(For the next two weeks, The Free Press Journal will bring you an innovative series on Unconventional Careers, one unique story everyday. Continue reading to learn more about young people who took chances, braced all odds and used their tenacity to make it big. Simona Terron is the subject of today's tale.)
“Everybody knows that humans are not 2D. We are multidimensional beings. So then why are we trying to teach ourselves and the younger generation that we have to pick only one thing in life? Let’s celebrate the different facets of ourselves and stop throwing ourselves and others into boxes.” says Simona Terron who followed her passions consistently and explored a multitude of professions. Let us know more about her journey.
Excerpt from our exclusive interview with Simona.
How did you enter into freelancing from being a full time journalist?
I started my career as a journalist as I wanted to pursue something other than a nine-to-five job, and journalism allowed me to chase stories dynamically. Soon, I started to feel very frustrated not seeing enough changes taking place. We needed more changemakers working on the ground fearlessly. I realized we did not have to wait to become a millionaire and retire to do good work. We can do it daily at a small scale if we want to make a change and therefore, I started The Bicycle Project with my friends. Simultaneously I got a call to participate in a voiceover contest which I won and embarked on my career as a voiceover artist along with my day job. For many years, these were the primary pursuits that shaped my career.
I wanted to pursue something other than a nine-to-five job | File Photo
Which work experience has been the most meaningful to you?
In 2016 I quit my day job and became a social media manager. I had learned how social media worked at that job and that was when I realised that digital was the future. I started teaching womenpreneurs who were starting their business while also struggling to run their home, taking care of their kids, and social commitments. Social media is a powerful tool for them but they need to learn how to harness that tool. I have also been guiding heritage walks that went beyond the textual histories of a place since 2007 and continue to do so as the Beloved Badass Bombay City Guide.
Doing everything at once also makes us feel like we are not doing enough. | File photo
You’ve spent a large part of your formative years in Journalism. In what ways do you think it has impacted your life today?
The alchemy where you can take simple ingredients and make beautiful food items has always fascinated me. As a journalist, I have covered food stories for a long time. In 2017, I started my food podcast with basic technical resources. Soon, it grabbed the attention of The Indian Express who commissioned a podcast about food in Mumbai city, and they took care of its production, marketing and promotions. Following the success of this podcast, I received many questions about starting and running a podcast. I conducted a 5-day workshop for 22 students at Ecole Intuit Lab, a French institute in Prabhadevi, Mumbai where they published finished podcast episodes at the end of the workshop. My love for food and cooking also materialised in my home kitchen during the pandemic, which I operated under the avatar I had created for my first podcast, called The Heart Chef.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a freelancer?
Freelancing can become stressful at times as it does not provide a fixed income at a fixed time. Doing everything at once also makes us feel like we are not doing enough. Despite this, the best part of doing what you love is that you do not feel the need to unwind from it. Even if a dynamic journey like mine seems physically exhausting, it is extremely satisfying. Corporates could have paid me way more money had I stayed there, but currently, I am happy with less. I have built multiple sources of income for myself. The pandemic has taught us that a single source of income can vanish in minutes.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a freelancer?
My advice for people who are unfulfilled with what they are doing or want to explore everything that they love would be to accept that it is not easy at all. It’s fun but tiring. At the end of the day, it brings an immense amount of satisfaction and freedom. Today, I am proud of my hard-won success and love my freedom. Life is too short so spend it doing things you love with people you admire and respect!
(If you have an interesting tale of someone who has dared to go against the grain, please email us at fpjournaledu@gmail.com)
