I was born with an entrepreneurial/advocate spirit. I remember innocently embarrassing my mother by making homemade items and selling them door to door. That was my first lesson about R&D and QC. It no doubt influenced my shift to service over product industries for my ultimate career selection.
I did well in my early career until we came smack against the economic crash of the early 90’s. My business and my husband’s employment was tied to the Housing/Real Estate industry. Our story includes long bouts of under and unemployment, losing everything we had worked hard to build, even losing our home to foreclosure and racking up a debt that seemed we would never be able to pay.
But with a creative “reinvent-yourself-approach” and the innate desire to help others, I looked for alternate paths. I have enjoyed being a successful business owner in property management, corporate gifts, business development, high end catering, speaking/teaching, ministry, writing and media – all of which are highly consistent with my skill set, interests and education. My husband’s career as a six-figure income earner however, was not as easily reinvented. Neither is his personality type inclined toward entrepreneurship.
Fast forward twenty plus years after never fully recovering from the early 90’s and abruptly coming up against the job/stock market crash of 2008, and we were ripe for utter implosion. Our hope, our marriage relationship, our health even our faith were severely tested. There’s nothing like out of control economy, job market and government to help a person rethink his or her career path.
We suffered through a lot during our four consecutive years of under and unemployment. But one thing I was not willing to also lose was our family. It’s bad enough to lose everything materially, we don’t need to lose our families too. (Advice I give every chance I get!)
I’m pleased to report that in 2004 my husband (giving into my generous input which he erroneously equates to nagging), established an LLC, and while the first years were difficult, the past three years have been good, with 2014 trending even better for him and our family. And happily, he is no longer subject to the employer-world for income and career. (I, on the other hand, needed to accept employment to help us through the initial lean years. But that’s how couples work together to preserve the family.)
Our experience of hitting the two major economic busts, along with my natural bent, compelled me to develop a course/seminar to help those under and unemployed. It is geared for those who have suffered down-size/job loss and those who love them. It is NOT just a problem for the one who is without income.
In both group and individual settings I share from my personal experience what people must do to overcome the adverse personal impact that comes with being under and unemployed–emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. I’ve researched and interviewed some of the best career coaches and senior level recruiting professionals to also offer some practical helps wanting people to experience as little down time as possible, while getting ready for the all important interviews.
With the job market and economy still in the tank, I’ve found myself encouraging people to consider taking charge of their own career through self-employment. It’s not for everyone, but even those who are tentative, such as my husband, will proclaim it’s a better option once you get through the initial lean/investment years. It requires planning and perseverance. Yet I contend, by drawing on our God-given gifts and talents, entrepreneurship is a viable solution that offers the most economic hope for our individual and collective future as a nation.
Pamela Christian is available to provide her seminar in a variety of settings, often with the added presentations from individuals like Jim Sullivan of Vision Resourcing Group or Brad Remillard with Impact Hiring Solutions. Whether you are a six-figure income earner, just starting your career or in need of transitioning your skills/experience into a new industry, consider having Pam speak, teach and bring the hope people need. Simply contact us to learn more.
A quote from one of Pam’s clients: “I am much more confident with my new and improved resumé, thanks to Pamela Christian. In a sea of cookie-cutter resumes and generic templates, in just a short time I received the feedback that my resumé was noticed. Pamela’s recommendations and modifications are invaluable!”
~Ruth, Southern California (Last name withheld by request so she can discretely find here next job!)
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