Making a decision to change careers at the same time my husband, Eric, and I were also planning to change our lifestyle and move across states, was a larger endeavor than we imagined. It turns out it was so worth it as I look back over the past two years. Leaving a career that had provided financial gains I didn't think was possible after quitting college in my junior year, was a scary proposition. I grew up in that career. The company I worked for paid for me to complete my bachelor degree in Communication. I traveled to amazing places and enjoyed top-level professional development throughout my almost twenty years with that company. I was successful at my chosen role too. I was recognized for sales achievements at a national level. I was able to be a part of supporting others in their pursuit to build a successful career in the beauty industry. Thinking of making a change, in my mid-forties, to do something else made me question many times if it was the safe and right thing to do. But here's the thing, this career no longer fulfilled me.I wanted to focus more on my marriage, my family, and my other interests that I had put on hold, or hadn't had an outlet to explore, while in that career.  

This was not a sudden decision for Eric and I. We had been in the planning stages for about five years before we submitted our resignations at our companies. (He had also devoted his first two decades of work to a company that provided a satisfying and challenging career path). We bought and read books about making big life changes, created Excel sheets with dated deadlines and column titles like "Selling the House" and "Unknowns", and we talked...a lot. I decided to take advantage of the education benefit at this company, more for the sense of completion that achieving my degree would provide. I also knew what a wonderful job benefit that is and wanted to be able to have that education on my resume.

This career change was first prompted by a serious illness in my family. My mom was diagnosed with Stage IIIA ovarian cancer in March 2011. We were living in Texas, where my career path had taken us over the years - away from Colorado. She lived in Woodland Park, near the place where I was born and grew up in, Colorado Springs. As too many people know, the first time you are faced with the real possibility of losing a parent is a life-changing event. I knew that as much as I loved the life Eric and I had created, we wanted to be a part of our family in a closer way. Around this time, I was starting to question what I saw for the second half of my career. For the first time, I didn't see my current company offering as much in my own personal growth as it had until that point. I wanted to do something else while I still could.

As part of our planning, we each created lists of the things that were most important to us in our next career. This turned out to be one of the best exercises I did in planning my career change. I listed priorities I didn't realize I held until that moment. 1) I wanted to work for and with a group of people that was passionate about their purpose. 2) I didn't want to feel like I had to work hard to believe in what I was doing and why I was doing it. 3) I wanted to work more directly with the people that personally benefit from my contributions. 4) I wanted an outlet for my writing and marketing interests. 5) I wanted to use my past experience in a new way. 6) Finally, we both wanted to find our new careers in the Colorado Springs area. I love this state. I have a sense of home I haven't had anywhere else. But we both knew that we were looking at a very different job market than the one we were leaving.

My first attempt at a second career didn't last long. I joined a digital media startup that was dedicated to promoting the lifestyle and beauty of Colorado. We featured areas and activities in the state with beautiful photographs and video, along with articles and features on small businesses in the outdoor recreation arena. This startup folded five months after I had begun my new role there as an Account Executive.Prior to getting this job, I had been through a three month interview and vetting process, we prepared our house for sell, and I had moved ahead of Eric to the home we had bought in Woodland Park. This was a low point, as I questioned what we were doing and started to feel regret creep into my thoughts. As I pursued my next job possibility, I went back to my list of priorities and looked for what was still missing. I had the passion and purpose covered in the startup job, but I wasn't using as much of my past experience and didn't have the direct contact with people I was looking for. I also realized I wanted that contact to be in a more beneficial way.

For five months I searched for that next career. I took on freelance writing jobs, worked on the house and property we bought, spent time with my mom (who lives with us now), enjoyed connecting with nieces and nephews, and sought out volunteer work in the outdoors. I will never forget the day I was on Indeed.com, a twice a day habit at that point, and saw a posting for a Skin Consultant at Vanguard Skin Specialists. I immediately wrote a cover letter and sent that in with my resume. I got a call from Rebekah from clara at Vanguard later that afternoon to schedule an interview. I was ecstatic. 

I knew of Vanguard Skin Specialists through friends and family who had benefited from their focus on skin cancer detection and treatment. I knew of the community impact though donations and volunteering. I had heard some of the story of Dr. Chung from my mom. (She had given his book, Where The Wind Leads, as a gift to a friend who has been especially helpful and important to her as she was treated for ovarian and then colon cancer six years later.) I knew this would be a meaningful place to work. I also knew the role of skin consultant allowed me to use my experience in a way I was looking for, by helping and working with individual clients.When the Executive Director, Leisle Chung, said they would like me to utilize my marketing background and education also, I couldn't believe it. They saw all I could offer and wanted that contribution too.

So now I work closely with the nurse at Vanguard Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, Mandy Brown, and with the clara Team Lead, Rebekah Krosky. They both exhibit the passion to help others and make a difference that drew me to this practice. I feel supported and that I am able to be part of a team (or tribe, as we like to refer to ourselves) where we respect the client and the trust they put into us. I like that I have a chance to compliment a best-in-class medical experience the patients at Vanguard have with that team of providers, with additional advice on good sun protection habits and through skin consultations. I am still in the beauty industry, but it has the meaning I was seeking. I feel like I get to use more of what I have to offer now. Changing an established, successful career for any reason is a huge decision. Landing where you feel among like-minded people and where you feel you can offer all of your experience and unique skills is worth the risk. I believe in a life with no regrets. Sometimes that means taking the calculated risk. I learned nothing is guaranteed, that you can change direction again and be better off for it.

Lisa's Skin Care 

clara Medical Skin Care Foamy Cleanser, VanguardMD Revitalizing Toner, clara Medical Skin Care Bright CEF, clara Medical Skin Care Regenerate, clara  Medical Skin Care UV Luxe +, DEJ Eye Cream, Revox 7 (both Revision Skin Care products available in-store only), clara Medical Skin Care RejuvaLips, clara Medical Skin Care RejuvaNeck, and Clara Bright Custom Blend (in-store only).