My Independence Day

Photo by Jon Tyson

Recently, I celebrated my own Independence Day. I shared some thoughts about it on Facebook, but thought it would be good to share here as well.

Five years ago, I was working in corporate America for a lesser-known aerospace company that was very proud of their work/life balance values. During my time, several members of management stated I was one of the best employees to ever fill that role, with specific remarks about dependability, organization, and innovation. Six months in, my wife was hit as a pedestrian by a drunk driver. Notifying my superiors, I left work 1 hour early to take care of my family. It broke my perfect 6-month attendance record, and management told me I was not eligible for a raise as a result. That moment revealed their true values when it came to work/life balance.

A year into my employment, we had agreed on a review to talk about my future path and development in the company. Management refused repeatedly to meet for the review. At that point, it was clear I needed to make my own way.

Today, I like to remember my own Independence Day and how grateful I am to be far from that career path. Exactly 4 years ago, I got to tell my corporate America bosses, "Thanks, but no thanks." Leaving a company like this, December 9, 2014, for our own full-time photography business was the best decision I ever made, and every moment since has been life-changing.