Today, I quit my job.

November 12, 2015

“When things aren’t adding up in your life, start subtracting.” -Anon

Dear Mom, I QUIT!

“I hope you live a life your proud of. If you find you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.” –F. Scott Fitzgerald

So I’m guessing quitting via my blog is not the best idea I have ever had. But, this fall has been really, really, REALLY hard. With the loss of a family member and the illness of others, some days I just really don’t even want to get up. And, while I want so badly to continue on with my daily routine and helping my mom build this fabulous business, I simply can’t. I’m done.

So today, I quit.

Life is short. Sometimes, you don’t get what you thought you deserved. But guess what? We don’t “deserve” anything, and we most certainly are NOT promised ANYTHING. Simply waking up each and every morning, healthy, is a luxury. It is a luxury that I refuse to waste any longer. So, today, I quit my job. There is only one person in this entire world that can change your life, YOU!

Today I choose, LIFE .

I am choosing to do what I love. I love to be creative, to make works of art. I love doing this through various different mediums, whether it be paint, calligraphy,…or sewing. Yes, you heard me- sewing. But, you thought I was quitting?! I am. I am quitting waking up every day and feeling forced to go to work. I am quitting thinking that just because my routine has been set one way it means that I have to continue on that way. I am quitting my job, and living my dream.

This will by far be the most honest piece I have ever written. I know that it’s unconventional (and my mom is totally going to have a heart attack when she sees the title) but, I am not going to hide this. I have tried so hard to make it seem like everything is perfect all the time. Here’s the honest truth… owning and managing a business is HARD WORK. Day in and day out. There have been so many days when I have thought “maybe I just can’t do this anymore… maybe this isn’t what I was supposed to do.”

Here’s the thing, with every ounce of my being, I KNOW this is what I was supposed to do. I love my clients, I love making art. So when I wake up, I tell myself, “I am off to great new adventures and works of art. I’m not going to a J.O.B. “– No one said I “had” to do anything today. I am choosing to do it. — Perception is EVERYTHING in this world. How you perceive your life and your day can greatly impact your soul.

So today I quit my job. And choose to continue doing what I love. I am choosing to wake up each morning excited about new possibilities and new projects. In the last two weeks, I have felt rejuvenated and my soul filled. Because you know what? My life is a luxury… One that I fully intend on living — CREATIVELY, EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!

The DAY I decided to quit my job

“Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle.” – Anonymous

I had spent quite a while, dragging around, unsure of myself. No matter how much I tried to present it as perfect. (Thanks, Instagram society). I wasn’t truly happy with what I was doing. I had created a very administrative position for myself. While that’s great, (p.s. staff, I promise I will still do payroll!!) it’s not what I wanted to be doing. It’s not who I am. I found myself in this mediocre job, that funny enough, I BUILT FOR MYSELF. We can be our own worst enemy sometimes.

AND then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I still remember the first meeting I had with our bride, Crystal. I had never seen someone so positive, yet clearly so disappointed. She had a beautiful gown. But, it wasn’t her gown. She stood there at that first fitting, looking at herself, the way I had realized I had been looking at myself. Everything looked so great, all the key components were there, but that sparkle was missing. You know the one. The one where that one little tear rolls glistening from your eye, because you can’t imagine a dress being anymore PERFECT. I begged and pleaded with Crystal to just trust me. To my surprise, she did. I very honestly told her, I wasn’t sure what I was going to create, but there was NO way I was going to let her walk down the aisle and feel that way.

That was it. That was the day I quit being mediocre and started being creative again. I put my big girl panties on and I QUIT MY JOB!

I was able to find some spare materials from past projects that had been manufactured in the same design warehouse as Crystal’s gown. I began playing with ideas and concepts to turn this gown into CRYSTAL’S gown.

Then after multiple fittings, Crystal came in one last time, the week of her wedding. As I laced her up, I prayed that when she saw HER dress she would have THAT sparkle. Crystal stood on the box, opened her eyes, took a deep gasp, and sparkle began forming in her eyes.

I have had many projects in the past, BUT this one, well, I am the proudest of this one. Because, this project taught me the most important lesson of my life: Whether it be your wedding gown or your job, if you look in the mirror and you don’t like what you see… Well honey, YOU have the POWER to CHANGE IT!

Crystal, one day when I look back and I reminisce on where it all started, I will remember the last things you said to me that day, “I NEVER thought I would LOVE my dress this much.” Thank you, Thank you for believing and trusting in me.

I may have added **actual** sparkle to your gown, but you added sparkle to my life. And for that, I will always be grateful.

So today, I am announcing my NEW DAILY ADVENTURE (the word, job, is now outside of my vocabulary), BRIDAL DESIGN AND RECREATION. While this is something we have ALWAYS done, we are now taking a larger load of custom work. I am now taking clients in to have a design/style consultation. These appointments will be double time (1 FULL hour) and are currently offered on Thursdays in Plano, TX. If you sign on as a design client your package will include a free painted sketch, champagne fitting, and double appointments. (Minimum Design Client Package is $750 TOTAL, including basic alteration fees).

I hope to see some of you soon!

….OH! And Honey, remember: don’t you ever lose that SPARKLE!

Adios,

Niña Esclava