Listening to the radio quite a few years ago, I heard someone quote David Lee Roth about leaving Van Halen. Reportedly, DLR said “I never knew how big the mountain was until I was driving away from it.” That’s pretty humble, considering the source.
So here I am, just heading down the mountain along a road called “Freelance Writing,” looking for the turn-off to the highway called “Self Employment.” After much soul searching, I’ve decided to accept a contract position to produce blog content and videos for a large, Western Canadian retailer.
I’ve been with Currency since 1999, which amazes me. Up until then, I’d been a notorious short-timer for employers—learning all I could, getting bored and moving on. But with Currency, I’ve been a graphic designer, production worker, account executive, account director, then V.P. of Communications. There was never a chance to get bored and always something new to learn, and Tim McAlpine (owner, president and Young & Free genius) was always supportive of that. He made it impossible for me to ever consider being a regular employee again.
This decision, though, was influenced by the opportunity to get back to creative work. Throughout all my years at Currency, I’ve been a writer of some sorts—headlines, proposals, strategies, plans and most recently radio and blog articles. I even had the opportunity to make a couple silly videos—WHICH I LOVED! So when a chance to combine writing and video work came up, I found it too attractive to turn down.
I’ve been doing some very part-time proofreading and writing for this client for the past three years, and had been a designer for them over 12 years ago, just prior to joining Currency (then McAlpine Group.) And while I’ll dig the creative work and home office hours, there are two things I’m truly not going to enjoy: 1) Not getting to work with a great group of people every day and 2) having to share an office with two cats. So many politics with felines, plus they can’t drive for coffee.
I’m going to learn a lot in my new role. I’ll be digging even deeper into social media, working at building a following, but also gaining many consumer insights through conversations with average folk like me. I plan to diarize my experiences on this blog, and keep everyone posted on day-to-day craziness through Twitter—follow me @nalawriting.
It’s only been a handful of hours since I left, and already I miss everyone—Irene, Kate, Sandy, Cheryl, Tim and Kev. I miss the clients I had the pleasure of working with also. It will be very different to watch the brilliance that is the Young & Free program from the outside, but it will be exciting never the less.
I’d go on, but somehow during this story I’ve gotten onto the side street “Eating Doritos for Breakfast.” Sigh.
Please stay in touch everyone!
- Twitter: @nalawriting
- Email: nalawriting@gmail.com
- YouTube: NalaWriting Channel (not much there YET!)
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/NalaHenkel
Ciao!
Nala
I’m not sure whether to be sad or excited. From several thousands of miles away, I’ve gotten to know you quite well over the years. You’ve been an amazing contributor not only to Currency Marketing, but to credit unions in general. I’ve always enjoyed your sense of humor and uncanny ability to consistently produce quality outputs. The prospect of our industry losing that makes me sad.
Still, I’m excited for you. The tone of the above post convinces me that you’re simply returning to your calling: creative work. I wish you nothing but the best, and can’t wait to see the copious amounts of awesomeness you create in this new role. Don’t forget all of your American credit union friends along the way.
Congratulations, Nala!
I don’t plan on forgetting ANY of my credit union friends! This truly is a move back to creative work, or as you eloquently state (she said hopefully) “copious amounts of awesomeness”! The fantastic thing about social media is that it allows you to make friendships over huge distances. I’m going to count on the assumption it helps you keep them too.
Thanks for your kind words, Matt. I’ll definitely be following your awesomeness too.
Nala
Great post Nala. You’ve contributed so much to our success and I wish you all the best in the next chapter. The “mountain” is always open.
Thanks Tim! I appreciate all the things you let me do, even the crazy stuff. Also, you give everyone the freedom to explore and use social media in the work place, trusting that everyone could be responsible. A lot of employers could learn from you. Thanks again!
Hey Nala
I miss you already, but will love following your blog and new adventures. Please make sure you have ichat on, especially on Thursdays and Fridays, so that we can compare notes on Idol.
Cheers,
Sandy
Yes, we definitely have to have Idol Chat! Thanks, Sandy.
Nala, I wish you the best of luck on your new adventure! I could have written a similar post when I left Verity. A hard decision, to be sure, but one that was necessary in order to open myself up to new experiences. Anyway, I know you will be awesome at whatever you do.
Take care,
terrell
Thanks for the comment, Terrell. Agreed on the hard decision/new experiences. It will be nice to stay in touch with another copywriter! Or possibly get together at a tweet-up.