From Corporate Escape to Etsy Hustler: A Year of Cha-Ching and Career Changes

One year ago, I reached a breaking point in my job, feeling like I was on the verge of making a leap without a safety net. Well, not entirely without a net; my safety net was named Tait, who had a job that would support us while I embarked on a journey to discover my next adventure.

On October 31, I made the decision to resign from my job. This allowed me to relish the holiday season in November and December, free from the constraints of my full-time employment. During this time, I dedicated myself to various projects, including creating this website and sending out Christmas cards. I indulged in holiday festivities with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store, all while secretly dreading the impending plunge into post-holiday job hunt depression come January 1. I diligently updated my resume and casually explored job opportunities during these initial days. Everything appeared promising until I encountered rejection and, in many cases, deafening silence. I swiftly realized that the uncertainty of what lay ahead would be more challenging than I had initially anticipated.

I encountered rejection and, in many cases, deafening silence.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my support system, which stepped in to guide me. Having spent my entire career within one company, I had few contacts outside of that circle. I embarked on the uncomfortable journey of networking and meeting new people. It was like speed-dating for career opportunities. Uncomfortable, but it worked. I shared my story and listened to the experiences of others, who often had tales that could rival the drama of reality TV.

It was like speed-dating for career opportunities.

The job hunt became all-consuming during January and February, with each moment dedicated to searching, applying, and resubmitting applications. It was a full-time job in itself, only without the paycheck. I progressed to first and second interviews, and sometimes more, only to experience disappointment when my hopes were at their peak.

I had self-doubt and would sometimes spend the day lying in bed. Ugh, it was downright awful at times. The rollercoaster of the job search made me realize that I had to do something besides searching. That's when I launched an Etsy shop with the lofty goal of becoming a millionaire, or at the very least, breaking even by selling t-shirts and mugs featuring my witty designs. While I didn't achieve financial success and my designs weren't witty, I had an unexpected revelation during my next job interview. When asked about what I had learned during my time interviewing and job searching, I realized I had acquired a wealth of knowledge about Etsy, Printify, digital marketing, social media budgets, and more. In a time when I believed I was drowning, I suddenly felt like I was growing. It was not only refreshing but also exhilarating to hear the satisfying "cha-ching" sound on my phone each time I made a sale on Etsy.

That's when I launched an Etsy shop with the lofty goal of becoming a millionaire, or at the very least, breaking even by selling t-shirts and mugs featuring my witty designs.

As March arrived, I approached it with a renewed attitude. By this point, my hard work was beginning to pay off. I had the privilege of meeting with one of the top recruiters in Minneapolis, who offered invaluable advice on revamping my resume and LinkedIn profile. I also found myself on the radar of several other recruiters. In addition, I decided to diversify my efforts by pursuing another part-time job. I was no longer content with lounging around in my PJs, so I completed the necessary paperwork to become a substitute teacher, including obtaining the required license and undergoing fingerprinting.

That's when the magic happened, precisely when my focus shifted elsewhere. I received an opportunity in an industry entirely foreign to me. I visited a company that resembled the automotive maintenance class I took in high school, with greasy machines all around. But there was an unmistakable fit—a fresh start. This time, in the manufacturing industry, I found myself leading a customer experience team, presented with a new set of opportunities.

I visited a company that resembled the automotive maintenance class I took in high school, with greasy machines all around.

I am grateful for this one-year anniversary of change. If you find yourself ready to move on from your current situation, don't hesitate to take that leap. In the end, I genuinely believe you'll be better for it. However, be prepared for some exceptionally tough days ahead. You can do it; it won't be easy, but you CAN do it! And hey, it might even be a source of future amusing anecdotes.

If you find yourself ready to move on from your current situation, don't hesitate to take that leap.

Check out my Etsy shop, request any custom designs you wish, use code BLOG15 to save 15% off any order. https://minnesbyamanda.etsy.com