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What We Wish Every Grad Knew

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A toddler is window shopping and pointing to some baked goods "Lights on Creston Case Study"

You did it, you finally graduated. Gone are the all-nighters, evening classes, early morning study sessions and all the other extracurriculars. You’ve made it, you’ve got your first job and it is gonna be sooooo much better than school.

Or is it? We polled the 8THIRTYFOUR team and asked them to provide their best advice for new grads, or basically what they wish they knew.

The 9 to 5 is no joke

Even with classes, club meetings, and all of the things that college life encapsulates, there’s something about 8 hour days, 5 days a week that throws you for a loop. It’s different from your typical homework schedule with work shifts squeezed in here and there. A full time job means you’re present and grinding all day long, but on the flip side, you don’t have to hurriedly get work done to meet the 11:59pm deadline. While the daily routine of it can be hard getting used to, there’s something about the freedom of knowing your time is yours. After the work day, there aren’t e-board meetings to prep for or readings to skim. You’ve earned your time, so go enjoy what you want.

Kim Add: Work shouldn’t suck y’all, it can be demanding at times but ultimately you should enjoy what you’re doing but in the words of Lauren Stitt, “a job is still a job.”

It’s a transition 

We had a vision that once we graduated our life would be an episode of Sex and the City. We hate to break it to all of you… it isn’t. We’re still the same person we were when we were taking classes and studying for exams. We still get stressed and have questions. There are still things to do and errands to run. It doesn’t all go away the second you get your diploma and a job you love. What makes it easier is knowing that while we have work to do and problems to solve, it’s still an adventure nonetheless.

Kim Add: It’s a lot of what you make it. If you decide to get up and make the best of your day, you’re gonna have a better day.

The Work

We can all agree that the learning never stops. And here’s your reminder that it really doesn’t. Post-grad is the time to learn more about the things you always wanted to but never had the time to sit down and actually figure out. It doesn’t mean that it’s all fun and games, but it’s nice to know that there’s always more to explore and the resources are there. Take advantage of the network around you: ask questions, look stupid, try (and fail) to find a new way to do things. Graduation is in the past, but learning is now… and forever.

Kim Add: All of us are struggling with imposter syndrome and we’re all still figuring out what the hell we’re doing. Just know you are not alone, and Google exists for a reason. Seriously, Google is your new professor. Listen to Google (but find the reputable sources). Also, subscribe to podcasts, read industry articles, tune into virtual seminars, network with other pros and commit to continually learning. 

If you’ve got more questions, stop by our office. We love chatting about what we do.

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FUN FACT FRIDAY: It’s only fitting for us to own a building where a trailblazing female operated her businesses in 1906. The Phillips family represented one of the longest-running retail tenures in Grand Rapids history; L.E. Phillips Jewelry in the 1365 Plainfield Ave. building from 1906 until 1973.
Dr. Eva Phillips, a certified and licensed optometrist ran her practice out of the jewelry store’s secondary parlor and was an equal partner in the jewelry store.

Together, they offered a unique one-stop shot which expanded to include appliances, record players, and more. The couple operated the shop through two World Wars and the Great Depression, acting as the neighborhood matriarch and patriarch.

@crestongr @crestoncorridor @crestongrandrapids @citygrandrapids @grandrapidspubliclibrary

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17898983202545176
FUN FACT FRIDAY: It’s only fitting for us to own a building where a trailblazing female operated her businesses in 1906. The Phillips family represented one of the longest-running retail tenures in Grand Rapids history; L.E. Phillips Jewelry in the 1365 Plainfield Ave. building from 1906 until 1973. Dr. Eva Phillips, a certified and licensed optometrist ran her practice out of the jewelry store’s secondary parlor and was an equal partner in the jewelry store. Together, they offered a unique one-stop shot which expanded to include appliances, record players, and more. The couple operated the shop through two World Wars and the Great Depression, acting as the neighborhood matriarch and patriarch. @crestongr @crestoncorridor @crestongrandrapids @citygrandrapids @grandrapidspubliclibrary

Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet?
If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves.

This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore.

Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk.

Listen now at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18112263326023209
Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet? If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves. This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore. Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk. Listen now at the link in bio.

National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up.

We were not prepared for perimenopause, much like our periods, sex, or anything else to do with our bodies. God forbid we talk about it openly.

We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation.

When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared.
Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan
Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later).

Register at the link in bio.

3 0
Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18132641716644887
National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up. We were not prepared for perimenopause, much like our periods, sex, or anything else to do with our bodies. God forbid we talk about it openly. We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation. When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared. Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later). Register at the link in bio.

You asked, we delivered.

Introducing the Women`s Owners Network - a new program built for what comes first, joining our proven Fellowship model to support Michigan women at every stage of business ownership.

Whether you`ve got a team of 10 or it`s just you and your laptop, you deserve a room full of women who get it.

Six months of leadership, finance, operations, capital access, paired with real support for the isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning your own business.

You`ll have your own board of directors in your corner, including @bodespeaks plus a group of mentors, instructors, and coaches who`ve been exactly where you are.

Applications due October 1. Apply now at the link in bio.

10 3
Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18089775152664042
You asked, we delivered. Introducing the Women's Owners Network - a new program built for what comes first, joining our proven Fellowship model to support Michigan women at every stage of business ownership. Whether you've got a team of 10 or it's just you and your laptop, you deserve a room full of women who get it. Six months of leadership, finance, operations, capital access, paired with real support for the isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning your own business. You'll have your own board of directors in your corner, including @bodespeaks plus a group of mentors, instructors, and coaches who've been exactly where you are. Applications due October 1. Apply now at the link in bio.
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