Happy 4th if you’re celebrating today!
As we’re commemorating this day I wanted to share a bit of my own story and some reflections on what independence, freedom and going after your dreams mean to me.
I arrived in Los Angeles in 1994 as an immigrant my heart filled with big dreams.
In 2012 I became a US citizen and I’m forever grateful for the opportunities this great country has given me.
I worked myself up the ladder in the music industry starting as an unpaid intern at a small record label, working shifts at the Virgin Mega Store on Sunset meeting all kinds of funky peeps and celebrities, trying to make ends meet on a minimum wage salary.
I remember my paycheck was $900 for a full 40-hour work week. I had never made this little in my entire life, yet I saw it as a means to an end and it gave me the opportunity to network and meet people who would open doors for me.
When I finally got a paying job at a music marketing company, it felt like I hit the jackpot.
We had a lot of fun hanging with Eminem, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera and so many more BEFORE they were famous making sure their songs got played on the radio and convincing buyers at record stores all over the country that they absolutely had to stock the records.
“Christina who?”, I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I had to phonetically spell the name Ah-ghi-leh-rah… hard to imagine today, right?
I upgraded my salary by a few hundred dollars, yup my first year I topped out at $17,500 (!!) and yet again it was all worth it because I got to meet amazing people, free tickets to the Rolling Stones concert, saw Matchbox 20 play a set in my office, had Duran Duran’s lead singer ask me out on a date and best of all, I was finally working IN the music industry.
Fast forward a few years after a stunt at a music.com that dot-bombed, it was on to the movies.
Camera. Lights. Action!
Through networking, I got a coveted a job at Sony Pictures where I worked on major blockbusters feature films like Spider-man (TM), Quentin Tarantino’s epic Django Unchained as well as hit television shows like Breaking Bad, Outlander and Better Call Saul.
And then everything changed, in the aftermath of my divorce.
When that carpet was ripped out from under me, it was time to recalibrate.
I wanted to get on the next plane and run back home but…
Something inside me said:
“Get your citizenship!”
I listened, and I did.
Two years later, with most of the emotional turmoil behind me, I took a sabbatical which forever changed my life.
A yoga teacher training in Mexico opened the door for me to start my own business as a side hustle while working full time at the movie studio.
I got a taste of what freedom and independence felt like and with the help of an amazing mentor and his team I went for it.
I cut the cord, quit my corporate job and moved to Mexico to focus on my business helping others boldly step into their next chapter and make their big vision their reality.
Thank you America, I am forever grateful for all that you’ve taught me and continue to teach me about going after my dreams, putting in the work and being 💯 % responsible for all of it.
The American Dream is not dead as so many who talk about ‘the good old days” would have you believe.
The truth is dreams do come true when you work for them and when you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make them happen.
Happy birthday America!
Simona Ksoll is a personal mentor to entrepreneurs & creatives helping them bring their big inner vision to life. Follow her on Facebook, LinkedIn and join her private Facebook Community.