Hey there! My name’s Alyssa Austin.
I started Poised & Professional back in 2016 with a singular goal: to help other women find their confidence, and achieve success in their work.
Because I knew I had something to share that could help people (even though I wasn’t quite sure what it was…)
I KNEW I was meant to help people in a meaningful way, and grappled daily with my own quest for purpose. My husband can vouch for this – I bugged him constantly with my introspective struggle with my work at my 9-5 marketing job, and the nagging feeling like I wasn’t making a difference in the world. Like I wasn’t reaching my full potential.
I was grasping for meaning… and I found it in the most unexpected way. This is my story.
My Personal Transformation
Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved to perform. Nothing gave her greater joy than being on stage, telling a story, and connecting with an audience.
Over the years, that girl grew up. Her time became limited and she was forced to make choices. The “right” choices. For her career, her future, and her stability.
She went to college and studied English Literature (since she had always loved writing, and was pretty darn good at it), which people scoffed at since it wasn’t a “real degree.”
So she thought about picking up a second major. But what should it be?
Well she, of course, loved the theatre general education classes that she took, so she considered starting a musical theatre major.
When we presented the idea to her father over the phone one Sunday afternoon, he asked, “…But do you want to work in musical theatre?”
And the girl said no.
Because the question she heard was, “…But what will people think if you major in musical theatre? Where will that get you? Is that a traditional path to traditional ‘success?’”
Instead she picked up a Public Relations major because it seemed to have a little more established credibility in the working world, as far as “real” jobs go.
The girl continued to dance through college, but by the time she graduated, her performing days were done. She moved out West, got a “real job” working for a “big company,” and started her “career.”
And sure, she had fun. She was in her early 20s living in a new city after all, surrounded by opportunity, new friends, and beautiful beaches.
But something was missing.
So she made more friends. And she changed jobs (a bunch of times) – hopping from this marketing job to that marketing job (how’d she end up in marketing anyways?) And she was successful. She made “good money.” She had benefits and a normal schedule and a steady paycheck.
But something was still missing.
Then one day, five years later, she saw a notice for a theatre audition.
And for the first time, in SO many years… she was excited. She was on FIRE with anticipation.
So she auditioned. And she got the part. And she performed. And it was wonderful.
So she did it again. She started going back to dance classes. She found a vocal coach and attended acting workshops. She made connections in this new community, and found her way back to the stage, consistently.
And she found she was alive again.
Just a year later, that girl had a greater sense of her purpose and understanding of who she IS than she ever had before. Now, she is living her most authentic life – the life she knows she was meant to live. She is happy.
Following her passions put everything in alignment for her, and helped her realize that all those marketing jobs weren’t preparing her for the next, bigger marketing job, they were preparing her to use her passion of performance to spread confidence and fulfillment in the community of women around her.
And she has never been more excited to wake up in the morning, jump out of bed, and do the work she was meant to do, because it is 100% in line with her passions.
(This girl, as I’m sure you realized from the first sentence of this little anecdote, is me.)
The point is – you DESERVE to follow your passions. You deserve to THRIVE, not just survive in your own life.
Oprah said it best: “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”
Find your passion, and do everything you can to fuel it. Your whole life will change in the process.
Why I Believe in the Power of Purpose
I have seen and experienced firsthand how transformative it is to find and live your purpose. To follow your heart, listen to the universe, and watch the wonderful things that unfold as a result of your pursuing your personal “Reason for Being“.
I am a firm believer in the power of purpose. Once you find that thing that you are meant to do this world, and you pursue it passionately and with intention, you will discover an authentic and meaningful quality of life where everything seems to fall into place. Once you begin pursuing your purpose, the universe will conspire to continue to help make good things happen for you. Good breeds more good. And those “lucky people” you’ve always admired? Soon you’ll find that you’re one of them.
And this is why Poised & Professional exists – to help other women find, create and then flourish in purposeful living. To inspire and equip confident female creators who are hungry for meaning and want to make an impact on the world around them for the better.
I am so happy you are here, and I am excited to assist you on your journey to purposeful living. We’re on this journey together!