Alice Teh Larsson

I came across this in Working Backwards by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr, and it made me think about how my own professional choices might look from the outside.

“As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time.”

My background spans project management, business analysis, and executive support. Today, I also draw on that experience as the founder of Huskvarnas Kattvakt.

Put those together on a LinkedIn profile, and I can see how someone might wonder, Where is she going with this?

Does starting a cat-sitting business mean I’m leaving my professional experience behind? Does having several interests suggest I lack direction?

These are possible interpretations, although they don’t reflect how I see my work. I’m willing to be misunderstood.

Running a one-person business draws on much of what I’ve learned over the years: understanding customer needs, planning around constraints, communicating clearly, and following through on commitments. I chose it because I care about cats.

Caring for someone’s cat also carries a very personal responsibility. The owners are trusting me with a companion they love and access to their home. I’m like the cat’s PA.

So how do all these fit together?

The connection makes sense to me: I enjoy being useful, bringing structure to everyday work, and giving people peace of mind. I can build a business serving the subjects I care deeply about and value the professional experience I bring to it. Both belong on my profile.

And I’m willing to be misunderstood. For long periods of time.