This year we kicked off our Severing Ties Series Spotlights! These spotlights are a chance for you to nominate someone you know who has “severed ties” in their life in a significant way.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about the money—it’s how you live. It is freeing to not chase the almighty dollar.”
Chad Lee, owner of The Neighbor Kid, once held a steady, good-paying corporate job. As someone who never really settles for the “status quo”, he took a promotion and soon knew it was the beginning of the end. He noticed a shift in mentality as he took on more responsibility and was pressured to fit a certain mold in the workforce. As he began to lose sleep at night, he decided it just wasn’t worth it. Life is too short.
About a month prior to turning in his resignation, feeling inspired while drinking a couple of beers—because, of course—he came up with his exit strategy to start a handyman service. He would call it The Neighbor Kid. This new business didn’t require any start-up loans and he could easily flip a switch when he was ready to make the leap and start offering his services.
Perfect.
“If you want to work, you’ll always be ok,” he said.
On the night of December 31, 2017 he sent a one line resignation letter and never looked back. To mark the transition, he “severed” ties by getting rid of all of his suits and ties, and now owns one dress shirt “for marrying and burying”.
Since severing ties he now kicks his feet up and cracks a beer at three in the—I mean, feels less stress, a sense of purpose and doesn’t have to fit a certain narrative. Not to mention the freedom and flexibility of choosing when he wants to take a vacation, or shave. He is helping people, making an impact, providing for his family and having fun along the way.
This is what severing ties is all about. We raise our glasses and say “cheers!” to Chad for taking a leap of faith, and for making a big life change in order to be happier with the one life we have.
Here’s to severing ties in life and drink and pursuing your passion!
Have you or someone you know recently severed ties in a big way? Click below to learn more and submit a nomination!