Vita Mea… interesting name choice

2020 was a good year for a introvert such as myself. I was able to access education from my home and was in a comfortable learning environment to really focus on my studies. I came accross and business development course through TRICORP in partnership with I-ACE, which is a Indigenous Entrepreneur program to help Indigenous men and women start businesses. They help individuals to be successfully supported throughout that process. I had a dream about starting a company that carried Maternity & new born clothing in the small town where I live. At that time I had just had my son and lived through not having accessible clothing that made me feel comfortable and confident. I spent my maternity leave learning how to become a business owner. Unfortunately the economy just didn't leand its self to helping me create my vision. Local lease rates were too high and the initial cost of launching products was more that I wanted to gamble on. I had a logo and everything I was going to call it Me and B.

I was going to use a logo of a cute baby mama, elephant combo, it was adorable. My final presentation was a success, and my lenders all wanted me to move forward, but there was some hesitation in all of it that I had to reconcile with so I put my dream on hold.

I Investigated other options of doing business and perhaps from an e-commerce platform. I ended up going back to work early from my Mat leave and becoming so overwhelmed with the lack of childcare in my community and the work load of of community service workers that I became increasingly unhappy. My dreams of starting something for myself had been put on hold, and my energy and time was being overextended. The lack of the work life balance was just not there. I learned from one of my business instructors, that if your working for someone else your working on someone else's dream. I could not shake that statement no matter how hard I tried. It just stuck with me, and although I believed in the vision of my former boss and the beauty of what she was creating, it wasn't mine.

I started to think about my options, and I landed a job offer and the opportunity to go back to school all at the same time. So with the job offer I knew I was not going to be happy. It did not have any of the creative elements that I need in my life and although it was government with all the perks, it just really did not feel authentic. It just felt like work. I really didn't know what I wanted to do in terms of education either until I revisited an old experience I had with Rhodes Wellness college. Still on the fence. I ask the universe for a sign. What I got was a shopping trip out with my partner. I walked into a jewellery store and I was looking at pendants. I came across the logo of the maternity business I had imagined. The baby and mama elephant and the words Vita Mea stamped on the pendant. Totally curious I asked for closer look. There was a little card that came with it explaining the word "Vita Mea"translated from Greek literally means "My Life" and at that moment my direction, my focus, my purpose, my answer was very clear. I needed to take charge of My life. I needed to work for myself, to create my vision, but I needed to do it with a stimulating and creative program, that I believe in.

I really love when magical things happen, it's one of those rare gifts that being human, you get to experience. So that was it the job fell through, the money for my education arrived. Everything was set on go. All I need to do is saddle up for learning continue to believe in myself and empower others so they can do the same. Finally, I get to put my efforts towards my own dream. Choosing the name was the easiest part!