My business and career journey so far, over the last 13 years from my 20s to 30s
Esther Loke
I write about pivoting in your 30s, small business and marketing as an introvert.
Pivoting in my 30s is probably one of the hardest adjustments I've experienced. It took me 3-4 years to figure out why I was unhappy/try new things and a whole year to pivot, adjust and accept.
On the outside, I may look like I’ve been going forward AND backwards at different points in time. We are really living in a society where we tie our identity so tightly to our jobs and accomplishments.
This is the journey of my business so far, from my 20s to my 30s. Many experiences were completely unexpected. Yet, I know this is not the end and there are still more pivots and changes I can expect in life ??
I'm so grateful that I have had my business for so long. I didn't think I would actually get here.
Starting my business was one of the best and most difficult decisions ever.
In my 20s, starting my business was the main thing on my mind. At that time, it felt like this was it and I would do this for the rest of my life. But little did I know that I was just at the start of my journey!
Here's my business timeline → a whole decade in the making and I'm just getting started.
You will never be too late if you just start.
2011 - Started a handmade jewellery shop on Etsy while working full time
2012 - Invested in a business course and started learning about the online business world
2013 - Continued learning more about online biz and planned my exit from my full time job
Feb 2014 - Left my full time job and started virtual assistant (VA) biz with one client (my ex-boss)
2015 - Took my bachelor's degree and built my business at the same time
2016 - Grew VA business, signed high-ticket clients, travelled a lot, but worked all the time and got really burnt out
2017 - Officially transitioned from VA to marketing strategist. successfully launched my first membership.
2017 was a year of transition, from VA (Virtual Assistance) to Marketing Strategy.
I realised a lot of clients needed help with their launches, social media and email. I moved into strategy and writing content.
It wasn't an easy move. It took me a long time to stop identifying myself as a VA and step into a strategist role.
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Into my 30s:
2018 to 2020
2021 - Transitioned into business coaching
2022 - 2023 - Explore paths that I wanted to take and topics I wanted to learn
2024 - In a full-time role and side hustling
Making so many changes in my 30s honestly doesn’t feel easy or even encouraging at all. It makes you feel like you’re taking steps backwards and perhaps even starting all over again.
But I feel like with all the life and work experience that we already have, that can help us move forward faster if we ever really do start over. And a lot of our skills are transferable - it’s just a matter of being able to see how it can benefit us, instead of only having the thought that we’re starting from scratch again.
To summarise my business journey if you want to skip all the reading:
? Did things my way, on my own terms.
? Bought a course and barely took it. Dove into the community instead. take what you need and leave the rest.
? Leaned on my strengths - connecting with people, building relationships and helped them with what I'm good at
? Combine my passions into my business to build my own brand
? Have fun with the process and trust the journey
? Trust yourself!! and also ask for help when you need it. no shame in that.
? Get coached!
? I’m open for discovery calls on how we can work together. Let’s schedule a discovery call to get to know one another and explore how you plan to pivot in your 30s or simply do something different in your life. Send me a DM and let’s find a time to chat!