We were lucky to catch up with Bryana Holcomb recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bryana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
In 2010 I graduated college and was excited to enter the workforce. The excitement probably lasted for about 60 days or so when it quickly became apparent I wasn’t going to find a job in the industry I wanted (fashion), in the city I lived in (Chicago), for the pay I felt I deserved (enough to live) especially now that I had a degree. After spending the Summer in the city and failing to find employment, I decided to move back to my college town and regroup. To make myself feel better about this decision I also enrolled in a virtual graduate program.
Once regrouped I decided for me to be successful in fashion I would need to move to New York, Los Angeles, or Atlanta. I started looking for jobs in all three markets and was getting the most attention in Los Angeles. Amid my pursuits, I found out I had a cousin with a house in LA that regularly rented out rooms for short and long-term occupants. This was my sign–LA was the way to go.
I set a move date of May 1, 2011, and in late March of 2011, I went to LA for a week to complete a few in-person interviews. While each of the positions seemed promising my move date was getting closer and closer and I wasn’t hearing back from any of them. Knowing with all my being that this was what I was supposed to be doing I decided to take the leap of faith without a job. I sold my car, packed my bags, and boarded a one-way flight to Los Angeles with $5,000 and my determination to succeed.
In my first week of being in LA, I bought a car and put $2,500 down as the deposit. I knew that if I was going to find a job I would need to have reliable transportation–especially in LA. I constantly applied for jobs and interviewed for positions but nothing was working out for me. I cried A LOT during this time but I knew that I was where I was supposed to be. On the phone with my mom one day, she told me to take the time to do things I may not get to do once I start working like visiting tourist spots or sitting in live TV audiences. Essentially, she told me to relax and enjoy my downtime, everything was going to work out. She was right. I prayed to God after that call and affirmatively passed all my worries to Him. I remember saying, Lord, I know you brought me here for a reason, and in 30 days WE will have bills to pay. I pray for your provision and I give this all to you.” After those conversations, I felt lighter–refreshed. I continued looking for a job but I also found ways to enjoy what LA had to offer, on a budget of course.
After two more weeks of looking, I finally got a call to start a position with Virgin America Airlines–one of THEE BEST domestic airlines of that moment. Then, while away in San Francisco for training I got a call for a fashion role at HauteLook! I wasn’t able to take it at the moment but I asked them to circle back later should another role open and in a few months they did. While I was training for Virgin America I was down to my last dollars (and I mean my LAST). I had paid all my bills before leaving and could barely pay for meals while I was away. The training was three weeks total with a break after the first two weeks. When I went home during break I came back to mail that had been waiting for me. Opening each of the envelopes, the last one stopped me in my tracks and quite literally brought me to my knees. It was a check for my training time–a replenishment to my account and affirmation that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I cried like a baby and felt so much gratitude in my heart for what God had shown me through that whole process.
I graduated from training and started working full-time with Virgin America. After a month or two I got another call from HauteLook and this time I accepted. I worked part-time with them until the airline went into another schedule bid and I shifted from full-time to part-time with Virgin America and from part-time to full-time with HauteLook. I’d done it! I got my fashionable foot in the door and was at the start of the career that I knew I’d have when I was in Chicago only dreaming about it.
Moving to Los Angeles wasn’t the first or only risk I’ve taken in my life, but it was one of the most important ones. Taking that leap of faith strengthened my faith, persistence, and overall mentality. It taught me to keep moving forward despite what’s going on around me and how to hold on to the vision that was given to me even when others couldn’t see it. My move to LA set the foundation for my career and afforded me opportunities in multiple industries that I wouldn’t have been able to obtain in Chicago. My network expanded tremendously and I was able to establish myself and multiple businesses along the way. Something I’m more proud of is the fact that I was also able to support so many others who were also in their faith leaps. As I’ve grown and my work has evolved I reflect often on that experience and its business application. I’m reminded that no idea is too big and if it feels right, try it! If we’re going to fail, let’s fail fast so we can pivot to the next great idea– but ALWAYS try.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hey, I’m Bry! Fortune 200 corporate leader and certified coach. I’ve made 4 industry shifts before the age of 35, leveling up at every turn. My career has taken me across the nation, partnering with celebrities that I could have only dreamed of and in industries that extended way beyond my degrees. As I climbed the corporate ladder with my career I also launched and ran several successful businesses and organizations. I’m what some would refer to as a “Sidepreneur,” but I more passionately label myself a Multitasker.
When we scroll through social media we often hear messages about how to succeed at work or how to be an amazing full-time entrepreneur, but there’s rarely information and motivation for the people who sit in the middle and do both. That’s where I come in! In my work, I help Multitaskers like myself do life and do life well! Whether we’re focusing on a career and moving towards promotion or looking to launch an entrepreneurial endeavor, I help Multitaskers find balance and success without jeopardizing their day jobs or sacrificing their sanity.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I no longer believe in work-life balance.
When I was early in my career work-life balance was something I would ALWAYS talk about. My work time was my work time and my personal time was my personal time. I drew solid boundary lines in the sand and did everything I could to uphold them. It was important to me and I wanted it to be important to everyone around me so they would honor my time.
As my life continued to evolve I found that some of my boundaries were starting to be harder to enforce. There were some times when work needed more of me and other times when I needed more of me. After growing tired of trying to fight myself I gave in. I gave more of myself to work when it was needed and I put more time into myself when I needed it. I found a rhythm that worked for me and from there realized work-life balance isn’t realistically possible but work-life rhythm is. I show up where I’m needed most when I’m needed most in accordance with the energy and capacity I have available. I never pour from an empty cup and am sure to check in with myself and reflect to see where I’m focused vs where I should be focused.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Some of my favorite books that have impacted me and the way I do business are:
– “Making Your Net Work: Mastering the Art and Science of Career and Business Networking” — Billy Dexter
– “A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work” — Juliet Funt
– “We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power” — Rachel Rodgers
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heyitsbry.coach
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itscoachbry/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryana-holcomb/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5o9z5D48WI&t=14s
Image Credits
3 images on white background by: Blake Martin @mrblakemartin 3 other images by: Rob Font @robfont21