My Journey as a Creative: From Working Desk Jobs to Creating My Own Opportunities
CIRCA 2021, I had just finished a leadership program in my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the time, I was working at a local non-profit, assisting the Latino community by connecting them with essential resources. I’ve always been a natural "connector"—someone who thrives on building community and finding solutions. It was fulfilling work, but I was also at a crossroads. During undergrad, I had been set on going to law school, and I had even taken the LSAT. The idea of becoming a lawyer felt like the logical next step, but deep down, I wasn’t sure if it was truly my passion. I was good at problem-solving and advocating for others, but was law school the only way to do that?
By 2022, my life had taken a dramatic turn. I had recently married my life partner, and we began traveling together—something I had never had the opportunity to do growing up. It was exhilarating to explore new places and experience the world with my person. As we traveled, I started to reflect more deeply on what I wanted for my future. I had taken the LSAT, but the more I thought about it, the less certain I felt about law school. Was this really the path for me? By September 2022, I made the decision not to apply to law school. My partner and I decided to sell everything, leave Michigan, and start fresh in Florida. It was a leap of faith, but I knew I needed a change. I quit my job at the non-profit, and for the first time in a long time, I had no clear plan for what came next.
our engagement party 2022
The transition wasn’t easy. I had experience working with communities, translating, and even as a legal assistant, but most of those roles required in-person work. Remote opportunities were scarce, and I struggled to figure out how to apply my skills in a way that aligned with our new nomadic lifestyle.
Then, I stumbled upon several articles about virtual assistants. It was like a lightbulb moment. I realized I could use my organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and love for helping others in a completely new way. Without hesitation, I decided to become a virtual assistant. I created an Instagram page, @semillascreative, and started offering my services. It was a bold move, but I was determined to make it work.
building @semillascreative
At first, I took on any task I could—virtual assisting, project management, and even tasks I had no prior experience in. When someone asked if I could manage their social media, I said no at first but quickly followed up with, “But I’ll figure it out.” That became my mantra. I enrolled in a Google course on social media management and taught myself tools like Canva and Adobe. I dove into creating content on TikTok and YouTube, learning as I went. It wasn’t always easy, but I loved the challenge. Each new skill I acquired felt like planting a seed, and I was excited to see what would grow.
Fast forward to today, 2025, and I’m still growing as a creative. I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I’ve come a long way since those early days of uncertainty. In 2024, I landed my first official job in this field, and I absolutely loved it. It was proof that I had made the right choice in stepping away from the traditional path and creating my own opportunities. This journey has taught me that if you set your mind to something and love it enough, anything is possible. Don’t stop planting and growing your seeds—you never know what beautiful things might bloom.
