Making your passion your livelihood. . .

•   If you were given six months to live, is this what you'd like to be known as?
•   Would your accomplishments inspire your daughter (or son) to feel confident and empowered enough to achieve anything?
•   Is your work something you love enough that you'll stay up late to do it? Is it something you're passionate about?

Tough questions, but those are the kinds of questions Laine Discepoli posed to herself as she was working at what she felt was a stagnant job in an advertising agency. And her answers are part of what propelled her to venture out on her own as a decorative painter. Of course, she credits her advertising experience with some of her business know-how that helped her succeed in her new endeavor, but ultimately it's talent and hard work that has propelled her into the fulfillment she now enjoys as her own boss in her own business.

Even as she worked at her advertising job, Miss Elaineous—her painting business—was in the background. In fact, it's been around for 14 years as a sideline. It took a lot of encouragement from others—friends, colleagues, and family—before she realized that her work really was good enough to get paid for. Of course, it didn't hurt to have a husband who was willing to let Laine give it a shot, even if the family had to assume it could count on no income from her—at least at first.

 Learning and Teaching... 
Laine freely admits that she made a lot of mistakes—"there's everything from office supplies to liability insurance to marketing to consider when you're on your own." But instead of viewing her mistakes as setbacks, she realizes how instrumental they were in her journey to become independent. Like many, Laine also discovered that working for yourself can be rather isolating, but instead of allowing that to slow her down, it inspired her to seek out others. As a result, she discovered a huge support network of painters with whom she discusses techniques and shares ideas.

As Laine has achieved her goals (including financially meeting her goal to match her previous salary), she has been inspired to set even bigger goals. To continue her professional growth, she's not only continuing her education in her field, she's also teaching others. And, yes, now she is confident enough in what's she's accomplished that she's happy to see it through the eyes of her children, 8 year-old twins who she can now meet at the bus stop after school.

Of course, there are some stressful times and Laine points out that she's working harder than she ever has before, but most experiences have been positive and her clients are glad to recommend her to their friends. Her passion, as she relates her joy in making the world a more beautiful place, is contagious.

Laine also occasionally writes for Home Made Simple. Her most recent article is Decorating Solutions for the Way We Really Live. You can contact Laine at www.misselaineous.net. When you write to her, please indicate if you give permission for your comments and questions to be addressed in a future edition of Home Made Simple. Don't worry—we won't divulge email addresses or personally identifiable information. And please be advised that when you click on the link, you'll be leaving Home Made Simple.