Dear Wanda,
As explained to you by XXX, Director of Housing and XXX, Director of Program Quality during the conversation on July 13, 2011 we regret to inform you that due to a reduction in funding, your position as Credit and Housing Counselor had been eliminated effective July 13 2011.
It was this sentence that changed the course of my life forever. I dropped off the kids at daycare and rushed to work so that I could meet my clients. Clients that SOMEONE else scheduled for me. People I had never met before but it was MY responsibility to work with them to help save their homes, teach them how to budget their money, educate them on the proper use of credit. I got up every day in all types of weather and went to work because that is what I was told to do. And I enjoyed it. Helping these people made me happy. I liked it. I liked my coworkers and enjoyed going into the City every day. My office was across the street from a Starbucks and located in the Heart of Center City. I couldn’t ask for a better gig. Fred and I just had our second Child, we just closed on our first home and everything was coming up roses. I had never in my wildest dreams thought I would be fired. I spoke 2 languages! Come on who fires someone who is bilingual! So when this happened I was shocked! I had NO IDEA what Fred was going to say. He was surprisingly laid back. He told me to go to the gym then to enroll in school. Both of which I did. I got my degree in Digital Photography and Video Production and completed an Internship at the Philadelphia Inquire. I also photographed babies for a local hospital. Many of these babies were born to prison moms and these photos were the only photos they would ever have of their kids.
Owning a business was the last thing on my mind. I never dreamed I’d be able to run a business. NEVER. Now don’t get me wrong it hasn’t been easy there have been some lean months in the last 6 years but overall it has all been a learning experience. I shoot and I score, meaning I practice my craft every day, both in business and Photography. I have had some amazing opportunities come my way too. From prison Babies to the Pope I can’t even begin to tell you the vast amount of people who have been in front of my lens. Everyone says when one door closes another one opens. I look at my termination from Corporate America as the door to freedom opening. I’ve been able to start a business I LOVE, a business that is set up on my terms. I am home every morning with my children and husband. When my kids are sick I don’t have to debate whether or not I’m sending them to school, NO they stay home because I have created a lifestyle where I have the flexibility to make those choices. It’s not easy at all. This lifestyle took years of hard work, lots of tears and a strong commitment to a dream to create. I knew what I wanted and I worked hard at it. I did NOT allow distractions from anyone else, not even my spouse to get in the way, and that is important to remember. Our martial partners matter to us and sometimes we as women will let guilt take over because we want to please everyone NO NO NO. You need to be happy and if you divorced tomorrow your business needs to provide for you. So make sure it’s built on something you want and not the dreams of someone else. I respect my husband and value his opinion but in the end, the decision is mine good or bad I have to live with it.
So today on the 6th anniversary of my termination from Corporate America I challenge all of you to do something for you. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Share it with us on social media I’d love to see that you bravely did!
Good Luck!
Wanda
