Life as a Working Lady

I've been a little bit busy for the last few weeks, and I (thankfully) can chalk it all up to the fact that I am a working lady! For now, at least.

I have three "jobs" in life right now - more like responsibilities as the hours are inconsistent and they're a little out of the usual - but they're mine. The hours I put in between the three of them generally come to 25 - 30 a week, which is more than it was in the summertime and than I'll be working come March so let's give thanks for that.

My first job (my dream job) is taken up in a very cute, trendy little cafe in town which features the best Italian food I've tasted and is run by a family who loves each other... very much. I'm the very first employee to be hired "out of nowhere", in that I'm not related and I've not been a friend of the family for so long I should be related. I just walked into the store, asked if they were hiring in September, and started working.

I love this job. The staff I work with are truly amazing. They're hilarious - I can't remember one shift I've worked where I haven't had a good well-earned belly laugh - and they love what they do. To all future business owners out there: your employees will love you if you love what you do. This family dedicates so much into the successful operation of their cafe and in turn has gained loyal customers, happy staff and amazing quality products. Whatever they're doing, they're doing it right and I'm glad to be a small part of it.

That is not me. But I found the picture in Google.

My second "job" (if you can call it that), would technically go under the title of Freelance Writer but that sounds a little too glamorous and I don't want to give off the impression that I'm living in a 1999 romantic comedy. I love to "write", but I didn't go to school for it and I don't have the technical experience that it takes to pull off a well-rounded journalistic article with a fantastic lede and inquisitive follow up. But... I'm creative and fluffy and I like to give people warm fuzzies when they take the time to read things... and because of that, I sort of slid into a position of "freelance writer" for an advertising department of a local newspaper. (Yes, I applied under the journalism department, but let's just say it didn't stick and I wouldn't have it any other way!) I get to write advertorials for local businesses (who often more than deserve the happy words I write about them), I get to write features about community leaders and emergency services, and I get to take on odd jobs that the paper cooks up for me. I very much love the opportunities I'm given and the chances to grow my own personal experience - and slowly, surely build a portfolio while I'm at it.

You can see more pictures like this at www.johnbutlerweddings.com

My third job (and yes, I saved the best for last) is working for my husband - and I don't mean this in the feminist, exploitative way... I mean, my husband runs a great business and I get to work for him. He's a photographer, he's very good at what he does, and at the moment runs a two-tiered photography company: one website for advertising and commercial stuff (which I do not touch with a ten foot pole), and one website for weddings, portraits and events (which my dirty little fingers are all over).

Couples and families are my favourite. People don't hire a photographer for any old reason (well, maybe they do?) - whether it's a wedding, a special occasion, or a momentous time in their lives, people ask John to come along and capture their memories and I get to work with them in the lead-up and follow up! Preparing contracts, planning wedding days, discussing wardrobe - all of these things are up to me and I love it. Generally the hours are "after business", which is when clients are ready and comfortable to chat. Once 6 PM rolls around and my other responsibilities are tucked away for the evening, the contracts come out, the tea is poured and long phone chats with excited brides begin! (They don't have to be long - but mix me up with a chatty bride and then thank goodness for our awesome phone plan). Not only is it gratifying as a marriage team to work on something together and feel like we're achieving goals and success, but it's fun to help people organize themselves and provide advice from one lady to another.

And that's that! Those are my jobs. Together they take up a good portion of my week and I feel like I'm working. Much of the work is invoiced personally and unfortunately that means a lack of Mat Leave options (the government might say, "leaving what?"), but I'm going to have a good conversation with our financial advisor soon to see where little baby fits into the mix.

I'm going to guess that with a little effort, a little planning and a lot of love, the compromise will be sweet.