Next steps

Four and a half years ago, when I walked through the door of Thirty-One, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had been drifting from job to job for the past 8 years, hoping for a career. Unfortunately, the economy was such that I didn't have a lot of choice when it came to the companies that would take me. I was at their mercy and I was literally begging for opportunities. So, my first job out of college was in a glorified call-center for an auto glass company. I lasted a year. Thankfully, because I had two, very specific key words on my resume, I was offered a job at an auto glass distributor. I jumped at the opportunity and learned the world of shipping, logistics and inventory management. As exciting and interesting as it was, it wasn't my passion and it wasn't what I wanted to do. Thankfully, the team that I worked for knew where my heart was and really supported me as I went to school and earned my Master's Degree in Marketing & Communications. At the time, I thought that it would be the magic piece of paper that would let me into the marketing world. Instead, I found myself with "too much education and not enough experience."

After a lot of resumes, cover letters and searching, a small marketing agency in Westerville, OH took a chance on me. Desperate, I agreed to a substantial pay-cut and took an entry-level position, on a financial client (non-sexy marketing), dead set on learning about marketing and promotions. After proving myself, I was then moved onto a CPG brand, doing similar work but in a different industry. It was the early 2000's and I had a flip phone. Facebook was a thing, but it wasn't the biggest thing. Then, Twitter came onto the scene and a friend and I decided to sign up, just to see what it was all about. It turns out that signing up for Twitter was the first block of many that would begin to build my career. I didn't know it at the time, but signing up for that account was one of those pivotal moments that you look back on with relief and gratitude.

Also happening at this time, brands were beginning to cautiously embrace social media as a way to connect with their consumers. I happened to be in the right place at the right time when the CPG brand that I worked on was willing to test the waters, so suddenly I was the voice of their brand on Facebook and Twitter. Content marketing wasn't a thing. Brands didn't have a social media strategy. I came up with posts on the fly. Engagement was free. Videos and graphics weren't necessary. We just talked to people and braced ourselves for the good, the bad and the crazy. BUT - because I had chosen to embrace the newest platform...Twitter, I was given the chance to be a part of those early conversations. I absolutely LOVED it. I have a vivid memory of coming home one day and telling Nick about what I had done during the day...explaining how Hootsuite worked and how I used it to manage multiple social media accounts. He looked straight at me and said, "Honey, I think you found your passion."

After a year or so of that and around four years at the agency, I wanted a change. I wanted to see what it was like on the brand side of the business. Once again, I began a job search that took FOREVER. I applied at many places, interviewed at a few and at the end, I had two offers; one from Thirty-One Gifts and one from the previous financial client. At that point, I knew three things: 1. I wanted out of the agency life, 2. I had limited options and 3. I was ready for an adventure. So, I signed my acceptance letter and started my very brief career as the world's worst Project Manager at a company that I had never heard of in an industry that I knew nothing about. I know now that I was on a really defined path that was completely and totally out of my control.

When I walked through those doors, almost five years ago, I walked in as a drifter...with some experience, two degrees and no real career. I began working on the Project Management team, realizing quickly that it wasn't the best fit for me. I'm someone who wants to roll up their sleeves and get things done, so being in the role of "overseer" and "reporter" wasn't the best fit for me. I gave myself a year to either make a move within the company or make a move out the door. Nine months later, I was given the opportunity to take on Thirty-One's social media presence, and of course I jumped. I was the only candidate that they considered and it was all because I had managed a large community of fans in my past position....something I was invited to do because I knew how "to Twitter."

During my time here, social media has progressed at lightening speed. Things in the space continue to evolve and change. Experts come and go and networks pop up and disappear. I've been lucky to have gotten in at the ground floor of a movement and trend that doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. I started out posting things on the fly and slowly watched as the organization changed and we received more support from talented writers, designers and photographers. I watched as reach increased, peaked and declined as Facebook and other networks became pay to play. This job and company gave me a platform to educate others on the proper use of social media, opportunities that I will be forever grateful for.

Now, almost five years later, it is time for me to make another move. This time though, thanks to those experiences and challenges, I am in the driver's seat. I've become an accidental expert in the field. A marketing professional that specializes in social media. It happened so gradual, and became second nature to me, so I almost didn't realize that it happened at all. I can't begin to articulate though how appreciative I am of my newfound direction, passion and purpose. Looking back, I've seen so many "God winks," that have and continue to pave my path to my next step. I wish I could sum everything up in one word or blog post, but there aren't enough words to describe the things that I've learned or the people that I've met. I can tell you that I'm walking out the door a different person than I was when I walked in.

It would be impossible to list everything that this job has given me. I've made amazing friends, unbelievable professional connections and have had opportunities that I never even imagined. (I've also added a lot of new t-shirts and Tervis tumblers to my collection too!) I have had the chance to volunteer and give back. I've seen faith in action. I have been embraced by a community that I didn't even know existed. Have there been challenges? Of course. But without the challenges that I've worked through, I wouldn't be ready to jump head first into yet another new chapter of my life.

So to everyone that I've worked for or with at Thirty-One, past or present. Thank you. I couldn't take this next step in my career path without the kindness and patience that you have given to me. Thank you for supporting me when I stumbled, for celebrating with me when I succeeded and for all of your kind words and encouragement as I leave today tot make this next step.  I can honestly say that I couldn't have done it without you.