{ Year #Four }

Today, I celebrate year four as a marketing professional. It has not been an easy walk, crawl, or drag to get to this point, but I am excited for this moment. Before I go on and on about the highs and lows of the marketing world, let’s time hop to fully understand my process.

It all started in 1997, when I wanted to be an actress. I loved being on stage and bringing characters to life. It was something I was good at and it taught me how to be dramatic. I learned how to cultivate creativity, improvise, and communicate conveying stories to a variety of audiences.

Drama gave me confidence.

In 2001, I envisioned a life as a fashion designer. That dream brought out the true creative in me. If I could imagine it, I could draw it. If I could draw it. I could produce it. That time in my life was completely extraordinary.

Designing gave me a canvas. 

In 2004, I wanted to be a doctor (don’t laugh). It’s true. I thought that life as a creative was a life that did not pay well. So, I suppressed any careers that did not seem practical. I even declined a teacher’s recommendation to attend a magnet literary arts school to master literature. It was probably my first bad life decision, but I enrolled at the magnet math and science school instead. I attended the magnet program for four years, although I really enjoyed writing. I wrote all over the walls as a baby, on every sheet of paper as a child, stage plays as a teen, and tons of short stories as an adult. It’s a life goal of mine to one day have my words published.

Writing gave me a voice.

In 2006, I shortly grew bored of wanting to be a doctor and needed a creative outlet. That’s when I discovered my love for event planning. In high school I planned everything from homecomings, proms, showers, birthdays, and anniversaries to bowling parties. Planning was another hobby that came natural to me. Event planning was so natural for me that I decided to start a business.

Planning gave me organization. 

In 2008, I realized I wanted a career that allowed me to express myself creatively. I craved a career that accepted my confidence, provided me with a canvas, honored my voice, and appreciated my organization. I still remember sitting in the Director of Magnet Math & Science's office when he asked me to describe myself ten years from that moment. 

I proudly stated:

“I don’t see myself in a white coat (no offense), but instead in a black high wasted skirt. Black brief case, on my cell phone and in a pair of Manolo Blahniks. I am a business professional. Probably a marketer! Very busy and on the go. Sir, I think I want to study business. Marketing is what I’ll study.”

We both sat in shock for a few minutes, but I was empowered. At that moment I finally knew what dream I wanted to pursue, because I could see myself ten years from that moment.  

Foreseeing gave me purpose. 

Now nine years later I am a successful Digital Account Executive for an Advertising Agency celebrating year four as a marketer. At first I was a little worried about what was to come of it, because I started my career in operations, then sales, then reporting & analytics, and then business sales. I thought I’d never get the opportunity to do something that I truly love. During that time I learned a hard lesson from life. No matter how big or small your dream is, you have to work it. Life will not hand you your dream on a silver platter.

After graduating college, I interviewed 2-3 times a week, networked, marketed myself, worked my small business, studied, and took certification courses for three and a half years. It wasn’t easy and I went though many failures. I cried, fought, wished, prayed, fell apart, went crazy, made mistakes, and found myself in many uncomfortable situations. But I never gave up.

Life gave me strength. 

Not giving up on what I foresaw nine years ago really helped me to become the hardworking professional that I am today. I am proud to say that I love my career and I am excited about the many opportunities to come in the next ten years. Growing up, I did have other hobbies and interests that helped me develop the basic skills needed as a marketer. However, my support system, ambition, and self-belief provided me with the foundation for my success. 

Winter 2017