I left BlackRock because of one of my best friends.

Because she inspired me and gave me the courage to actually take the jump and leave.

She was a successful architect.

Studied architecture for years and worked in a popular architectural firm with high-flying clients.

She was paid well, highly respected, and had a lot going for her in her career.

Much like my own career trajectory, save that I was in finance.

The thing is, she too wasn’t 100% happy with her job.

Her passion was in art and calligraphy.

In my narrow social circle, this was not exactly the most lucrative or so-called “successful” career path.

But she decided to try anyway.

Without quitting her job, she started an IG to share her art.

She grew from a handful of followers to tens of thousands:: 
✨ Getting invited by brands like Cartier, Lane Crawford, Van Cleef, CitiBank 
✨ Becoming their partner at brand events as an official calligraphy artist, and
✨ Finally turned her side hustle into a full-time job

Nowadays, she is making way more as a fine artist than she ever did as an architect, and while working way fewer hours!

All because of that one post with no followers.

Her journey from the very start inspired me so much that I told myself that there was no way I’m staying a whole other year in BlackRock doing something that I feel no joy or purpose towards.

If you want to hear her whole story, you can tune into her episode on my podcast here - https://lnkd.in/g26p97k8

You can also check out my podcast Ctrl Alt Career for more inspirational stories of others who have similarly left behind their traditional, lucrative careers and successfully pursued an alternative career path.

PS - if you’re looking to get connected with more like-minded high achievers looking to build a ‘perfect for you career’, DM me  “COMMUNITY”, I’d love to welcome you.