Hi, I’m Business Bleu Cheese

(Aging, Career Pivots, and the Fine Line Between Expiration Dates and Reinvention)

The Epiphany Moment

I used to gag at the thought of bleu cheese, and now I crave it. Not just tolerate it—crave it. What happened? Did my taste buds mature? Did I unknowingly join a secret society of people who suddenly like foods they used to hate? Or, in the most disturbing theory yet, is my body craving mold because I am mold?

A Childhood Culinary Crime Scene

This brings me back to an early traumatic food experience, a big family holiday gathering. My tiny four-year-old self, locked in an unspoken battle of wills with a plate of cold mashed potatoes and cold peas. Why cold? Because I had been sitting there for what felt like eons, perfecting my strategy of “if I wait long enough, maybe I’ll get out of eating it.” I was wrong.

My grandpa was a kind, well-intentioned man who believed in The Clean Plate Club and my inevitable induction into it. He decided to speed up the process, scooping up a big, unfortunate bite of mashed potatoes and peas, and feeding it directly into my unsuspecting taste buds. But my body had other plans. It refused.

His next move? Milk.
“Here, kiddo, wash it down with this.”

Oh. Perfect. Because you know what really helps a struggling, gagging child force down cold, mushy regret? Dairy.

That’s when it happened. A projectile expulsion of food, straight back onto my grandpa’s lap, wooden leg and all, forever ensuring my dishonorary discharge from The Clean Plate Club.

To this day, I love fresh garden peas, but I won’t come within a can opener’s reach of cooked legumes. The texture betrayal runs too deep.

Taste Buds Change, Just Like Careers (and Tolerances)

Turns out, we’re not meant to keep the same preferences forever. Science says our taste buds evolve every 5-7 years. Meaning that if I used to hate bleu cheese, but now order it like it’s my life's purpose, that actually makes sense.

And if our food preferences can change, then why do we assume our careers, interests, and life goals have to stay the same forever?

This brings me to one of the greatest films of its time: The Seven Year Itch. Marilyn Monroe. Iconic dress. A guy married for seven years and suddenly rethinking his life choices. Classic.

And not entirely unrealistic.

If my taste buds have done a complete personality shift every 5-7 years, so has my career path, my business mindset, and what I’m willing to tolerate. So why do we guilt ourselves into believing we have to do the same thing forever?

Where This Ties Into Business (And Why I Am Business Bleu Cheese)

Society has drilled into us the idea that you should pick a career and stay in it until the end of time—as if changing your mind or pursuing new interests is somehow failure instead of growth.

But here’s the reality: people evolve.

Take me, for example. I grew up thinking I’d go into healthcare. Instead, I ended up creating a soap company that manufactured bath bombs for over 10,000 retailers. Then I opened two trendy gift and confectionery boutiques. Then I ran an intimate live music lounge. And now? Writing, podcasting, and telling these stories.

None of those businesses were remotely the same. But the common thread?
Customer service. Experiences. Creativity. Adaptability.

Pivoting isn’t failure—it’s an upgrade. And yet, the minute someone decides to try something new, the world loves to slap labels on them:

📌 “You’re unfocused.”
📌 “You’re flighty.”
📌 “You need to settle down.”

I call B.S. on that.

If you’re happy and contributing to society, how can anyone tell you you’re not on the right path?

Today’s Workforce: Why Pivoting Is the New Norm

Once upon a time, you could dedicate your life to a company, put in 40 years, and retire with a pension, a gold watch, and maybe even a cake that said "Thanks for your service!" in questionable frosting handwriting.

Today? Companies are phasing out pensions, replacing them with “good luck, save your own money” plans like 401(k)s. Translation: loyalty isn’t what it used to be, and staying in one place forever isn’t common practice anymore.

So, if you feel the itch to pivot, there’s nothing wrong with that. But—and this is a big but—you don’t want to pivot straight into financial ruin or a personal crisis. Before you flip your desk and announce a career change, let’s go over when it’s NOT the time to make your big move.

🚩 When NOT to Pivot Careers:

• Your Bank Account Says No.
  If you don’t have at least a few months' worth of savings, making a big move might not be the vibe. Changing careers is great; accidentally cosplaying as a broke college student again? Less great.

• You Have Zero Transferable Skills.
  Wanting to switch to a totally different field is exciting… until you realize you have nothing on your resume to back it up. Not every job needs a degree, but if you’re switching from accounting to alpaca farming, maybe take a class first?

• You’re Just Having a Bad Day.
  Quitting because your boss was annoying a few times is like breaking up with your partner because they forgot to take the trash out. Do some soul-searching before making life-altering decisions.

• You Got Peer-Pressured Into It.
  Just because everyone else is doing it (or you saw a TikTok that convinced you to start a mushroom farm) doesn’t mean it’s for you. Your career is YOURS. Don’t make decisions based on someone else’s midlife crisis. Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to buy an old bus and drive across country? Lots.

So… When IS It Time to Pivot?

Ask yourself:
✔ Am I dreading work more than usual, or is this just a phase?
✔ Have I outgrown this role, or am I just burnt out and need a break?
✔ Do I have a financial plan to support myself through a transition?
✔ Would I actually be happier doing something else, or does the idea just sound fun?

If you answered yes to the right ones (not just the ones that validate your escape plan), then maybe it's time. Pivoting careers isn’t reckless—it’s strategic evolution. Just make sure you’re pivoting toward something better, not just away from something annoying.

What foods did you used to hate but now love? If the answer is black licorice, I have follow-up questions. Also, have you ever pivoted careers, or are you still hanging on to something that makes you miserable? Let’s discuss.