Blog 1 — Jo's Painted Pebbles

If you had told me ten years ago that I’d one day be running my own little art shop, selling my colourful artwork, I would have smiled politely and said, “I wish.”

Back then, I was deep in the world of finance-spreadsheets, deadlines, corporate meetings. It paid well and gave me stability, but somewhere along the line, I stopped feeling excited by any of it. I found myself watching the clock every day, counting down to lunchtime, and then again until it was time to go home.

I’d always loved painting, but it was just a hobby, something I never truly believed could be more than that. After all, I had responsibilities. It didn’t feel financially realistic to step away from a secure, well-paying career just to chase a dream.

Then something unexpected happened. My company organised a workplace well-being workshop. We were asked to write down our goals, what we really wanted out of life and what was stopping us from going after them.

I still remember scribbling on that piece of paper:
“I want to be an artist and have a little shop selling my artwork. But it’s probably not financially possible.”

We then passed our papers around anonymously for others to write words of encouragement. When mine came back to me, someone had written:
“If you’re passionate and good at what you do, you might be surprised at how things could work out financially.”

I don’t know who wrote it, but that one sentence stayed with me. It planted a seed , a small, hopeful voice that said, “Maybe you could.”

In my middle 50’s , with a small amount of savings, I decided to take the leap. I was given the opportunity to open a pop-up shop for just one week… (I could always go back to finance if it didn’t work out). But one week turned into a month, a month turned into six, and now five years later I have a permanent arrangement.

I’m not jetting off on fancy holidays anymore, and I’ve had to learn to budget carefully. But in return, I’ve gained something far more valuable: purpose, joy, and the freedom to create. The shop pays for itself and even gives me a little extra. Most importantly, I wake up every day looking forward to what I do.

Following your dream doesn’t mean it has to be big, perfect, or profitable from day one. Sometimes, it starts with a simple sentence scribbled on a piece of paper and the courage to believe your life can change at any age.

So if you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to follow your dream, I’m here to tell you:

It’s not.

It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Dream