The Femme Files

Exploring the balance between pursuing a career for stability and following your true passion.

We now live in a world with ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees according to, what I think are, stupid politicians. While they try to frame these negatively, you get the option to do something that you are passionate about. Who wants to spend 9-5 every day of every week doing something they hate? Because I sure as hell would rather not.

While yes, you need to enjoy what you do, you also need something that is going to pay the bills. But I don’t think you should have to choose between passion or a ‘good’ career path. I think you can do both.

I chose to speak to two women in Lincoln that are inspirations to me. Not only because of their passionate career paths, but also because of their attitudes towards anyone who tries to tell them no.

The first being Emma, owner of Jailhouse Frock, which can be found on The Cornhill.

“I’ve done both, I’ve chosen a career and I’ve chosen to do something creative and something that’s mine, you can do that as well. Chase what makes you happy, you work a long time, so you have to choose what makes you feel good and what makes you happy”

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You have one life; you should do what makes you happy.
Happiness is success.

Emma
Jailhouse Frock

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Calling me clever doesn’t pay my bills.

Verena
Fabric Tattoos Embroidery

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This second quote comes from the owner of Fabric Tattoos Embroidery, which can be found in The Cornhill market. The story behind this quote comes from early on in Verena‘s career:

“Early on in doing this, I hadn’t completely figured out my style yet. I was in my early-mid-twenties and every event I went to people would say to me Oh my god you are so clever. Like, I’m not a dog, I have a brain, I have two degrees, what is so surprising about that?

I felt like because of my age, or what I look like, it seemed ridiculous that I could have a skill that I could use to make money for myself. It was just so otherworldly. It just really affected me and made me angry. Am I not supposed to use my brain?”