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I suppose I always knew the corporate 9-to-5 world was not for me. Yet, I did it - quite successfully even, for the better part of two decades. And even though I steered myself toward the most interesting and creative roles (marketing and communications) within those very conservative and not-quite-"me"-companies, I never really had that passion. You know, the one that says "I will sacrifice my own time, fun time and family time to make this work." Nah, it was always "just a job." I tried a few different ones. Increased responsibilities, accumulated longer titles, more money. Nope. Still just a job.
And then I attached my passion to my newly born son, and then his brother, then sister at the time; so it never really registered with me that perhaps those jobs were not meant to be. True, I figured I would go back full-time once the "kids were older." After all, could in good consience, not use my M.B.A.? Be, quote, just a Mom? But even when I was "just a Mom" I still consulted, contracted, worked on a project-by-project basis, so that I could still remain connected to the firms, titles and roles that I assumed I would go back to in some context, at some point.
And those jobs were just that -- jobs. More specifically, they were baseball camp payments, or dance class tuitions, or when times got tighter, grocery bills or night out money. Each one served its purpose -- not my purpose. But that's OK. I'd find one.
Oh, and I also bartended on and off during those years. No real purpose there either, but I'll admit, more passion... And that made me think. Marketing, bartending, people. Maybe I could pursue a career that combined everything I liked - and not just one that came together out of necessity or expected career-paths.
So here we are today. That was a 200-mile-an-hour explanation of how I came to this milepost in the road of my career, life and passion. Liquor Chick was born. And then LiteHouse Margarita Mix was born out of Liquor Chick. Who, people may wonder, is Liquor Chick? Fun to say, that's for sure. When I meet people and see them react to the name, it's interesting to them. It's not financial writing-interesting or law firm business development-interesting (two previous "jobs" I'd held). No, it's truly INTERESTING-INTERESTING. Or maybe that's just my opinion. And that's how I know I found something purposeful.
Now my interests include bottle suppliers, fruit wholesalers, and lots of lots of research. I don't claim to be an expert on the business side of this interest quite yet. But, the concrete side on the other hand -- on the actual creating of a consumer product that will eventually have a life of its own while still being a part of me -- that gives me interest to develop the expertise.
"You may as well use what you know." "Do what you like." We've all heard credos like these. They all make sense now. Now that I've had the other experiences to compare to. I get it. And it's what's going to make this newborn brand take hold. The passion and desire to conduct hours and hours of research, networking, phone calls and more research -- the exact same types of things I've done in careers past and felt indifferent about each and every minute of it.
So hopefully a year from now I will look back on this first official blog entry, chronicling my forray into the fabulous world of beverage distribution, with satisfaction that I've come a long way - longer than 15+ years in the Corporate Communications industry ever took me. And maybe it's because my family and I just watched Justin Bieber's feel-good movie "Never Say Never", reinforcing the undeterred following of one's dreams, that I am so full of hopefulness and optimism. So we'll see...
Next up: I have this great idea. Now what?
Can't wait to follow your progress, and try your LiteHouse margarita mix!
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