Wanna know something crazy? The TWO year anniversary of leaving my corporate job is coming up. Just typing that makes me think “whoa”. But I’ll be honest, I’ve come a long way….

The “me a few months ago” would have been having feelings of anxiety, stress and complete lack of satisfaction. But the “me these days” is feeling so much more free, excited and confident about the path I chose.

I’ve talked about these life moves in a series I dubbed “The Life Edit” in part one & two. Today I wanted to give a little update as a part three. What I’ve tried, how I’ve pivoted and where I’m at today.

OUTFIT EDIT

TRENCH COAT | WHITE TEE | BUTTON UP SKINNIES | LEATHER MULE | ROUND SUNNIES | BELT BAG | PENDANT NECKLACE | LOCKET

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My Journey as an Entrepreneur

My experience as an entrepreneur has been an interesting one. I started off fully motivated to turn this blog into a business as a “full-time blogger”. I inserted myself into the Seattle community, making connections with other bloggers and influencers. I packed my days with creating content, pitching brands, brainstorming new ideas. But for all of the work I was putting into it, I didn’t end up seeing much of a return, at least from a financial standpoint. I vowed to not take any shortcuts with buying followers, using engagement services, partaking in comment pods, blogger giveaways, etc. and decided to treat The Grey Edit as a brand that would evolve and grow over time into something more.

But I still needed to hustle for some cash. So I began leaning on the skills I had and started freelancing. Offering my expertise in marketing and branding, upping my game in web design, helping gals with styling. I learned the things I liked to do vs the things I was making myself do. Realizing it would be best to be a master of one or two than a master of none.

I picked up a part-time gig at one of my favorite barre studios. This led me to meet some amazing women and kept me moving. And for the first time in life, I realized I could gain strength and a whole new level of toning in my body by a few workouts a week vs pushing cardio every day.

I came up with an idea for a product. A new take on an everyday product I’ve never been happy with. I created a business plan, designed some chic branding, hired a product design agency, worked with a contractor overseas to help me with the manufacturing process. I learned a lot.

And… then I got pregnant.

It was all part of the plan, but it happened quickly. The first few months I was like, “I don’t feel pregnant”. Over the holidays I was like, “Ughhh, I feel pregnant”. During the second and third trimester, I had an entire wave of energy and motivation to get as much done as I could before his arrival. But once he arrived, everything changed. After struggling a bit with postpartum anxiety and feeling as if I’d been spinning since leaving my corporate job, I finally realized what it was I really wanted.

You see, a big part of why I left my 9 to 5 was to gain flexibility and freedom. To actually give my all to the hours I’d set aside for work so I could live and enjoy my life. Especially when a baby came into the picture. So after taking a step back and several weeks of deep, deep breaths, I gained clarity. It was a new year, a new decade and I was moving forward with a new approach to goals and an entirely new outlook. Most importantly, staying open to new possibilities.

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What I’ve Landed On Two Years Later

Two years later, I have a whole new plan and it feels more natural than ever. It allows me to have time at home with Bo, watching him grow. And it feeds my desire to own a business while pushing myself creatively along the way.

The freelancing? It goes on as work comes my way.

The part-time gig? That was fun while it lasted, but done a long time ago.

The product? It’s officially on pause, but I’m hopeful we can pick up where we left off once Trevor and I get used to our new life.

The Grey Edit???

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The Grey Edit Brand

The Grey Edit has evolved into a lifestyle brand.

Under this brand will be my blog where you’ll start to see more lifestyle content across areas of wellness, home, motherhood. All the while showcasing how style and career goals don’t have to be compromised after having a baby. It will be a place to house my styled images and all the tips and life hacks I can cram in. There will be more behind the scenes of a day in the life on my Insta.

Also under the brand will be a photography business — The Grey Edit Photo. This new venture is my attempt to help celebrate the women who are paving their own way in hopes to inspire others to do the same. Brand builders, business owners… the gals who are chasing their dreams. Their stories deserve to be documented and shared, and I want to help — one photo at a time.

My new website contains my evolving portfolio, information on offerings, a link out to my presets and will soon house stories of my clients as the “Women to Watch”. You can learn more about my journey with photography here and if you feel so inclined, please give the new Insta account @thegreyeditphoto a follow.

If you’re in Seattle — please send me a note if you want to work together!

I couldn’t thank you enough for following along during this crazy ride, and I’m excited to continue to share what’s ahead.

Until then, stay open. And don’t ever mute that voice inside that might be telling you it’s time to take a leap.