The Best Version of Me

Leaving the corporate world and starting my own business was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. I agonized for far too long. Fought demons of self-doubt and uncertainty. Worried endlessly and lost my nerve several times before I just jumped. An email exchange the other day with my former boss (nearly 22 months later) was a wonderful reminder of how much I have learned.

Subject: Do you miss the agency life?

Hey Jess,
Any interest in getting back into an agency? We've got an Account Supervisor position for a new diabetes drug (U.S. marketing team) and need someone with your strategic and management skills to help. If not you, who?

Let me know.

 Former Boss

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Subject: Do you miss the agency life?
Dear Former Boss

 

Do I miss the agency life? Tough question to answer! I miss collaboration, colleagues and great teamwork. I don't miss the hours, insane clients and deadlines and politics. I love working for myself but I do miss the agency life. I make a lot less money and work fewer hours and am the best version of myself I have seen in years. I am not looking for change right now. I love your confidence in me and miss working with you! Happy to help if you need a freelancer. I will think about who else might be good.

 

Drinks soon?

Jessica

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Subject: Do you miss the agency life?

I am sure you are the best version of you, and that's what I'm so interested in having here. However all the things you don't miss are in full evidence here and would be on the opportunity I outlined. Launching a brand is crazy. That's why having you along for the ride would make it more palatable.

I appreciate your commitment to your current life stage. Let me know if you think of anyone. If a freelance opportunity becomes an option, I'll call.

Best to the family,

Former Boss

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Subject: Do you miss the agency life?

You've made my day with all of your compliments! You make a compelling case and there are parts of me that want to jump at that type of opportunity. The energy around a launch is tantamount to a great amusement park ride. If I were at a different point in my life it would be hard not to consider.

Initial thoughts from scanning my LinkedIn contact below:

 

Thanks!
Jessica

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quickie

To busy to write today even though I am dying to. I saw this great quote this morning and it was one for sharing...

I am back I think

I started blogging back in 2007 before it was a "thing to do." Before every corporation, comic, starlet and mom had a blog. I blogged because I was new to the mommy thing and I wanted to share what I had learned.  My success and failures mostly as they pertained to mom/kid products. My first blog was actually called productmom. I wanted to call it productwhore (seemed truer to my need to try every new product at least once) but that name was taken - yes, seriously. I will confess that I have tried many times since my last post in 2008, to go back to it. Each time I felt like I lacked a voice and a theme to write on again. But now that I work from home...alone all day, I find myself needing to put my thoughts back on paper (or virtual paper if you will). And the truth is I am not sure that there will be focus here either. But there will be honesty (brutal at times), reality and my version of truth. I am living life loudly...

Please note that the posts below are from my former blog "productmom" and have not been updated since 2008. Feel free to read anyway as little of the information is outdated.

That time of year again

Yes it's birthday season in my house and I am sorry to say that I was BAD about posting my wish list for my 2 year old so I am stepping it up by posting the 5 year old's list early. These are wants (hers and mine) or just good ideas for you and your too.

• I have been thinking that a non-tangible gift would be interesting – a star named after her or a tree in Israel etc.

• Puzzles – LOVES these. 50-100 pieces

• Magazine Subscription – she has Highlights but would love National Geographic for kids
  

• Any of the Creations by You kits available at Target – illustrate your own story; make your own plate etc.

• Chapter books from a series like Junie B. Jones or others

Lillian Vernon has a nice list of less than ordinary gifts -
http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/thumbnail.jsp?parentCatId=2&catId=246&subCatId=380

Best in political show

I am loving the political fever that comes from living in a swing state. I mean LOVING it. Being from NY there was never much doubt about how we all swung, but here - well let's just say some have drank the "5 letters for scary" Palin cool-aid.

I just ordered, received and wore my new Obama t-shirt. The husband and kids go them too.Mine is a fabulous Mamas for Obama 2008 version. The kids got I (heart graphic) Obama and Obama 08 (varsity looking) respectively and the husband, well his might be the best! The back reads - YES WE CAN To justice and equality, to opportunity and prosperity, heal this nation, repair this world, YES WE CAN! I got them all at Zazzle.com who had a fantastic selection and cafepress.com does as well.

Excerpt from a note to some special girls

It should never go unacknowledged when those you love, those who love you, go above and beyond. Just because the "thanks" is understood, does not mean it is not nice to hear as well. So, where to begin? Thanks. Thanks for dinner, for help packing and for help unpacking. Thanks for dropping everything when I was breaking down and crying. Thanks for the moral support and the physical support. Thanks for the laughs, tears and jokes at my expense. Thanks for being the family I chose for myself. I chose so very well. I love you all immeasurably, intensely and always!

back to school cool

As promised, one more guide with such cute things. More to come - promise!

http://mamanista.com/back-to-school-guide