Time sure flies when you’re having fun! It’s hard to believe that nearly 5 years ago (at age 37), I found myself blind-sided with unemployment and searching for the next "what I want to be when I grow up” opportunity. 

 

I had been around the workforce long enough to know what I did not want, but had no clue where to start in my search for something new. 

• I knew I did not want to report to another crappy boss on a power-trip (if you’re a former boss reading this, chances are that’s not you because we are still friends LOL). 

• I knew I did not want someone telling me when I could and couldn’t take off work (sh*t happens and sometimes you need to scoot out early, show up late, or just need a “why go to work day”). 

• I knew I did not want to walk into a bunch of corporate office politics day in and day out (I don’t do drama). 

• I knew I did not want to sit in a cubicle in front of a computer all day, every day (I love to talk to people.) 

• I knew I did not want to get stuck working on a weekend just because it fell on a deadline day (weekends are for camping and boating and concerts and fun!). 

• I knew I was tired of my work ethic being taken advantage of and doing the job of multiple people, yet only getting paid for one (Efficiency, streamlining and multitasking are my middle names). 

 

I knew all of this.

 

If I had a chance to re-write my destiny and create a future doing something that was truly the opposite of all of the above, what would it be? And where in the world would I find such an opportunity? Does it even exist?

 

Then, I stumbled upon the opportunity to become a publisher for Best Version Media. An opportunity I wish I would have found years and years and years ago. I didn’t know anyone in the businesses, but if I had, one I WISH someone would have shared with me and thrown me a lifeline. To be completely honest, I had no idea what being a publisher even meant or what exactly I would be doing at first. Would I be writing? Would I be laying out a magazine? What does a publisher do? Is it some sort of MLM scheme? There must be a catch. I had no clue until I asked a millIion questions and even then I really didn’t know for sure until I went through training. What I did know was if you show me how to do it, and if someone else is capable of doing it, then there is absolutely no reason why I wouldn’t be able to do it too, maybe even better.

 

What I saw, heard and read and what initially attracted me to the opportunity was the company culture. A culture based on a Professional Will, Compassionate Heart, Fun-Loving Spirit, and Humility. Regardless of what I would actually be doing, what I saw was all of the things I was looking for in a career. 

• I am the boss, (with all of the support I could possibly need). 

• I have a flexible schedule and work when I want/can/need to, (this takes discipline, but is sooooo incredible). 

• I work with a bunch of like-minded people who all want to see each other succeed and celebrate each others’ victories every single day as we all strive to be better humans. 

• I am out and about talking to people every day and helping others connect and grow. (I feel like I make a difference every single day.)

• I shut down at or before 4pm every day and do not have to work on weekends… if I ever do, it’s because I actually WANT to. (It’s weird). 

• I am in control of my income and there is no cap. Literally if I need a raise, I give myself one. (My Effort=My Income). 

 

If all of this sounds like a dream and like it’s too good to be true, I am here to tell you, it’s not. It’s REAL. And YOU can be a part of it. It’s hard work, but it’s simple work. It’s not rocket science. It doesn’t take a fancy degree. Anyone… and I mean ANYONE can do it. If you can follow a path of breadcrumbs through the woods, you can do what I do. 

 

The past five years of my life have rewarded me in so many ways and allowed me to give back in so many ways. My ONLY wish is that someone would have shared this opportunity with me way sooner. 

 

I have recently accepted the role as market manager for the Central IL area. The company is going on our 15th year in business and has seen HUGE growth in the past two years. We are making a difference in over 1000 communities across the United States with our publications and our market analysis team has identified over 5400 additional communities that we could develop into new markets. We have only begun and therefore we are in major expansion mode...here in Central IL, but also all over the country.

 

The climate we are in, over 65% of the workforce are not happy with their current employment situation. After getting a two-year taste of flexibility and working from home, people are searching for something that allows them to keep that time-freedom and work-life balance that we all knew was possible. If this is you, or if any of the above speaks to you. If you are in between careers or looking for a positive change of scenery, no matter what your background is, this is me, extending my arm to you as a leader that can and is willing to show you the way. All you have to do is reach out and grab it.  

 

Together, we are going places… next up Cancun, then after that Marco Island. :P (the incentive trips are amazing) Who wants to join me!?