*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.
Q and A with Chelsea, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
“If you don’t have a plan, don’t fret! Try new things. Travel. See things. Do things. Live. And it will come to you, babe. And when it does, just go for it!”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about creativity and connection! I do my best to use these passions to guide me in my business and in my life in general. I’ve always been interested in art, DIY, lettering, costumes, decorating, any means of creating. I love hand-lettering and watercolor painting and had always dreamed of finding a way to make it into a viable business.
I tried a number of different career paths before realizing that I just don’t fit into a box, and it suits me best to think outside of it. The career I truly wanted wasn’t really a traditional job option, so I made it up! I am now self-employed as a virtual and creative assistant, which means if you’ve got a business, a project, or an event on the go and you need some help, I’m your girl. My clients are so diverse, and I love that so much. I may be creating websites or designing content, expense reporting or scheduling meetings, hand-making wedding favors or greeting cards, personal shopping or managing social media, planning parties or working on audiovisual projects, or anything and everything in between. I get to coordinate and be creative, while also creating meaningful connections and providing much-needed support to my clients. I love the feeling that my passion helps others to fulfill their passions.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I have always felt a bit different from those around me because it took me a while to find my path. I still feel like I’m “behind” in my life, and it’s a daily challenge not to compare myself to others.
I went to university immediately out of high school without much of a plan. I wanted to go to art college, but I couldn’t envision a fine arts career, so instead, I bounced around trying to find what felt right. Everything seemed driven by a nagging voice telling me I had to be practical and choose something safe that would provide a stable career. Teaching? Too many teachers in our province. Clinical psychologist or English professor? Too expensive to do a Ph.D. Could I become a famous children’s author? Not likely.
I worked full time and went to uni part-time. I ended up graduating with an arts degree in English and psychology and still not much of a plan. I was proud of myself for getting that piece of paper, but I was essentially qualified for nothing. I did learn a few things though, like the value of money, how to balance school and work, administrative skills, insight into the human psyche, sweet bartending and barista skills, proper grammar, and the gravity of really listening to oneself.
But now what? I tried moving to another city, then to South Korea to teach English, then I returned to Halifax. I helped my sister with her wedding, then did an internship with a local wedding planning company, and from that point on, I focused my attention on planning and coordination. I began a position as a post-production coordinator for film and television, and I loved it! I loved being the one to organize all of the stray parts of the post. I moved into a producer role at an audio production boutique and wore many interesting hats, but I still wanted to create!
A close friend of mine, Tonya, had launched her career as a virtual assistant and she became my mentor. She encouraged me to offer lettering services and sell greeting cards. She sort of opened my eyes to the world of the create-your-own-career mentality, and I began to take on VA client work during evenings and weekends. I began to attend a quarterly gathering of women in business called Leading Ladies Networking, and it was so inspiring to meet local women who had followed their passions and made their own success. Meeting all of these wonderful women gave me the push I needed to venture out on my own, and here I am!
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I have a wonderfully supportive family, partner, and close friends, and I feel so incredibly lucky for that. I know I would not have even attempted this journey without these special people in my world who have helped me to see my own potential. But ultimately, your drive has to come from within. Don’t waste time doing what you think you should do or doing things that don’t make you happy.
If you don’t have a plan, don’t fret! Try new things. Travel. See things. Do things. Live. And it will come to you, babe. And when it does, just go for it!
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism to me means 100% equality. It totally means girl power in a rockin’ Spice Girl way, but to me that doesn’t mean “down with men.” Have I experienced “mansplaining?” Definitely. Have I felt the burning cheeks of rage and embarrassment when a male co-worker labels me “bitchy” for having an assertive opinion? Many times. Have I had “me too” moments? Oh, girl. Too many. Do I wish our society wasn’t still dominated by white males? Absolutely. But, does this mean that we must condemn all males? I think not. Many are our allies. Many, despite their societal conditioning, agree with us.
So, feminism to me means we are all equals, ♀ women, ♂ men, and ⚨ genderqueer alike, we all have value. The sooner we can truly embrace that, the sooner we can all thrive.
Thank you for reading!
I’d love to connect with you!
I’m currently working on my online presence and polishing up my website.
Please stay tuned, and follow me @chelseajanecreative on Instagram or facebook.com/chelseajanecreative.
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