Just ask Richard Brandi!
Richard had enjoyed a long successful career as a public relations consultant, but the dot com meltdown of 2001 severely decreased his client base and left him struggling financially. Fortunately for Richard, he had a communications background and found a “pay-the-bills” job using those skills, however, he didn’t particularly enjoy it.
Richard knew he wanted to make a career change and began to really get in touch with his waylaid dreams and desires. During this rediscovery process, he reconnected with his passion for history and architecture. So while continuing working in his “pay-the-bills” job, he also decided to volunteer his time with local architectural and historical associations, and also took some related classes.
Taking these small steps snowballed and Richard ended up developing a walking neighborhood tour of San Francisco, and he also became a docent on the historical navy aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. Richard didn’t stop there. He also developed an interest in photography and began taking pictures of historic buildings and began writing articles about San Francisco’s history and architecture. Richard also published a book on the same subject.
Richard was so entranced with pursuing his passion for history and architecture that he decided to return to college and pursue a master’s degree in Historic Preservation. He did all of these wonderful things while still working at his “pay-the-bills” job.
One year into his master’s program, Richard got laid off from his “pay-the-bills” job and it was one of the best things that ever happened to him. He began to search for jobs within the field of historic preservation and due to his past experience as a tour guide, volunteer, docent, writer, and graduate student, Richard landed a job with a well known historic architecture firm in the city. The pay was lower than he preferred, however, he gained valuable experience and really enjoyed the work.
Richard knew he had found his niche and eventually transitioned into independent consulting in both public history and historic preservation. He finished his master’s program in 2008 and today is a well known local Architectural Historian in San Francisco living his dream.
Richard took small continuous steps towards his dreams without any idea that when he began his journey to creative self-emploment nine years ago, that he would be in the place he is today. The key to his success is in the continuous momentum of taking one small step after another, allowing new doors of opportunity to open up. Following this process can lead to dramatic and unimaginable changes in your life and career.