In this episode, I’m sitting down with Paige, a bold creative, performer, and one of my inspiring clients, to talk about what it really takes to leave a path that feels safe and build a life that feels right.
Paige opens up about her decade in retail, the fear of change, and what finally pushed her to explore coaching. We talk about the power of listening to your intuition, embracing creativity, and finding confidence to pursue what you love, even when the timeline doesn’t look the way you planned.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I allowed to do this?” or felt stuck in a cycle that no longer fits you, this one’s for you.
Listen to the episode here: Client Interview: From Retail Hustle to Creative Freedom – Paige’s Journey to Reclaiming Her Passion
Paige’s Journey to Creativity and Confidence
1. When Safety Starts to Feel Like a Cage
Paige grew up watching her family choose stability over passion. Like many of us, she believed that success meant security, so she stayed in retail for 10 years, working her way up from sales associate to manager. But deep down, she felt out of place.
“I was an incredibly creative person, but I just never felt like I fit in,” Paige shared. “I thought, if I stay in this bubble, I’ll be safe.”
Eventually, safety started to feel limiting. Paige realized she didn’t want to wonder what would happen if she tried something different.
2. What Sparks the Idea of Change
Paige first heard about coaching from her partner. At first, she dismissed it. “Honestly, I thought it sounded like some hippie thing, maybe even a scam,” she laughed. But after being laid off and working in increasingly toxic environments, Paige hit her breaking point.
“I just thought, I would rather fail a million times than keep going through life wondering what would happen if I tried,” she said.
That mindset shift led her to coaching.
3. Choosing Coaching and Letting Go of Control
When Paige started coaching, her goal was simple: figure out what’s next. She expected something corporate, but what we uncovered was so much more.
“Even on our first session, I didn’t think the idea of being a creative could be taken seriously,” she admitted. “I thought, that’s not a real job. But Dani helped me see, it is a real path, and I can build a plan for it.”
Through coaching, Paige learned to surrender control, stay present, and trust the process. “It helped me stop trying to plan everything three steps ahead and instead focus on what I could do today,” she said.
4. Reconnecting With Creativity
For years, Paige had been dancing burlesque, making jewelry, and designing costumes—but she never saw those as viable paths. Coaching helped her flip that script.
She started booking coffee dates with other performers, building community, and saying yes to opportunities. Those conversations opened doors, from new shows to festival applications.
One piece of advice that stuck: “Rejection just means you’re putting yourself out there.” Paige even set a rejection goal, aiming for 10 rejections to prove she was trying.
5. The Power of Community and Support
Paige says one of the most impactful shifts was learning she didn’t have to do this alone. “Having a support system changes everything,” she said. “When I connected with other creatives, I realized we’re all figuring it out together.”
Instead of feeling like she had to climb over others to succeed, Paige embraced Issa Rae’s philosophy of growing beside people, not above them.
Key Takeaways
Safety isn’t always the same as fulfillment
Coaching helps you see possibilities you didn’t believe were for you
Confidence comes from taking action, not waiting for the perfect moment
Community makes the journey less lonely and a lot more fun
Timestamped Overview
00:00 – Introduction and Paige’s Story
02:00 – Growing Up First-Gen and the Retail Path
05:00 – When Coaching Became an Option
08:00 – Rediscovering Creativity and Permission to Dream
13:00 – Building Support Systems and Community
17:00 – Handling Rejection and Staying Present
24:00 – Final Advice for Listeners
Want More Support?
Explore additional resources and tips on my website or connect with me on LinkedIn for insights into building your network effectively.
- Website: https://www.danitan.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-tan
Read the podcast episode transcript below.
Read the full episode transcript
[00:00:00] Dani: Hi, I'm Dani Tan. If you're here, you're in the right place. Welcome to the Pivot and Promotion Podcast, where we say forget the rules because they weren’t written for us. I’m your host, Dani Tan—career and leadership coach, and a proud advocate for redefining what success and leadership look like. Here’s what I know: You can lead at any level, you can pivot at any age, and you can make moves that feel right for you. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, starting something new, or figuring out your next step, I’ve got you covered with strategies, stories, and straight-up inspiration. So let’s make some moves! Hi, hello. How are you? If you’re here, you’re in the right place.
I’m Dani Tan, leadership and career coach, and founder of the Pivot and Promotion Community. I’m here today with an amazing client, Paige. We’re going to talk about her experience through coaching and her incredible journey. She’s just awesome—a total vibe. S. I’m Puerto Rican, Filipino, and Chinese. I’ve pivoted careers five times and earned 11 promotions in 11 years. I went from sample coordinator to VP at a global company before realizing my real passion is coaching. When you’re the first or the only in your space, you wonder: Where’s the plan? Where’s the roadmap? Where’s the safety net for something completely new? That’s why I do this work—because sometimes you just need support and guidance to help you move forward.
So, let’s jump in! Paige, go ahead and introduce yourself. [00:02:00] Paige: Wow, I didn’t realize how much we have in common! My name is Paige. I’m also a first-generation college graduate. I studied acting and earned a BFA in performance. I’m very creative—I dance burlesque, make earrings, and design costumes for my performances. My career journey started in retail. My first job out of high school was at Hollister, then Abercrombie—they were across from each other in the mall, so I worked at both! I stayed in retail for 10 years, moving from associate to supervisor and then manager. As a first-gen woman, I craved stability. I saw people in my family work jobs they didn’t like because it was about survival.
I thought I had to follow that path. But as a creative, I always felt like I didn’t fit. Eventually, I decided to get a coach, quit my job, and start pursuing my creative passions. Now, I’m figuring out what stays a hobby and what can become a business. [00:04:00] Dani: I love that. We share the first-gen and retail experiences! So what made you start thinking about coaching? [00:05:00] Paige: Honestly, my partner mentioned it two years before I hired a coach. They noticed I wasn’t happy and suggested it after seeing a friend use a coach to make a big life change. But I said no—I was uncomfortable with change. Two years later, I was in a toxic job, hit a breaking point, and got laid off. ” That’s when I decided to give coaching a try.
[00:06:00] Dani: So we started working together. What was your main goal when you came in? [00:08:00] Paige: At first, I just wanted clarity. I’d played it safe for so long. I never thought being a creative was a serious option. In our first session, you pointed out how I lit up when talking about creative things and asked if I wanted to pursue that full-time. ” I’d been trying so hard to fit into the corporate mold. Coaching gave me permission to explore creativity and build confidence that I could make it work. [00:10:00] Dani: What do you think held you back from pursuing this earlier? [00:11:00] Paige: Security. As a Black woman, my grandma’s story shaped me—she got pregnant young, didn’t want to be a statistic, and worked at the post office for 50 years for stability.
That was survival. I thought that was my path too. But I realized I don’t have to stay in survival mode. I have the freedom to try something different. [00:13:00] Dani: Was there a moment in coaching that helped you move forward? [00:14:00] Paige: Reaching out to people. I like being in my own bubble, but coaching pushed me to network out of curiosity, not for personal gain. Those coffee chats helped me feel less alone and opened doors. I even booked shows through those connections. ” She sets a goal to get 10 rejections a year. That changed everything for me. [00:20:00] Dani: I love that. And you were getting invited to shows through those connections too, right? [00:21:00] Paige: Yes! One show’s theme was “joy,” and they said I was the first person they thought of because I bring joy.
That felt amazing and showed me I’m in the right place. [00:22:00] Dani: We also worked on tools like your brag book. How did that help? [00:23:00] Paige: It saved me. I wrote down every compliment I got, and on tough days, I’d look at it and remind myself I’m capable. It helped me push through those last days in retail and believe I could do this. [00:24:00] Dani: Anything else you want to share about your experience with coaching? [00:25:00] Paige: Coaching taught me to slow down and surrender. I used to think three steps ahead all the time. You helped me celebrate progress and stay present. That gave me confidence and peace of mind during a big life transition. [00:27:00] Dani: That’s beautiful.
And it led you to leave a job that didn’t serve you and build a life that lights you up. Any advice for listeners? [00:28:00] Paige: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Anything that seems instant usually isn’t sustainable. Take your time. Stay present. Life is a journey, and you’ll get there when you get there. [00:29:00] Dani: Thank you so much for sharing your story, Paige. And to everyone listening, thank you for tuning in.
