Celebrating Independence Day by becoming independent

This Pandemic has made many of us ask the question..."What the HELL is going ON?!"

At least I had been asking that question quite often since the start of 2020. 

You see, I've worked a majority of my life as an "employee" or as a "freelancer" - which is more or less an employee that is paid differently and has more to deal with when tax season comes around.

As I moved through this year of hustling up new freelance gigs, like I have been for the past two years, I found that the well was running dry. When COVID became a "thing", many freelance gigs disappeared. But I noticed the well drying up well before that. For myself anyway. I was perplexed by this because I had a stellar résumé for a content producer with many great references to back it all up. But I wasn't getting the gigs...

​(to see my reel of past work - go here)

I did dozens of interviews. They all went fantastic (in my mind anyway). So what was the problem? Why was I not getting the gig/job/chance to work for someone? 

I had my speculations...but the one thing that I saw to be true was that I WASN'T GETTING THE JOB. 

I was starting to feel overwhelmingly anxious more of the time. How would I make a living? How would I pay my bills? How could I feel a sense of "purpose" if I wasn't working for someone on some project?

As usual, my wife (and talented artist) Christina sat me down and we had a heart-to-heart. Long story short - she convinced me that it was time to brand myself and take the plunge as an official business owner.

​Bit of backstory - she was KILLING IT as a National Sales Executive for a successful pet manufacturing company. And then one day...she wandered in to a Joann Fabrics to buy materials and try painting. The rest is history. She has been running her own business now for 3 years and I have been her faithful side-kick (and husband). She said - "NO MORE - you deserve to live the life you were meant to live". You see, I had been creating furniture under her brand and she made me realize that I create a nice product and it's time to launch my brand and seize the opportunity to launch a new business. She's a smart cookie so I heeded her advice. 

The nest week, I was officially incorporating as MARSDEN DESIGNS and I'll be doing it with pending commissions in play. 

This feels good. Really good. I owe infinite gratitude to my wife for her inspiring efforts, her teachings, and her love. 

​Buckle up!

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