My Professional Journey

I’ve dabbled in different industries since high school. A law firm, a chiropractic office, a financial institution, and a state college to name a few. I am naturally a go-getter with a strong work ethic. Before graduating high school I worked in agriculture. Working cattle, orange groves, U-picks, and I even ventured into raising market animals for buyers.

The entrepreneurial heart was strong in me, even as a teen. I used this business model as a project in 4-H so I learned young how to keep records, finances for a small business, marketing the product, how to sale and follow up with customers, proper customer service, and taking ownership in every aspect of the business.

I don’t expect after five years of being somewhere to have the same knowledge, skill set, and abilities as when hired on because I treat every opportunity as if it were my own business. therefore, I don’t expect to be in the same position after five years either.

That’s not exactly how the corporate world or being an employee works though. So, I’d find myself frustrated, overworked, and underappreciated…or just plain being taken advantage of. My performance level became “normal” to management so I was expected to give more or not slack, regardless of health challenges arising.

In 2015, my husband and I started a firearms business.

In 2015 I had also started printing my own planner so that I could keep up with being a full time student, federally regulated business owner, full time employee, teaching weekly church classes with my husband, and managing my chronic illnesses.

In 2017, I left a corporate career due to frustrations and health complications, and began working part time at a state college. This allowed us to slowly grow our business a little more.

I also started embracing that my ‘normal’ was going to look a little different in the future. I could keep fighting it and be stuck in the same cycle or I could embrace it and move forward.

I returned to taking college classes to finish my 2 year degree with emphasis on business and digital graphics electives. But, I stopped less than two semesters from completion. I had health challenges that had to be managed yes, but I also realized I was trying to build a resume for a job and working for someone else just didn’t fit me, my personality, my goals, or my health needs.

I realized everything I had also been diving into online to learn about online businesses, freelancing, and graphic design had so far helped me keep a 4.0 GPA in college courses and become a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society too. I found myself bored with class work and a lot of time already having a good enough understanding of the topic that I flew through it.

In 2017, people started wanting their own copy of my planner so I started doing mini versions as gifts on the side to help others. I sold a few but for the most part I was just sharing what I had to help others.

In 2019, I launched the first edition of a planner specifically useful to entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and parents with chronic illness or managing chronic illness was placed on my heart. 

In early 2020, I founded a business with a friend,  Tasteful & Creative LLC.  I am a designer, creator, and online business manager. We create custom accessories, apparel, and designs… so far.

In July 2020, I resigned from data entry at the local college to pursue growth of our businesses.

In 2021 I started doing some public speaking on marketing and branding. I became Accreditation Management Certified to fill the need of a local client but I realized as good as I am with admin things…I’m passionate in the creative space. So, I began taking on design clients. At the same time I attended destination marketing summits, branding trainings, marketing classes, and design courses.

In 2022 I embraced my inner designer and finally started charging for the services I’ve been “just helping out” others with for years. Using this passion and knowledge set in CiC to help the chronic community build businesses while nurturing their health is my goal. I still do client work specifically in the Outdoors Industry but all my trainings and educational pieces are found in CiC.