Well, it took me 30 years and lots of jobs to decide to finally go for it. To finally do what I love for A LIVING!
THE EARLY YEARS
I was born in Sacramento, California to two of the most wonderful people God ever created, and yes I’m probably a bit biased. My dad was in the air force so shortly after I was born we moved to Okinawa Japan where we spent the next four years of my life. After my dad was finished in the military it was back to California we went. A few years later my parents made the decision to move us down south to the small town of Amite, Louisiana, where my dad grew up. I was ten years old and thought it was the end of the world to be leaving my friends, and while that seemed devastating at the time…I’ve never been more wrong.
TEN YEARS LATER
I had gone through high school and made friends that I can’t imagine life without, all the while keeping in touch with the friends from California I left behind. I’m proud to say we are still close. At this point I was in my second year at Louisiana State University. I got a job as a waitress at a Mexican restaurant and kept that job all through college. While I learned that the general public works my last nerve, I also learned that I’m pretty good at dealing with people and keeping them happy when circumstances don’t go as planned. It was at that job I would meet people that will be a part of my life forever. In December of 2008 I graduated from LSU with a degree in History and a minor in Political Science. I had no idea what I wanted “to be when I grew up”, so I figured I might as well major in something I enjoyed…so…history it was.
SO I’M A GROWN UP…NOW WHAT?
For a full year after I graduated I was still in “college mode” so I bartended. Although it was “just bartending” I worked my butt off. There were lots of 16 hour days on my feet, but also lots of fun! Once the rest of my friends finished school I figured it was time for me to get a “real job”, time to use my degree. I followed my roommate to Houston, Texas where I got a job as a pre-school teacher. It wasn’t my dream job, but I figured it might be a step in the right direction. Like waiting tables, I quickly realized that this was not my calling; however, there was an aspect to the job that I loved. The planning of the lessons, transforming the classroom with every theme, being able to use my creativity to the fullest felt right. It felt comfortable and made me happy.
BACK IN THE BOOT
After three years teaching in Texas, missing home and being so far from mom and dad took its toll and I headed back Home. I got a job with the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office. Working in criminal law felt right, because I had grown up with my dad as a police officer. I enjoyed it and found it interesting so I decided to go back to LSU to get my certification in Paralegal Studies. During this time ALL MY FRIENDS, or so it seemed, decided to get married and have babies. Being the Pinterest obsessed, list making, plan loving person that I am, I volunteered to help! I found myself scheduling site visits and dress fittings, making centerpieces and planning showers and bachelorette weekends. Again, it felt right and comfortable and people even began to tell me I should do it professionally. Me? Run a business?! No way could I ever do that!
Four years and 2 degrees later I headed to Lafayette, LA and got a job as a paralegal. I should mention that during my four years at the DA’s office I met my wonderful boyfriend, Matt, who lived in Lafayette. Hence the move. I thought I had finally found it, my career. I got the big girl job in beautiful building with a very nice office and great people, but still…something didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel fulfilled. I work best with a little background noise so I started listening to podcasts. The one that really lit a spark for me was The Lively Show, by Jess Lively. Most of her guests were entrepreneurs with stories similar to mine. Through that podcast I discovered Being Boss. Another podcast for creative entrepreneurs, most of whom had stories that I could relate to. Fear, doubt, lack of time or resources, or both, but somehow they made it happen. So I figured why the hell not. Why couldn’t I do it?
GOING FOR IT
It’s been about six months and things are going wonderfully! I have a few clients and it’s feels really cool but also really surreal! Running a business is a whole new beast, but it’s been great. I have so many questions all the time, but because of the people I have met throughout this process it has been manageable and I’m constantly learning. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I just focus on what I know. The planning, the design, the stuff I love. I also have to mention my friends and family. It might be cliché, but I have THE MOST supportive friends and family. They are the reason I’m able to do this. They knew I could do this years ago, before I could even entertain the idea. Any future success I may have is owed to them. So here goes nothing. Threaux is born….stick around to see what happens!
