Just how does my story begin? There wasn’t much opportunity granted to me growing up, so going to college wasn’t exactly an option presented to me.  However, I knew I wanted more. I wasn’t quite sure what, but I definitely did not want to be a product of circumstance. I wanted to discover a way to create my own opportunities. And that I did.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,

but I always knew the woman I wanted to be.”

Diane Von Furstenberg

It was a long journey with some mistakes, hiccups and setbacks along the way. The Army was an avenue on that journey that led to college, an MBA and ultimately, success. But most importantly, it led to knowing that I could break the status-quo and accomplish anything as long as I had passion, commitment and perseverance.

I joined the Army right after 9/11 and spent 6 years AND 10 days in it. I find it difficult accepting “thank yous” from those who learn I served. Gratitude is reserved for those who did a selfless act. Not me.

Enlisting was completely selfish on my part. The PC answer in me should say I joined because I was patriotic. Because I watched as the towers came down and as we all died a little bit that Day. I watched the news as sirens blared and people panicked, I heard hearts weeping, spirits breaking and felt the pain that shot through the veins of this country, piercing it’s soul and forever changing us all. Sounds good, right? But that’s not it. The truth is, I wanted to join for quite some time. When 9/11 hit, I was in the middle of the enlistment process. I wasn’t going to let anything or anyone stop me, not even terrorists. I was going to do what I set out to do. And so, I did.

I wasn’t going to let anything or anyone stop me, not even terrorists.

I was going to do what I set out to do. And so, I did.

I share this because it speaks to the very core of who I am. Determined. I have carried these qualities with me throughout my career and believe they contribute to the success of my journey and my digital marketing work. There’s no time to become complacent in the digital space or you will quickly fall behind. You must always want more and continuously want to improve current initiatives. You have to consistently look for, disrupt or create that next great digital opportunity; whether it’s to improve the customer experience or grow the digital footprint.

That’s my story, well part of it…
Read more on how this journey contributed to my career.