I feel like the journey officially started the day I decided to move to San Diego, CA in the summer of 2005 (from Lancaster, PA) just two months after graduating from college.
I’m from Lancaster, PA. In college, I studied Criminal Justice, with emphasis on pre-law, because I believed I was “destined” to become an attorney.
After college, my intuition went into overdrive and I made a difficult decision to leave everything I knew in pursuit of totally fresh ideas/passions on the west coast.
All of a sudden, becoming an attorney seemed like the farthest thing from my inner truth.
One of the reason moving to the west coast was difficult is because some 98% of our family (cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) live within a 50 mile radius of each other here in beautiful Lancaster county in Pennsylvania; we’re close knit to say the least.
I knew the warm feeling of safety and comfort in my life and appreciated it, yet was willing to venture forth into the unknown to me, San Diego, to follow my dreams.
Did I mention I’m the first entrepreneur in our family, so I had no experience/insights/etc. as to what was about to happen? It was a frightening prospect, what I was about to do.
Did I also mention I had no work lined up and only $1,500 cash in my pocket, as I started my journey west? Anyone who has lived in San Diego knows that $1,500 barely covers a month’s rent, if it even does.
My 5 Years In San Diego Summarized In 3 Short Paragraphs
I started and failed at numerous businesses while in San Diego. My debt climbed, as I passionately kept following my heart and dreams, but, to me, that was OK. I believed in myself and there was no stopping me. Plus, I met the girl of my dreams!
During my years in San Diego, I was told by my mom time and time again, “why don’t you get a real job that pays real money.” I loved her for trying and understood her concerns; but simply could not agree with her ideas when it came to my “career” path.
After accumulating a ton of knowledge in a new field of interest, Internet Marketing, from a friend and mentor named Andrew Zirkin for about 3 years, I decided to move back home to Lancaster to start a marketing company with my brother, Adam, who was just graduating from college a few months before our arrival.
Side note: my dreams were already coming true, as this decision to move back to Lancaster to continue to pursue being an entrepreneur was made. How so? The girl of my dreams decided to move back here with me to explore new part of the country, experience new things, etc. – it’s inspiring to be around someone like that!
WE’VE BEEN BACK IN LANCASTER FOR 4 YEARS NOW…
And I have to say, I could not be happier with the way things have turned out.
Our RODAmarketing.com business is thriving!
Despite the obstacles and challenges of working closely with my brother (we are polar opposites in many regards) – the decision to go into business with Adam has been confirmed time and time again, as one of the best of my life.
Since RODA marketing has done so well thanks to our small, awesome team, we also decided to create Things To Do Lancaster PA, which is making a big impact on the community.
With hard work and dedication, mixed in some creativity and passion, anything is possible.
None of us have any idea what tomorrow may bring, so it makes telling you this easy … use your today very wisely because each one of your “todays” end up building the big picture of your life.
Follow your heart and instincts and make the tough decision sometimes. More often than not, it will deliver the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones.
Did you ever make a similar decision? Did it work out for the best?
We would love to hear.
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