It all started in 2004: burned out from a day-and-night job in an agency, I suddenly had to choose between carrying on and doing things differently. Since such decisions are not made overnight, I spontaneously booked some thinking time: 14 days in New York – alone. My friends declared me completely crazy, and in a way, it was. As soon as I sat down in my seat on the plane, my neighbor introduced himself – his name was Mason and he was a blues musician from Manhattan. Without thinking, I introduced myself: 'Julie'. Why that came so naturally to my lips is only clear to me today: in contrast to my first name 'Ulrike', my middle name 'Julia' always somehow stood for my softer side. And it was crystal clear that the tough, toiling, rational Ulrike should not come along to New York. The next 14 days passed by like a film – jazz clubs, blues bars, Central Park, the Empire State Building, meeting new people every day... I blossomed like someone stepping out of a cave for the first time and seeing the sunlight.
To cut the story short: I was to return to the city that never sleeps. For almost a year and a half, I lived in Brooklyn and worked in Midtown. Or rather: Julie lived there. When I returned, I picked up where I left off: a 'better' job, more responsibility, even more work. Julie disappeared, Ulrike was back. It took me almost another 10 years to arrive where I am now.
'Julie Shines' stands for being true to oneself, always and everywhere, no matter where you are. I believe that only then can you truly radiate the glow that slumbers within each of us. And shine.
I believe everybody can shine – find out what you love and do it. Don’t be afraid.