My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
Prior to making a decision in my life, I get very quiet. I have learned, that for me, it's best if I don't discuss or ask for feedback from others as I make a change. I prefer to go within and allow myself to be guided for my own good. Privately.
People don't mean it, but they tend to project their own fears and worries on you if asked for advice because they imagine that it's them making the change. And let's face it, the majority of people in this world are paralyzed by change because change is uncertain. People need certainty because to them, certainty means security. Yet, there is no certainty or security when you make a change.
In fact, there is no such thing as security. Period. Nothing in this world is secure because nothing in this world is, and ever will be, permanent.
However, I don't just carelessly make changes without any preparation. I make a plan, and then move forward with it.
People don't mean it, but they tend to project their own fears and worries on you if asked for advice because they imagine that it's them making the change. And let's face it, the majority of people in this world are paralyzed by change because change is uncertain. People need certainty because to them, certainty means security. Yet, there is no certainty or security when you make a change.
In fact, there is no such thing as security. Period. Nothing in this world is secure because nothing in this world is, and ever will be, permanent.
However, I don't just carelessly make changes without any preparation. I make a plan, and then move forward with it.
I've also learned that before making certain changes, I first have to physically, mentally, and emotionally let go of what I no longer desire, so that what I do desire can enter my life.
Which brings me to the point of this post.
I resigned from my job without having another job lined up.
And do you know what? I am not the slightest bit scared or uncertain about my choice because I know beyond the shadow of a doubt, it was time. So, I consciously planned and saved for it.
Without getting into all the reasons I resigned, I will sum it up by saying that over the past two years I've seen the company I used to work for gradually change the image it projects to the public. And that image does not coincide with my own beliefs.
Make no mistake, I still love what I do and feel incredibly passionate about it. However, I need to do it in my own way.
I've been in this industry for over 30 years now. And it's about time I took all that knowledge and experience and created my own business and how I want it to be projected.
The thing that disappointed me the most about the company I used to work for is that for all its efforts to make women feel beautiful, it has done the complete opposite. It has made women feel that only "youth" is important, or of any value. Therefore, that's where it has focused all its energy and attention.
On the young.
And, oh, how foolish that is because catering to the young is a losing battle because the young are only interested in one thing, "the next new thing." They have no loyalty or commitment to anything other than what's new.
Perhaps I realize this because when I first started in this business, I was in my late 20's and assisted female clients who were in their 40's, 50's, 60's, and over. And I quickly realized that the most appreciative and loyal customers were the "mature" women. They were the ones who consistently came in every month and replenished their products.
Back then, mature women were the sustainable bread and butter of my business. Therefore, I learned to respect and honor them.
The company I used to work for has no interest in mature woman, by doing everything in its power to alienate them. I can't tell you how many times women walked up to me in the store and told me that I was the only one who made them feel welcomed. And when I continually relayed this to the company and suggested to them that they start paying more attention to their mature clientele, nothing was ever done about it.
Not only do I find that sad, but also just plain stupid because this particular company is suffering right now, due to their obsessive compulsion to invest millions of dollars, year after year, trying to figure out new ways to entertain and hold on to the younger clients. When in fact, all they have to do is redirect a percentage of their efforts to the mature clients who, a) are the more loyal clients, b) are the more appreciative clients, and c) are the clients who spend the money.
So, my plan is to eventually start a small business of my own as a mobile personal shopper and stylist for mature women. I did this for a brief time when I lived in Florida, but then my career took me elsewhere, so I dropped the ball.
However, it's time I pick that ball back up and focus my efforts on honoring what it is that I love to do most in this industry--assist mature women to accentuate their beauty.
I see nothing negative about using makeup, skincare, and hair care products.
My outlook and approach to beauty products has never been about making women look younger. My approach has always been about allowing women to celebrate their own unique beauty, and using products to bring it forward.
Personally, I have always found mature women the most attractive and the most interesting.
I know that what I'm about to say may sound discriminatory to some people, but quite frankly I don't give a shit, because the whole world has been discriminating against mature women for centuries.
I find the youth of today who are into beauty and makeup, utterly boring and tired. They all obsess and strive to resemble carbon copies of one another with the same eyebrows, the same cheekbones, the same nose shape, and the same lip shape. And that's because they are all watching the same YouTube videos that are programming them on what it means to be perfectly beautiful.
Pick up any beauty magazine or watch any YouTube beauty blogger tutorial, and you'll see exactly what I mean. Every single one of them looks the same. Like a premade mannequin. Boring.
No...
I much prefer the look of maturity.
Faces with character.
Faces with a history.
Faces that look as though they've been lived in.
Bellissima!
P.S. I'll keep you posted on my business venture with occasional updates throughout the next several months. 😊
Which brings me to the point of this post.
I resigned from my job without having another job lined up.
And do you know what? I am not the slightest bit scared or uncertain about my choice because I know beyond the shadow of a doubt, it was time. So, I consciously planned and saved for it.
Without getting into all the reasons I resigned, I will sum it up by saying that over the past two years I've seen the company I used to work for gradually change the image it projects to the public. And that image does not coincide with my own beliefs.
Make no mistake, I still love what I do and feel incredibly passionate about it. However, I need to do it in my own way.
I've been in this industry for over 30 years now. And it's about time I took all that knowledge and experience and created my own business and how I want it to be projected.
The thing that disappointed me the most about the company I used to work for is that for all its efforts to make women feel beautiful, it has done the complete opposite. It has made women feel that only "youth" is important, or of any value. Therefore, that's where it has focused all its energy and attention.
On the young.
And, oh, how foolish that is because catering to the young is a losing battle because the young are only interested in one thing, "the next new thing." They have no loyalty or commitment to anything other than what's new.
Perhaps I realize this because when I first started in this business, I was in my late 20's and assisted female clients who were in their 40's, 50's, 60's, and over. And I quickly realized that the most appreciative and loyal customers were the "mature" women. They were the ones who consistently came in every month and replenished their products.
Back then, mature women were the sustainable bread and butter of my business. Therefore, I learned to respect and honor them.
The company I used to work for has no interest in mature woman, by doing everything in its power to alienate them. I can't tell you how many times women walked up to me in the store and told me that I was the only one who made them feel welcomed. And when I continually relayed this to the company and suggested to them that they start paying more attention to their mature clientele, nothing was ever done about it.
Not only do I find that sad, but also just plain stupid because this particular company is suffering right now, due to their obsessive compulsion to invest millions of dollars, year after year, trying to figure out new ways to entertain and hold on to the younger clients. When in fact, all they have to do is redirect a percentage of their efforts to the mature clients who, a) are the more loyal clients, b) are the more appreciative clients, and c) are the clients who spend the money.
So, my plan is to eventually start a small business of my own as a mobile personal shopper and stylist for mature women. I did this for a brief time when I lived in Florida, but then my career took me elsewhere, so I dropped the ball.
However, it's time I pick that ball back up and focus my efforts on honoring what it is that I love to do most in this industry--assist mature women to accentuate their beauty.
I see nothing negative about using makeup, skincare, and hair care products.
My outlook and approach to beauty products has never been about making women look younger. My approach has always been about allowing women to celebrate their own unique beauty, and using products to bring it forward.
Personally, I have always found mature women the most attractive and the most interesting.
I know that what I'm about to say may sound discriminatory to some people, but quite frankly I don't give a shit, because the whole world has been discriminating against mature women for centuries.
I find the youth of today who are into beauty and makeup, utterly boring and tired. They all obsess and strive to resemble carbon copies of one another with the same eyebrows, the same cheekbones, the same nose shape, and the same lip shape. And that's because they are all watching the same YouTube videos that are programming them on what it means to be perfectly beautiful.
Pick up any beauty magazine or watch any YouTube beauty blogger tutorial, and you'll see exactly what I mean. Every single one of them looks the same. Like a premade mannequin. Boring.
No...
I much prefer the look of maturity.
Faces with character.
Faces with a history.
Faces that look as though they've been lived in.
Bellissima!
A celebration of mature beauty!
Have a faaaaabulous week, everyone!
X
P.S. I'll keep you posted on my business venture with occasional updates throughout the next several months. 😊
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