I had been a manager of a greek food estabisment for years, I was not happy! But I thought I couldn't do anything else! This was 12 yrs ago when I left! I left to sell Mary Kay cosmetics. My family thought I was crazy! To be honest it was Mary Kay cosmetic's that gave me the courage to leave! I sold Mary Kay for a few years, won a car ect.. but that just was not what I wanted for a life time career! Then I bought a welcome wagon buisness, then a few other small business's! Now all this started I thought I was a stable person! I was the manager for this greek place for 10 yrs! Worked 80 hrs a week for years! WHen I left Yes at first I made less money than I did at my normal career! But I had less stress! Then I started watching elderly people in there homes, then I got friends doing it! I did that for 5 or 6 yrs, well 4 yrs ago I opened my own business with caregivers that go into the home of elderly people to cook, clean and bath them. Our 4th year we did a half million dollars in rev, we have 30 employees and last year I opened a handi cap transportation business! I have only had 2 years of college, was a single mom at 16 yrs old, came from a broken home, was only married 2 yrs myself. People wonder how I got to where I am?? I just never gave up! I just kept pushing for more! In the beginning I worked 24 hrs a day, now I let other people do most the work, yes I do work maybe 40 hrs a week, I am there when my clients and employees need me But guess what? Owning my own business I will never have to buy my own car again, gas doesn't come out of my pocket! there is so many tax advantages to owning a business! I love being able to take a cruise every year, no one can tell me when I have to get up! Ok I admitt I get up at 5am! This is when I can get most my paper work done without the phone ringing! I love what I do! My boyfriend and I just bought our dream home and we can afford it! No we did not go over board! Both my adult children work for the business. I dont know if thats good or not! I dont know if they could handle a "Normal" job where they would get fired if they didnt do what they were suppose to do! Well Good Luck! You can do anything you set your mind to! See ya lighter! Cyndi

I have been an admin asst for years now and I am simply bored with it. I would like to go in another direction but don't know what or how to do it. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can plot my way to a new job experience? Has anyone just given up years of experience to go into another field and how hard was that on salary and you? Thanks for any help you can provide me! Debbie