Have you ever wanted to do something different? To go against the norm?
I did. I’ve done all the things. I’ve worked the 40-, 50-, even 55-hour workweeks in all kinds of roles—retail manager, restaurant manager, customer service, administrative assistant, commission-based saleswoman, barista, janitor… (and many more). You name it, I’ve dabbled in it.
So why, out of all the options in the world, am I starting a resume-writing business?
Finding Freedom from the 9-to-5 Grind
My life right now is very unconventional; different from those around me. For years, I traded hours for a paycheck that barely covered my bills. I was stuck in a cycle—expensive apartment, working long hours with nothing left over for myself.
And around 2016, I got caught up in the perfect storm.
All the conditions were ripe for change. While everyone on YouTube began their digital nomad, van life journeys—traveling to exotic places and working from their laptops—I was working my life away just to keep a roof over my head—a roof I didn’t even enjoy; no visitors or purpose for the space.
So I made a plan.
I mapped out my van life adventure. I planned everything: what I’d pack, how I’d downsize, even a van life wardrobe. I was so ready to leave it all behind. At the time, I was stuck in a job I dreaded, babysitting adults as an assistant manager. My only escape was video games after work, and church on Sundays. I needed change.
I remember walking through the showroom floor of Furniture Row, crying out to God in my heart, “I’m so bored with my life!”
From Burnout to Breakthrough
By the end of 2017, after much prayer and reflection, I did it. I gave my notice, put my things in storage, and drove back to my hometown with my cat. My plan was to live out of an SUV I purchased for $1,000 from my sister and break free from the grind.
*my first “van”
*view from inside
Well, my first van life experience lasted all of two weeks. 😂
My cat hated living in the SUV, so we had to quickly get an apartment! (I don’t think I was quite ready yet as well!)
Fast forward to 2022, five whole years later: I got the itch again. After reflecting again, I gave my notice at work, actually moved back into the SUV, and took part-time evening work as a janitor so I could focus on my blog during the day. I spent my mornings writing and developing skills online, and my nights cleaning restrooms and listening to podcasts on business and marketing. That restful season, along with connections I made at work, helped me land content marketing and social media management work—my first real taste of the laptop lifestyle I’d been dreaming about.
How God Showed Me My Calling as a Christian Entrepreneur
After finding myself on a different hamster wheel (think endless social media posts and churning out blog articles week after week), I experienced burnout in a different way. But my personal blog started gaining traction, and then God showed me something unexpected in a dream.
In the dream, a work truck pulled into the front yard of “my house.” I was strongly seeking the Lord for more income at that time, but I wanted to continue working for myself. Many online were becoming virtual assistants, which was right up my alley, so I assumed the work truck from my dream meant that I was supposed to become a virtual assistant.
But after I tried—and quickly failed—at that, God kept reminding me: You’re a writer. This is your path.
So I said, well Lord, what could I do to start earning income now?
I asked myself, what do people ask me to do for them already? And when writing resumes came to mind, I felt a strong urging in the pit of my stomach.
I’d already written several resumes for family and friends without any formal training, and people kept asking me for help—even though I never advertised it. God was nudging me toward something I didn’t expect but knew I could do well.
It all clicked. Resumes are a form of personal branding, and branding is something I’ve always been passionate about. (I even started and stopped developing branding services when God said not yet). So I threw myself into learning. I took courses, watched videos, and offered my services for free or cheap to gain experience. Over time, I fell in love with the process of cleaning up and elevating someone’s resume and career story.
Building a Life of Freedom
God is so gracious. He’s now allowed me to work more closely to the way I want to work. These days, we no longer have to follow a traditional path when we’re seeking to pursue something we love to do. Through Jesus, I am living my dream life.
Now on the surface, some may question this, as I’m still “broke,” driving a 20-year-old car and hanging with teenagers part-time as a substitute teacher. But the Lord knew how deeply I valued my freedom and autonomy. (I cringe thinking about when I was chained to a cash register all day)! Now I can say I’m beginning to live the life I could only dream of before. Most mornings, you’ll find me at a coffee shop with music in my ears, working behind my laptop. And Lord willing, I’ll begin traveling soon. 🙂
That’s the gift God has given me—for trusting Him and walking in obedience.
God told me I’m a writer, and I’m stepping fully into that calling.
Final Encouragement
Whether I’m writing resumes, blogs, or something else entirely, I know this: all work works. This business will succeed, not because of my efforts but because the Lord has heard my prayers and He moves on our behalf. I wouldn’t have even thought to do this. Following my own will, I know I would have run myself into a stressed-filled frenzy following every next shiny object, every new trend in online business. But now, even more so, I’m following Jesus. He is my provision, my everything.
So, let this be an encouragement to you: when you step into the calling God has for you, He will meet your every need and give you the desires of your heart. He’s done it for me, and He’ll do it for you.
