Breaking Free: My Shift to Life as an Entrepreneur!
Meet Dominique and be inspired by her story of breaking free from 9-5 life.
I met Dominique Ferjuste, who goes by Domii, in a Facebook group. Remember my thoughts on Facebook groups and their impact on your business? You can click here to read more about that later as the link opens in a new tab. In short: it’s important to connect with others who are doing what you’re doing (or plan to do) in order to evolve, support, and grow your business.
Finding another blogger who is living her dream after “9-5 life” is inspiring. And that’s what this blog is about- sharing inspiration. Domii has truly leaned into her natural talents and is living life on her terms.
So in the spirit of:
- Step 1 on my 6-Step Checklist to Escape the 9-5: Find Your Why
- Step 6 on the same checklist: Take Action
- Collaboration
- Successfully connecting with others in Facebook groups
And of course--- publishing this in December, inspiring you as we head into a new year
I’m thrilled to share Domii’s guest post below. Grab your coffee and treat yourself to some inspiration for 9-5 escape.
Disclosure: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share, but it does not change your price.
Photo credit: Groove free stock photos
Entrepreneur vs 9-5 Job
I'm a mom, entrepreneur, nurse, self-care and wellness advocate, and an avid writer who draws from my own "treasure box" to inspire and empower others—especially women in mid-life.
To me, the treasure box is a perfect metaphor for life—filled with an eclectic mix of experiences, lessons, and moments. It holds the sparkling gems of joy, achievements, and cherished memories, alongside the ordinary and challenging bits that shape who we are. Life’s highs and lows all find a place in this box, making it a true reflection of the journey we’re on.
For years, I was the go-to for advice, support, and a little push—sometimes even when people didn’t ask! Eventually, I chose to embrace this role intentionally, which led me to create The Treasure Box Lifestyle Blog.
Fueled by an insatiable drive to create something personal and freeing (with a little help from coffee, gratitude, and self-love), I’ve learned to turn my challenges into opportunities. As an entrepreneur, I’m passionate about empowering others through compassion, humor, and real-life reflections.
Photo credit: Groove free stock photos
My Reason
Wondering how my journey started?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit—starting various ventures since middle school, and continuing through college, grad school, and beyond. From small-scale projects to larger business ideas, I’ve always been eager to create, experiment, and grow.
Each step along the way, whether a win or a loss, has shaped my path and deepened my passion for entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, life kept throwing punches, and I continuously adjusted, learning to balance my dreams with the unexpected turns that life presented.
After all, there will always be detours, we just need to keep moving forward.
Life has thrown its share of challenges my way—divorce, job layoffs, and career changes—all while I focused on giving my son the best life possible. These experiences may have limited my options at times, but they also strengthened my determination to create a life on my terms.
Even with an MBA, I never saw myself staying in a traditional career path. My journey has always been about freedom and personal expression, not fitting into a standard role.
Every success and setback along the way has been a building block in my journey as an entrepreneur. You wouldn’t believe that it’s probably the losses that have brought me closer to the entrepreneur I am today.
Balancing my nursing job and other business ventures, I’ve always made time for myself—not just to rest, but to explore what truly fuels me and move closer to my dreams. Those moments of pause have been crucial for growth and reflection.
For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business—it’s so much more; it’s truly about creating the freedom to design a life I love, away from the traditional 9-5 grind.
Photo credit: Groove free stock photos
My Mission
My mission is to build a life and career driven by freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment—prioritizing self-care, passion projects, and meaningful connections over the confines of a traditional work routine.
By creating my lifestyle blog, The Treasure Box Lifestyle, I am not only sharing what I’ve learned but also paving a path that encourages others to break free from traditional molds, redefine success for themselves, and live a life filled with purpose, resilience, and personal joy.
The Treasure Box Lifestyle and my other entrepreneurial ventures represent more than just businesses; they’re about building a lifestyle that aligns with my values and goals. Many people have dreams but don't always realize that discovering your purpose makes it easier to pursue those dreams. Once you connect with your true purpose, choosing your path becomes clearer, and the journey ahead feels more aligned with who you are.
Starting my lifestyle blog was a big part of this shift. It allows me to reach more people, connect with others who share my vision, and truly own my journey. I’m making this transition not just for greater flexibility but to create something meaningful on my terms.
As I continue to grow as an entrepreneur, my mission remains clear: to support my dreams, being uplifted, and seek freedom.
Photo credit: Groove free stock photos
My Choice
Each business, including my blog, is a step away from the structured daily grind and a leap toward a life built on my terms—a life dedicated to helping others find their path through self-care, self-empowerment, and motivation. I’m driven by a commitment to live with purpose and inspire others to do the same.
While I appreciate the lessons and stability that traditional roles provide, I’ve always known that corporate life was not my final destination. The plan has always been to lay the groundwork to eventually escape the structure of a traditional job.
Becoming an empty nester has given me the clarity to fully commit to this goal, stepping more into the life of entrepreneurship, where my work aligns with my heart and allows me to guide others in finding their purpose too.
When I think about it, and the more I reflect, it’s clear to me: life is too short to live on autopilot or stay in a job or situation that doesn’t align with who you truly are.
I made the choice to change my path a long time ago!
Building My Own Path Beyond the Traditional Job
Now that I’m fully invested in my ventures—writing my first book, growing my lifestyle blog, and developing other projects—I’m closer than ever to reaching this dream.
For me, it's always been about freedom and carving out a life that’s true to who I am. Pursuing this vision has never been something I could set aside. It was always the path I was on, the journey I envisioned, and the ultimate goal.
As one of my blog posts illustrates, success starts with the right mindset and grows through patience and perseverance—it’s a journey worth taking.
Each project is a part of building the life I’ve always imagined, one where purpose and passion guide the way forward. With every new step, I feel more aligned with the person I’m becoming and the life I’m creating. It’s a constant reminder that the work I’m doing now is shaping my future in ways I’ve always dreamed of.
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