Tomorrow is Never Promised: My Journey to Living Life on My Terms

For the past 18+ years, I dedicated myself to building a career in the scientific research equipment industry, mostly within sales and marketing. I loved my job. I was passionate about the work I did, the people I worked with, and the impact we made in advancing research and innovation.

In late 2023 and into 2024 I was finding that the passion for my work was changing. I was approaching burnout for the second time in my career, and the physical and mental effects of stress were becoming too much to bear. I am acutely aware that tomorrow is never promised; having survived a cancer diagnosis 3.5 years ago, while both my father and brother were not as fortunate over the past 13 years. I was beginning to realize that it was time to start living life on my own terms.

The stress was beginning to manifest physically and mentally, and I knew I had to make a decision. I had to choose between staying in a career that was no longer serving me or taking a leap into the unknown.

My husband and I had started to put plans in motion to start manufacturing all-natural pet treats using novel proteins. It was an idea born out of a love for pets and a desire to offer something different—healthy, high-quality, and human-grade treats that we could feel proud of. At first, this idea was just a side hustle, something we worked on in our spare time while I maintained my full-time job. But quickly I found myself getting more and more distracted by our side project. The idea of building something of our own, something that aligned with my values and passions, became more attractive each day.

As I continued to feel the weight of stress from my job, the allure of creating a life by design grew stronger. I realized that I wanted to focus more on my family and on building something meaningful. It became clear that the side hustle I was so passionate about needed to become my main focus.

The decision to leave a stable, 18-year career in a field I had known and loved wasn't easy. It was terrifying, to be honest. But the idea of continuing down a path that no longer fulfilled me was even scarier. I decided to take the leap, trusting in myself and in the vision my husband and I had created together.

Now, I have more time to focus on my family, and I am fully dedicated to building a life on my own terms. Our company, Wow-Finds Worldwide, has changed over time, however our grounding is around products that are Good for YOU & YOUR PETS, Good for the PLANET, Made in CANADA. More recently, in July 2024, we started manufacturing our own pet treats under our B&T Pets brand. We create all-natural pet treats using novel proteins like elk, venison, bison, duck, turkey, and seal. Every step of the process, from sourcing to production, is done with care and attention to detail. All of our proteins are human-grade, sourced from reputable meat processors, and prepared in a commercial kitchen that meets all safe food handling certifications. Our goal is simple: to offer pet owners treats they can trust and pets will love.

This journey has taught me that sometimes, the things we think of as long-term plans can quickly turn into opportunities knocking at our door. And when they do, it's up to us to answer. Tomorrow is never promised, and life is too short to spend it feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. I'm now living a life that aligns with my values, my passions, and my family. I am creating a future that is not just about success but about meaning, joy, and purpose.

So, if you find yourself at a crossroads, feeling the weight of burnout or the tug of an unfulfilled dream, remember this: You have the power to design your life. Take the leap. You never know what amazing things are waiting on the other side.