When Change Is Worth the Risk: My Story of Stepping Out on Faith

So what are you going to do now? You're still young. You can always go back to work part-time. There's a lot that you can do part-time. A lot of places would love to have someone with your skill set.

These are just a few of the well-intentioned questions and comments tossed my way after I announced my decision to retire early. While many were in support of my decision to end my career as a classroom educator, especially because of the changing and challenging climate of public education in our country, they were still baffled by my decision not to jump right back into another employee-employer situation. My response to all of those well-meaning and well-intentioned comments and questions was the same, "I own my own businesses and will be building and growing them."

I didn't take offense to the fear they were projecting toward me because I knew that these people were people who loved me. It was natural for them to be concerned about my financial and personal well-being. And, I knew this because these were the same people who had prayed for me as I navigated through both undergraduate and graduate school (twice) while working full-time, prayed and encouraged me as I worked hard to get my teaching license, and on more than one occasion they prayed for the safety of me and my students when we were crouched down hiding in my classroom during a code red alarm. These were the same loving people who for twenty-five years had donated time, resources, and money to support my work as a classroom teacher. Knowing all this about the people whom I love, respect, and hold very dear to my heart, my response to their fear-filled questions continued to be, "I own my own businesses and will be building and growing them."

My decision to retire early from a career, to which I had passionately pursued and devoted myself for over a quarter of a century, was not made easily nor hastily.

I had to weigh my decision carefully and count the costs, the risks, and the benefits. One thing that really helped me decide was my change in perspective. This occurred as a result of COVID.

It almost sounds cliche to say that the Covid-19 pandemic changed things, but it did for me, and so many others. It hit me like a brick, bringing an unexpected, unexplainable, and unchangeable reality. It taught all of us just how quickly and painfully life can change. There were people who were a huge part of my world who suddenly were not here anymore. Regretfully, I feel like I didn't spend enough time with them, or I wasn't fully present when I was with them. I was always feeling pressured to get things done for my job as a teacher.

When the pandemic shut everything down, I began teaching from home. At first it was a challenge because our curriculum wasn't designed for online instruction. Later, it would become a blessing.
My grandmother became very ill and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during that time. Being able to work from home allowed me to support my mother with in-home hospice care for my grandmother. One of the last conversations I had with my grandmother was about how soon I would be able to retire. We both agreed that as soon as I could, was when I should.

Demand consumes the supply, eventually depleting it. This is how I felt – depleted as a teacher in a devastatingly broken and complicated education system. Each year more and more demands were placed upon classroom teachers, and I got stretched thinner and thinner.

​This growing amount of stress led to health problems, and although I had good health benefits, I realized that continuing to stay depleted and exhausted would use them all up. I firmly believe that I should use my skills, talents, and gifts to God's glory, but I also believe that no job or career should rob anyone of their physical or mental health.

So, what I eventually came to terms with was that there was a healthier way for me to contribute my skills, talents, and gifts, and be in service to others. I decided to venture into businesses with franchise opportunities that required minimum start-up costs, that aligned with my core values, and met my practical needs. My first business is being an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. I still own and operate this business and fortunately for me, it has continued to grow online as well. My second business is in the travel industry, being a representative for PlanNet Marketing and a travel advisor for Inteletravel. What I love about my businesses is that they provide me with multiple streams of income doing what I love with flexibility and creativity. I get to work with people who share a similar goal – to make a living while living your best life. Also, because I can work remotely I am able to work from anywhere in the world, and I don't have to miss out on quality time with my family and loved ones. This residual income gives me financial security at this age in my life that I can't get from just working as an employee.

I am now very fulfilled by being an entrepreneur with multiple streams of income. I enjoy having control over my schedule, and with whom and how I choose to work. I also don't have to depend on or wait for just one paycheck. When I started on my entrepreneurial journey I wasn't sure how to do it, or even if I could do it, but I was willing to try. I was committed to managing the upfront financial costs, and managing my time, as I was already busy with teaching and church activities. I gave myself permission to bet on my businesses the same way I had bet on every other dream and desire in my life, knowing that my well-being and happiness demanded that I change up my work life.

My stepping out on faith has brought me FREEDOM - personal, time, and financial. Am I a millionaire? No, but I am rich because now I’m able to be present to my family, and to focus on my spiritual, mental and physical health without compromise or sacrifice. I now truly understand the adage, there are some things that money cannot buy. Now, I am not advising anyone to quit their job, but I do advise you to plan to not rely solely upon your job for financial security.

In conclusion, being an entrepreneur who nurtures growth and expands my horizons is something I will never change. By taking the leaps of faith, I have experienced personal development that I didn’t even realize I needed. I have learned how to better manage my finances, and I’m more able to be blessed, and to be a blessing to others.
​
Tracey Watford is an author, retired educator, and entrepreneur. She has been an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics for over twenty years. Her website address is:
https://www.marykay.com/TWatford5

She is also a Representative for PlanNet Marketing www.plannetmarketing.com/TWatford and owner of T.A. Watford Travels traceywatford.Inteletravel.com