Recently, I celebrated my own Independence Day. I shared some thought about it on Facebook, but thought it would be good to share here as well.
Five years ago I was working in corporate America for a lesser known aerospace company who was very proud of their work/life balance values. During my time, several members of management stated I was one of the best employees to ever fill that role with specific remarks about dependability, organization, and innovation. Six months in, my wife was hit as a pedestrian by a drunk driver. Notifying my superiors, I left work 1 hour early to take care of my family. It broke my perfect 6-month attendance record and management told me I was not eligible for a raise as a result. That moment revealed their true values when it came to work/life balance.
A year into my employment, we had agreed on a review to talk about my future path and development in the company. Management refused repeatedly to meet for the review. At that point, it was clear I needed to make my own way.
Today I like to remember my own independence day and how grateful I am to be far from that career path. Exactly 4 years ago I got to tell my corporate America bosses, "Thanks, but no thanks." Leaving a company like this December 9, 2014 for our own full-time photography business was the best decision I ever made and every moment since has been life-changing.
-JMB