Monday, January 4, 2016

New Year, Old Me



I like the me that I was back in 2015, don't see why I have to become someone new because Pope Gregory XIII created the modern Gregorian calendar to get one over Julius Ceaser.




I already did a recap of my year back in October HERE and I really didn't think anything monumental would happen in the last 2 months of the year, but boy was I wrong.

I did two fantastic campaigns for Forte Oil and Vlisco




Interviewed Bonang Matheba and Claire Sulmers for my column Daks In The City 



....and this was just in the last two months of the year, when I thought I'd already shut up shop.

When I tell you my year ended on a high ehn, not even joking at all.

The fact that I have all you amazing people reading, commenting, liking and sharing has contributed a whole lot to the opportunities I've gotten this year. If not for all the awesome Profashionals out there, my blogging would be the equivalent of talking to a blank wall, but because of you guys my voice is heard...and valued, and I am eternally grateful

I've been saying it and I'll keep saying, 2015 was a hell of a year.

I took so many leaps of faith; failed, succeeded, cried TONS, laughed A LOT. Got into all sorts of debauchery and found God in the unlikeliest of places. 

A rollercoaster and a half I tell you.

I got into a lot last year, if I were feeling lazy I'd direct you to my ABOUT page...but I'm not, so I'll tell you.

For the past three years I'd worked as Legal Counsel for the Oil & Gas division of an American multinational company. I left in the first quarter of 2015 and started my own legal advisory and consulting firm; DAX Consult. Since I had more free time on my hands, I also decided to stop treating blogging like a hobby but fully concentrate on it as an actual business and expand the Third World Profashional brand. I also switched gears from writing for Guardian Life Magazine, to writing for Genevieve Magazine

I've never really been an entrepreneur before, I mean I sold contact lenses one time in first year of university...but that doesn't really count. I've always been a wage earner not a wage creator so transitioning from a company with a structure and an employment plan to winging it on my own was DIFFICULT. I suddenly had to hustle and I had no idea how to do it. 

The hustle was not only relegated to Law, blogging became a hustle as well. I've been blogging for 7 years, I started when I was in Law School and kept it going through Law School, NYSC, Masters, work...as important as it was to me it had only ever been a side gig, a hobby more like. Now it became a job and I had to treat it the way I'd treat any other job, so just blogging lazily from the sidelines was no longer acceptable. I had to ramp up engagement on social media, network, create more content and establish more brand relationships. 

My fear with going full on pro blogger was the public status aspect of it. I know it doesn't come across that way but having to be front and center like some sort of quasi-celebrity does not appeal to me in the least. But its a necessary aspect of being a lifestyle blogger and I've had to push that fear away and step up to the plate.

I will always be eternally grateful to my parents because they pretty much kept me afloat in the entire time I was drifting, trying to figure out my next step and exactly what I wanted out of life.

By December 2015, I think I'd figured it out...partly anyway.

That's why I don't really want to change with the new year, I mean I know I'd have to change gradually as I get older but right now I really like the girl I've become...

CEO, Blogger, Writer, Fitness Enthusiast, Health Nut(-ish), Tolerant, Confident, Devout Catholic, Traveler, Friend, Risk-Taker...

Professional Fashionista :)

This new year shouldn't just come and undo all the good work I've done.

May 2016 be our best year yet and may it be filled with happiness, peace, opportunities, success and good health.

Love and Light xx

p.s. my New Year's resolution....try new things, stop being so afraid all the time and just DO!





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39 comments

  1. OH MYYYY!! Can I just say you are my hero. I have faithfully kept up with your blog for at least five years and you inspire me so much! I kinda figured out the work ish (lol) because I look out for your work outfits on your elevator chronicles and suddenly they stopped coming.
    I hope I can summon the courage to start my own business and leave my job. Kudos to you, that is the bravest thing ever.
    Have a wonderful 2016 girl, thanks for all the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aunty Nunu!

      You're def one of my faves, thank you so much for the support!

      Girl, just do what makes you happy, it took a push to make me leave my comfort zone but it was well worth it because I was so unhappy at my old job.

      Rooting for you xx

      Delete
    2. Oh dear! It's not great to be unhappy at ANY job, seeing as we spend most of our "awake" lives at work.

      Having said that, you and I are in exactly the same industry and the same profession. I've been an oily, gassy lawyer for 11years now and I know a few people who interfaced with you from the Aberdeen office of your former company.

      For what it's worth, I'll tell you what was said about you.
      They say you're brilliant. They say your work ethic is top notch. And one met you and had a mighty crush (of course he did).

      Have an excellent 2016 and keep doing you Daks.

      Delete
    3. Well thank you!

      You know you have to tell me who you are now. Especially as your picture of me is my favorite photo as well as the Aberdeen info.

      I shall find you :)

      Delete
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  3. Hi Daks!

    I love your new year mindset. January 1 is cool, a good time as any to call yourself to action, but if you're already on the path to who you want to be, you should really just keep going. Congratulations on all your success in 2015, I pray more continues to come your way this year.

    This year, the things I want to do still seem impossible, but in my reflections, I realised that I wasn't really setting goals for myself. I was just making realistic plans or projections- at this point I should be here or there- and that's not good enough. So having stated what I want out of this year, I just need to step up and figure out how to get it!

    I totally relate to taking your blog very seriously. Three years ago, I started a hair blog, and I cringed a little when I was called a "blogger". Like I'm not a blogger, not pro- anyway, and now I'm just wondering how crazy that is. I'm a lawyer, and a blogger- just as valid. I've poured my heart into the work on the site for so long, it's definitely not "just a hobby" and I'm definitely ready now to do what took me so long to do. Owning it, going pro.

    End of my super long comment lol have a great year xx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!

      Man, it took a while for me to accept that 'blogger' tag, I was like I didn't spend almost 8 years studying Law in its different variations to come and be called a fashion blogger.

      It took a while for me to shake off that complex I tell you.

      Take every thing you do that earns you money seriously. In this current economy you can't afford to overlook any opportunity to monetize your hobbies.

      Own it, go pro! I love that!

      Good luck!

      Delete
  4. First time commenting and well damn, you are impressive and half! Well done on taking that leap of faith, could not have been easy to leave a place of comfort and launch into the unknown. I'm trying to start a business myself (even while working), so I know it isn't anything to sneeze at.

    Best of luck and God's blessings in the new year. I've always admired you and in my head, we are tight pals :D

    Love, light and quinoa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wanted to be all self deprecating and go "shucks, golly, jeez...me? Impressive?"

      Lol.

      But I'm owning it so thank you!

      Its not easy o but with God and handwork by your side and the absolute conviction that your venture will work you cannot help but succeed.

      Thank you and Gods grace to you as well.

      Quinoa though?

      Delete
  5. I am loving the new new....happy New Year! Lets do a trip together...no kidding here!

    Cheers to many more

    xoxo
    Stella

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  6. Happy New Year Daks! May you be fulfilled as you search for your purpose

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have grown beautifully and in all ways...whatever worked in 2015 I pray it continues to add more to your life in 2016!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats on your new projects and all the best with your company & expanding blog (I, too, took the wage-creator leap last year and it is weirdly wonderful, even if at times stressful). I've always enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to new content :)

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    Replies
    1. It is 99% stressful fam!

      But God dey, good luck in your ventures as well and thank you so much for the support x

      Delete
  9. Go pro-fashional *wink. Congrats on all your achievements in 2015 and that mighty leap of faith, what! It will only get much better this new year.
    I love reading your blog and I'm glad you'll have more time for us.

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    Replies
    1. Amen amen!

      Too much time, you guys will be begging me to stop, lol

      Delete
  10. Hahahah you never seem afraid though.. RE: Resolutions. Like you are just a force with an image of a 'pioneer' at least to me.

    So many things I see going on now on YouTube and Social Media fashion/beauty wise, I'm always like 'Daks tried this back then..' 'Ugh why is Daks not seriously blogging like she used to?' or "Why is Daks not even on YouTube'.

    Happy New Year Old You (title).. Hot picture at the top. Thumbs up too on the jobs..xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Girl, I fake the funk WELL!

      I know! I get that feeling too when I see people doing a lot of the stuff I did back then but I can't knock their hustle. My fault for not following through.

      Thank you babe xx

      Delete
  11. Big ups girl. Where is Claire's white print dress from? Loves it..xx

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  12. Wow Daks! Great news!
    It's pleasant to know you had good things going for you last year even if it was challenging.
    Congratulations on all you have and will achieve.
    May God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow. I want to be like you when I grow up.

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  14. Dear Daks! Its really good that you took this bold step first for yourself and a whole lot of other women like me who you inspire.

    Hopefully when am ready to take this step, I will remember if Daks can do it so can I.

    Till then, please keep blazing.

    Cheers
    'Tosin

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  15. Happy New year Daks,
    been watching you from the sideline on Instagram and im sure this is just the beginning.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great going Daks! I figured you left your 9-5 and started your own thing - very well done. I fear being an entrepreneur honestly, because it's such a huge responsibility on oneself. If you don't work, you don't earn a living, period.

    Meanwhile, your last 2 months of 2015 - WOW is the word. Of course, I read all your posts so I kept up, but when you put it all together - amazing. Thank God o!

    Have a great 2016!

    Berry Dakara Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Girl, what I went through last year...its only God wallahi, such a trial.

      Thank you mama, happy new year!

      Delete
  17. You're sooo cool :D

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  18. Kudos Daks dear. It pays to take that bold step and pursue your God given dreams. Greater heights in 2016.

    ReplyDelete

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