From the outside Francesca Lando had a successful corporate career, but inside she knew her heart wasn't in it. Here, she shares how she transitioned to a fulfilling creative path, while finding her tribe along the way.
Name
Francesca Lando
Old Position
Advertising manager
New Career
Professional artist
What work were you doing previously?
I spent years hiding behind an international management career in the advertising sector, working for some of the biggest brands and marketing agencies in the world.
What are you doing now?
I’m a professional artist.
Under the name of Immuto (latin for ‘I transform’), I create immersive installations and narratives to explore human connections in collaboration with other cross-discipline artists and scientists.
I’ve also started to create courses and online communities to help others live a more creative and expansive life.
Why did you change?
My previous career was very successful on the outside, but not so much on the inside.
I felt like I was wearing a mask that didn’t fit me, pretending to care about things I didn’t care about anymore.
I was taken aback by the sight of a bitter and resentful face staring at me. Where had gone the bundle of joy I used to be? I knew at once that something had to change.
I’ve wanted to make art for as long as I can remember, but I believed I wasn’t good enough.
I pushed my creativity back until I got to the point I’d no choice but exploring what was calling to me so strongly.
Are you happy with the change?
Yes. Being able to call myself an artist is a dream come true.
What do you miss and what don’t you miss?
What I miss the most from my office time is the financial ease that came with it. I could be sick or show up half-heartedly and still receive a full salary at the end of the month.
I don’t miss having to sell ideas I didn’t believe in.
How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible?
My previous career paid well, so at the beginning I had some savings I could rely on.
Because the income coming from my artistic practice is still hardly predictable, I continue to leverage my marketing experience to freelance as a communication consultant, now in the arts sector.
And getting my initially sceptical husband on board has been key as well. I feel lucky to know that he has my back when things get tough.
What was the most difficult thing about changing?
The most difficult thing was to believe in myself and in my dreams, instead of thinking I was going crazy.
Especially at the beginning, when my new career path was still far from clear, my friends and relatives kept wondering what was wrong with me – and I did too. I had a beautiful family and a beautiful life in a beautiful city. And a stellar job as well!
How could I want to quit that?
What do you wish you’d done differently?
I wish I’d have asked for more help.
I used to think that I should be able to figure things out on my own. Or that I should at the very least explore all possible solutions before asking for as little help as possible.
I’ve now learned that the real gold is in asking myself ‘Is there anybody or anything else that could help me with this?’.
What would you advise others to do in the same situation?
Learn how to hear and trust the whispers of your heart.
It will bring you to your very own joy.
