An Accidental Passion
Forward Forty has come at a time where I am poised for reinvention… Judette nailed it for me with her wrap-up on Why I Turned My Back on a Thriving Business: “The best thing I’ve realized is that it only takes a moment to know when something feels right (maybe months of thinking) and embrace a new direction in life.”
If I were to tell you about myself, one of the things I enjoy sharing as an ice breaker is that I am birthday twins with Michele Obama and Betty White—that puts me in pretty good company I like to think! At 44 however, as a woman, speaking of oneself, can be tremendously complex and multi-dimensional thanks to all the hats we wear. While a trailblazer or socialite I am not, I am always up for tea and talk with close family and friends. I own every book in the Barefoot Contessa collection companioned with “Naps” (Naparima Girls’ High School Cookbook) of course, and I surround myself with art done by my hubby and kids. When I’m in work mode, I’m focused and no-nonsense, but on cue I’ll not hesitate to break out in lose-your-voice decibels to most 80s music hits. Oh, and I love Mondays and early bird hours!
Forward Forty has come at a time where I am poised for reinvention… Judette nailed it for me with her wrap-up on Why I Turned My Back on a Thriving Business: “The best thing I’ve realized is that it only takes a moment to know when something feels right (maybe months of thinking) and embrace a new direction in life.”
Forward Forty has come at a time when I am poised for reinvention. An article posted just last month that really embodies where I am today. Judette nailed it for me with her wrap-up on Why I Turned My Back on a Thriving Business: “The best thing I’ve realized is that it only takes a moment to know when something feels right (and maybe months of thinking), to embrace a new direction in life.” For me, that something came in a moment I’ll never forget that happened about seven years ago. As a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) of three girls with two who were fully into toddlerhood, I started to think about what I wanted to do with the coming years of my life once they started school.
A couple years prior to that, I stepped out of corporate life to be at home full-time. While the economics and my availability to the little ones were primary drivers, the decision was a no brainer having left a job that literally sent me to the hospital. I believe myself to have pretty broad shoulders, but let me tell you, the stress was crushing, which inevitably took a toll on my health. Laying in a hospital bed from job-related stress is certainly cause for pause and in my book, justifies thoughts on a new career path.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am creative. I studied Visual Communications and even had early aspirations of being an architect—think George Constanza, lol! And so, although I worked as a career administrator/communications specialist/event planner my true passion and talent always rested in creating. There was nothing particularly remarkable about this day, it was a fairly normal one, as I think I was taking a shower or doing laundry when a very clear and purposeful utterance came to me and I spoke into the universe that I wanted to do something with my life that blended my creativity and eye for detail with my years of event planning.
At the time, I had no clue what that would be but from my lips to God’s ears as the saying goes. Not long after that, our two youngest girls’ birthdays were coming up and our eldest daughter suggested I make their cake. Cooking was always my thing, thanks to my Mom and many gifted cooks in my life, but baking, I had never given it a second thought. It may have had something to do with the brick bread I made one day, who knows but baking just never came naturally. But I was up for it and in my mind, settled for a simple 2-layered 8” round cake with frosting and sprinkles because what kid doesn’t like sprinkles, right? So, on a trip to Walmart my daughter spots a Wilton Castle Cake kit and says, let’s do this! After the initial, “what!? yuh mad!? how!?” I decided to go for it and bought the supplies. Sixteen hours later, fondant replaced frosting and this massive princess castle cake emerged.
That day the cake decorating bug gifted me with a VERY HARD bite and the rest is history. Over the years I’ve been learning my craft, absorbing knowledge from the industry’s cake masters and today I am the Owner and Principal Cake Designer of DMV Cake Art and poised to take it to another level. This time in my life represents a period of reinvention in the memoirs of my personal story and I’m really looking forward to how my 40’s shape up in this new and exciting direction and am thankful for the online support and mentorship forums like Forward Forty offer– the timing could not have been better.
I’m really looking forward to how my 40’s shape up in this new and exciting direction and am thankful for the online support and mentorship forums like Forward Forty… the timing could not have been better!
Work can mean so many different things to each person. As a woman who is a wife, mother, daughter, friend, volunteer, entrepreneur, employee, mentor, teacher, student (the list can go on to now include Forward Forty super fan, woohoo!!) that word “work” can be loaded and tricky and exciting and frustrating and rewarding all wrapped into a ball of experiences that have defined and shaped me over the years.
I’ve found that in my 40s I’m beginning this interesting awakening where my eyes are opening to just how remarkable women are and trying to find my place in a world so full of champions.
One common thread holds true through it all and it’s that my work has taught me resilience and to embrace life-long learning of not just what I do for work but also people. I’ve found that in my 40s I’m beginning this interesting awakening where my eyes are opening to just how remarkable women are and trying to find my place in a world so full of champions. That often leads to a juxtaposition that screams, “What have you been doing all this time!?” with a simultaneous cry of “OMG woman, do you ever stop!?” I guess I’m still in that place of self-discovery and direction.
But above all, I have gradually learned to be disciplined about work no matter what the task or project at hand may be. In earlier years, I was impatient and somewhat of a perfectionist which led to missteps. Now I tend to be very methodical, deliberate and communicative ensuring my standards are unwavering and consistent—this approach definitely bodes well with my cake business (and the kids’ homework). Still, procrastination can raise its ugly head from time to time but that’s what I love about Monday’s and early AM, the opportunity for a fresh start.
Cheers,
Marise Gibbs
