Right before the Christmas holidays I did something impulsive… I saw a job posting on Twitter for a marketing agency I’d met through reviewing the faith-based film, “Overcomer” last summer. They were hiring! After sending the job posting to a few friends who I knew were looking for work (I am truly a 2w3 on the enneagram personality test), I thought to myself… WHY NOT ME?!
After working from home in the digital engagement / influencer marketing space since 2008, was I prepared to go back into a 9-5 office environment? Not just working for someone else, but early mornings, going all day… at the age of 47? Just being honest here… I’ve called the shots for the last 12 years and I’ve been able to do it 90% of the time in my comfy clothes from my sofa/office! I’ve been able to take a nap every afternoon if I wanted… only wear makeup on Sundays for church or for the rare in-person meeting with a client. I haven’t had to set the alarm clock in a decade. Boo-Hoo, right?!
Back to what I was trying to say in the first place… I swallowed all my self-doubt and sent in my resume.
New Year! New Job!
On January 6th of this year, I started in my new contract position as Digital Engagement Manager at Graf-Martin Communications in Elmira, Ontario. The headshot I submitted for their website is from 2011. I had good hair going on then.
I’m two weeks in and I’ve already learned a lot. We’re working mostly with faith-based films (if you’ve seen a faith-film in a Canadian theatre over the last decade, you have my boss to thank for that), Christian authors and non-profits from across Canada. I’ll be managing consumer programs, digital engagement, and helping with anything else I can. I’m especially excited to learn more about brand consultation and strategy… and podcasting!
New Podcast!
A super cool new initiative JUST LAUNCHED…. and again, something I’m over-the-moon to learn the ins and outs of… The Change Makers Podcast with Graf-Martin Communications founder, Ellen Graf-Martin. Season one has been recorded and a few episodes are now available to enjoy.
What kind of Shash (2w3 on the enneagram test remember) would I be if I didn’t share with you my favourite episode so far?!
Wall Street Journal best-selling author Holley Gerth sits down with my boss to talk about the founding of the groundbreaking women’s blogging platform, (in)courage (which I’ve been enjoying for YEARS), the importance of being a proactive leader, and what it’s like to be in leadership and ministry as an introvert. [Listen or Download on Apple]
Other topics Ellen will cover on the podcast this season… as she sits down for some of the best one-on-one honest conversations about ministry, leadership and marketing I’ve ever heard… no holds barred type of convos:
- Leading through grief (I wish I’d heard this back in 2011)
- The price of success
- Loneliness as a leader (they were talking to ME, just didn’t know it)
- Knowing when it’s time to step out
- Succession
- How to choose marketing activities with the most impact, and
- How to invest in both your family and your work
Listen in on: Spotify, Apple , Google Play, Soundcloud, YouTube
So… BACK TO ME! I’m adjusting to early mornings and heavy traffic mixed with buggies, tractors and horse trailers.
I’m adjusting to the work-life balance; I still have 2 high school kids at home with lots of after school activities and full-time church life. My husband is adjusting to preparing dinner 4 days a week… 😉 but mostly; I’m happily adjusting to being surrounded by creative people who are kind and talented and are huge capacity people, willing to be patient with me as I learn a whole lot of new and super fascinating marketing stuff!
Stay tuned to see what I get to learn next!
