Growth
Back Story
In 2014, everything changed for me when I bought my first DSLR—a Nikon D5200—from Amazon with a FAFSA reimbursement. For years, I had dreamed of owning a real camera, but the reality of my finances always kept that dream just out of reach. My trusty but broken Nikon S3100 Coolpix had jammed its lens, leaving me yearning for something more.
I remember racing back to my dorm, heart pounding as I tore open the packaging. In that moment, I felt like I was unboxing a whole new personality: “I am going to be a photographer!” Inspiration struck like lightning. That night, I grabbed one of my teammates, asked him to model, and with a click, I found my shot. I launched my Instagram with the caption "Year Of The Camera," and just like that, Y.O.T.C. was born. Little did I know, I was about to embark on one of the most depressing roller coaster rides of my life.
With my camera by my side, we became inseparable. I took it everywhere—on walks through city streets, to art museums, and under the cherry blossoms in full bloom. But as college came to a close, I faced a daunting question: Should I build this passion into a career, or would it fade into a mere hobby? I had these grand dreams of becoming a film director, crafting epic movies that would captivate audiences. Those dreams still flickered in my mind, but the realities of life urged me to reconsider. I eventually found peace in letting those ambitions go.
When I moved back to Georgia, I set my sights on the film industry. I enrolled in a film production program that promised a guaranteed job placement after internships and classes. But life had other plans. A mix of financial strain, youthful pride, and impatience led me to withdraw from the program. Ironically, I landed an internship with a music label managing Molly Brazy, where I dived headfirst into shooting videos and photos. It was a thrilling introduction to the music industry, but deep down, I realized I longed for that film path I had left behind.
Fast forward a bit, and I found myself working at Planet Fitness, scraping by with just enough money for bills. My internship had ended—mostly because I was losing more than I was earning—and I was anxiously awaiting news from the Fire Department. In a moment of boldness, I decided to quit my job at the gym and throw myself into Y.O.T.C. full-time. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go as planned. But just when I thought I’d hit rock bottom, I received my acceptance from the Fire Department.
The next few years were a rollercoaster of ups and downs with Y.O.T.C. I struggled to find the right direction for the company, often questioning whether it was worth the pursuit. I took numerous breaks, each time wrestling with self-doubt, but they also allowed me to reflect and grow.
2. Growth
If you've been following my journey, you know that I’ve taken my fair share of breaks along the way. Each pause has been a chance for reflection, a moment to step back and breathe. During these times, I learned the power of distance—not just from my work, but from the pressure I put on myself. I stopped taking it all too seriously and started exploring new ventures, allowing myself the freedom to grow.
As I navigated this evolution, I realized something important: Y.O.T.C. had become more of a label than a guiding force. From a business perspective, it didn’t serve me anymore; it was just a catchy name that belonged to a chapter of my life that had long since closed. It was time to break free from the box I had put myself in.
I would like to thank Marlena for introducing me to the media program back in college, S309, AVA112 , Mom and family for their incredible support throughout this journey.
The only image I still have from 2014.
