This episode features a conversation with Jeremy Smith, who transitioned from being a sea turtle marine biologist to becoming an exceptional vintage picker in San Diego. It highlights how unexpected turns in life can guide us to remarkable destinations.
From Farmhouse to Vintage Finds
Jeremy is not your typical career path kinda guy. See, Jeremy’s journey started in a rundown farmhouse in Pennsylvania, where his family took on the ambitious project of renovating it themselves. From a young age, he was swinging sledgehammers and mixing cement, learning the ropes of turning something old and worn into something beautiful and functional.
Clueless and Unsure
Now, fast forward to his college years in Tennessee—Jeremy didn’t have a clue what he wanted to do. Like many of us, he stumbled through classes without a clear direction. But life has a funny way of nudging us in the right direction. Jeremy found himself working in construction, which he didn’t particularly love, but it taught him valuable lessons about hard work and perseverance.
The Sea Turtle Detour
Then, enter stage left: sea turtles. Yes, you heard me right. Jeremy’s path took a wild turn when he connected with his high school art teacher who happened to be a sea turtle aficionado. Before he knew it, Jeremy was knee-deep in sculpting sea turtle replicas and attending turtle conferences. Talk about a flip in career direction—from construction sites to sandy beaches!
His newfound passion for marine biology took him from Florida to Barbados and even St. Croix, studying and protecting sea turtles. But life’s twists and turns didn’t stop there. Jeremy eventually landed in sunny San Diego, where he found himself guiding kids on marine biology adventures and later leading whale watching tours.
Roots can Tug
However, as fulfilling as these roles were, Jeremy felt burnt out. He felt the tug of his roots—the love for antiques and vintage items instilled in him by his family. He started dabbling in selling vintage pieces, unsure if it could ever be a “real job.” Sound familiar? That nagging doubt crept in, questioning if this passion project could sustain him financially.
Becoming a Vintage Picker
But Jeremy persisted. He saw potential where others saw old furniture. He saw stories where others saw junk. Slowly but surely, his hobby became his livelihood. He began sourcing unique vintage items, restoring them with care, and finding them new homes where they could be appreciated once again.
Episode Takeaways
What Jeremy’s journey taught me—and what I want to share with you—is this:
Be ok with change, even when it feels uncertain.
Follow your interests, because they often lead you to unexpected and fulfilling places, like a beach filled with sea turtles.
Trust the process, even if the path seems winding and unclear.
Believe in yourself, even if others raise their eyebrows or question your choices, stay true to what lights you up inside.
Advice for Career Flippers
Jeremy’s journey is a good example of how the path can be winding, you may have no idea what you want to do, but ultimately you will be lead to where you're meant to be. His story inspires me to be open to new opportunities, trust my instincts, and not be afraid to take risks. For anyone feeling stuck or uncertain about their career, Jeremy’s experience shows that it’s never too late to create your own unique path.
Connect with Jeremy
Thanks for reading this story on The Career Flipper Podcast!
Every week, I, Jenny Dempsey, chat with folks from all over the globe about their amazing career flips. I dive into stories from every industry imaginable—big flips, small flips, and everything in between, whether they were by choice or circumstance. Sharing these journeys makes me feel less alone in my own career flip from customer service manager to furniture flipper and podcast host, and I really hope it does the same for you.
Don’t miss out—subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts to stay inspired and up-to-date!
Stay Connected
Discover More
Check out Jenny's Furniture Flips on Instagram
Contact Jenny
Have questions or want to be a guest on the show? Tell me about it : hello@thecareerflipper.com
Kommentare