Building My Dream Job (While Raising a Teenager Who Thinks I’m Slightly Bonkers)
Let me tell you something they don’t put in the glossy career guides or polished LinkedIn updates: chasing your dream job as a working mum - especially one with a teenager who thinks you’re mildly unhinged - is messy, emotional, and sometimes downright ridiculous. But it’s also the most empowering thing I’ve ever done.
I haven’t “arrived.” I’m still building. Still dreaming. Still figuring it out. And if you’re reading this with ambition in your bones and chaos in your calendar, then this story is for you.
The Dream That Refused to Stay Quiet
I’ve always had a quiet fire in me. Not the shouty kind, but the kind that flickers every time I feel boxed in. I wanted more than just a job - I wanted impact, creativity, flexibility, and joy. I wanted to lead with warmth and rigour. I wanted to be present for my son - even when he pretends he doesn’t need me.
For years, I worked in big companies - food safety, digital systems, technical governance. I led teams, built systems, delivered audits. I was good at it. But something was missing.
Then came a role that gave me a taste of global leadership. I was shaping policy, driving transformation, and collaborating across continents. It was thrilling. And it made me realise: I didn’t want to go back to playing small.
The Leap (Still Mid-Air)
I didn’t leap into a dream job. I leapt into uncertainty.
I launched Isoera Consulting with a vision: freelance audits, digital transformation, creative educational resources. A consultancy that blended technical excellence with human warmth.
I had no clients, no logo, no roadmap. Just a belief that I could build something meaningful. And a teenager occasionally asking, “Mum, are you sure this is a good idea?”
Spoiler: I wasn’t sure. But I did it anyway.
The Hustle (And the Hope)
Building a dream job isn’t glamorous. It’s gritty.
I write outreach messages while my son is gaming in the next room.
I design Hungarian vocabulary worksheets while reheating last night’s pasta.
I negotiate freelance audit rates while trying to remember football schedules and school events.
I’ve had wins - contracts, collaborations, kind words from strangers. I’ve also had silence, rejection, and moments of doubt.
But every time I take a brave step - post a carousel, send an email, pitch an idea - I feel the dream taking shape.
The Working Mum Balancing Act
Let’s be honest: being a working mum chasing a dream career while raising a teenager is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope.
You need to be available, but also present. Ambitious, but not intimidating. Flexible, but not flaky.
I’ve taken calls with dinner bubbling on the cooker. I’ve turned down projects that didn’t align with my values. I’ve built a consultancy that respects school plays, late-night chats, and quiet Sunday mornings.
Because my dream job isn’t just about work. It’s about life. And I’m building it to fit mine.
The Power of Storytelling
One of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered? Storytelling.
People don’t just hire you for your skills. They hire you for your story. Your why. Your spark.
That’s why I started writing - on Medium, in here, in quiet moments of reflection. I write about leadership, motherhood, spreadsheets, and soul. I write about being a Hungarian mum in the UK, about building a consultancy from scratch, about finding joy in the mess.
And those stories? They’ve opened doors. They’ve built connections. They’ve reminded me that I’m not alone.
The Dream That Keeps Evolving
Here’s the truth: my dream job isn’t a fixed destination. It’s a living thing.
It started with freelance audits. Then came digital transformation projects. Then the educational branch - playful Hungarian vocabulary worksheets for primary learners. Now I’m exploring branding, visual storytelling, and consultancy growth.
Each new chapter is scary. But also thrilling. Because each step brings me closer to the kind of work that lights me up.
So I’m not chasing a static dream. I’m building a dynamic one.
The Advice I Hope You’ll Remember
If you’re chasing your own dream job - or even just thinking about it - here’s what I want you to know:
Your dream job won’t arrive fully formed. You’ll shape it with every brave decision.
Being a working mum is your superpower, not your limitation.
Ambition isn’t selfish. It’s a gift you give your children - permission to dream big.
Rejection isn’t failure. It’s redirection.
Tell your story. Loudly. Often. Unapologetically.
And most importantly: You’re allowed to want more. More joy. More impact. More freedom.
The Real Deal Checklist (Still in Progress)
Here’s my evolving checklist for building a dream job:
Define your dream - What does fulfilment look like for you today? It might change tomorrow.
Audit your skills - What are you brilliant at? What do people thank you for?
Build your brand - Create a presence that reflects your story, not just your CV.
Start small - Offer a service. Write a post. Reach out to one potential client.
Negotiate bravely - Know your worth. Set boundaries. Charge accordingly.
Celebrate every win - First client? Celebrate. First rejection? Frame it—it means you’re officially in business. You’re building something real.
Stay curious - Keep learning. Keep evolving. Keep dreaming.
The Legacy I’m Crafting
I didn’t start building my dream job just for me. I did it for my son. For every mum who’s been made to feel “too much” for wanting more. For every woman who’s been underestimated.
I want my teenager to see that ambition is beautiful. That leadership can be kind. That creativity deserves a seat at every table - from strategy meetings to kitchen chats.
I want him to know that success isn’t about titles - it’s about impact, joy, and integrity.
And I want you to know that your dream job is possible. Not perfect. Not easy. But absolutely possible.
So here’s to the ambitious working mums. The spreadsheet queens. The school-run strategists. The storytellers. The dreamers.
We’re not just chasing careers. We’re building legacies.
And that, my friends, is the real deal.
