I Always Wanted To Be…

I was thinking about all of the many directions my career could have taken after I left corporate America:

A chef, a dog handler, a restauranteur, an attorney, small shop owner, an NYC police officer (based on emotional breakdown post 9/11.)

I went through the painful and embarrassing exercises of looking into all of these areas because I thought everyone was “meant” to be and do one thing. I was certain I’d find my “one” meaningful role in life, my “bliss” — but I could never figure out what that was.

Until I started The Pet Set. What I’ve learned (and it has taken forever to get here) is that I don’t have to be just one thing, have one title — I could have several at the same time:

creative director, product developer, copy writer, manager, office administrator and whatever else it takes to run a business from your suburban home office.

I think work is most inspiring when you are fortunate enough to work on what you love…in my preliminary vision of The Pet Set, I told myself that the only way I could take myself out of my corporate existence and into my small business existence would be if the company and the products reflected who I am.

And I think if I am forced to have to measure my success, I can at least say that what I am selling and what people are buying, is me: dogs, stationery, shopping, fashion, travel and all the rest…of the elements that make up my little firm are 100% me, not a boss, not a corporation’s values, not products I don’t believe in…just me.

And that’s what I always wanted to be.