Becoming self-made is more than being your own boss.

In today's changing work climate, choosing between job security and pursuing self-made success is a crucial and personal decision. As professionals navigate this dynamic landscape, weighing corporate benefits against entrepreneurial freedom has been vital in my career fulfillment.

Being self-made is taking the necessary steps toward your ultimate goal, whatever that may be. The challenge is navigating through the journey with grace and a relentless passion to get there by any means. This blog will be part of a quarterly series, where I will share my perspective, process, and purpose which most importantly is to inspire. So let’s dive deeper into how I plan to embrace the process of becoming self-made in 2024, and see what tips and learning you can use in your own journey.

Sometimes in life, there comes a moment when you have to completely reinvent yourself in order to grow and move forward. It's important to never become too complacent or settled in a certain way of being. Always strive to seek out new knowledge and continue evolving as a person.”

-CAM

Reflect

I made it a priority to refresh my portfolio early last year, brushed up on some new skills, updated my resume, and prepared to embrace change in today's work climate. I always stress to my mentees the importance of staying ready so that they don't have to get ready, but was I ready?

I knew a major shift was happening in my career, but I wasn’t sure of what was next. Feeling somewhat prepared from the work I had already put into revamping my portfolio, I still chose to delve deeper. I meticulously analyzed my experience and expertise in the design field, because I was determined to get it right. I used these last 4 months as a transition period, giving myself time to reflect on where I’ve been in my career and to prepare for where I was headed next.

Sometimes in life, there comes a moment when you have to completely reinvent yourself in order to grow and move forward. It's important to never become too complacent or settled in a certain way of being. Always strive to seek out new knowledge and continue evolving as a person. As I reflected on the imminent changes, I recognized the importance of embracing evolution and the pursuit of continuous learning and improvement. I knew that my readiness to adapt and grow would define my success in navigating the shifting landscape of my career.

Reinvent

This comes as no surprise that change is constant and happening around us, whether we are consciously aware of it or not. As I considered my next career move, it became increasingly clear that it would require some reinvention to achieve the desired results. Embracing the willingness to step outside of my comfort zone and granting myself the freedom to explore uncharted territories has proven to be an immensely challenging yet rewarding endeavor. The mere thought of sharing my perspective evokes a sense of fear within me, but what I have come to realize is that this hesitancy is simply my gut urging me to pursue it. Crush the goal, achieve the mission, master the skill… TRI-IT!

I recently stumbled upon a Forbes article about reinvention, which profoundly emphasized the importance of embracing this phase of growth and adopting a beginner's mindset. "Leaders who acknowledge that they can always learn and evolve exhibit a resilience that empowers them to effectively navigate challenges." Soulaima Gourani

So here I was, top of the year, ready to pursue my next phase, which has been to successfully launch my creative studio, Tri-Brands and transition to full-time freelance graphic design. There were a few things still not aligning to what I had planned for and that was the reinvention. I was going about this process in the same way, reaching out to the same recruiters, following down the same path, which ultimately led me to launch this quarterly blog. Creating a space for me to share progress, give updates, connect with like minded individuals, and provide insights and inspiration along the way.

For now, I’m focused on finding the right freelance opportunities, building community, and reconnecting. More details will be shared soon about the exciting launch of Tri-Brands Studio. I have dedicated considerable effort to new endeavors behind the scenes and I am eager to share further updates in the near future.

Reconnect

At the onset of the pandemic my family and I uprooted from our core nucleus in New York City to embark on a new experience in my hometown of Fayetteville,GA. This affected my abilities to continue building relationships in a space I began thriving in. I needed to find a way to reinvent myself in this new, isolated space, and to be honest this wasn’t easy. I reached out to previous co-workers, old friends and family, and awkward DMs, to like-minded individuals on various social media platforms. There were some things I learned along the way, but most importantly I realized your network is truly your net worth. I thought I had been maintaining a pretty solid network, but what I discovered was that no one really knew what I had been doing. I had been so focused on myself, my family, and establishing a foundation that it took precedence to my career. Now with the ground work laid, I’ve given myself a bit of grace and am taking a different approach. Being a constant student of success and boss moves, I’ve paid attention to what has worked and adopted some of those qualities.

First, is understanding having a solid foundation is key. If you are constantly scrambling or feeling overwhelmed, establish a clear foundation and parameters for yourself and your family. This process can’t be rushed, you have to face it (reflect) in order to reinvent, and then reconnect. Most people want to skip this process, not knowing when you skip steps, you miss the lesson.

Second, establishing purpose is vital. Waking up every day with a clear sense of purpose not only makes the tough days more manageable, but also infuses the easy days with excitement. I found that once I started aligning my actions with my purpose, I gained a strong sense of direction. Discovering that you can pursue your passion daily, effortlessly, and without being driven solely by financial gain signifies that you've found your purpose. The ultimate aim is to persist and never give up.

Finally, staying dedicated is crucial as your opportunities begin to align with the hard work and sacrifice you've put in. In today's ever-changing economic landscape, being thoroughly prepared is paramount for weathering those shifts. As someone who advocates for multiple streams of income, I emphasize the importance of not being solely reliant on one source. So, I’m still grinding it out, making mistakes and fixing shit along the way.

Moving into the future, I will be taking on new freelance gigs, clients, and building out my studio. Should you or any of your network want to connect or collaborate, feel free to reach out here, LinkedIn, or Behance.

Thanks to all of the incredible people (you included!) who have been cheering me on throughout this whole process. I’m already preparing for my next blog and can’t wait to keep you guys up-to-date on what’s new with me and Tri-Brands. Until next time, continue to operate on your highest frequency! PEACE