Lessons I learned that got me to where I am today!
We have come to the final chapter of my journey as an employee! To catch up you can read part 1 HERE and part 2 HERE. But here is a quick recap:
I cannot imagine working for someone else… but the previous jobs I had all taught me important lessons and helped shape the way I am today. Here are the lessons I learned in the first to parts of my journey:
Just because it doesn’t exist - doesn’t mean it can’t
If you don’t ask, you won’t get it
Your actions impact your direction (even if you don’t have authority)
Take initiative! Don’t wait for someone to ask you to help if you know you can help
Sometimes, there isn’t “more”
You have to set your own boundaries
The more you give, the more they will want - but that doesn’t mean you actually have to do it
Listen to your gut
And now onto the final chapter as an employee!
Part 3: Biotech company
Lessons I learned
Not everyone is going to like you and that is ok!
Sometimes the things that get you promoted, are also the things that get you fired
My biotech journey
During this working chapter, most of the lessons I learned were actually just reminders of the lessons I previously learned. I was able to really put them into practice and carve the path I wanted.
When we left off I had just walked out of my staffing agency job.
For the first time in my life I was unemployed with ZERO back up plan.
So I decided to reach out to the company I had interviewed for before my staffing agency stint.
I knew they had hired an executive assistant because I worked at the staffing agency that filled the role… BUT, I thought f*ck it… i’m gonna ask anyways.
I emailed the contact saying “Hey, I know you have an EA but I just thought I would reach out to see if you have any other admin positions available.”
It wasn’t long before I got an email back:
“Our EA quit yesterday, can you come in for an interview tomorrow?”
🤯🤯🤯🤯
Well isn’t that convenient timing.
Lesson refresher: Part 1, Lesson 2: If you don’t ask, you won’t get it
Spoiler alert: I got the job.
I settled into my role as an EA pretty easily. The biotech industry was a completely new world for me but I did what I do best and learned as much as I could so I could be better at my job.
It was like being in a career accelerator.
I interacted with people I never thought I would.
I handled agreements and interactions I never thought I would.
Were there times I thought… “What the f*ck am I doing?” - YUP there sure were…but I embraced it and treated everything as a learning opportunity.
Lesson refresher: Part 1, Lesson 4: Take initiative! Don’t wait for someone to ask you to help if you know you can help.
Eventually I got comfortable and settled into the place where when I found a discrepancy or something that needed to be fixed - I called it out to whoever needed to do it.
Within a few years I went from executive assistant to “Head of Strategic Coordination and Implementation”.
Which is a fancy title saying. “I get shit done”.
Lesson refresher: Part 1, lesson 1 - Just because it doesn’t exist - doesn’t mean it can’t - this role was created for me AND Part 1, Lesson 3 - Your actions impact your direction (even if you don’t have authority)
Around the time of my fancy promotion, a new CFO started with the company. I honestly can’t remember if it was before or after… but it was somewhere in there.
So here’s the thing. Turns out that C-suite members (Executives) don’t love being told what to do by a former Executive Assistant (who knew!).
Which brings me to lesson #1 of this final chapter
Lesson # 1: Not everyone is going to like you and that is ok! No matter how valid my point was, how clearly I communicated it - the CFO did not like me. Could I have done anything differently to change this? Nope probably not - unless of course I just changed my entire personality and smiled and nodded which is definitely not happening…
Things turned FAST. To put it in perspective I was promoted in June and I was fired in August.
Why was I fired?
I don’t actually have a reason for you…I have ideas, I have speculations, I have a sneaking suspicion my new bestie Mr. CFO was involved and just didn’t love my magic…but I don’t actually have a solid answer for you.
What I do have is my final lesson…
Lesson #2: Sometimes the things that get you promoted are also the things that get you fired. Had I been a quiet, follow instructions, smile and nod kind of person - I probably would not have been fired. BUT, I also would still be an Executive Assistant….
If I had to go back, I would do it all exactly the same way. I was true to myself, I learned a ton and I am only where I am today because of these experiences.
The END!
Just kidding.
I can’t just leave it there without wrapping it all up as promised!
No longer an employee
As I sat at home unemployed (fired for the first time EVER) - I had to figure out what was next.
Am I going to apply for a project management role? Executive assistant? Operations manager?
It was giving me ANXIETY! The thought of picking one thing, of someone else being in charge of my future… It was too much.
I needed to take some time and figure out what I wanted to do.
While I took the time to think, I started to help my mom with her business (The Virtual Alternative). “Help” might be a loose term, essentially I forced myself on her…
You need a new website
Why don’t you have social media?
Why do you do that manually? We should make a system…
So I started doing things to keep myself busy and help her. Starting with learning how to redo a website so I could update it…
During this time, my mom had a trip to England planned and had NEVER taken a fully unplugged vacation. So we also had to change that! I covered the basics so she could fully enjoy her trip.
Through this process, I realized that I 100% could not go back to working for someone else.
I loved helping my mom.
I wanted to make life easier for other business owners. I wanted to help them improve their productivity.
The Virtual Alternative PTBO Inc. was born!
Applying the lessons to self employment
Through my working journey, these lessons are what helped me become a successful business owner. I didn’t (and don’t) allow the negative experiences to dull my light. Instead, I took every “low” as a learning opportunity of what I DON’T want in my life.
1. Just because it doesn’t exist - doesn’t mean it can’t
Start the business you want to do. Whether someone is already doing it or not. If you see there is a need for something - DO IT!
2. If you don’t ask, you won’t get it
You are in charge. If you want something - ASK FOR IT. More money from clients, more work from an employee, more materials from a vendor.
3. Your actions impact your direction (even if you don’t have authority)
As a business owner you have more authority but there may be some places you don’t have it. Lead by example. You are making an impact whether you know it or not.
4. Take initiative! Don’t wait for someone to ask you to help if you know you can help
You are the boss now. You are the driving force behind the success of your business. Start conversations, reach out to new people, find a new service that no one is offering. Show people what you are capable of so that they want more!
5. Sometimes, there isn’t “more”
Not all employees will have what you need. Not all clients will listen to what you say. It is important to know when to walk away from something that isn’t a good fit.
6. You have to set your own boundaries
You do not have to check your email at 9pm. You do not have to work weekends. You are 100% in control of your time.
7. The more you give, the more they will want - but that doesn’t mean you actually have to do it
You can always do more… but you will burn out. In this case you are the one that will want more, you will let clients put more on your plate or even push yourself more to be better, do better. Be kind to yourself and know your limits.
8. Listen to your gut
That icky feeling - is there for a reason. Don’t ignore it. Does a new client relationship just feel off? Say no. Old client not respecting you? Get rid of them. Don’t ignore your gut feelings.
9. Not everyone is going to like you and that is ok!
You are not the same as your competitors - so don’t try to be them. If a potential client doesn’t like you because you are different - then they are not your ideal client. You will never make everyone happy - so don’t try.
10. Sometimes the things that get you promoted, are also the things that get you fired
What one client LOVES about you, others will not love. That is ok… You do you.
Being fired was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
It is important to look at all your experiences as a learning opportunity.
You are where you are because of them!
