Monday, September 1, 2008

A Good Decision

It was three years ago today that Matt left his nice, cushy, secure job as a pipeline engineer to pursue the mobile thing full time.

To commemorate Matt's three-year anniversary, here are a three little factoids about the transition:
  • When Matt turned in his two-week notice, his boss offered him a promotion, a 20-percent raise, and asked, "Why doesn't your wife quit her job instead?"
  • For the first nine months of self employment, Matt worked out of our 850-square-foot apartment. He spray-painted mobiles out of the living room window and hung half-done projects from the 18-foot ceilings. Paint cans, boxes, metal shards, and bubble wrap occupied every nook and cranny. It was pure squalor. And it's a small miracle that we got our entire deposit back when we moved (to a town home with a garage, hallelujah).
  • Three months after Matt quit his job, we found out I was pregnant with Riley. He entered severe panic mode and worried whether it was irresponsible to think this totally random niche business could support a family and provide health insurance. Turns out, it could just fine.
So yeah, I'm very proud of Matt. And I'm especially glad his work setup has no commute, allowed us to move to such a great city, and lets us sleep in 'til 8 a.m. on a regular basis. Here's to many more years of mobile making!

Matt, a mobile, and the source of panic in the town home that saved our sanity.

6 comments:

Emma said...

It was quite a leap of faith for you guys! But aren't you so much happier?
I can't believe his boss said that.

Madelyn said...

I think your husband does pretty much the coolest thing ever and I'm so glad he can support you by doing it! YAY for getting to do what you love!

susannah said...

Yeah for Matt the Mobile Maker!! I still want some sort of mobile that can sit on my desk and not really move. Hmmm, not very mobile-esk is it?

Annie said...

So you don't want to live in Oklahoma though? Oregon/Oklahoma... they're about the same aren't they?? I don't blame you, but if you do need a change...

Stacia said...

Yeah mobiles! Yeah Matt! And yeah quitting your day job! We're so glad it's worked out so well. And I guess Kathryn got to quit her (old) job anyway. Apparently your new boss is a little more demanding.

Katie said...

You do a great job and we're happy that your passion can be your profession, too!

Lucy LOVES her mobile, and when she's been calm during a diaper change, she gets to touch it and make it move. Since starting this, she's been calm more often...