I totally quit my job last week.
It wasn’t some kind of take-this-job-and-shove-it table-flipping experience. It was totally civilized and without raised voices or tears. I gave five weeks’ notice, and my last day is going to be Sept. 4.
So what’s my deal? I remained employed for the entirety of the great recession—no small feat. I’ve worked on some awesome magazines and went to sweet conferences. I learned a ton and grew a lot.
But after five years at my company, I felt myself getting burned out. I had little energy for all the side projects I have going on. And with my new book coming out this month and the big holiday craft show coming shortly, I was feeling way more tired than inspired. And that’s no way to live.
So, as of Sept. 5, I’ll be a self-employed person, and I am so excited. I’ve got a few gigs lined up as a freelance writer and editor, and I’ll be looking for more. Do you need someone who knows how to hustle? Here’s what I’m good at:
- writing about design, art, craft, entrepreneurship, web culture and nerds
- editing basically anything
- proofreading and copy editing
- writing and editing email newsletters
- polishing resumes and writing kickass cover letters
- social media strategy and execution
- speaking about creative business and entrepreneurship
- organizing and putting on events
- personal assistant kinds of stuff, like booking travel and dealing with surly post office ladies
- bookbinding, printmaking and other crafty things
- writing song parodies
- finding awesome flea markets and vintage shops wherever I go
If you need someone to help you with any of these things, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m very available as of Oct. 1.
My first order of business as a full-time freelancer is an epic road trip/book tour to promote The Crafty Superstar Ultimate Craft Business Guide in September—details on appearances to come. And I’ve got an idea for my third book that I’m just dying to get started on. Let’s do this!
grace dobush 
Goooooo, Grace! Very happy for you and please do let me know how I may support your greatness!
That’s pretty awesome! I did that a year and a half ago for pretty much the same reasons and y’know what? I looooove working for myself and I’m a million gazillion times happier :)
Good luck, I know you’ll be fine x
Wow Grace! That is fantastic news! I am so excited for your new adventures. Will you by any chance be headed to Seattle on your book tour (please say yes)? If you are, I’d love to set up an etsyRAIN workshop with you when you’re in town! (I also have a guest room :) Let me know! Thanks!
Thanks, Dyana, Shirley and Marlo!
PS Marlo, i would LOVE to do a Pacific Northwest tour! i’ll have to figure out how to make it happen. :)
High five! Will let you know if I hear of any freelance shtuff!
This is some of the awesomest news I’ve heard! :D Yay for ladies living their dreams!!
I can double the excitement for the tour of the West, Grace. Marlo puts on a great event and I’m coming back to etsy RAIN next month because of it. Hope you get to come out!
Again, CONGRATS!!! XD