After trying to get a traditional PR job with a big-time New York agency, and failing, I nearly gave up. But after praying with a friend, the idea to send my pitch deck portfolio to a recruiting firm popped in my head. And within two weeks, I was working with McCann New York, one of the most well known ad agencies in the world. And the phone never stopped ringing after that. (I also stopped working with recruiters a few years later as this became a straight referral business.)

Now over 12 years later, I have developed this niche consulting firm and have had the pleasure of working with some of the most amazing CEOs, startup founders and high-level executives in their industries.

I’ve been working in the PR & marketing world since I was a junior in college. Here’s a summary of my experience:

• PR Consultant for The Shiny Object Co, Los Angeles: Client work included The Hollywood Tower + other Alliance Residential properties, Los Angeles Athletic Club, Workshop Kitchen + Bar and media relations with ALT987FM, KTLA, Los Angeles Magazine & LA Canvas.

• Communications Associate for Watch This Space, New York: Client work included press research for adtech startups including Distroscale, Mirriad & Social Flow.

• Marketing Consultant for Tache Artisan Chocolate, New York: Helped this small chocolate factory & boutique transform its brand, cater for the New York City Ballet Gala and design a booth for the New York Chocolate Show.

• In my early years in Alabama, I served in various PR & marketing roles for companies like Christopher Architects, New Hope Publishers & Urban Standard.

• And in college, I ran the PR & marketing for the theatre department at Troy University.

Honestly, it just fell into my lap. Funny enough, I majored in Communication Arts and minored in Business in college, so I’m actually doing what I studied, which is rare.

That said, I not only love what I’m doing, I feel called to do it. Oftentimes, I feel like I’m the last line of defense before clients get an investment, so I take this job very seriously.

As someone who runs my own business, I know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck. So I know how important it is to get that funding. And now.