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Veda News: Tomorrow, I Leave The Agency

Tomorrow is the day, guys. Tomorrow, February 15th is my last day at my full-time day job with the advertising agency and the start of a new and exciting adventure. To say I’m excited, terrified, and extremely relieved would all be understatements. I have a new sense of freedom to explore and bring my brand fully to life…finally!

It all started 3.5 years ago when I graduate with a graphic design degree from a large university. The summer following graduation, I traveled through Europe for 2 weeks with my boyfriend and his mother πŸ™‚ Upon returning, I immediately started working as a digital art director at the advertising agency, slowing moving my way up through the ranks and learning a lot along the way. I learned a lot about designing within restrictions (ultimately making me a better designer), how working with a strong team can be your biggest asset, and how politics of business can quickly overshadow the excitement of the industry. I learned a lot about myself as a designer, about what I liked about the corporate world, but more importantly…what I didn’t like. By learning what I didn’t like, I was able to gain some insight into how I would ideally shape my future.

During my 3.5 years as a digital art director, I worked A LOT on my “time off” (nights/weekends). I took on exciting freelance projects that I sought out to expand my personal portfolio. I briefly opened a vintage home goods shop on Etsy to give me something to tinker with. I did a deep dive into photography and taught myself the ins and outs of shooting manual with my DSLR, and most importantly…I started The Veda House blog.

Over time, I feel in love with my blog and sharing design inspiration to the online world. I posted ALL the time and really looked forward to spending my down time in front of the computer. My little blog (that is still pretty little), grew very very slowly over the next couple years. I met a ton of creative people (a lot who are freelancers and designers) and ultimately feel in love with the idea of blogging/freelance design as a profession. I started working towards making that happen by blogging my heart out to grow readership and by building a network that could support a personal business when the time would come.

About a year ago, I was committed to making this leap into the freelance world but “LIFE” kept getting in the way. Work was insanely busy, I got engaged to my boyfriend of 10 years, plans of moving across country were brewing, and honestly…I was terrified of losing the stability of my 9-5. Fast forward to last November/December and you’d find me bawling my eyes out, stressed to the max and my fiancΓ© pleading me daily to quit my day job and pursue what I’ve always wanted to do. Thank goodness I’ve always had his support.

I spent this last holiday vacation really lost, completely sick of everything design and in the middle of a full blown out breakdown burnout session. It’s taken me until now to pull myself out of it, but I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. With a crazy amount of support, encouragement, and excitement from others, I’m finally making the leap. I’m going to start building my dream baby and I couldn’t be more giddy than I am write now…counting down the hours until Friday at 5:00PM!

My plan is to not really have a plan Β for the first month and spend that time getting inspired again. I’ll be attacking my mile-long list of DIYs that have been piling up and I’ll be focusing on rebranding The Veda House. Come March, I’ll be 100% open to take on all new clients. I’ll be focusing my brand on designing and photography styling for small businesses and other home made brands. EEEE! So excited.

Stay tuned and I’ll be sure to keep you up to date with a new feature on the blog where i share glimpses into my day to day life in my home studio.

β€’ Doesn’t this post by Savannah of MaieDae sound really really familiar?
β€’ And because this had me crying with laughter…screaming goats (you’re welcome!)
β€’ Inspring little interview with Bri Emery of Design Love Fest about making the freelance leap.

45 comments on “Veda News: Tomorrow, I Leave The Agency

    1. I know what you meant, ;). You’re pretty much one of the only people that think this “no plan” plan is a good idea. haha. I’ll let you know how it goes.

  1. SO exciting! So happy to hear you’re following what you love.

    You’ll find your creative swing again and you’ll love it more.

    πŸ™‚

    1. Thanks Anne.
      I’ve been wanting to stop by and tell you that your Etsy shop is looking really lovely these days. So bright and fresh. Great Work!

  2. High 5!! I started reading your blog a few weeks ago, just in time for the burnout breakdown post.

    “how politics of business can quickly overshadow the excitement of the industry”
    – I totally feel that at the moment, I love the work I do but every morning. on the bus I am hating my life. My bf keeps encouraging me to keep my eyes open for new positions, which I do, but will it get better? Freelance is my ultimate goal and I’m working hard to get there

    I’m beyond excited for you right now and full of hope for myself. I can’t wait to see what you do with this blog and your professional work. Do make sure to share all your experience along the way πŸ™‚

    http://www.alicia-carvalho.com

    1. Alicia,
      Oh Boy, I wish I could say that the politics of the industry get better, but I’m pretty sure it’s “just the nature of the business”…a line I heard constantly during my 3.5 years in the business. There are some really really strong people out there that don’t seem to be affected by the industry, and I now know I’m not one of them.

      Keep planning and dreaming big. It all takes some time, but I’m sure you’ll reach your goal of working for yourself soon. Best of Luck!

  3. So exciting! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and I’m confident that this new step will bring you so many good things. Also, the idea of taking the first month off to gather inspiration sounds wonderful, I wish I had done that when I started freelancing. Something that I did do when I took the leap was to celebrate with cake, wine & good company in order to mark the first step and I would totally recommend that so you fully realize what a big & brave step you just took!

  4. How exciting! I’m so happy to hear that you’re pursuing your dreams and going in a direction that makes you happy. Looking forward to reading more about your new life adventures. Happy last-day-eve!

  5. This sounds like the beginning of a beautiful road! i think i can speak for all of your readers when i’m saying i can’t wait to see you grow even more than you already have and do amazing things.

    i’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, always. enjoy the precious month of finding that joy in design.

    we’ll be here patiently waiting to witness the awesomeness.

    x
    alina

  6. seriously – good for you, Cass! you should be incredibly proud of yourself for taking this leap and for knowing what you want, and going for it. I have complete faith that you will be insanely successful and I can’t wait to watch that happen for you.

    you got this, girl. I’m here for you, if you ever need anything! xo.

    1. Thanks Kelly Ann, You’ve been so kind to me ever since I’ve meet you. Your words of encouragement are really soaking in.

      If you ever need me too, you know where to find me.

  7. Congrats on your second-last day at work! It’s really encouraging to read all about your journey towards freelancing, because I’ve been thinking about starting a business sometime in the future too. I really like how you’ve planned to not have a plan and to just let yourself have some time off. All the very best to you!

  8. Congratulations!! This is so exciting and inspiring to see you pursuing your dream! That happens to be my dream too, but I’m just graduating design school this spring so I need to cut my teeth in the office world first… I’m excited to see where this leads for you!

    1. Hi lisa,

      I gained some really valuable lessons working in the “real-world” first. You never know, you may love it. Take everything as a learning experience and soak it all in πŸ™‚

  9. YAY!! I am so stoked for you, Cass! I was wondering if this would be the big news/change and I did a fist pump in your honor when I read this post. You’re definitely done with your last day by now, so I hope you’re celebrating! πŸ™‚ I can’t wait to see what you do and where you go; I know with your talent it will be only great stuff!

    And the plan to not have a plan…of course I am on board with that. Good for you! Your inspiration will come back to you tenfold, and I look forward to seeing the results. Cheers to the next chapter!!! xo

    1. Amy,
      Thanks so much for your kind words. I can’t wait to get started on my month of no plans. I’ve already started by repainting a new Barrister cabinet I bought at an antique shop. Can’t stop me now!

    1. Thanks Megan, It was definitely scary walking away from the security I’ve built these past could years, but it’s also really rewarding. Thanks for stopping by πŸ™‚

  10. Congratulations and I wish you all the best with your freelance journey! I know exactly what it feels like to be stuck in the job you don’t like (and sometimes “don’t like” is even too soft expression to describe the real feeling) and I really admire your courage! x

    1. Anu,
      Thanks for stopping by. It really is a tough situation when you know there is something else out there you’d rather be doing. I’m hoping to find the right balance with this new move. πŸ™‚

    1. Kathleen,
      So my last day was really weird. I’ll have to share the experience with my readers. Today, Sunday…after it’s soaked in for more than 24 hours, feels awesome. I woke up at 9:00 (sleeping in for me) and now I’m repainting furniture. Wahoo!

  11. Oh, I know how you feel πŸ˜‰ Though, I recently left my agency job of ten years to be home with a newborn and toddler. BEST decision I made. I tild my hubby I don’t think I can ever work for someone again. The artistic/creative freedom is so nice and I create my own schedule. Actually, I am taking this first year to explore my art. http://www.obsessivision.com

    1. If you get to the point where you know you’re just wasting your life…you’ll have enough courage to go after anything. I’ve just discovered that about myself.

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