Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. – Oprah Winfrey
Freelance, hobby, side hustle, entrepreneurship – whatever you want to call it, there is no denying that people are more serious about pursuing their passions than ever before. One of the most surprising themes? People are practicing these passions while navigating a full-time job!
Thanks to General Assembly for hosting this insightful [virtual] discussion and energy-sparking networking surrounding the topic of pursuing your passion alongside a 9-5 job. We discussed topics such as:
- How to discover your passion and start something new
- Ways to find balance and manage your time
- How to both manage and prevent burnout
- How infusing your passion and personal brand in the workplace can help your career and make you a better employee and job candidate
Password: 2p@1?399
Some of the key takeaways:
↠ Just start. If you have a passion that’s calling out to you, don’t sit on it! Don’t let yourself, your perfectionism, or others get in the way of pursuing what you want. ⠀
↠ Get educated. Take advantage of free resources online first (Google is your best friend) and then invest in programs that will propel you farther. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money! ⠀
↠ Network with likeminded people in the area you’re passionate about. Join local groups, attend in-person (when it’s safe to do so of course) and virtual events, join Facebook groups, use Instagram and LinkedIn to connect with others. Reach out to people you admire and ask their advice or if there’s a chance they’ll mentor you. ⠀
↠ Advocate for yourself and know your worth and value. Don’t let anyone take advantage of your time or money. ⠀
↠ Know your boundaries. Balancing a full-time job and a passion on the side can lead to burnout. Be mindful of how you manage your time, organize your cal/planner and use a program like ToDoist, Asana or Toggl.
↠ Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Show who the person is behind the brand and share your story and personality!
Don’t be surprised once you start to find yourself forming more quality and impactful relationships, discovering and realizing things about yourself you didn’t even know, and growing more than you thought possible. If you have any questions, you can always contact me.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Kelly Nash – Success Manager at Salesforce / Founder of Lipstick & Ink®
Kelly currently works full-time in customer success at Salesforce on ad/martech products and has been in the advertising industry for over 10 years. She is also a writer, events host, speaker and founder of Lipstick & Ink®. Lipstick & Ink®, launched in February 2018, is a career and lifestyle blog, community and events organization dedicated to motivating the career-driven professional to own her power and make her mark. She aims to empower women to take charge of their lives and thrive in their 9-5 jobs. Since its launch, Kelly has made powerful connections with companies such as the International Association of Women, EvolveHer, TheGlu, Cliquish, SheFactor, and Six Degrees Society. She is also in the process of writing her first book. Kelly currently lives in Chicago with her husband and enjoys Chicago’s restaurant scene, being outdoors, traveling, volunteering, and helping women navigate their careers and cultivate relationships. She’s fueled by black coffee, sunshine, candles, fresh flowers, and a bold lip.
Megan Zink – Content Marketing Manager at ReviewTrackers / Founder of Moderately Excited
Megan is a marketing strategist and creative mind passionate about ongoing education, data-supported storytelling and visual communication. She is a published writer and photographer, as well as a public speaker (oh – and Second City program alum!). In her current role as the content marketing manager at ReviewTrackers, she is focused on creative implementation and how content impacts the customer journey. In her spare time, she loves to explore the world and update her photo-driven travel website, Moderately Excited, with posts and interviews with female entrepreneurs and how travel inspires them. Get to know Megan more in our exclusive interview!
Amanda Tiberi – Graphic Designer at Private Brand Sales & Marketing / Owner of XO Art & Design
Amanda is a full-time graphic designer by day and an entrepreneur by night, working and living in Chicago. She is the owner of XO Art & Design, which specializes in wedding/event calligraphy and signage, fine art pieces and graphic/logo/branding design. On top of handling client work and running a profitable Etsy shop, she also teaches intro to modern calligraphy classes in the Chicagoland area. In her free time, she enjoys a nice glass of red wine and endless HGTV home improvement shows. Get to know Amanda more in our exclusive interview!
Maureen Wright – Wealth Advisor at Savant Capital Management / Founder of The Financial Fashion Planner
Maureen is a financial advisor at Savant Capital Management based out of their Chicago office. She works closely with her clients to define their financial goals and implement strategies to accomplish them. As a millennial, she feels passionate about educating her peers on why investing is so important, especially the profound impact that starting early can have on their retirement savings and ability to reach financial goals. Maureen has always fancied herself as an educator. She was an accounting and finance tutor in college and continues to educate her clients and peers through her blog, The Financial Fashion Planner which she founded in 2019. Maureen lives with her husband and puppy, Mac, in the River North neighborhood. When she’s not working or blogging she enjoys spending time with family and friends golfing, cooking and experiencing the cuisine and culture of Chicago. Get to know Amanda more in our exclusive interview!
Kelly Nash is a Chicago-based writer, career coach, speaker and founder of Lipstick & Ink®. She also works full-time in technology as a Success Manager at Salesforce and has over 10 years of digital marketing experience. Kelly has been featured in Thrive Global, Chicago Tribune, International Association of Women, General Assembly, Salesforce, and SheFactor. She’s fueled by black coffee, sunshine, a good ink pen, and a bold lip.
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