Surf Careers: Jocelyn Lu, Marketing Business Owner.

It has been a little quiet on the Seafoam Blog lately. 
The last few months, my other job of supply teaching took over for a little while. (Got to pay the bills..) But we are back with the Surf Careers Series and we are back in Canada once again!

We speak to Jocelyn Lu, 36 from Whistler, Canada. 
She combines her passion for the outdoors with running her own marketing business, Rainfield Marketing. Find out how marketing can give your career a boost, without having to let go of your surfing or outdoor passions.

 

Jocelyn, when did you start surfing?

I started surfing when I was teenager going to Waikiki in Hawaii every year during spring break. In my late twenties, I moved to the Gold Coast in Australia for a year to pursue my MBA and fell in love with surfing!! Since then, I’ve been doing various surf retreats and camps around the world in Australia, Tofino, Bali, Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, California to fill my surfing fix and keep the skill up!

You are now 36 and have been surfing for years, how did this influence your career choice?

I just started my own marketing strategy, campaign/project management business called Rainfield Marketing. I wanted to start my own business so I had more freedom, live anywhere and take off to go surfing, snowboarding or enjoy other outdoor activities.

"I wanted to start my own business so I had more freedom, live anywhere and take off to go surfing, snowboarding or enjoy other outdoor activities."

What did you study and did surfing influence your choice of studies?

I studied Sports & Leisure Management and Marketing to pursue career in marketing, not specifically with surfing in mind. My mom inspired me to try it as I was interested in sports.

What did you love and/or dislike about your choice of Sports & Leisure Management and Marketing?

I loved that it was related to sports. I didn’t like that it was very general, not super specific, which was hard to relate to a role in workforce. It can be good too as it left it open to pursue anything I wanted.

Now you are running your own business, could you take us through a typical working day?

-Morning - do a run or go ride my mountain bike or hike - basically something outside as I live in a beautiful place.
-Afternoon to Evening - build my business/look for clients/contracts, work with clients on their campaigns - contests, social media, develop strategies

"Perks are that I have the freedom to set my own hours and enjoy all the outdoor activities that I love. If I wanted to hop on a plane and do a surf trip, I could at any time."

Is your work what you expected it would be when you studied Sports & Leisure Management and Marketing ?

Honestly this was not the actual work I was expected to do. I knew I wanted to be in business but I didn’t know I wanted to start my own marketing strategy and campaign/project management business. When I worked as an account/project manager in advertising and started helping clients with their projects, thats when I had the inspiration to start my own business and see the tangible results!

What are the perks/down sides of the job?

Perks are that I have the freedom to set my own hours and enjoy all the outdoor activities that I love. If I wanted to hop on a plane and do a surf trip, I could at any time. If I wanted to ride my bike, I could whenever. Downside is sometimes the client work is up with lots to do and then down to a trinkle, which means less income.

Who would you recommend marketing and management studies to?

Anyone who has an entrepreneurial spirit, is bold and courageous, takes risks, loves freedom to set own hours and enjoys the outdoor lifestyle. My education took me to Australia where achieved my MBA and fell in love with surfing!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I see myself working with great similar-like minded clients in surfing related companies, adventure tourism or sustainability plus surfing, snowboarding and mountain biking as much as I can!

Any other advice for people who are looking to combine watersports passion with work?

I think you have to be an entrepreneurial minded individual and start your own business or work in a company that is similar minded that really cares about work life balance and offers remote type work so you can work from anywhere and pursue your water sports passion.

Anyone looking to pursue your own business, remember that the adventure begins outside your comfort zone, take that risk, stay stoked and pursue your passion! I did it!

learn more about what I started at www.rainfieldmarketing.com or on Facebook/Instagram @rainfieldmarketing