Leaving my corporate job and starting this company...

 

I worked for corporations for 13 years – the last 10 years as a Business Analyst, working with computers for two insurance companies. I liked the analyst work, itself; benefited from what the business world provided for me; and was thankful for my wonderful coworkers.  However, the corporate environment was not healthy for me. For example, while working for one company for 7 years, I survived 4 major layoffs.  The last layoff created an especially toxic environment.

   

In 2006, after living in and enjoying CA for 16 years, I moved back to New England, where I grew up, to be closer to my family. It is a good choice for me. 

 

In 2008 and the beginning of 2009, many family members and family friends had medical tests, diagnoses and treatments. Most of them were benign and successful, but some were not. This moved me greatly. It was a “wake-up call” time for me. 

  

September 2001 had been the first. Even before that time, but especially after it, I had been discerning my skills, values and which sector would best fit me. At one point, I considered mainstream church ordained ministry. I tried to live my values from within the companies I worked for – not always succeeding, but trying to treat everyone in the best way that I could. Yet, it was a very difficult for me in this environment -- an environment that I could not change from within, even by living my own values. 

 

In January 2008, I took my first “Angel” class and proceeded to take many healing arts classes every month after that. By September 2008, I realized I could no longer NOT do what I needed to do – leave corporate America – and work in a more spiritually-oriented environment (in this case, my own company). At least I wanted and needed to try.

 

This is not a complete condemnation of corporations. The one I was leaving was certainly better than the ‘4 time layoff’ company in CA. In fact, I hoped to continue to work, at a company or at a college, part-time, to supplement things, while getting my business up and running. I like having regular work; being able to practice certain skills; and the companionship of coworkers. And, I also knew that I had aspirations and goals, modeled to me by my Reiki & Healing Arts teacher, Jackie Eaton, who had her own Healing Arts “business” (It is so much more than that!). I knew it could be done. Also, I wanted to take better care of myself – and to help others as much as I could.

  

Curiously, immediately after I gave notice and left my company, the announcement was made regarding the country’s economic crisis, due to “corporate” banking issues.  I find this timing interesting, a) because it reinforced my understanding that a change is needed for institutions and b) because I would not have made the work-move after such an announcement – and I had needed to make the move. 

  

Although it took a year to find steady, supplemental work, I am currently working at a community college – exactly the environment I hoped to work in when I left my last company.  And, with my Healing Arts business, especially, I am so grateful to be doing something I care about; something healthy for me; and something that can benefit others!