How this forum changed my life!

[Kate318]

I joined this forum a few months back. At the time a local face painter offered me a job with her company but I would need to sign a non-compete contract. I wrote for advice here on the forum and everyone encouraged me to go out on my own. This was the absolute best advice ever! I am amazed and thrilled with the success and progress I’ve been able to achieve just by creating a web page and networking with others. I could not have gotten this far with out all of the encouragement and insight of people on this forum.

Very shortly after I signed up a fellow forum member (Tanya) and I began to chat because we both live in the same area. We decided to meet and I can’t tell you how amazing a person she is. We hit it off immediately and realized we have much more in common than just face painting. Tanya has been an amazing resource, friend, and promoter! She has referred jobs and leads to me, when she was not available to do the work. I am so grateful for all she has done and to think… I would never have met this wonderful person had I not taken a chance and put myself out there. (Working together is so much better then filling out a silly non-compete contract!) My face painting skills are improving daily. With each event - I get better than the last. I get calls and emails each work for bookings. I am so amazed by this.

But the best thing of all happened this weekend… I had the absolute sweetest moment when I was at a local amusement park with my husband and daughters… a little boy came running up to me - soooo excited- and said “You painted my face at Chick-Fil-A” I recognized him right away too (I painted him there 2 months ago!). He had a little leaf in his hand and told me that he picked it for me so I could put it in the ground and grow a tree to always remember him by!!!!! I can believe that I had that much of an impact on this little guy!

I have spent that last 7 years of my life working a thankless job, where everyone was out for themselves, until I (in the heat of anger) quit last year. I really have done a lot of soul searching in that time... And it is refreshing to be making money and having such a positive impact on people who so genuinely appreciate what you do. This is what its all about!

[jayelle]

That is awesome! I had to comment because in my freelance writing business I have a policy of never, ever signing non-compete agreements (or non-disclosure agreements, for that matter). I learned that the hard way...it's a long story...but they are never worth it.

Usually the people who want you to sign NCAs and NDAs are themselves dishonest and shady...the only people who have ever asked me to sign those kinds of agreements have only used them to try to screw with me later. Basically, the use those contracts to keep you from quitting or finding other work. Good for you on passing it up, and I wish you continued success! Thank heaven for the internet!

[barbb919]

kate Im glad you went out on your own...congrats and good luck with your new venture

barb

[Rae]

I really enjoyed reading your story. I'm so glad everything is working out for you. What a priceless moment with that lil man. I love it.

[helena]

Wonderful to hear Congratulations!

[Evelyn]

What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing it with us.

I am glad you tried it and are happy.
Keep on enjoying your journey and come here often!

Blessings
Evelyn

[Metina]

I am so glad to hear it. I have told this story a few times, but I started this forum as a way of giving back. You see, we moved to England for a bit and this is where I found face painting. I wanted something to do and saw it at a birthday party. WOW!

There was an awesome forum there and the face painters there were so kind and giving. It literally threw me a life line. Moving away from family and friends while an adventure, can be extremely depressing to say the least. That mixed with the glorious English weather-well needless to say, I was in a funk.

When I moved back, I contacted the forum admin for the UK site to ask for permission to start on like this here and for guidance. Again, he was wonderful. I wanted to pay the UK painter's kindess forward to the US. And viola here we are.

-Metina

[CottonKandyClown]

So sweet

[tanyamaldo119]

Awwww I just saw this post! Your so cute Kate! I'm glad things are working out for you. And I am more than happy to shoot referals your way. You are getting better and better and if I am going to refer clients to anyone then I know you would be the best choice. I'm upset it took me so long to see this post. *HUGS*

[ParTIA]

I have to completly agree! I have thrown myself into face painting, but if was not for this forum I would be WAY behind! You have all been so helpful and I have literally went from someone who had never painted a face to someone who has regular gigs in about a months time and I attribute a lot of that to the support and knowledge of this group!!! My deep heartfelt thanks to all of you!

[eva]

I love you all. We do not always all agree on everything, but this is one of the most amazing support groups I have ever found. Not just for face painting either. Metina and Kate I have enjoying your stories.

[Mandi from Tazzie]

aaawww that story gave me warm fuzzies, thanks for sharing & keep on painting up a storm.