When I started at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, I felt that I was back in high school with a new boss. The work was challenging and in my position as a processor, I could do extra work to continue to achieve higher pay through getting my underwriting degrees. I was making a good salary and bonuses like $1600 per month. In 2004, I was chosen as 1 of the 1000 Outstanding Wells Fargo Home Mortgage employees and my husband and I were given a Caribbean Cruise. Life could not have been better. I planned on working at Wells Fargo until I retired.
Then something strange happened and it was only until the later part of 2008 that I finally figured out what occured. A new manager was hired to my department in May of 2004. I balked when she asked me to do something unethical. She looked me straight in the face and said that I was to do as I was told —no questions as things are busy and we have to complete things fast.
The next day, I put in my two week notice. It seems so weird to think that in 2004 I knew something strange was going to happen with the mortgage industry and I did not want any part of it. For years, I wondered what was going on and it was not until last year that it finally came out that these poor mortgage practices have caused financial hardship globally.
During the two weeks, I read a lot of books and decided that I was going to find a fun job. Since I had been making bonuses, I had money saved up. I read a book called Making a Living Without a Job by Barbara Winter. It changed my life.
I decided the one place that makes me most happy is being with dogs and cats. In October of 2004, Aloha Pet Care, a dog walking and pet sitting service formed and it has been going great ever since. I make twice the amount per year that I did when I worked for Wells Fargo and every day I feel fulfilled and joyful.
In May of 2008, I finally got to meet Barbara Winter at a conference she put on for entrepreneurs called What Would the Entrepreneur Do. It was all about creating that business for yourself that fulfills all of your needs. Through this conference, I discovered my long desire to be a pet portrait artist and my new business, “Images to Smiles” was formed.
Aloha Pet Care is going strong and I had an Art Show at the Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis on March 29th which will be a fundraiser for a pit bull rescue group.
My passions of dogs, art, fundraising, and working with people have all come together in this new business. Had I stayed at Wells Fargo, I would have kept being an employee and never would have found out who I am.
Lisa Sellman, Pet Care Extraordinaire
Aloha Pet Care
What an awesome testimonial! Everyone is positively affected by your book, Barbara. Not everyone immediately moves on to their own company, but all of us make positive strides–taking actions we didn’t know we were capable of. Thank you for always being our cheerleader! And, BRAVO, Lisa! I am sure your customers and their owners 😉 do receive pet care extraordinaire!
Shirley