One path: A devastating job change opens a portal to bigger possibilities

I had the future all figured out. Then, when the company I had been employed with for over eight years sold to a large corporation, the future changed.

With the sale, my colleagues and I lost years of earned benefits and were considered new hires, starting at the bottom. I was pregnant with my second child—and lost the paid maternity leave my husband and I had planned on. It was devastating–all that I had worked so hard and planned for was taken away.

After many tears, sleepless nights, and a few choice words I decided that never again would I put my life and my family’s lives into someone else’s hands. So, I went to work finding a new career path that would allow me to be available for my kids, enjoy the work I would do and control every decision that was made on my behalf–I found that career in Virtual Assistance.

Six years ago I started my own Virtual Assistant business.

Quitting my “secure” job while pregnant with no money cushion was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—but also one of the most liberating. It wasn’t easy, getting started. The first year of creating and growing my business was one of the most difficult, challenging years of my life. But, I stayed true to myself, my dream, and my family—and my husband stood by my side, knowing that I’m stubborn and don’t give up easily.

Five years later I can look at the sale of the company I worked for as the best gift I’ve ever received. By having my life turned upside with no say whatsoever I was challenged to be creative and take back control of my life. Now, I work from home, I set my own hours, and I choose who I want to work with. I work with amazing, strong, talented women who inspire me to keep creating and dreaming, and I feel beyond blessed every day.

I am now, also training to be a Life Coach. I can only imagine where things will be 6 years from now, but that’s O.K. now I’ll head through the unknowns with a smile—knowing that it just keeps getting better and better.

Knowing too, that the adventure will be grand.

“Your next heroic task may be to have a baby or change jobs or stand up for yourself. The key is to follow the call—the impulse to do something extraordinarily inconvenient and demanding. You’ll regret accepting the call a thousand times. Only when it’s over will you truly realize how grand your adventure felt, and what an awesome story you have to tell.”—Martha Beck, Blog Post– Challenge: This Week, Be A Hero

Jessica Riesenbeck is a virtual assistant and small

business owner in Ohio.