Is your 9 to 5 starting to make you unrecognizable to yourself in the way you speak and interact with your professional peers and your family? Are your words a bit more snarly and your patience for error across the board at work and home has been reduced to an extreme minimum? You like your job and grateful for the income you receive in exchange for your services rendered that finances your lifestyle. Although, during your free time you find yourself online searching to identify and connect with an entrepreneur outlet that you would enjoy, make more than supplemental income at and begin to recognize yourself again.

During a recent conversation with Mrs. MaryClare Audier, I was inspired by her journey to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur never entered Mrs. Audier mind, but several years in the corporate rat race changed her perspective. She heard the words from one of her now favorite mentors in Mary Kay, “You are where you are from the choices you make, or you allow others to make for you.” She started out in customer service, moved into account management doing sales. Mrs. Audier is now an Independent Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. She decided that her back up plan would be her exit plan from her corporate career. During our conversation, she shared that towards the end of her corporate tenure she had become unrecognizable to herself and chose to demonstrate career confidence and made the transition from corporate to being an entrepreneur. She was determined to living the lifestyle she desired in every area of her life. Eleven years later, four free cars later and in qualifications for the famous pink Cadillac! Ms. Audier loves the freedom, flexibility, financial control that comes from becoming her own boss.
Career Tipper: What professional experience prompted you to pursue your entrepreneurial goals full-time?

Audier: I was miserable and looked into other companies. I saw companies that would change the players, change the location of the water cooler, but the game would remain the same. That, along with the death of my Dad prompted me to work my Mary Kay full-time. My back up plan became the exit plan. Also, the financial independence being in business for myself, rather than depending on the company where downsizing is applicable, outsourced or laid off was also appealing.

Career Tipper: What advice would you give another professional that wants to demonstrate career confidence to improve their quality of life by changing their profession?

Audier: Stop being concerned with what you think others are thinking or saying about you. If you want it and you know, it will take you where you want to go  then go!  Mary Kay Ash said, “Plan your work, and work your plan.” Understand there is a logical and mathematical plan to take you from “here” to “there”, but you must work out of discipline, not emotion!

Career Tipper: Mrs. Audier, what is the most profound lesson from working a corporate job that has been an asset to you in being an entrepreneur?

Audier: Everyone is disposable – whether a nurse, a teacher or top sales rep – everything is a business. You are a part of their mathematical equation. There are also good people, good products, good services all around; sometimes you just need to look a little deeper.