Are those real?

A few weeks ago I just happened to be strolling through Birks (the Tiffany's of Canada) when one of the saleswomen came over to tell me how beautiful she thought my earrings were before walking away.  Now she was either buttering me up (a distinct possibility in a jewelry store) or she genuinely liked my studs.  If the latter was the case, then she had just complemented a pair of $14 "diamond" studs that I wear almost every day.

These particular earrings however were purchased intentionally to look just small enough that they might be real (meaning they weren't those 5 carat monoliths) so I wondered if they'd done the trick.   Did I really just receive confirmation of the elusive (and for lack of a better term) diamond assumption status?  Have I mixed just enough "real" into my look that the cheap pieces are automatically deemed expensive?  If so, the rationale given by the little fashion devil on my shoulder egging on my less than bargain purchases, is totally vindicated.

Since I like to assume the saleswoman wouldn't compliment fake earrings, I thought I'd share how I think I managed to pull off probably the best compliment you can get surrounded by jewels you can't afford. 

To paraphrase Coco Chanel, before leaving the house, stop, look in a mirror, and remove one piece of jewelry.  In this case, I only had my engagement ring and a nice bag in tow. Of course her jewelry was probably real but being brave enough to let a few number of pieces shine *as if* you were Coco is the whole point.   

5 wardrobe staples for work

My sister is currently in grad school while working full time.  With a few more years to go before becoming a fully fledged acupuncturist she spends most of her time wearing casual student attire.  About a year ago however she switched from working in a medical research lab to a slightly more corporate job in the private sector.  This switch meant that 1. she needed to borrow my one and only suit for an interview and 2. she needed to figure out how to dress for work.

At the time she asked me what I thought she should buy given her limited student budget and current student wardrobe so that she still looked professional.  Although my closet is bursting at the seams I told her there was only a small portion that got a lot of business use and this was it:

1. Blazers - black tailored blazer and gray boyfriend blazer
2. Denim - slim jeans in a dark denim
3. Loose blouse-y tops
4. Basic shoes - Loafers/smoking slipper & nude pumps
5. Black slim fitting pants

Denim has always been appropriate for me and fortunately for my sister at work so I always invest in nice versions of the above.  Not rocket science but for those just starting out, this is an easy recipe. :-)

Getting dressed

Getting dressed in the morning - simplest of tasks yes?  Maybe for those of you forced to wake up to catch a train or be visible before the boss arrives.  I've worked from home for the past 2 years and it can certainly be a challenge at times to stay productive and alert in the morning.  From day one though I've had the philosophy that I need to get dressed first thing - shoes and all.  When people find out I work from home they almost always gleefully ask me what I wear everyday, ready to wish they too could wear uggs and sweats to work.  I always shock them though with the truth (proven on multiple occasions by unannounced visits from friends and family, also producing some of my husband's favourite stories - "She really does wear heels at home!").

I fully believe that you are what you wear though so if I wear a blazer and heels, I'm in business.  If I wear PJ's, I'm in bed.  Of course there are those days when the temptation to wear sweatpants is strong and I debate the worthwhileness of running that brush through my hair. No one will see after all… and I can just say my webcam is broken on the morning conference call… "I'm clicking the button, can you guys really not see me yet?"  This is the danger zone and the few times I've given in I was left feeling unproductive and missing the boss lady still on the hangers in my closet.

It's also the ultimate dressing for yourself.  There's just something about wearing heels and perfume when no one is around to appreciate it but you.  …And occasionally instagram.

Career Path

Drinking from my team's victory trophy after winning a sales pitch competition.

I fell into my career 100% by accident (I literally did not know it was a sales job until part way through the first interview) but had someone told me what a career in sales is really like, I would have eagerly hunted it down.  I've discovered over the past 6 years however that people tend to either LOVE being in sales or they HATE it.  It's a really polarizing field.  For those who love it though, it is one of the few career paths that can have you making more than the CEO of your company with nothing more than a bachelor's degree.  So sit up, do a shot of red bull, and let me list why an under-publicized career (that often gets a bad rep) was such an awesome accident (uhh choice).

10 Reasons why I love sales (and you might too!): 

1. Fun competition - Nothing like the natural high of winning after a tough challenge
2. Be rewarded for hard work - Cha ching goes the commission check!
3. Control your income - want a new bag? a vacation? a car? You know what you need to do.
4. Work very hard, play hard - Sales people and teams are fun to be around and love a good party
5. Autonomy - If you're selling, no one cares about the specifics of your day
6. You're in charge - If you're good, you are one of the company's biggest assets.  They know it. You know it.
7. Job security for a job well done - Your ROI is obvious
8. Team Spirit - Most Saas sales divisions work in teams.  Sales games, challenges, joint pitches are all part of the game and the fun. 
9. Business acumen - If you put in a few years at the bottom, senior sales is all about solving business problems as a consultant.  Smart cookies, creative thinkers, and serious business people are the ones at this level.
10. Sales skills are life skills - Never underestimate the power of persuasion in all aspects of your life - from getting a job, raise, or promotion to buying a car or negotiating a better cable contract.

Taking the entrepreneurial plunge

My new home office chair and the only room my husband allows this pillow 

(the fur freaks him out)

A few months ago I went from a full-time senior sales position at a software company to owner of my own digital marketing business.  The question, or rather comment, I've received most often from friends and colleagues is "Wow, that's great! How brave of you."  When someone tells you you're being brave and doing something they would never have the guts to do,... and you didn't realize it was brave,... it sort of makes you nervous.  I guess I can see their point though and fortunately I have yet to hear a concerned "good luck" or "I hope it works out…".  In all honesty though it hasn't felt courageous, only refreshing.  I admit turning down another offer and leaving a good job might sound objectively impressive but at the moment I'm riding on the calm waters of confidence in my convictions and abilities.  After a few years of handling global partnership negotiations at my previous company, myself along with a colleague saw an area of opportunity and, connections in hand, are simply doing what feels natural to a sales person - meeting the need, fixing the problem, offering the service. 

I wish I could accept all the praise surrounding my supposed bravery but it just hasn't felt that brave.  Maybe once the lack of predictable pay checks part starts to kick in I'll get a little flutter in my stomach and realize the proverbially large plunge I've taken.