Colleen Kong-Savage, living in Manhattan, shares her journey of reentering the workforce after a decade due to a divorce, highlighting the irony of her struggle given her background and the blogs she writes for. Despite being industrious and having proven her worth by securing significant press coverage for a retail job and achieving a black belt in taekwondo, she finds herself challenged by outdated skills in a market that demands knowledge of web design.
In pursuit of employment, she registered with multiple creative temp agencies and sent out hundreds of job applications, only to face silence or irrelevant responses. This lack of success has led her to focus on her dream of becoming an illustrator rather than continuing to chase practical roles that don’t seem to pan out.
Her ambition doesn’t stop at freelance illustration; she envisions creating children’s books and designing a clothing line for toddlers. Her initiative is evident as she has already launched an online t-shirt shop. Despite the setbacks, Colleen continues to dream big, hoping to eventually earn through licensing her artwork for a variety of products.
The challenges in achieving her dreams are manifold. From overcoming her dislike for self-promotion, seen as necessary as the annoying jingle of an ice cream truck, to finding the right market fit for her projects that often feel too localized for broader appeal. She strives to balance her creative aspirations with market demands, continually producing new work and improving her exposure in the marketplace.
Despite the hurdles and continuous rejection, she draws inspiration from renowned authors like Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling, who faced similar challenges but eventually found success. Colleen’s story is a testament to the resilience required to navigate the unpredictable waters of freelance work and personal reinvention after life-altering events. Through perseverance and a relentless pursuit of her passions, she exemplifies the courage to follow one’s dreams against all odds.
