Monday, September 30, 2013

Change

Remember this post? For the past month or so, I've taken a bit of a "blog hiatus" because things have been changing quite a bit for me. I've been in a crazy state of transition, but things are settling and I'm ready to tell you all about it!

I started blogging in January of 2008 (here is my very first post if you are curious!) When I first started, I literally blogged about whatever I had going through my head.. which was mostly about decorating.. (and on a side note, I sometimes cringe at the things I used to put out there in the universe, ha! But I've never deleted any posts.. so you are welcome go back in time... but most of the image links are broken, etc.)

Some of you have followed me from the beginning (talk about humbling!) and have seen me go through some major life transitions. When I first started blogging, I had such a passion for interior design and I had a background in graphic design, so I started making design boards for people. Then people started paying me, then after a couple years and a transfer with my husband's job to Charlotte, NC.. I decided to leave my day job in Advertising/Marketing and do what I love full time!

When we moved to Charlotte from CA, the cost of living was much more affordable and it allowed me to launch my career as an interior decorator, Bryn Alexandra Interiors. However.. I still wanted some sort of steady income (because I really had no idea if anyone would hire me here in Charlotte as a decorator!) so a friend of mine (Thanks, Sarah!) mentioned that a local interior design shop here in Charlotte has an opening. I interviewed, and got the job!

For the last three years, I have run my own decorating business (Bryn Alexandra Interiors) while working at Isabella every Tuesday and Friday. I have been blessed, and my own business really took off and things were insanely busy. It started becoming a struggle to juggle both. I knew deep down that in order for my business to continue to grow, I needed to eventually leave Isabella. That was a year or so ago... and the problem was, I never wanted to leave Isabella.

So I had to sit down and really evaluate what I wanted in my life. I obviously love doing interior design and being a decorator.  But I would see other bloggers-turned-interior-designers continue to grow their business, hire employees, get studios, etc and the idea, to me, was daunting. Because let's be honest - being an entrepreneur/business owner is scary. And I had to really be honest with myself and ask myself... is it for me? Did I want to have employees, accountants, overhead, etc?

And while struggling with this question, I continued to work at Isabella and loved it so much that no matter how badly I needed those extra two days a week for my own business, I never wanted to leave. There are so many reasons I love working at Isabella. Every day at Isabella I grow as a designer and I learn something new. I learn from one of the most talented designers I've ever met, and I love being able to bounce ideas off of her. I get to work with beautiful, high end products that I normally wouldn't be able to work with on my own. I also have fallen in love the retail side of things, too.

So, one day I decided to bite the bullet and approached Erin, the owner of Isabella, to see if she ever thought about me possibly coming on as a full time employee. And I was ecstatic to hear she had been thinking the same thing! And when I heard the news, I knew which direction I was meant to go in.
So, after I wrote an entire novel, my big life change is: I'm now working (almost) full time at Isabella.

I'm sure some of you have a million questions for me. I'll try to answer some of them!

What will you be doing at Isabella?  With my new position, I wear many hats. I'm a full time interior designer at Isabella, but I'm also going to be in charge of the website, blog and social media (which you know, I love to do!) I also, of course, will work on the retail side of things. Helping customers and also going to market and selecting products, etc.

What is going to happen to Bryn Alexandra Interiors? For local design clients, I will now only be working through Isabella. But it will still be very similar to how I worked through Bryn Alexandra Interiors. When working with a designer through a store, sometimes you have to purchase all of the items through the store. But we are flexible at Isabella, and still source pieces at West Elm, Restoration Hardware, etc depending on the budget. So if you ever thought of working with me locally, you still can!

However, my schedule at Isabella is Tuesday-Friday. I have every Monday off and I still will be taking on e-decorating clients. It's funny how life turns out.. because it's like a full circle from where I began (working full time and doing design boards on the side).

Are you sad to leave your own business? Yes, it's a little bitter sweet. It was obviously really great to have the flexibility of being my own boss. But with the pros, there were definitely cons. I realized that I missed working with other people, having a steady paycheck.. and I am very excited to not have to deal with business taxes and accounting anymore! ;)

What will happen with this blog? As I mentioned, one of my new roles at Isabella is to work on the website/blog/social media. Right now I'll be blogging here at Bryn Alexandra on a regular basis, very much like how I always have. But I'll be posting more about the shop now, which I think will be very fun for you guys, the readers! We'll be starting some new blog features, like Home Tours, Scenes From The Shop, Design Schemes, Good To Know (featuring other talented people around Charlotte), etc.

While I continue to blog here at Bryn Alexandra, I'll also be working on developing a new Isabella blog. Then, once it launches,  I'll be blogging from there on a daily basis. I hope you will follow me!!! But I'll definitely keep this blog to post on about my life, etc... very much like I did from Day 1 :)
I'm so sorry this was such a lengthy post! But I really wanted you to understand this new stage in my life and why I decided to go in this direction. I've been working full time at Isabella for a month now and I haven't looked back! I absolutely love my (sort of) new job and I am so excited for what's to come in the future.

Tomorrow I'll be posting some pictures of the shop that I took last week so you can see the beautiful place I work in!!!

Thank you, my dear readers, for always supporting me and sticking by me. It's amazing to think many of you have been "with" me through all of life's transitions.

32 comments:

  1. Such an awesome transition!!! Can't wait to see/hear more about Isabella!
    Brittany
    www.classicallyb.com

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  2. Congratulations for following your goals and being so reflective on your professional objectives. And isn't it great to know that you are so highly regarded that you're being brought on full-time?

    I have no doubts that you will be continually successful in this new full-time position.

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  3. Congratulations on this exciting new change! That is one of my favorite quotes... "The truth is most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive."

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  4. Congrats on your new position. Sounds like you're gearing up to start a family- paring down on time consuming responsibilities such as accounting, etc. will definitely make your life easier when you get to that stage! good luck!

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  5. Congratulations on making decisions! Life is full of interesting choices and I am glad you are happy with yours. I will still be a reader!

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  6. Congrats on such an exciting transition to full time employee! Can't wait to follow the new blog!!

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  7. Congratulations! I remember when you left your full time job to start your own business. It's so wonderful that you've found something that works out so well for you. Best of luck to you and I will definitely still follow your blogs!

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  8. As someone who has followed since (almost) the very beginning, I'm excited for you! Best wishes on this new(ish) journey!

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  9. Congrats!! that's awesome! I have been following you for some time now (at least 2+ yrs) and its been really inspiring to watch you grow into your love for design!

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  10. Congrats on your new position, Bryn! I find this post so refreshing, especially after reading this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wait-but-why/generation-y-unhappy_b_3930620.html It seems as though so many bloggers (I know this extends beyond bloggers too!) are all about having their own business that it's nice to read about someone stepping away from their successful business to work for someone else and find it fulfilling. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Good for you for following your gut. I'm excited to follow you into this new adventure! I have dreams of being an interior designer, but know it's not always easy, so it's nice to see that you've made it into something that works for you...and you still get to do the pretty, fun stuff.

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  12. I've been following your blog since you were in CA - best of luck with the transition & glad you were able to follow your instincts about what is right for you!

    I look forward to following your new direction!

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  13. Congrats, Bryn! Isabella is a wonderful shop, and I am excited for you as you work with Erin to make it even more fantastic!!!

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  14. Well, better reason that I finally have to get there one of these days and see you! Congrats on your new position. They're lucky to have you and your talent :)

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  15. Congrats!!!! That sounds wonderful for you and huge sigh of relief:) so happy for you

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  16. Congrats! So happy to hear you are moving in the direction you want to go.

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  17. Good for you to go after what you truly want! I love the Oprah quote. :) So happy for you, Bryn!

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  18. ...and here I thought you were pregnant. Congrats. I am from CLT and love Isabella! Way to go!

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  19. Congrats to you Bryn! I want to come by to see you at Isabella one day. That is a wonderful shop and I am so happy for you to follow your dreams and have a calmer life at the same time! Good job!

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  20. Congratulations Bryn.....I know you will be very successful with your talent for design!

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  21. So so exciting! I was scared you were going to leave blogging all together, but now that youll be blogging for them too its double the fun! Cant wait to see what this next chapter brings you!

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  22. Congrats on the new position!! What a beautiful place to call work! I've been in a similar career transition and your words are encouraging. Hope to visit Isabella one day! ~Liz
    belledesignll.blogspot.com

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  23. Congrats Bryn! Sounds like it was meant to be! I look forward to the new blog!

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  24. Yay Bryn! So happy you found the perfect spot :) Excited to see how Isabella grows with you at the social media helm! :)

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  25. Good for you Bryn! You and Erin are such a great team, I know wonderful things are ahead for you, Erin and Isabella!

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  26. Congratulations, Bryn! It sounds you like you found the perfect thing for you--what a blessing! Looking forward to reading more about this new season of life for you!

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  27. Congratulations. May it be a wonderful adventure!

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  28. I love you friend and I'm so excited for this new journey. You are so talented and no matter what you do you'll succeed at it!

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  29. Bryn! I just realized that I have been following you forever! I think I found your blog from the knot! Needless to say, I really enjoy you and I will be following you!

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  30. It's great that you were honest with yourself to decide that working full time at Isabella is the best choice. I'm with you -- I feel much happier working with other people and not worrying about the entrepreneurial aspects. Congrats on the new baby, and I hope everything works out for the best in all aspects of your life!

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THANK YOU for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate each and every comment.

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