Personally, to finally admit to myself that I like doing make up is quite difficult. I was raised in a traditional Chinese family, with a strong business background. So it was quite fitting for all of my siblings (including myself) to choose a business degree in college. Don't get me wrong, I love doing business, analysing the strategies and the marketing tools that companies use to win the competition. Without sounding too obnoxious, I can say that I have a good understanding on it, and I'm pretty good at it. So it was a natural choice to submerge myself in the business world after I graduate.
But I guess God has His own funny way to direct my life path. My first serious job was actually in one of the biggest cosmetics company in the world, L'Oréal. I fell in love with it from the first interview. I desperately wanted to work there, not knowing that the real reason why I wanted to be there was because of the nature of the industry itself. I remembered going home from the first interview and said to my parents, 'this is my company, this is where I wanna work!'. I foolishly declined all other offers and waited for the call. After 2 months of waiting, I was lucky, I was hired to become the Training Development person there. I didn't care what position I was offered. I just wanted to be there.
It was my first job, but let me tell you it was my first love. One of my responsibilities was to train and gave people the necessary knowledge of the company and their line of work. Basically, I was teaching (and learning at the same time) about the importance of cosmetics in our lives. I loved what I was doing and so I guess that was the real reason why I was good at it.
Did I tell you that I met my future husband there? No? Oh well, now you know why I loved my job even more.. :))
Anyway, something came up and I had to leave the company and move to Australia. It was a difficult decision, because I felt that I had to leave so many things that I love behind. But my boyfriend gave me a good advice and motivation. He said to use the opportunity to discover and explore new things that I've wanted to know and do, but never had the time. So I knew I've always been an artistic person, from colouring, drawing, painting, origami, quilling, you name it, I've done all that as a mere hobby. So based on that, I decided on trying out design, specifically Interior.
And my new life began. Studying Art is NOTHING like business. Nothing is definite. Nothing is fixed. It's so abstract. I'm someone who likes things in order and art is quite the opposite. I felt miserable. I felt that I made the wrong choice. I wanted to drop out after just 2 weeks, but somehow I managed to hold on and in the end, graduated with top achievement award. During that time, I sort of rediscovered my love for drawing and colours. I found that I was actually good in picking and mixing different colours together to create this harmony of colours.
So with that, I started my new journey in Interior in a property firm. It was okay, it was a good job, good position, good pay, so why couldn't I have that happy feeling like I did in L'Oréal?
But, a personal health problem shifted my whole perspective in life. Suddenly, it all became clear. I wasn't happy with my work. I wasn't happy with my life. I was lost. I didn't know what I wanted to do next. And then my ex-boyfriend-now-hubby asked me why don't I just pursue make up? I looked at him and wondered why I married an obviously insane person. And then he said this, "A successful business usually comes from what you like to do best. And I can see how much you like to do make up. So why not?"
It was so simple. Too simple. Could it be that simple?
I was 30 and he's giving me advise to throw away everything I have and start from the very beginning. It didn't make sense. It sounded so crazy. But somehow, it crazily started to make sense. Huh?
So I did just that. I resigned, became unemployed and became a student again.
And it felt so great. Like a release of this great big energy that you've been keeping inside you for so long. From the day I walked to my first make up class, I just knew I belonged there.
I know it took me quite some time (and places) to get to where I'm supposed to be in life. But I have no regrets. With all that have happened in my life, it just made me appreciate what I've almost lost but found in the end.
So, make up anyone?
Love,
A
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But I guess God has His own funny way to direct my life path. My first serious job was actually in one of the biggest cosmetics company in the world, L'Oréal. I fell in love with it from the first interview. I desperately wanted to work there, not knowing that the real reason why I wanted to be there was because of the nature of the industry itself. I remembered going home from the first interview and said to my parents, 'this is my company, this is where I wanna work!'. I foolishly declined all other offers and waited for the call. After 2 months of waiting, I was lucky, I was hired to become the Training Development person there. I didn't care what position I was offered. I just wanted to be there.
It was my first job, but let me tell you it was my first love. One of my responsibilities was to train and gave people the necessary knowledge of the company and their line of work. Basically, I was teaching (and learning at the same time) about the importance of cosmetics in our lives. I loved what I was doing and so I guess that was the real reason why I was good at it.
Did I tell you that I met my future husband there? No? Oh well, now you know why I loved my job even more.. :))
Anyway, something came up and I had to leave the company and move to Australia. It was a difficult decision, because I felt that I had to leave so many things that I love behind. But my boyfriend gave me a good advice and motivation. He said to use the opportunity to discover and explore new things that I've wanted to know and do, but never had the time. So I knew I've always been an artistic person, from colouring, drawing, painting, origami, quilling, you name it, I've done all that as a mere hobby. So based on that, I decided on trying out design, specifically Interior.
And my new life began. Studying Art is NOTHING like business. Nothing is definite. Nothing is fixed. It's so abstract. I'm someone who likes things in order and art is quite the opposite. I felt miserable. I felt that I made the wrong choice. I wanted to drop out after just 2 weeks, but somehow I managed to hold on and in the end, graduated with top achievement award. During that time, I sort of rediscovered my love for drawing and colours. I found that I was actually good in picking and mixing different colours together to create this harmony of colours.
So with that, I started my new journey in Interior in a property firm. It was okay, it was a good job, good position, good pay, so why couldn't I have that happy feeling like I did in L'Oréal?
But, a personal health problem shifted my whole perspective in life. Suddenly, it all became clear. I wasn't happy with my work. I wasn't happy with my life. I was lost. I didn't know what I wanted to do next. And then my ex-boyfriend-now-hubby asked me why don't I just pursue make up? I looked at him and wondered why I married an obviously insane person. And then he said this, "A successful business usually comes from what you like to do best. And I can see how much you like to do make up. So why not?"
It was so simple. Too simple. Could it be that simple?
I was 30 and he's giving me advise to throw away everything I have and start from the very beginning. It didn't make sense. It sounded so crazy. But somehow, it crazily started to make sense. Huh?
So I did just that. I resigned, became unemployed and became a student again.
And it felt so great. Like a release of this great big energy that you've been keeping inside you for so long. From the day I walked to my first make up class, I just knew I belonged there.
I know it took me quite some time (and places) to get to where I'm supposed to be in life. But I have no regrets. With all that have happened in my life, it just made me appreciate what I've almost lost but found in the end.
So, make up anyone?
Love,
A
