Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Journal.
Ways to Start a Business with Social Media
In today's society, starting your own business can lead to success or failure, but it depends on your character and how driven you want to be. For myself, I have been working on a business plan for my own digital marketing company. In the mean time, I actually do freelance work on the side and it has actually been a very good gig. I have made at least $600 a month on a good month. This gives me opportunity to work from home and to help business through the United States and the United Kingdom as well. Let me give you some tips on how to market your business, which can help in the long run.
By Alex Osborne7 years ago in Journal
I Spent a Year Working at an Outdoor Garden Center
This past year I had decided to get a part-time job. While I absolutely love writing, I was turning into a severe homebody who had poor social skills. It was as if the more time I spent alone, the more my conversation skills started to deplete. I was also suffering from severe cabin fever and getting aches and pains associated with sitting at a desk all day long. I could have just went for a run each day and forced myself to talk with a local barista, but a job seemed to be the right fit for me.
By Ashlyn Harper7 years ago in Journal
Why I Started a Side Business
A little background on my work life that was leading me towards depression and sparked my side business—Phoenix Aromas Etsy Shop. I am a regional manager for a veterinary company. I have been in the veterinary industry for nine years now as different positions, such as kennel leader and veterinary technician. As a regional manager, I was slowly feeling like a robot doing the same automatic thing every week. I was even experiencing the same exact conversations with the same people consistently! When the conversations became broken records, that is when I knew I needed to make a change in my life, and fast. I realized I was exhausted from the constant small talk and superficial conversations, it was affecting my mental health drastically. Autopilot was not good for me emotionally or mentally. I felt helpless, and just stuck, not moving forward or even backwards. The best way to describe my situation was like being on a treadmill: I am moving forward, but in the same spot constantly. Most of all, I was not getting the fulfillment I desired. I wasn't doing any good for the clients or pets, just offering services, and wasn't doing any good for myself preforming the same duties weekly.
By Cynthia Cline7 years ago in Journal
5 Steps to Figuring out What Job Is Best for Me
It's not hard to find job advertisements, the internet is full of it. There are thousands of job search sites with various job opportunities. But what to actually look for? What position? What company? How to even read the description?
By Anna Dvorakova7 years ago in Journal
Surviving Serving
It’s hard to live by the ultimate, and frustrating, motto “The customer is always right” when we god damn know better. Working in the serving industry I have had multiple moments when I think to myself, is prison really that bad? It’s nearly impossible to not knock a customer upside the head when they ask for the same thing, that they know is not possible, every time they come in, or when they hand you the bill and say “Keep the change.” Yes, thank you sir, I love getting two dimes and a nickel. Tipping is the most important thing to remember when you are out to eat, most servers are getting paid $3.15 an hour or less, to listen to you cry about your boyfriend or girlfriend leaving you, so leave a few dollars for god sake. Throughout my short time as a server I have encountered the very overused punchline of, “Well maybe if they did a better job they’d make more money,” to which I would like to respond, “Maybe if I got paid more I’d do a better job.” I’m not saying it’s everyone else’s fault when they don’t get the service they deserve, but I do see too many servers try so hard to only ultimately get a dollar as a tip, which you bet your cheap butt they savored that dollar. Contrary to many people's beliefs, a server is aware of the fact that sometimes the tip is a reflection of the type of service we gave, and do feel bad when a person did not receive the service they deserved. Many people do need to understand however that if your food is messed up or wrong, the server is not the cook and can only do so much. A server will do everything they can to make sure you have the best experience you can get from the moment you walk in that door, they will even laugh at your insults, or misguided political views, but don’t you worry, you will be paying for it in the end, hopefully. Most people that are working as a server aren’t doing it because they want to, or because it pays well, as you now know, they are doing it because it’s something they enjoy. Choosing to be a server is something that should highly reflect the patience of a person. Also I would like to state YOUR SERVER IS NOT FLIRTING WITH YOU, THAT IS THERE JOB, but if you tip good, it may be in your favor. And folks let’s talk about your credit card tips, I’m not being ungrateful when I say, don’t do it, I’m just saying maybe leave it in physical money form. For those of you who don’t know, when you leave a credit card tip, that extra money you left is claimed and taken off of our checks at the end of the pay period. So as grateful as we are sometimes we dread knowing someone is paying with a card A little server secret NEVER CLAIM THE EXACT AMOUNT YOU MADE IN TIPS, don’t tell your boss I said that. If you come out to eat and don’t tip, just know a few things:
By Eli Carbaugh7 years ago in Journal
Fear{less} Social Media
“Okay, I need to create a post for my business. Something that catches my audience's attention. It should offer a lot of value. Be funny. Present a revolutionary new concept. Be authentic to my brand. And draw people to be interested in my services.”
By Michael Toru7 years ago in Journal
The Secret to Becoming a Working Actor
The secret to having an acting career is knowing what's impossible for you to know; unless you're taught. They say the game is to be sold, not told and that stands to ring true in Hollywood. Every year people come from all over the globe seeking stardom; some with more pure intentions than others. However, most stories end the same. Maxed out credit cards, sleeping in cars, evictions, taken advantage off, me too'd etc. Most resulting in broken dreams and mental defeat.
By Jo'nez Cain7 years ago in Journal
Why I Wanted to Join Vocal
My name is Deana, and I am currently a sophomore in college studying Special Education Moderate PreK-8. I was scrolling through Instagram one day when I came across an advertisement for Vocal. The ad was advocating for creators and providing them with a platform to write, and it immediately sparked my interest. I have been writing for fun since I was in elementary school, and it has continued all the way into college. I consider myself a good writer, simply because I enjoy my own writing. It started innocent enough, writing fan fictions about One Direction or Justin Bieber, and then it became my way to escape from everyday life. Most recently, I have simply been writing in a journal to get out all of my thoughts and hopes to help my own anxiety. College is a stressful time, so having that kind of personal outlet is nice.
By Deana Rita7 years ago in Journal
