Relaunching Me

The job I have now is the first one I have been paid for in 21 years. 

The funny thing is, I wasn’t really looking for it. 

On August 7,  a friend, who admired my use of colour in my home, recommended me to an art gallery looking for a sales associate. At first I replied that I was not qualified and had no sales experience. I had just spent two decades raising my family. Still I took the e-introduction and decided to take a chance. 

Am I Even Qualified?

I carefully crafted my resume that had been updated once in 2023 when I considered a career in the travel industry.  This time I was encouraged by another friend to use Canva, a new to me platform, to document and make sense of my experience over the last twenty years and give it relevance to a potential employer.

Summarizing two decades of managing three daughters, caring for aging in-laws, navigating international moves, overseeing multiple home renovations, organizing schedules, solving problems and somehow keeping everyone fed, healthy and hopefully happy! There was no official job title for the last 20 years, but there was a long list of relevant skills.

I emailed my resume and left for my parents’ cottage and then waited.  

I don’t think I really expected anything. I saw myself as unqualified.  In the words of my cheerleader ” DO NOT UNDERSELL YOURSELF. YOU HAVE LOADS OF EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE LOADS OF CONTACTS YOU ARE LOCAL YOU BUY ART AND YOU KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE “. In fact I had several female friends encouraging, coaching and supporting me. 

By the end of the weekend I had an interview.  

The Interview Outfit

What would I wear? My everyday mom wear was too casual, but my going out tops were too fancy.  I wanted to look like the person I imagined worked in an art gallery. Cue the new Anthropologie dress and a pair of red shoes! I felt great, I felt like I should be working in an Art Gallery!  

Learning Curve…what is a CRM

Seven days later I was back in the workforce and three days later I had keys to the gallery and all the passwords to access the CRM.

After a single two-hour training session, I found myself navigating a new software program, uploading artwork,  creating exhibition posts for our website, hanging artwork on the walls and co-hosting an artist opening event.

There were moments when I wondered whether I was in over my head.  My family was in shock as I was no longer available to them whenever they needed me.  My return to work was a shift for my whole family. Dinner was not planned and I was not available to chauffeur at the last minute.  We are getting better, but we are still adjusting.  I’ve had to recognize that I can’t do it all. My family has had to become more independent or at the very least,  add their own items to the family Instacart order! 

An Unexpected Confidence Boost

But… I discovered that I loved learning again, I loved being valued for my business skills again.  Each time I overcame a challenge my confidence grew.

Less than a year later,  I know the ins and outs of the CRM. I can update the website and create a mailing campaign.  I have brainstormed content ideas, helped film social media and planned and hosted events. I have also reviewed financial reports, taught other employees to use the CRM and created training documentation to make processes easier.

Along the way I sold a $25,000 painting. It was the gallery’s most expensive painting sold to date.  I am currently working on a bigger one! 

Making Friends with AI

One of the biggest surprises has been embracing artificial intelligence.  I am still skeptical and wary of what I will use it for.  I am mindful that I am working with creative, skilled people who have taken years to develop their authentic artist voice and should not be replaced by AI. 

So how do I actually use AI? To check my grammar, to help analyze  large files, and refresh my Excel skills. Recently I used ChatGPT to help sell two paintings to a client.  

I am trying to embrace AI and learn how to use it to reduce my day-to-day  mundane activities and give me more time to spend on the things I enjoy. It is great at reading my grocery list and organizing it into categories. Now if it would just do laundry.

So now what next…

Returning to work has taught me something that I wish more women knew: experience doesn’t disappear, skills have not been forgotten.  We have been using our experience and skills to raise families, manage homes and budgets and care for others.  The skills we have been using and honing through the myriad details of raising children and a family and volunteering at schools and in our communities are our greatest strength.  We have life experience.  Oh and if you are Generation X like me you are resilient and adaptable! 

Who am I now? I am still a wife and a Mom. But I am also an art consultant, a student, a working mom, and maybe even a golfer.

I am not starting over. I am starting from experience.

How many of you have a story to tell and experience to offer?