@carolineandgrae: I took it as a sign to continue traveling when I was laid off almost a year ago while on vacation. So I did just that and spent time much overdue visiting friends and family. I slowed down to tune into my intuition by meditating and started to paint waves and sailboats in Central Park in order to see what was next for me. Somehow, the career that I spent so much time, effort, laughter and some tears building wasn’t what I wanted anymore. I realized that how I spend my time is how I live my life. And I wanted so much more than spending most of my days glued to my laptop. Having been through an IPO, acquisition, and layoff, I felt my tech career come full circle. What I loved most about marketing and tech was being able to create new connections and express the ideas I had- always coming back to the pillars of facilitating communication and understanding in thoughtful, creative ways. Some of you may know the story of while I was in college, I was interning at one of the most prominent modeling agencies in the world, when I was discovered as a model. I remember vividly, 19 year old me, scared to death when they called me into a meeting room the second week of my internship and told me that the internship wasn’t working the way they expected. When tears started to weld in my eyes, they slid a contract across the table and asked me to model. In shock I muttered, “Me?” I soon learned that I would be asked to change things, for the sake of what would sell in the market and for me, it wasn’t worth the money to change who I was. I left the industry almost as quickly as I entered and accepted the best job that was offered to me at the time- a job with a consistent paycheck and health insurance. I started to use my degree in business and marketing that I had moved to New York City to earn. Fast forward 5 years later, I’m very grateful for all of the experiences and amazing friends (coworkers) that I have met throughout my tech career. I still think about and miss our teams, brilliant collaboration, and goals that we were able to reach and exceed together. But I truly believe that we can have or be anything we want in this world- we just have to put action behind our intentions. So when I was laid off this past summer, I started to submit to agencies and the opportunity for modeling presented itself again. I now have bi-costal representation in NY and LA with an agency that I feel truly believes in me. They told me they are happy with me at whatever size I feel most happy and beautiful at. I am so grateful for the warm embrace back into the modeling industry that is now accepting of me, as I am naturally. Recently, I was asked what would my ideal job would look like. I responded with modeling, marketing, and sailing. Mind you, I have no sailing experience, besides being a guest on charters. I keep seeking out boats due to the feeling of finding myself so happy and at peace while on the water. Last summer, I remember talking to a mate on a boat and telling him that his job would be my dream job. I didn’t think it would be possible at the time but by putting action behind the intention, I just landed a job as a mate on a sailboat this summer. Where not only where I will be paid to learn how to sail, but I will also be running their marketing which includes a brand refresh and endless opportunities to start building creative campaigns again. I am grateful and so beyond excited. Cheers to a beautiful new chapter, a summer on the water, and getting paid to live life in the fullest.

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