Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Hi! My name is Brandi Palechek. For the past four years I have had the privilege of working as the Online Marketing Specialist for Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. For the past three years—along with all the members of Llewellyn’s incredible Marketing team—I have had the pleasure and honor of playing hostess to the Llewellyn community on Facebook and Twitter. Since March of 2009, you’ve read my posts on Facebook and responded to my tweets every Monday as well as the occasional Thursday. I’ve also been the person who signed off for the week almost every Friday evening at the end of the day.

All of that is about to change. You see, tomorrow, Tuesday, June 7, 2011, will be my last day working here at Llewellyn.

I know what you are thinking, “What? Is she crazy?! How could she quit a dream job working at the coolest publisher, EVER?”

I completely agree and have frequently questioned my sanity in the past weeks since giving notice to my manager. However, I recently turned 40 and for whatever reason it seemed to be an age where it felt like a good time to reflect on my accomplishments, goals, and dreams.

When I looked at my future at Llewellyn and compared it to where I wanted to go and who I wanted to be, I realized I had become very comfortable in my current job. Being comfortable can be dangerous. It allows us to settle in to a day-to-day routine that feels easy and then one day wake up realizing our lives have passed us by. Being comfortable doesn’t challenge us to grow outside of what we are and become what we can be.

As I reflected on the direction I might take next, I decided to make my own way in the world. Yep, I’m goin’ rogue. I am launching my own digital marketing consulting firm and starting a career as an independent Digital Marketing Strategist.

I believe working for myself will provide me with the challenge I am seeking and help me to grow into the woman I am meant to be. It will also give me the freedom to choose my own hours and work from home. I want to be there for my 6 year-old daughter during the summer months and when she gets home after the school.

I grew up reading the Llewellyn books. I always knew the work Llewellyn did was special, but I honestly didn’t know how special until I had the chance to talk with the amazing group of fans who read, live, and breathe these books and topics. I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me to have had the opportunity to connect with all of you on Facebook and Twitter. I’ve learned so much and had so much fun. A thousand thank you’s could not express the gratitude I feel for all that you have given me.

Llewellyn is special not only because of its fans, but also because it publishes the work of truly amazing authors, and even more so, because of all the extremely talented people who work here at the offices in Woodbury, Minnesota. I have never worked with a group of more talented and inspiring individuals than those here at Llewellyn.

As, Neil Sedaka said in the song, “Breaking up is hard to do.” Coming in to the office today knowing the end is nigh felt strange for me. I am sure tomorrow will be a very emotional day. It has been a difficult decision, but ultimately the right one for me.

I’ll sign off here on the blog one last time, but I won’t say goodbye because I’ll always be part of the community of Llewellyn fans and readers.

Blessings and light to all of you out there and to all of my friends here at Llewellyn! Blessed be!