The biggest, scariest career move I've ever made
And why it's great news for YOU, my Substack subscribers
I actually feel a little nauseous starting to write this, you’ll be glad to hear. It could just be that I’m hungry, but the teeth clenching/sweaty hand combination would indicate otherwise.
I have taken a giant side step (or a step forward, arguably) in my career, and have decided to take a Real Job, starting on January 15, 2024. Mere days from now.
WHAT IS IT?
WILL YOU NOT WRITE BEAUTY ANYMORE?
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SUBSTACK?
WHAT WILL YOU WEAR ON YOUR FIRST DAY?!!!
I have the answer to most of your burning questions forthwith.
About a month ago, a passing conversation led to a coffee meeting which led to a couple of interviews… And I decided, for reasons I will detail, to take the job as Head of Communications for POCO Beauty, the beauty brand that Pippa O’Connor Ormond launched late last year. It’s a really exciting job, where I’ll get to use all of the skills I’ve gathered and honed over the last 15+ years in media. I’ll be doing many things, chief among them helping with brand strategy, directing the marketing shoots and campaigns, working on collaborations and strategising for social media. That’s just some of what’s in the very exciting job spec – I honestly can’t wait to get started. I’m more nervous about it than I think I’ve ever been in my life, but that’s normal. Right?! Comfort zones be damned, etc etc.
The reasons I decided to take the role were numerous.
The job itself is the main one. I’m so excited to work for POCO Beauty, to give it my all, to pour all my work energy into it. When the brand launched and I first saw the product, I knew it was something I could potentially get behind as more than just a consumer. The products are genuinely incredible, and it wasn’t until after I had used them for a while that the ‘approach’ was made.
Being freelance is HARD. I always tell people it’s like having three jobs: Your actual work, the admin/invoicing side of things and then the looking for work part. It’s constant, you’ve to be mega driven (to be good at it) and it’s all about putting yourself out there and hustling. That’s the part that tired me the most – having to be ‘on’ and promote myself and my work and my abilities all the time, over and over, to new people. Justifying my skills and reliability to new editors or bosses repeatedly, and self-promoting all my skills so that SOMEONE would see fit to give me a gig. I have enjoyed being self-employed, and I have definitely been successful, but to what end? And at what cost? Those were questions I answered for myself recently.
Another reason is that I recently lost my most treasured gig, my very last regular magazine column. One that I’d held for years, that I loved writing. It was an honour to have been Irish Country Magazine’s beauty columnist for so long, and I loved every single reader that ever read my words there. But as Klara, my editor, recently headed off for maternity leave, things on the team shifted and I was let go. To say I was gutted is an understatement. I’ve had lots of lovely jobs over the past seven freelance years, but that was my favourite. About a week later, the POCO job came up and I took it as a sign.
Another reason, which I promise I’ll go into in MUCH JUICIER detail down the line, is that the media industry is VERY tough on the aul soul. If you’re not naturally extra self-confident and extra ambitious and just, well, extra, it can wear you down. I had been in the throes of it for my entire career and there were just one too many ‘what the hell’ moments to count at a certain point. When I say I have Tea. To. Spill. in this regard, my paid subscribers will be dining out on it for a WHILE.
Which brings me to you, my absolutely cherished Substack community. Whether paid or unpaid, you’ve no cause for concern. I’m going nowhere. Substack is the one thing I can’t let go of – nor do I want to. And the best part is, ALL of my writing will be here now. No other publications will be getting my thoughts on a page anymore: Everything I write will come directly to you. From honest-as-ever beauty stuff (which I still want to give opinions on as a consumer) to my usual thoughts and opinions, to even more advice on freelancing, changing jobs, the media, how to make self-employment work and more.
My Substack is a safe space for me, as well as being a community of like-minded people who enjoy reading for the joy of it, who like hearing others’ opinions and have an openness that can’t be easily found elsewhere on the internet. I’m not going anywhere, aside from my posts being worked on and posted outside of my ‘work’ hours, nothing else will change. I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m so glad you’ll be with me as I move into this new phase of my working life.
In terms of my other gigs – I’ll be wrapping most of them up. Any of my beauty writing that I did on an ad-hoc basis will have to go (along with the beauty events, glam parties and freebies, I’m sure, but guys: I’ll be able to afford my own skincare now!) I’ll absolutely miss that aspect of my career: I’ve been a beauty editor for literally 15 years now. It’s in my DNA. But lucky for you (!) you still get that side of me… I’ll have to wrap up with Everymum the podcast soon too, but will be finishing out season 12 for sure. And then it’ll just be me, you and my new POCO gig. What a time!
As for what I’ll wear on my first day? In classic ‘me’ style, I will decide that mere moments before I leave the house. I know that’ll bring many of you out in a sweat, but it’s how I roll.
If you have ANY questions AT ALL of any kind, please comment and ask. I’m an open book! It might also help to quell the bowel-churning nerves with which I am currently bestowed. You’re welcome.
A.
Amazing news - congratulations! How lucky they’ll be to have you. And delighted the Substack is continuing ☺️
Congratulations! I hope this is a great move for you.