My Journey To Becoming A Podcaster Part 2: The Job That Changed My Life

Transcript

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Welcome to Ask Velvet. Thank you so much for joining me for another episode. If you listened to part one of my journey, thank you for coming back. In part one, I shared what life was like after spending 10 years as a stay-at-home mom, and how I was trying to find my way back into the workforce. Today, I'm taking you into a chapter of my life that I will always treasure, a job that gave me confidence, introduced me to lifelong memories, and reminded me that sometimes the opportunities you least expect become some of the greatest blessings in your life. So grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and let's continue my journey. After spending 10 years as a stay-at-home mom, I knew it was time to find a job. One day, I attended a job fair that was being held inside the Verizon Center here in Washington DC. Now, I'll be honest, I wasn't dressed the way you're supposed to dress for an interview. I didn't have the perfect outfit, and I wasn't looking like the picture of professionalism. But what I did have was determination. I walked in, introduced myself, answered every question the best I could, and explained just how much I wanted and needed that job. When I left, I honestly didn't think I had gotten it. Three days later, I received a phone call telling me I had been hired. I was overjoyed. My parents were just as excited as I was. They helped me get everything I needed for work. They bought me the outfit I would wear, helped me get the shoes I needed, and made sure I was ready to begin this new chapter in my life. I'll never forget their love and support. I ended up working inside the Acela Club at the Verizon Center for five wonderful years. Those five years were filled with incredible memories. One of the things I loved most about the job was the people. My co-workers were absolutely amazing. When I say they were awesome, I truly mean it. They made coming to work enjoyable and I've built friendships and memories that I still treasure today. Because I worked inside their seller club, I also had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people. I met local celebrities, nationally known celebrities, athletes, entertainers, and so many interesting people from all walks of life. It was an experience I'll never forget. Another blessing was the money I earned. The job was seasonal, but because I made such good tips during the season, I was able to save enough money to help take care of my family during the off season. That gave me a sense of security and peace of mind that meant so much to me. Looking back, I realized just how blessed I truly was. Then during my final year there, things began to change. The Verizon Center had gone through different changes over the years, and eventually the arena would become what we now know as Capital One Arena. One day, all of us were called into a meeting. We were told the Acela Club would be changing, and with those changes came difficult news. My position as a hostess would no longer exist. It was heartbreaking. I loved my job. I loved the people, I loved the atmosphere. I even tried applying for other positions within the arena because I wanted to stay. But unfortunately, none of those opportunities worked out. That chapter of my life came to an end, and once again I found myself unemployed. At the time it was disappointing, but now looking back, I realized every chapter in life prepares us for the next one. Every job teaches us something, every opportunity introduces us to someone. Every ending creates room for a new beginning. That job gave me confidence, wonderful friendships, unforgettable experiences, and memories that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. Before I let you go, I have to leave you with a little teaser. While I was working inside the Acela Club at the Verizon Center, now Capital One Arena, I experienced two moments that have stayed with me all these years. They are two of my favorite core memories from working there, and one of them is so funny that I still laugh every time I think about it. So be sure to tune in for part three where I'll share those unforgettable stories and take you even deeper into my journey. If you've been enjoying this series, I'd really appreciate your support. Please hit the support the show button. You can subscribe or become a monthly supporter for just a few dollars. And every bit of support helps me continue growing the Ask Velvet podcast. Please subscribe, leave a review, leave a comment, and share this episode with someone you think would enjoy it. You can also follow me on YouTube and TikTok where you'll get to see another side of me from behind the scenes moments in everyday life to conversations, dancing, and content that doesn't always make it onto the podcast. Thank you for spending part of your day with me. Remember this, sometimes the opportunities we almost talk ourselves out of become the experiences that shape our lives the most. Never let fear stop you from walking through a door that just might change your future. Until next time, this is Velvet, and you've been listening to Ask Velvet. Take care, God bless, and I'll see you in part three.