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If you haven't heard the news already, let me be the first to tell you: I have chosen to leave my position as CEO of Ella Publishing. As you can imagine, this is a big change for me -- and one that has kept me up at night more than the mouse situation in our old house (and you know that's a lot!). Because I don't want to avoid the elephant in the room (haha!), and because you're 5000 of my closest friends, I wanted to give you the story behind the story. Here's why I'm now business card-less:
1. Parenting. Starting a new business is like having a baby. And when you already have three kids (four, counting the hubby) at home, it can be near-impossible to balance it all. Online companies are 24/7 endeavors, with no time off for good behavior (in fact, the better you are, the more you have to work!). With my kids at the ages they're at, they still need me, thank goodness. I don't want to skip this time, spending it on the computer and plopping my kids in front of the TV so I can answer one more email (at least, not on a daily basis!). I want to soak in this time and enjoy it fully.
2. Pocket Change. When Angie and I started planning Ella (almost a year ago!), I had no clue I was moving to Boston. We were happy and settled in California, and life was good. Then my husband got transferred, the economy tanked, and we ran into unexpected expenses (private school, anyone?). The need for a regular paycheck has become more pressing (in other words, critical!). While the potential is there, the regular salary is not.
3. Personality. I always thought I'd be a good consultant -- someone who swoops in, tells a company how to do things, gets them started, and then swoops out. I adore analysis and strategy and planning... and I'm not so hot about the follow-through. Once things are up and running, well... let's just say, I have a short attention span.
4. Passion. I'm a writer, first and foremost. I can "do" the financial projections and the reporting and the details of the back end of running a business, but the whole time, I'm thinking about the next thing I'm going to write. Now I will actually have time to write those blog posts, articles, books, and essays I've been dreaming up (she says as she spends the evening on the couch watching 13 Going on 30 with her girls)!
5. Purpose. I'm so lucky in that, while I do have some financial responsibility to my family, I don't have to report to a cubicle and be chained to a J-O-B in order to keep my family afloat. I want to spend my time doing that which I feel I was uniquely created to do. I feel like I owe it to my family to use the time away from them doing something I love.
I hope this doesn't sound flaky. This has been a huge decision for me, one that I haven't entered into lightly. It's taken a lot of thought and a lot of prayer. I know it affects others besides me, but I also know that Ella is in good hands with Angie. And that each morning, I can greet the day with excitement about what's to come. And you can't beat that.
Good for you for making the choice that's best for you and your family right now. :) It's tough to do that, but always the right thing to do. Always.
Posted by: Elaine P | 01/08/2010 at 10:28 PM
as always, you inspire and amaze me. i am so proud to be your friend - and i'm proud of you for making a difficult decision because you know it's the right one. thanks for sharing your reasons...they are darn good ones. *hugs* love ya! (and love that movie, btw!)
oh, and p.s. did you know you're the american girl doll of the year this year? LOL i totally thought of you the minute i saw the ad for it!
Posted by: jodie mcnally | 01/08/2010 at 10:32 PM
Good for you Lain!
Posted by: sue Treiber | 01/08/2010 at 10:33 PM
like i said...superhero. :)
Posted by: Katrina | 01/08/2010 at 10:42 PM
You go girl! All the subliminal messages that have arrived in my life since November have been on a similar theme -- Follow your heart, focus on what you do best, yadda yadda.
But I'm the breadwinner, and it's just really, really HARD.
I admire your courage, and I respect you for making a difficult decision which is ultimately best for your family.
Posted by: Simmonsphx | 01/08/2010 at 10:57 PM
Life is way too short to NOT do the things you are passionate about. Good for you for recognizing that.
Posted by: Cammy | 01/08/2010 at 11:00 PM
Good for you, Lain, for making this very difficult decision and for doing what's right for YOU. :)
Posted by: Barb | 01/08/2010 at 11:06 PM
You know I love ya! And I'm proud of you, too.
Posted by: Etta | 01/08/2010 at 11:07 PM
Good on you for making that decision for yourself and your family! Good luck!
Posted by: Lea | 01/08/2010 at 11:25 PM
Hugs sweetie!! Sounds like you made the decision that is best for you and your family! Value of life is more important than anything!!
Posted by: Lisa Day | 01/08/2010 at 11:46 PM
Hey you! I think you should be so proud of the work you did with Ella... and then sit back and enjoy your family! and... Just read about the Scrap Review - congrats :) (whew, I can still read your wit somewhere!!)
Posted by: Cori-Lyn | 01/09/2010 at 12:19 AM
i am learning more and more everyday! good for you for keeping it with the family!
xxoo
jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer McIntyre @atthebluebarn | 01/09/2010 at 12:24 AM
Best of luck Lain!
We love you what ever you do!
Posted by: elinjanne | 01/09/2010 at 12:38 AM
Lain, those sound like 5 great reasons to make a change. Your self-awareness inspires me! Perhaps you'll even have time to publish a podcast now and then...I miss your voice! :-)
Posted by: Amy Ulen | 01/09/2010 at 01:02 AM
I will miss you as the voice of Ella Publishing but good for you making the choices that are best for you and your family. Best of luck to you.
Posted by: Gina | 01/09/2010 at 01:08 AM
Lain, you only get one chance at life, so going with your instinct gives you the best chance of doing it right! Good on you for recognising your life has moved in a different direction and going with that flow instead of trying to swim against it.
As I always say to people about what I have or haven't done in my life: I'm not dead yet!
Posted by: Yvette | 01/09/2010 at 01:34 AM
Wow, Lain! I'm happy for you. and jealous. very, very jealous! LOL Best of luck, dear!
Posted by: SherryGrove | 01/09/2010 at 01:51 AM
Massive change indeed but life's too short to shy away from difficult choices! Best of luck with your new projects.
Posted by: Anne M | 01/09/2010 at 06:11 AM
If you're a flake, then you're my favourite one so far :) Family first, always! As always, I admire your honesty and you are always inspiring. Keep well!
Posted by: Lee | 01/09/2010 at 06:46 AM
I know you must have thought long and hard about this - good luck for the future! Glad you'll still be leading us in LOAD!
Posted by: Gab | 01/09/2010 at 07:25 AM
I never doubted for a minute that you'd have awesome reasons. I love that you're putting your family first, and look forward to more writing (I'm sure some of it will come to us via Ella!).
Posted by: canadacole | 01/09/2010 at 08:08 AM
Hugs Lain. I know you're not thrilled about the move to Boston, but I, for one, am happy that you did (neighbor!). :)
Posted by: PaulaSG | 01/09/2010 at 08:08 AM
Wow I have to commend you on making such a big decision.. things like that are always so hard for me it takes courage! Enjoy your kids and I for one look forward to whatever your new endeavor will be in the future!
Posted by: Amy | 01/09/2010 at 08:23 AM
As a SOHO owner I find it easy to relate to so many of the things you mentioned (more than 5...) - and that makes me appreciate even more the big step you took. I wish you a lot of happiness in the new life you are creating for yourself - and I'm sure it will be fulfilling and joyful!
Posted by: Wintam | 01/09/2010 at 08:49 AM
Very proud of you, Lain. Too many people aren't willing to make the tough decisions when it comes to life and family. You'll be glad in the long run that you had the courage!
Posted by: Dawn P | 01/09/2010 at 09:25 AM