From Corporate Professional to Professional Crafter

It’s been exactly 2 months and 7 days since I left my job as a corporate professional as a VP at a bank to pursue growing my business, Refunk My Junk, full time.  And just in case you missed it, you can read more about my decision to leave my job here and here.  So how has it been going thus far?

Last month was a record month in paint sales, so I am not on food stamps, you will be happy to know.

I was able to attend the Haven DIY Blog Conference in Atlanta, GA.

I had enough time to clean out my garage and give one blog reader all of my latex paints and glazes I no longer use.

I participated in my first craft show, The Junk Hippy Roadshow.  I was never able to do any events like this before because of my work schedule.

I also signed on to carry another paint line, in addition to CeCe Caldwell’s.  Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paints will be hitting the shelves in a few short weeks.  I would have never had the guts or the time to do that if I was still working full-time just because I knew I couldn’t manage one more “thing” on my plate.  But, now I can confidently say YES  to Milk Paint and know I can serve my customers and my market. 

I had the time to finally paint my dining room table.

I taught 4 workshops in 3 weeks.

Two mini-workshops at Showplace Market.

And an Advanced Workshop, where we had so much fun I forgot to take pictures.

And A Refunking 101 Workshop.

I have been able to spend more time with my two favorite guys.

And we have even visited the Children’s Museum and Science Museum.

When I was working full-time and Refunking on the side, I rarely got to do anything fun.  Now, I get to slip a little bit of quality time and joy into my week without feeling like I should be working, answering emails, or posting on my blog. 

I also got to attend a 160-mile garage sale in Arkansas.

I am now planning more workshops (be on the lookout for more mini-sessions soon), hosting a Junk Swap in October, and participating in Affair of the Heart in October.

I am slowly figuring out my new routine, but I haven’t perfected my schedule just yet.  Sometimes, I look down, it’s 3 o’clock and I haven’t even put a bra on yet (because I have been working, not because I am being lazy bones).  I also wake up at 5:30am, thinking about all of the things I need to do, so I sneak out of bed and start working before Axton is awake.  It’s such a productive time of the day for me and I don’t like being on the computer when he’s awake.  His 3-day/week Mother’s Day Out starts Sept. 5th, and honestly, I can’t wait.  It’s hard to be productive with a toddler around, but I am enjoying all of the fun we are having together too.

I have never worked this hard before, but I have also never enjoyed what I do so much.  I have taken a day off here or there, but for the most part I feel like my brain or my hands are working 24/7.  Maybe I will learn to shut it off.  Maybe I won’t. 

Either way, since my last day at the bank has come and gone, I have not regretted this decision for one second.

If you are a WAHM, what is your secret to success?  Maybe someday I will be an expert at the balancing act that is self-employment.  But until then, I will just wing it and enjoy the ride while I am at it.