I did exactly what I was supposed to do. I graduated from university , got a great job, and bought a house. Actually, I bought three houses. I moved to the suburbs and got married. I had built the life I had always wanted. I had everything I thought I could ever want.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I really nailed the cookie-cutter life I’d always dreamed of.
The thing is though, I wasn’t happy in the way I thought I’d be. My life didn’t bring me the satisfaction I had imagined. It felt like I was living someone else’s ideal life, but not mine. I couldn’t shake this nagging feeling that I was meant for something more.
I started wondering, “If I could do anything in the world, what would it be?” I quickly flicked through my catalogue of hobbies-turned-side-hustles that I’d dabbled in over the years. I’d made greeting cards, with plans to sell them en-masse, but that didn’t feel quite right. I thought about getting a real estate license because I have a passion for homes, design, and real estate in general (see “I bought three houses”). That didn’t feel good either. I’d started the process of opening a photography studio with my husband, but that wasn’t in the cards either. Thanks, by-law.
The truth is, I didn’t know what to do with my life because I didn’t know myself well enough yet. I hadn’t realized that what I wanted from all of these business ideas is something that I only found in my life quite recently.. I wanted flexibility. I wanted to make my own schedule. I wanted to know how it feels to do work that sparks my creativity and connects me to my community.
Enter COVID.
The flexibility that I craved came when the COVID pandemic hit. No, I couldn’t exactly set my own hours, but suddenly, I wasn’t tied to a chair or bound to a commute that sucked the energy out of me. I was able to make lunch using ingredients we grew at home. I could camp out at my favourite coffee shop and enjoy a cupcake with my husband while we worked from our laptops. I could take an extra long walk with my dog, or play with my cat in the staircase. He loves that.
With remote work being my new norm, I became instantly aware of all new business opportunities all around me. I learned about social media marketing and how every business needs it to reach their customers. I realized that I could take my love of design, writing, and passion for supporting small businesses and turn it into a business of my own. I realized then, after about 2 years of working remotely, that doing that work, connecting with people, that was my dream.
That’s when I decided to open my Third Door.
Since I opened my Third Door in August 2022, I have been more energized and fulfilled than ever. I’ve also been challenged, stretched, and tired. I’ve had to learn to accept some rejection and set professional boundaries. I’ve faced my fear of accounting (to a degree). I’ve let go of my inferiority complex around not being the kind of person who could be a business owner. I’ve embraced a confidence in my capabilities that has been transformative in all aspects of my life. I’ve learned that I can do almost anything I set my mind to—especially when I’m deeply motivated by the work
Every day I get to meet a part of myself that I had almost forgotten. I feel energetic, insightful, curious, and creative. The business owners I work with teach me valuable lessons that impact every aspect of my life. I get to spend my time working on projects that align with my values, and make me feel good about the world I am building for myself and my family. What a dream.
What I want now is to spread this joy a little further. I want to help people achieve their dreams too. Through my Third Door, I will support small businesses in creating connections within their communities and beyond, while also fostering a deep sense of connection and confidence within myself.
Do you want to build a life that supports your aspirations? Open your Third Door today:
contact@thirddoormarketing.com
About Josée Burry
Josée Burry is a young entrepreneur who grew her real estate portfolio to over $1M in 3 years. She has 9 years of public policy experience at the federal level. Josée’s strength is communicating complex messages in practical and concise ways. Her professional ambition is to connect people and businesses through the use of innovative and purpose-driven communication. She is a consummate creative, with a love for art, design, and music. Josée is fluent in English and French.