In this era of uncertain employment here in Central Indiana and elsewhere, a career change may be just the ticket. Here’s a story of how one woman reinvented her career.
Nicki Reddington stood on the red carpet at City Summit in Burbank, interviewing celebrities, business leaders and humanitarians at an event preceding the Academy Awards. For the owner of Nicki’s Network, three days of interviewing CEOs of Priceline and Constant Contact — along with television and movie stars — is the result of reinventing her career.
“After more than 20 years as a sales representative, I was beginning to feel burned out and decided to make a career change,” explained Reddington. “The idea of starting a social media business came to me while watching a local news show.” Reddington explained that mid-sized businesses and independent workers did not have access to television or social media platforms to highlight their services, so she created Nicki’s Network.
Career reinvention happens when someone fills a need not being met. While Reddington had an “aha” moment, other entrepreneurs may begin a business while still working their full-time job. According to TheLadders.com, the four primary reasons for a career reinvention are career satisfaction, ineffective managers, lack of workplace flexibility and a change in life goals.
Reddington’s reason did not fit neatly into one of the reasons. “My motivation for leaving my job was the travel,” she said. “I am a family person and over the last 12 years, the travel steadily increased.” While she took action, many employees stay in jobs they don’t like, remain in careers when they have lost a passion for and work at organizations they no longer admire.
There is often fear involved with career reinvention. The fear of losing a steady income, fear of failure and fear of losing the identity connected with working for a particular company or achieving a specific title. Career coaches and business mentors are available to assist potential entrepreneurs address the roadblocks keeping them from filling an unmet need.
Reddington was an entrepreneur “on fire” once she realized the impact she could create for business owners. “I know a lot of entrepreneurs and I respect the blood, sweat and tears they put into their companies,” said Reddington.
One of the other elements she understood was that most business owners did not feel comfortable talking about themselves and did not want to appear to brag. “I make being on video conversational and more comfortable than speaking into a camera alone,” Reddington said as she explained her approach. She guarantees views on social media platforms, “the real value is having the company owner telling their story on their business website,” she says.
Her business grew rapidly and Reddington credits reaching out and asking others for help for that growth. “I found a business mentor, asked questions, listened to advice and surrounded myself with people I could trust,” she said. Providing exclusive coverage at the Whoopi Goldberg VIP event for the Cancer Support Community or interviewing Rob Reiner during the Heartland Film Festival is exciting. However, Reddington’s greatest satisfaction comes from providing entrepreneurs with access to social media.
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