I took today off for a few reasons. Baking cupcakes for a charity donation was one. Needing to relax and regroup to keep from killing someone was another. Wanting to sleep past 6 yet another.
Weekends are generally good for reasons 2 and 3, but as a side baker much of my weekends are devoted to baking. It’s rare I get to just chill these days and I kinda needed it, so when I saw that my vacation balance was good I jumped.
The only thing kinda holding me back was the announcement of the all employee meeting being held outside of the usually quarterly schedule. I knew it meant something big, but I’m never one to speculate on things in life, so I proceeded with my request and told Boss I’d call him to get the details.
Instead of me calling, however, my phone rang in the midst of frosting mixing. Quit apropos, really, as Boss told me that our company – a small piece of the larger conglomerate – was being absorbed by the another and the new headquarters would be in Tampa.
Wait…Tampa? Didn’t I just come from there 10 years ago? I chuckled to myself when he mentioned the possibility of having a job with the new place in Tampa. No way I’m going back there! No. Freaking. Way.
I’m sure for many the idea of losing a job is ominous at best. For me? Quite the opposite. In fact, just this week I composed a tweet about how I wished I’d get laid off, but didn’t post it because I thought it might invoke emotion in people who weren’t lucky enough to have well-paying corporate gigs. I kept it to myself, but in my head getting laid off was quite honestly the beat case scenario and I never actually thought it would happen.
And now it’s happening!
Do you know what this means? I mean – really? It means severance for leaving a job that’s been boring me to death. It means unemployment. It means a push into full-time cupcake baking! Full! Time! Cupcake! Baking! Do you see where I’m going with this now?
This is the best thing that could have happened to me. It means I now spend my time making business plans and promoting. It means I’ll be able to be pushed to pursue the dream without having to make a decision to do it. It means every extra dollar I earn over the next 6 months goes to savings and I’ll happily give up dinners and dresses to make that happen for the dream.
I won’t know my ultimate fate until August or closer to the end of the year when things actually start happening. But as I always do, I’m looking at this as a serious positive. I’m not bummed. In fact I want to celebrate. This means way bigger things, right? Right.
Sure does mean bigger things. The fact that you posted about getting bored with your job said to me that you needed something new/more and your job was not cutting it. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do. Now get to baking my cupcakes!
Congratulations! Isn’t it liberating to be let off the hook from doing something that is not your passion? I felt the exact same way at my last job but wasn’t bold enough to even look for another. I had become complacent and scared. I got laid off days prior to my 8 year anniversary at the company. But I got 16 weeks severance, 4 weeks vacation cashed out, and collected unemployment…through the summer. Plus I landed a position doing something I love before all of that expired, making $12K more. God pushed me in my future because I wouldn’t take heed to his nudge. I won’t say that I didn’t face challenges during unemployment and I won’t say I didn’t doubt myself; but everything worked out just fine.
So again, CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes on realizing your dream. And let the first line of business be to figure out how to successfully ship your cupcakes to MD :-)
P.S. Sorry for blogging in your comments :-)
Thank you! I am glad it worked out like that for you and i’m pretty darn sure the same thing will be true ’round these parts.
Oh, and by the way – feel free to blog in the comments any time :)
but tampa is wonderful. the lack of culture. trailer park redneck heaven. nasty humid weather. crappy ass schools and stupid people. come back come back! HA!
this sounds like the perfect opportunity. sometimes you need a push to make the jump out of your comfort zone. so exciting for you!
LOL – my boss asked me this morning if I’d be willing to relocate there and I just laughed. He asked me why I hated Tampa so much and then I kinda felt bad. But seriously it always felt to me like Florida was the dumping ground for all the trash from every other state. I don’t think ever in my life I met so many crazy ass people!
BUT when I was reading your post this morning…….it made me think that I’d possibly consider it if the offer number was truly awesome (it won’t be). Instead I’ll settle to just read about your runs around the bay.
This is thrilling! And I’m mostly thrilled that you see it as such!
I’ve had times where I wished to be laid off, because it was exactly what I needed. It didn’t happen to me, but it happened to a friend of mine, and he ended up a month later in the job of his dreams. All that to say…I get it. And I wish you the very best!
Awesome! I am glad you are getting the opportunity/kick in the rear to excuse yourself from the “practical” necessity of having a full-time corporate job and allow yourself the freedom to put your business first!
Now that’s what I call making lemonade. Um, lemonade flavored cupcakes I mean. Ok, when does the retail location open? Hey, have you ever thought about combining your barista skills with the sweets? I’m no coffee drinker but they do pair well for a lot of folks. You’re gonna need a great logo. An ad campaign. An affordable VP of legal (hint)……say……this living vicariously off your unanticipated release is kind of fun…..Good luck on maximizing the opportunity, in all seriousness.
That’s one of the reasons I like you, Ben. You’re a thinker! My plan – if I open a storefront – would definitely include an espresso bar…if not to sell at least for my own consumption. I kid. But yes, there most definitely will be coffee! Now if I could just find a location around here that doesn’t have astronomical rent…
Things always happen for a reason and usually for the best. Onward and upwards!
You better believe you are on to bigger and better things!
I know I’m super late but I just found out last week that I’m losing my job as well. I keep trying to see the bright side of what’s happening. Like you, they have no solid date, just that come September 1st, I won’t be on payroll anymore….