“…one thing we all have in common is that we respect each person’s journey.”
Lily was working in Hawaii as a behavioral therapist with children who have autism when the pandemic shut down her classroom in 2020. Although she lost her source of income, she decided it wouldn’t tear her down and continued tutoring children with special needs who were struggling with virtual learning. When Lily’s mother suddenly passed away, she knew she needed to go to North Carolina to support her family. As she was getting ready to go back to Hawaii, Lily’s grandfather also passed away just a month later. “They were the two pillars of my life,” says Lily.
Finding a New Path
Throughout the process of losing two of her closest relatives, her landlord moved everything out of her apartment and into the street. “I didn’t have time to grieve,” says Lily. In an effort to gain some normalcy, Lily decided to stay in North Carolina and build a new pathway. Too many of her memories of teaching were tied to her mother and grandfather and she felt as though she was too fragile to return to the teaching field. Lily found inspiration in writing both her mother and her grandfather’s obituaries and decided to start a new path: opening her own business.
Lily knew she wanted to continue working with neurodivergent communities, people who have Down syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome, or who are special needs. She decided she would start a bed and breakfast that employs neurodivergent communities. She had a plan, now she just needed a way to get there.
Because Lily was searching for work during a pandemic, she picked up odd jobs--working three jobs to support herself and her dream of becoming a business owner. A friend noticed how hard she was working and suggested she visit Dress for Success Triangle. Lily joked that she didn’t need help dressing herself and her friend replied, “they don’t just help you with dressing your physical-self, but also your emotional-self.” After hitting a wall with her business plan, Lily decided to sign up for Dress for Success Triangle’s job acquisition class, the Going Places Network.
Pursuing her dream
At the beginning of class, Lily took the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment which assured her that she was heading in the right direction with her business. Her mentors helped her prepare a business plan that set up steps for her to open her own business within the next five years. Part of that plan is for Lily to transition to working for a boutique hotel or a bed and breakfast where she can gain experience working within the hospitality industry. “I want to learn the ins and outs of the job so I can be prepared,” says Lily.
Through the Going Places Network, Lily has also been able to pick up some interview pointers through doing mock interviews. Her interviewer helped her to see ways that she could best present herself to an employer and shared tips on how she could stand out in her post-interview follow up email. The experience will not only help Lily in her next role in the hospitality industry, but it will also help her to know the kinds of questions to ask when she’s ready to do the hiring for her new business.
“My bravery [in opening my own business] comes from the women I’ve met in class,” says Lily. Lily talks about how everyone in the class comes from different backgrounds--some are going through career changes or stay-at-home moms returning to work, some have a rich career history or are just getting started, “but one thing we all have in common is that we respect each person’s journey.” Lily says that the kind of support she’s received is the kind of support any woman can use at any point in her career--whether you’re moving up, transitioning, or even starting your own business, you’ll find support in the mentors and your classmates.
Are you looking to make a career change? Read more about the Going Places Network and sign up here.