How It All Began

A Sophisticated Loser is an unusual name and seems a bit antonymic, however as this, and subsequent blogs are written and explored, it will become more apparent how they really can meld together in life experiences and setbacks. I will explore how one can become a Sophisticated Loser but first I will define how the phrase and ultimately a lifestyle became to be.

Most of my career was in the finance world in which I gained a lot of experience and was ultimately respected by those in my sphere of influence. I remained in this line of work for a number of years, then life happened.

I experienced a major life change and needed to explore other options for myself, getting out of my little niche in my part of the world. I began working for a client and loved that job, life was good again.

Family often will determine what direction one goes in life. Once again I deviated from my course and left the new niche I had created for myself. I followed my son’s family to another town, three hours from where I had currently lived. Remember that job I really liked? Well moving three hours away was not going to be an option to continue.

I set out to find employment in my line of work, a job I could do remotely.  After reaching out to my contacts and connections, I landed a job that I could successfully do in the town where I lived. At least I thought it was going to be successful. I was only two months with the new employer when I realized that this company was not for me. I had run a successful branch, worked for a major corporation and this was just not a fit. Once again, I used my connections to explore other opportunities.

It wasn’t long before I was able to find another remote job. Life was once again on an even keel, but not for long! I promise, I am getting to my topic.

The industry in which I worked had its ups and downs and in the current environment, it was in a down cycle. When down cycles occur in businesses, it usually means one thing, cutbacks. Yes, I was on that list of people that were going to get let go.  I took a turn, jig jagged as you will.

Over the past year and a half, I went from a great, lucrative job to now getting laid off by a mid-size employer with no real plans in the works. I became concerned if I was going to be able to find anything in my line of work, a good career I had built.

At this point of my life, I took frequent walks around my neighborhood with my friend. On one of those days we were talking about my unemployment, my career and what was going to be the next phase of my life when I suddenly shouted out, “I’m just a Sophisticated Loser,” and immediately positioned my thumb and pointer finger into an “L” and placed it on my forehead.

For the rest of the walk, we talked about what the meaning of a sophisticated loser and what really was a Sophisticated Loser and the concept and company began its inception.

One goes through obstacles in life, how they are handled defines you. Be a Sophisticated Loser!