Hey!
Today I am stuck in my office working and with it being a new year and all, it got me thinking over everything that’s happened in the past year and feeling a little emotional. So……I thought I’d share some of my thoughts and feelings with you. If it is inspirational in any way, that’s great!! If not, well hopefully it’s at least somewhat entertaining for you.
You know those little sayings people often use without really thinking about the meaning behind them? Like, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger”, “Good things happen to good people”, and “Do what you love and the rest will follow”? Well I’m here to tell you they are all true! My journey here – to this blog, website and entrepreneurial endeavour – hasn’t been easy. It began last spring when I was unexpectedly laid off from my accounting job of nearly eight years. I thought that there was no better time than the present to make my dream of owning my own business, particularly a bakery, become a reality.
I say this all started to come together last year but actually……… it’s been several years in the making…..let me fill you in on what led me here. The past five years have been filled with divorce, finding love again, getting remarried, ALOT of changes in the company I was working for, and all the while through these experiences, growing, maturing, figuring out my authentic self. Oh, AND hitting my mid-thirties! I realized that I was a round peg trying to fit into a square hole (or is that a square peg trying to fit into a round hole?) both at work and in my personal life. I also realized how fleeting life is and how the life you’ve built for yourself can come crashing down around you in a flash. If I truly wanted to be happy, I needed to call my own shots, march to the beat of my own drum. Do something creative. So I took a short leave of absence from my job (two years ago) and the idea for Bella was born.
After returning to work and being miserable for another nine months or so, I was laid off. I wasn’t expecting it but looking back I am SO GLAD it happened. Being the cautious, responsible type I know I wouldn’t have left on my own. I needed to have the decision made for me. So, thank you to my former boss for making that happen. You did me a BIG favour…….really you did! This concludes the “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” part of my talk 
On with the show…..
So armed with a business degree, some accounting experience, alot of drive and determination (and naivety), I set out to make my little bakery a reality. With alot of hard work, meetings with the bank, the Health Dept, and some other organizations that help entrepreneurs get up and running, I had a fully licensed bakery in my home and was baking up “Cake Art” as I lovingly refer to it. This was in the span of about seven months. It has by far been the hardest thing I have ever done but also the most rewarding. I don’t have children but I think it’s alot like having a baby. You create it, you nurture it, you stay up late with it, you care so much about it…..you just want it to be successful. It’s a part of you. A piece of your heart, out there for all the world to see and know and hopefully it will somehow enrich someone’s life in some way. I truly pinch myself most days because it’s so hard to believe that my vision of Bella Baked Goods is becoming reality. That I am lucky enough to work from my home every day on my own schedule. That I get to work with my husband on exciting projects. That my work is rewarding and meaningful. I have the privilege of being part of my clients’ most treasured celebrations. I get to create things every day AND bake every day! My two passions in life are now what I do for a living……I gotta tell you, I have never been more peaceful, more sure that what I am doing is the right thing for me. I sleep like a baby every night and wake up feeling rested. Something unheard of back in my accounting days. I truly believe that good things happen to good people – provided you are willing to make the effort to bring those good things within reach and be open to your imagination and dreams I also believe that if you do what you love, the peace, happiness, and yes even money will follow. It’s a law of nature.
So there you go. My story. Or at least a part of it. I hope it entertained you somewhat. Maybe even inspired you to take a leap of faith and live your authentic life. There really is nothing better than that
Oh, and please feel free to send along comments…..and even share your story of making a dream come true or finding your authentic self!
