My floral career coming to an end.

shannonlovesflowers

shannonlovesflowers

New Member
Oct 16, 2007
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Albuquerque
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New Mexico
Well, it's finally happened. I made a decision. I've been getting more and more disenchanted with my career every passing day.
I had a pretty strange weekend (personally speaking) had NOTHING to do with the shop. But it was eye opening and an epiphany of sorts.

I told Bettina today that I will stay at the shop until at least after Valentines day and help her find a replacement for me. She was very understanding.


I have always wanted to be a psychologist. Ever since I was a kid. so next year right around the time I turn 40 years old, guess who will be a freshman?

I am scared out of my mind. And excited at the same time.
This will be by far the craziest thing I have ever done. I will be totally out of my comfort zone. And I know it will be hard. I'm so used to being a big fish and yes, saving the day. So to be a baby guppy in the vastness of the ocean and be clueless is going to be strange for sure. I'm used to having the answers.
Oh it's so scary!

Hubby and I have been talking and this is what were going to do. Lucky for me I have a hubby that says "Well whatever you want to do...."

So that's that. Wish me luck.
 
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WOW! Good for you! You are so courageous; don't fear the fear - it's a great motivator and the more scared you are the greater will be your success. I wish you the very best of luck and give that hubby of yours a big old hug for encouraging you to follow your bliss!
Emily
 
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Shannon,

That is so awesome! You will do great, I have no doubt. (the new 40 is 30 or something like that). I can only imagine how terrifying and exciting that feels, like stepping off of a diving board and not sure if you remember how to swim. So, where are you going to enroll? I think you should do your schooling here in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, you could always get a part-time job.........:rolleyes:

Now, is Bettina going to really drive you nuts or are you going to be so laid back because you know you're leaving that nothing will bother you?

Linda
 
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Nope,
Bettina is really cool about it all. I told her I would like for us (she and I) to keep on the path that we are on. to continue to grow the sales and act "business as usual" I will help her find a good replacement. We are even planning our wedding expo booth in January.

The thing about me is I work everyday like it were my first. No one could ever say I was a slacker just because I knew I was moving on. No one can, even if they decided not to pay me for my final days at their shop....Yes that has happened to me.
 
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40 is the new 30...just remember, he who walks, had to fall down, once in a while!...you're not alone, many of us are looking at alternates, and different forks in the road!
 
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Mikey the Flower Guy said:
40 is the new 30...just remember, he who walks, had to fall down, once in a while!...you're not alone, many of us are looking at alternates, and different forks in the road!
Click to expand...

Yep Mikey, It was a tough decision. I've been thinking about it for years and years. At least 3.

I think the most I ever made in a year was $40,000 and I had to work TONS of over time to make that. I'm tired of the ups and downs of the flower shop business.
The biz is too dang unpredictable anymore.
I'm also tired of giving up weekends in the summer, I'm tired of giving up holiday family time, I tired of dumbass FWOAC, etc.

Rickys post a while back really sparked something in me too. I would never "fall to my knees in pain" or however he put it if I couldn't be a florist anymore.

Also, this past year I was part of a "floral association" what a joke that was! There are 3 key people in the association and really no "association" that really turned me off too.

I'm just over it...But really I do love being a professional floral designer, I can just see it's sort of a dead end career choice for me.

Another big thing that happened this year. My Mother who is a retired designer, just retired, was declared handicapped or crippled actually. She developed some sort of major problem in her back. All the doctors she went to said it was from her being a floral designer, hunched and doing the same thing day after day. The shop where she spent most of her career did NOT allow any sitting, and now she is on disability because of it. My mom is so hunched over, it's really sad. My mom used to be 5'8" now she's maybe 5'4" She's shorter than me and I'm 5'6". she is ONLY 58 years old.

I may not be the smartest kid in class, but I can see a train coming and I sure as hell am going to get out of the way.
Plus- I've always wanted to be a psychologist.

It's time for a cool change.
 
Look at Me Shannon.............I am counting the days till my home sells......and I can begin my new life in Portland Oregon. I'm ready to move on.
 
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Good luck to you, Shannon. What courage you have to make such a leap!

If 40 is the new 30, does that mean that 60 is the new 50?? I opened my shop at age 50 and August 7th will be 9 years. Been in the business 30+ years. It's been tough.

You go girl!
 
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We'll miss you, but wishing you the best! I am very jealous of you!! I have been thinking alot about doing the same thing. Not psychology, but massive life change. Trying to find the funding to do it...
 
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Good Luck and God Bless-
Here's my favorite verse--hope it is of comfort
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding--in all your ways acknowledge Him-and He will make your paths straight"
Always puts my mind at ease!
Sorry-forgot--Proverbs 3:5
 
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I'll definitely miss your quick wit around here!
Hopefully you'll stay on for a bit with us!
It makes me think back to you thread about "where are all the big dogs?"
I'll be thinking that when you're gone!!!
 
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Congratulations Shannon. Leaving what you have known for so long isa huge leap. But, as I'm learning, after jumping the wings grow.

Remember, florists old and new can be a great resource for your psychological thesis. ;)

V
 
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How did I miss this thread 'til now?!? Shannon, best of luck to you. Making the decision to make a change is sometimes the biggest leap. When I opened my shop 7 years ago, it was full steam ahead and don't look back! I gotta know that you have what it takes to make it work for you.
 
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