my salon full time. It felt amazing to be my own boss, set my own hours, take my son to school everyday while he still needed a chauffeur. What was not amazing was the lack of a steady dependable income that I had been accustomed to for 15 years. The beauty industry is always evolving and it's an expense that is only splurged where there is disposable income to be spent.

After re-designing my business plan, I decided to sit and reflect on what I used to dream about when I was in college of what my job would be. I used to dream of the high rise condo I lived in, with my boys there, my husband coming home from a run with the dogs and me coming home from work. (I live in a house and not a condo, but that's ok)

So I decided to go out and get that job - I knew it was going to be hard, I hadn't been in the marketing world in a hot minute - but I really had and didn't realize it. Starting my entire airbrush tanning business from ZERO clients to where I am today didn't happen because I sat there waiting for people to find me - I was marketing and advertising myself - the experience with "The Bronzed Beauty" - so if I could do it for myself, I could do for again.

And I did. I have proven my skills to my current job and for once in a very long time, I feel accomplished, I feel needed but most of all, I feel appreciated.

Making a huge change in your life is never easy, especially when you are considered middle aged and not a "spring chicken" - but I am proof that if you follow your gut, follow your dreams and have a set plan of action - you can find who you are again and achieve your dreams.

~NW