How I got here…

This is a sponsored post for American Express.Success is...

I was asked recently to be an ambassador for a new American Express campaign aimed at encouraging others to follow their passion in life like I did, and it brought back a memory of a few months ago.

I was asked to go and speak to a group of people about success. They wanted to hear my story, my journey and the pivotal moments that led me to where I am now. I was in my stretching and growing stage, so I promptly said “Yes!” and then the freak out began.

I called my sister, “What on earth am I going to say? Success? I’m not successful, what will I tell them?”

“Are you serious?” she laughed, “Go away and write it. You can do it.”

What I do right now feels like a happy accident. A very happy accident. When I look back it’s actually a mix of finding my passion, taking chances and a handful of hard work…

When I was in school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be. I was voted the most proficient in the class every year, and was a bit of a nerd. I loved learning. I loved school. I remember one day, in about Grade 5, a teacher pulled me aside to ask, “What do you want to do when you’re older?”

In my heart I knew I wanted to be a mum, but I felt the teacher wanted a response more career-driven than that so I said, “A vet. I’d liked to be a vet.”

I had no real desire to be a vet. Of course I loved animals, but I didn’t want to cut them open, bandage them up and fix their ailments. But it satisfied the teacher at the time.

Looking back though, I was a keen storyteller. I’d write stories that my teachers would ask me to read to my class. When the teacher had a few chores to do, he’d ask me to sit in front of the class and read a novel to them. I loved stories and words. In high school my attention turned to photography, my most favourite class ever, but I thought of it as more of a hobby.

I read magazines from a young age, and collected them like they were my greatest possession. I dreamed of writing in them one day, but thought it was a dream that wasn’t attainable. Only the truly fabulous wrote in magazines, didn’t they?

So, I went on with school, planned to go to University to study advertising {another teacher-pleaser decision} and then I fell sick. For almost two months I could barely walk, or eat and I lost a truckload of weight. I had to defer Uni and create a plan B, which became nannying.

In short, I nannyed for 12 years. For the most part, I loved it. I loved working with children and being part of their families. I knew the whole time that it was just a plan B and that at some stage I needed to find my plan A, my passion.

And then I gave birth to my daughter and something changed inside me. When she was a few months old, I wanted something for me. So after being inspired by a friend I started a blog. At first it was a place for me to put my thoughts, and tell my stories. I set it to private and wrote for me. I shared it with a few people online, and I just loved the community, the sharing and the connecting… and I was hooked. I set my blog to public and a dream was born.

Within a few months I’d been featured in an article by the Sydney Morning Herald, my readership was growing and connecting with my stories and a fire was alight inside of me.

I was still juggling nannying, writing my blog and being a mum, when I was contacted by the Editor of Kidspot to be part of their team. So on top of my full-time nanny job, I did 20 hours a week at Kidspot {mostly at nights and early mornings}. After 6 months I went to the editor and asked to be taken on full-time. She believed in me, but the CEO took a bit of convincing. I promised the world and was taken on.

I quit my job as a nanny {which was excruciating and sad, one of the hardest things I’ve done as I adored my family but I knew they would outgrow me} and I started working online, from home, full-time.

It was at Kidspot that I found a passion for Social Media. Connecting with people in all corners of the world on topics close to the heart? Brilliant. I worked my butt off for two years. I maintained my blog, worked hard at Kidspot and somehow managed to get dinner on the table {sometimes}. The thing about the internet is that it never, ever sleeps. Never. It’s a hungry beast that will eat up everything you have, whenever it can. So, when you think you’re giving it your everything, it will always want for more… which is kinda… exhausting and exciting at the same time.

When the owner of Kidspot sold the business and the headlines hit that the sale was in part due to the Facebook fan base I’d created in my role, something sparked inside me. Perhaps I could do something on my own. What I was doing was already making an impact…

It was then I created three goals for myself: I wanted to work from home, live where ever I wanted and eventually work for myself, connecting with people from all around the world {in whatever form that took}. Oh, and I wanted a dog.

So it started with that little whisper inside, and then over the months it became louder, until when I was away on the Problogger trip in June that it became so loud it could no longer be ignored. So I sent off an email and I quit. I moved up the coast. I worked part-time for Mamamia for a short time and then decided to take the huge leap and go out on my own. Unlike the past decisions in my life that have seemed to take months, I decided in a day that I could go out on my own and achieve my own dreams and goals…

Of course it sounds like it was as easy as switching from one favourite bread type, and simply picking another from the shelf for a change. In reality I felt sick with fear, but there was this underlying sense of calm that everything was going to be just dandy. I called on a lot of friends and family for support. I must have mustered, “Can I really do this?” a gazillion times.

And I’m doing it, and loving it. I’m able to stay home with my daughter, and work too. I’m able to continue sharing stories. Being part of a brilliant community with the photo a day challenges, doing some freelance for a great company and I’m the proud owner of a dog. And a cute one at that.

It’s been a lot of hard work {working weird hours}, setting smaller goals and lofty ones too, taking chances, saying yes, and saying no when things don’t feel right. But I’m so glad I made the decisions I did, as scary as it felt at the time. And I’m glad that one day I decided to open up my computer and start a blog.

My dreams evolve and change as the days pass. I still have so much I want to do and achieve. So, let’s see what happens, shall we?

I told my story to that group of people that day. We chatted about online, social media and my journey. After finishing, I walked out, closing the door behind me and took a deep breathe, standing just metres from the room. I’d done it. And hopefully it was interesting.

Suddenly, I heard the door behind me open and the group leader came out. My heart sank. Was it not inspiring enough? Did they need me to go back in and make stuff up?

“Everyone’s asking to get a photo with you. Can you come back in?”

I laughed, and went back in for a photo or twenty. No pretend inspiring stories required.

I feel so lucky to be living my dreams, and you could realise your true potential too. Do you have a dream that you want to achieve? I’ve been selected as one of three ambassadors for American Express in their new campaign, alongside Marion Grasby and Samantha Wills. American Express Realise Your Potential in 2013 is an opportunity for people all over Australia {that means you} to take their passions to the next level. We’re asking people to share their passion in photos – you can see my photos here for inspiration –  and then perhaps yours will be selected to be made true. There will be three winners, one major winner and two runner-up winners, who will receive the chance to take their passion to the next level. I’m so excited for the winner. Head over here to enter before 21st February 2013.

What’s your passion? Where do you want to go?

51 thoughts on “How I got here…”

  1. What a great story Chantelle. I have been blogging now for about a year and your story is an inspiration to me. I’m finding I have to face many fears in order to grow and have the kind of success that I dream of.

  2. I remember your stories! I remember thinking how great you were at writing, and feeling quite jealous that my stories were not anywhere near as good as yours!
    I also remember your obsession with magazines.
    My passion has two parts at the moment.
    #1:I want to build my little home-based beauty business into an almost-full-time job by next year when Keeli starts school, and I want to somehow continue studying Remedial Massage so I can expand my capabilities and help people more than I can now. I chose this path so I could be with Keeli as much as possible and fit my work around her. She always comes first.
    #2: I want to be able to open a business with hubby. A CROSSFIT gym. It is mainly his dream, but I want it to happen and I want to be involved. We need money (lots) to do it and we need for him to give up his job to do it. This means no income. It is a scary thought, with a child and a home loan to consider. I’d also like to become a personal trainer so I can help out in the gym and confidently know what I am talking about.
    By following both of these passions, I believe we can create something great. I want Keeli to see us as great role models who are healthy, motivated and hard-working but who still have the ability to put her first.

    • Oh Jay. Memmooorrries!

      I know that your dreams are coming true. I am so proud of your beauty business and just wish I was close enough to use it.

      As for the Crossfit gym – Sarah’s boyfriend is high up at Reebok and totally into Crossfit. He’s so passionate about it – just let me know if I can ask him anything for you.

      And you should join the competition. You could try for either business – imagine showing before and after pictures of your weightloss and how passionate you both are.

      Or perhaps try for help on expanding your beauty business? You’re so inspiring! xxx

      • Me? Inspiring? Thank you 🙂
        I’m with all the other people who have posted here though… You are an absolute inspiration to so many. You turned something small into something big by working hard and taking chances. You connect with people and make them see the good in life. I hope I have the guts to do that when it comes to our Gym ( I say it like one day it will happen).

        I think I’d try the competition for the Crossfit Gym. My little beauty business is about making a sensible living whilst being around for Keeli. I just have to work out how to get the people around here to like me on fb. Then it’ll be a cracker!

        The Crossfit Gym however, is more about passion for living a healthier life than I once did and sharing that passion with my hubby makes it even more special. To live and breathe health and fitness and be great role models for Keeli is what drives me to keep up with this getting fitter and healthier. I still have a loooong way to go!

  3. I sense you still don’t 100% believe the impact you have had on so many of us! You must be congratulated for the courage you show in taking so many chances, for choosing the right partner, who obviously is an ally in helping these dreams come true and for taking every opportunity you are given and running with it! What a great legacy to have impacted so many lives in such a positive way! Because of you, I, personally, have made friends from around the World, look at the World each day through my lens, looking for the perfect picture and, as a result, notice SO much more than I would have before and have sent and received gifts from around the globe. I know , and so do you, with all the drama and troubles people are facing each day, your little blog is not the MOST important thing in the world but it IS a rainbow that shines through the clouds that overwhelm us sometimes…and everybody loves a rainbow

    • Ohhh… way to make me cry. It’s hard to make it feel real, to be honest – and I appreciate you sharing how it’s affected your life. I’m a bit overwhelmed {gratefully so!} from your comment… so just thank you. Thank you. xxx

  4. Thank you so much for your post and for sharing your experience with everyone, it truly is inspiring. It is wonderful to see how your passions turned into potential and then success. It is very inspiring. <3

  5. Chantelle, you are part of my ‘every day’ as I love taking part in the photo challenge. I’ve made some wonderful friends because of it AND to top it all off it has given me the confidence and the light in my heart to live my dreams which what I am about to do….. Thank you….

  6. Thankyou for sharing your wonderful words Chantelle. They really resonate with me. I created my own magazine when I was in the gifted child’s class at school. I wanted to be a magazine editor when I grew up. 🙂 People would tell me “you can be anything you want to be” but when faced with so many choices, I couldn’t decide. So right now I am a mum, a farmer’s wife, a scrapbook teacher and mixed media artist. It doesn’t make any money for me but I live in hope that someday it will. I just have to figure it out.
    In the meantime, I take time out every day to participate in your Photoaday. I love the inspiring prompts, looking at things in a way I wouldn’t have thought of before and connecting with people from all over the world.
    You really are inspiring.
    🙂 xoxo

  7. Hi Chantelle,

    Thank you for this story. I’ve bookmarked it as a reference that blogging, can be a place for success, dreams and lead you to new things. I only started in November late last year and have no idea who I am in this blogging world, but I love writing and starting up a conversation and reading people responses to it. The response has been overwhelming. Not sure where it heading but I’m just enjoying this time to being able to write.

    Thank for sharing,

    From your avid reader,

    Luisa: http://motherhoodherald.blogspot.com.au/

  8. Hi Chantelle, I discovered you a couple of months ago and since then, I feel much happier. You’re such an inspiration, I love your photo a day challenge and your posts are so full of authenticity. I’m still looking for my right place in this country and in my life but you’re one of the things that nourish my hope.
    Thanks.
    Delphine

  9. Oh I love reading people’s ‘how I got here’ stories!! Love yours C – and I agree with one of the commenters below … I think you still don’t truly believe that you are making a big difference to people’s lives. But you are 🙂

  11. I just love this story. As a newbie blogger just finding my voice and with aspirations not dissimilar to yours (including the dog!) I feel encouraged that it can be done. Thank you so much for your generosity of spirit and advice to the blogging community!

  13. Chantelle I love your story, you will never remember the first time we interacted, you were planning your wedding and I still remember the details! (because I’m a wedding blogger, what do you expect?) and I have LOVED following your journey over the years. You deserve every success.

  15. This is the best sponsored post ever. Bravo Chantelle. You’ve done so well in following your dreams and your success and integrity is something I admire.

  17. Oprah once said success is preparation meets opportunity. That’s how I live. I work hard and keep my heart open and jump at chances when they present themselves. You just never know where they might lead.
    I am so proud of what you’ve achieved and I think all the good things in the land should go to you. Except that cake, that cake should come to me.

  18. it makes me smile to see what a success you have made of FMS Telle. I’m so very glad you backed yourself from day one. It’s been a pleasure to see you bloom over the years. I can’t wait to see what you do next
    Love Becks xx

  21. Such a honest, inspiring story Chantelle. This post is why I, and I’m sure thousands of others, come back here every day – you’re so relatable while still achieving so many wonderful things. Congratulations on all your success and thanks for sharing your story with all of us xx PS. “Oh and I wanted a dog” – LOVE it!

  22. Hey lady, thank you for sharing your inspiring story and good ol’ Amex for this awesome sponsorship/competition. I was actually so engrossed in your story that I hadn’t realised it was a competition but after sharing the link have been encouraged to throw my ring into the hat. Keep up the inner spark, it’s folks like you who keep pushing the rest of us along!

  25. You really inspire me, my passion are my passion in photography, I have a great camera but how does it work??? so that’s why I stopped with it.

    After reading your story, I will again take up photography and post it on my blog, my wish is to have such a succesful blog like you, with a lot of readers, I love cooking and baking, I will post more recepices.

    But unfortunately i can’t writing that good as you do.

    I can’t take that beautiful pictures, and I have not a lot of inspiration (yes I’m very insecure about myself)

    A question, what kind of filter do you use for your instagram photo’s?

    http://summerbloom.nl/

  26. Hi Chantelle, it seems to me as though your path to here has been rising up before you in one guise or another since you were a child. So cool that you’re really ON it now! Hats off to you, x

  27. You have no idea how much I needed to read this or how similar my story is to yours.
    I was also the student with a very bright future ahead of her, but my ‘dream’ (and it was a dream I was capable of) was medicine and surgery.

    Unfortunately, I got sick too. With a rare and debilitating bowel condition. Ive had more than 40 operations and procedures when you count them all up since It started when I was 13. It deteriorated to the point that by year 11 I was hospitalised for most of the year. I continued my education through correspondence, but in my final year of schooling, things just got worse and worse. I lost so much weight that Ive been skin and bones since, had a Nj tube for a year and now have had a PEG tube for a year and a half.

    Teenages are fickle, and the day before my 15th birthday (on which I had major bowel surgery) I was cruelly dumped by my last remaining friend. It broke my heart.

    Id always been a writer too, in primary school it was all i ever wanted to do. But in high school, I hid the passion. Now, it is all I want to do and Im convinced that its what Im meant to do. Im writing my story, a story I feel NEEDS to be told, there is so much in the media about Cancer and loosing limbs, but no one wants to talk about loss of bowel control and conditions that CANT be cured. I want a little 13 year old girl, just like 8 was when I first got sick, to not feel as alone as I did. Though every day, i fear that my dream is too lofty to attain.

    Thank you for encouraging me that anything is possible, you’ve given me hope.

  28. I took a huge leap and left 23 years of full time employment and a safe and secure fortnightly pay cheque to follow my creative dreams. I have my days where I am panic stricken, thinking I can’t have this fail yet the fear takes over and I wonder if I can make it work. And other days where I am skipping on air in love with being at home and taking photos and having creative freedom, and most of all, quality family time. I hear and read about so many people pursuing their dreams, I know I can too. I must.

    Thank you Chantelle, your story is truly inspiring and I know although it will take a LOT of hard work, I can do this. I can.

  30. You are an inspiration Chantelle. I have been blogging for a few months and truly believe I’ve found my passion, I love it and it makes me so happy. I can only dream that one day I will find even a fraction of the success that you have. Thank you for sharing your stories and motivating me to be a better blogger.

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