My newest member of the Rock Star Squad is ChaChanna Simpson. I met ChaChanna earlier this year on Twitter and was intrigued by all of the work she was doing with college students and 20-somethings. We spoke a few weeks ago on the phone and I was shocked to discover that she does all that and still works a day job – ah-mazing! Take a gander for yourself. Plus she has some great advice for conquering your quarter life crisis.
Tell us about yourself.
I hail from the great state of Connecticut, on the right coast! During the day, I am a proofreader at World Wrestling Entertainment. And yes, I have shaken hands with Vince McMahon and have laid eyes on some of the WWE Superstars in real life.
And, just to let you know, if you have ever visited WWE headquarters and stood outside to pose for pictures, we’ve seen you. Some of you do some interesting things that entertain us. Thanks and come again!
In my “free time” I am growing my business, Twentity.com—a company that helps twentysomethings create the career, relationship and life they want. I also volunteer at many organizations.
When I’m not trying to save the world or working on my world domination plans, you can find me watching my Netflix DVDs or reading a good mystery book.
Did you go through a quarter life crisis? How did you overcome your 20-something crisis?
My turning point was when my relationship had just ended, I’d lost my job, and my mother and I were not seeing eye-to-eye on anything. I totally felt that nothing was going my way. It was really depressing. I remember sitting on my bed, crying because I was sure I was a failure and I was going to have to move back home and start over. (I didn’t.) After I was done with my pity party, which lasted a couple of weeks, I made the decision that I was done feeling crappy. After awhile you decide enough is freaking enough. So, I started to think of what I really wanted in life and explored my options and while I was learning about my transition, I created Twentity.com.
You have an interesting career – can you tell us more about it?
Twentity is my baby. I started it six years ago as just a simple website. Since then it has evolved into a speaking, coaching, writing, and radio hosting career. You never know how things are going to turn out.
Twentity is designed to help four groups:
Prep Talk—those who are in their junior/senior year of college.
The Firsts—those who have recently graduated college.
The Seconds—those who have been in their twenties for awhile but still need some support.
Parents—this is a transition for them as well. They need to think of their child as an adult now.
So, everything I do and create is geared towards helping those segments create the life they really want.
What steps did you take? What did you do to prepare, etc.
I started Twentity as just a website to share my experiences with other twentysomethings who were also trying to adjust to life after graduation. Over time, I began to see that I could make a business out of this. I started living on the Internet, searching for other entrepreneurs who were making money using their websites. I tested out what worked for them to see if it would work for me. (Most of it didn’t.) I kept trying.
One of the things that kept coming up in my research was that if you wanted to be seen as an expert or taken seriously, you had to write a book so started writing my book, Life After College: What Your Parents and Professors Never Taught You, which led to me speaking at colleges.
So basically, there was absolutely no preparation. I am learning as I go. I find an idea I think will work and then go do it.
How are you now living life on your own terms?
I have recently adopted the mantra, “If what I’m doing is not working, I need to do something else.” I’m being really conscious of my choices and considering if they are helping me get to my goals, keeping me where I am or setting me back. I think when you really start paying attention to what you are doing and not just reacting to what happens to you, you’ll create a better life for yourself.
What’s the hardest part about following your dream? What was the easiest?
The hardest part is being patient and staying the course. At times it gets frustrating because things are not going the way I planned or I’ll see some one I know who seems to be reaching a higher level of success faster than me. When that happens, all my doubts come rushing to the surface and then I start wondering what I’m doing wrong, if I’m on the wrong path or maybe I’m not meant to be successful at this and I should consider if I’m really cut out for this. If I don’t catch myself when I’m going down that spiral I will lose motivation for my business.
The easiest part is doing what I love. I truly enjoy helping people and the business I have created allows me to do that.
Do you have any advice for anyone trying to conquer a quarter life crisis?
Yes, don’t refer to it as a crisis. Calling it a crisis seems to give the situation more power than it needs to have. Think of it as just a stellar chance for you to really figure out who you are, what you want and what you are made of.
And, if that is not cutting it for you, just know there is nothing wrong with you. You are definitely not alone in your transition. Other people have gone through this transition or are going through it with you right now. So, take a breath, accept where you are right now in your life and know you are on the right path for you.
Anything else?
Don’t succumb to the media telling you the sky is falling. You can find a job, you can change your career, and make money following your passion. And if anyone tells you different, smile and politely tell them, “I’m sorry you feel you can’t get what you want. Let me show you how it’s done.” Then do it!
You have permission to stalk me at the following places:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChaChanna
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChaChanna
Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/Twentity
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, ChaChanna! I think she’s right on – don’t listen to what everyone else has to say about how you should live your life. If something is important to you, go out and get it. I think ChaChanna is a perfect example of this.
Are you taking your life by the reins and living on your own terms? Then I want to feature YOU! Email me – nblades[at]gmail[dot]com – if you’d like to be the next Rock Star in our Squad.
