Started From The Bottom
So lately I have been receiving a ton of emails asking how I got started in this industry. While extremely flattered, I can't help but wonder why me- is it because of my followers on Instagram or because of my hilarious wit on my blog- I would like to think the latter.
My professional education is in marketing. My undergrad and marketing (both from Ball State), were in marketing. Yes, I graduated with my MBA at the age of 22. Yes, I received my undergrad in 3 years. Yes, I worked my ass off during college. Guess what- they all laughed while I worked. Now I laugh while they work (just kidding, kind of, not really).
So, my MBA was in marketing. Now what the hell do I do???!?!? Ahh job! Well good thing for me, I network really well and I received a job at a digital marketing agency the day after I graduated with my MBA. Picture perfect- right. It was. I worked there for 2 1/2 years. During this time as an account manager, I worked on some very large digital marketing projects for clients such as Menards, HGTV, Owens Corning, etc (when I say big projects, I mean apps that cost over $1,000,000).
During my big-girl-cubicle job, I learned a lot about the digital space and what it takes to market a brand and yourself in the social world. During this time, I began to build my own name and my own brand via instagram. I simply started posting things that had value (i.e: recipes, workouts, etc). And then I started competing and was submerged in the world of bodybuilding. Fast forward through 6 shows in one year and voila- we are in September 2014.
I really wanted to make sure that I came out of my show season in the healthiest way possible so I started researching fitness nutrition certifications. I then became certified through ISSA in fitness nutrition. This opened up a world of opportunity for me to begin to help people in their fitness journey. And then came the sponsors. I was PROACTIVE in reaching out to companies who I wanted to partner with to promote products. I WROTE LETTERS to these companies that I believed in. I WORKED for the sponsorships that I received.
Off season. Bulking. Woof. I put on 20 pounds in the off season between end of September through beginning of February. I overcame by binge/starve routine I was putting myself through. I was sponsored by amazing companies. And most importantly, I was helping hundreds of clients.
I then was offered the opportunity to work at The Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH at the end of February- stoked? Stoked doesn't even begin to f***ing describe how excited I was. Three days of promoting my first sponsor, Isolator Fitness, and being surrounded by those who shared my dreams and passion- yes please.
Saturday night of the Arnold, all I wanted to do was lift some weights. That's all. There was literally one gym open late enough for me to workout at in Columbus- Lifetime. Headphones in, world off- or so I thought. Mid-glute thrusting workout, I hear a voice "hey, did you compete at the Arnold", ughhhh go away guy- I'm just trying to workout. And then I saw him. And it changed. An instant worlds-colliding-WTF moment happened. We talked about everything, just standing there at the gym sipping BCAAs and talking about dreams and goals.
Fast forward about 14 hours and I'm back working the Arnold booth. And he shows up. And fast forward two weeks. I was offered a marketing position in Columbus that I had been wanting for forever. I quit my job in Toledo, moved to Columbus, and realized I couldn't sit at a desk the rest of my life. I refuse. So, I turned the offer down. And today is my official start of my third week being self-employed. It has taught me how driven and determined my business mind fully is. Oh and that boy? We are dating. And it's something so much more than boyfriend/girlfriend. We are a team and we both get to build this empire together.
Just remember- there is no shortcut to any place worth going. So work hard and put in your time.
My professional education is in marketing. My undergrad and marketing (both from Ball State), were in marketing. Yes, I graduated with my MBA at the age of 22. Yes, I received my undergrad in 3 years. Yes, I worked my ass off during college. Guess what- they all laughed while I worked. Now I laugh while they work (just kidding, kind of, not really).
So, my MBA was in marketing. Now what the hell do I do???!?!? Ahh job! Well good thing for me, I network really well and I received a job at a digital marketing agency the day after I graduated with my MBA. Picture perfect- right. It was. I worked there for 2 1/2 years. During this time as an account manager, I worked on some very large digital marketing projects for clients such as Menards, HGTV, Owens Corning, etc (when I say big projects, I mean apps that cost over $1,000,000).
During my big-girl-cubicle job, I learned a lot about the digital space and what it takes to market a brand and yourself in the social world. During this time, I began to build my own name and my own brand via instagram. I simply started posting things that had value (i.e: recipes, workouts, etc). And then I started competing and was submerged in the world of bodybuilding. Fast forward through 6 shows in one year and voila- we are in September 2014.
I really wanted to make sure that I came out of my show season in the healthiest way possible so I started researching fitness nutrition certifications. I then became certified through ISSA in fitness nutrition. This opened up a world of opportunity for me to begin to help people in their fitness journey. And then came the sponsors. I was PROACTIVE in reaching out to companies who I wanted to partner with to promote products. I WROTE LETTERS to these companies that I believed in. I WORKED for the sponsorships that I received.
Off season. Bulking. Woof. I put on 20 pounds in the off season between end of September through beginning of February. I overcame by binge/starve routine I was putting myself through. I was sponsored by amazing companies. And most importantly, I was helping hundreds of clients.
I then was offered the opportunity to work at The Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH at the end of February- stoked? Stoked doesn't even begin to f***ing describe how excited I was. Three days of promoting my first sponsor, Isolator Fitness, and being surrounded by those who shared my dreams and passion- yes please.
Saturday night of the Arnold, all I wanted to do was lift some weights. That's all. There was literally one gym open late enough for me to workout at in Columbus- Lifetime. Headphones in, world off- or so I thought. Mid-glute thrusting workout, I hear a voice "hey, did you compete at the Arnold", ughhhh go away guy- I'm just trying to workout. And then I saw him. And it changed. An instant worlds-colliding-WTF moment happened. We talked about everything, just standing there at the gym sipping BCAAs and talking about dreams and goals.
Fast forward about 14 hours and I'm back working the Arnold booth. And he shows up. And fast forward two weeks. I was offered a marketing position in Columbus that I had been wanting for forever. I quit my job in Toledo, moved to Columbus, and realized I couldn't sit at a desk the rest of my life. I refuse. So, I turned the offer down. And today is my official start of my third week being self-employed. It has taught me how driven and determined my business mind fully is. Oh and that boy? We are dating. And it's something so much more than boyfriend/girlfriend. We are a team and we both get to build this empire together.
Just remember- there is no shortcut to any place worth going. So work hard and put in your time.
Started From The Bottom
Reviewed by Unknown
on
22:14
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Reviewed by Unknown
on
22:14
Rating:
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