Why I Left My 15 Year Career To Become A Full Time Financial Advisor

“Mommy, look!” my three-year-old son said, as he came up to me holding a book and pointing his finger at an open page. “I wrote here.” he said excitedly.

My already big eyes widened as I saw his scribbles on the page. “Oh no! That’s my daily devotion book.” I thought.

I was about to start my rant when I saw the words written on the page; in bold capital letters, right behind my son’s scribbles, it says “DON’T GIVE UP”.

It hit me hard and left me speechless. It made me reflect on many things, especially on why I left my fifteen-year career.

CAREER

Shortly after getting my Mass Communication degree, I began building my professional career in the television industry. This is the field that I had studied for, so I was very happy. I worked in the area of content acquisition; and parts of my role included screening international TV shows, negotiating license fees, reviewing contracts, and closing deals. I also traveled internationally and met people from different parts of the world. I loved what I did and I enjoyed a good compensation and benefits package, including a car plan. I learned a lot of things that helped me build a solid foundation for a strong work ethic. Over the years of working for television, not only did I make good friends, but also met the love of my life, my husband.

FAMILY

We got married in 2010 and tried to get pregnant since then. After 2 years, our wish was granted, I conceived a baby girl. We were the happiest; we could not wait to be parents. Sadly, our precious little one died in my womb and was born still at 33 weeks due to umbilical cord accident. Our world turned upside down and our dreams were shattered, but we never lost faith. Days, weeks, months have passed, and slowly, we both recovered. A year after the incident, we found out we were expecting another baby, and this time - it was a boy.

I had a smooth pregnancy until I gave birth, and the first time I laid my eyes on my son was the most incredible feeling. He looked so tiny and fragile, yet he moved my heart like no one else could. I felt an overwhelming love. I wanted to stare at him all day, study his every angle, and kiss his soft tiny hands and feet.

When I returned to work, I always longed to be at home with my son. I missed him every day, but… I had responsibilities at work, as well as financial obligations. I fought my longing, even though there was an intense need within me to tend to all of my baby’s needs. It was a struggle and my own feelings were at war. When my son turned two, we were in and out of the hospital because he would always get sick. It was the time I knew I needed to do something. I talked to my husband who has been very supportive, planned our finances, and made a decision -- I tendered my resignation.

I have never been happier and fulfilled as a mother, being able to tend to all of my son’s physical and emotional needs. He is now three; an active, happy, and emotionally healthy child.

I am deeply in love with my family. The bond between our son, my husband, and I, as a family, is getting stronger with each passing day.

PASSION

The transition from fifteen years of working in a corporate world to becoming a stay-at-home mom and housewife was never easy; there were still bumps along the way.

My body clock and rhythms are used to working in an office and it is hard to get myself off-cycle. Managing my own time also became a struggle. I realized that staying at home requires a lot of discipline. I trained myself to reset my body clock slowly and manage my own time effectively.

Three months after I tendered my resignation, my son, who was two and a half years old at that time, was hospitalized due to ruptured appendix. The infection has spread, so the doctors performed a major operation; along with a series of CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and all other laboratory tests. Thankfully, after three weeks in the hospital, my son recovered completely. We were sent home but reality strikes… all our savings as well as our emergency funds were exhausted. I wanted to help my husband recover our financial losses but I was also needed at home to take care of our son.

A few years back, I took a license as a Financial Advisor which became my sideline when I was still working for television - and I am glad that I did. I did not expect that this humble profession will be my ‘lifeline’ when I needed the ‘call a friend’ in my life. It gives me the opportunity to earn without sacrificing my time with my family, especially during the time when they need me the most. I can adjust my time the way I want to and only leave the house if necessary, but most of the time, I bring my son along with me.

I have developed a deep appreciation and respect for this profession as I do it over time. For me, passion does not come easily and the phrase “follow your passion” should not be taken so lightly. Now, I fully understand that passion is something that you develop not by simply following it but by pursuing it through continuous learning and sincere effort. In return, it brings us pure happiness and satisfaction. It is a “two-way street”, like love – when we naturally reciprocate the love we get. Same is true with what I do now, it has done great things for me, and I want to do great things with it for other people in return.

SCRIBBLES

I looked again at my son’s scribbles on the page of my book and it does not look as an eyesore to me anymore. Just like life is a book and the scribbles on the page is just one bad situation. If I try to erase the scribbles in permanent ink, I will ruin the page, and if I ruin the page, I ruin the book.

Things happen. Trying to avoid our current situation will only make matters worse. We may be caught in a bad situation right at this moment, but look closely – beautiful meaning lies somewhere. We just have to look beyond what our eyes can see. Blessings come in disguise and in many different forms.

You see, son, leaving my fifteen-year career might mean I gave up something great in my life, but it has opened up unexpected doors for something far more meaningful and valuable.

Motherhood has changed my whole outlook in life, but it was for the better…

- Chelle R.FB

If you are thinking or considering to be a Financial Advisor, like what I did, we can help you. Contact us here.

Or if you would like to personally talk to me, you can contact me here. mfbuitizon@gmail.com