Tell us a little bit about yourself, how’d you end up in the wild world of advertising and marketing?
You know what’s super fun? When you realize the day before your college graduation you want to work in advertising because someone showed you an advertising agency for the first time. There was not an internship in sight, so I had to pivot. Luckily I landed a pretty exciting role at Hennepin Theatre Trust in Minneapolis and kept my sights on creative work. After a couple years of trusty networking, BBDO MPLS gave me a shot. Once I started working in advertising, it felt like a space where I could plant some roots and grow.
What do you love most about this industry?
There’s a lot to love. But the best part is being surrounded by creative people. The people who like “different.” Who like “weird.” Who like “surprising.” The work is fun, but it’s cyclical and when we make something we have to let it go. But we get to keep the people <3. (If we treat them right and pay them fairly.)
How do you maintain passion and enthusiasm for the work you do throughout the different phases of your life?
Is this the part where we talk about balance? Are we sick of that word yet? But really… passion, enthusiasm, energy — it’s all a finite resource. You can’t “maintain” it. You have to observe it, lean into it when it’s high, and keep looking forward when it’s low.
What about the MPLS MadWomen mission resonates with you?
All we ever want to do is elevate women. Elevate them in their roles. Elevate them as a group in our market. Contribute to the larger movement of elevating women in our society. Trying to close gaps. Every day. And it’s a big, big honor to be one small part of that movement.
What is one thing you would change about the current state of our industry? And how do you think your work with MPLS MadWomen can help create this change?
The pay gap is just… *sigh*. It’s real, and it’s deeply unfair. A critical theme to this year’s work with MPLS MadWomen is addressing this pay gap. Creating more awareness, and providing more tools and information to women to close it.
What is one thing you think women in the industry can do to support each other on a daily basis?
More listening. More cheering. More hugging. More focus on bringing more women into power.
If you could give your recent college-grad self just one piece of advice what would it be?
This question is tough! I generally don’t look back and wish things were different (I once heard that regret is the most useless emotion of them all). But I might tell myself that you can do more than just “work” and “personal.” You can volunteer, you can have a side hustle, you can do passion projects. It would have been cool to stretch and grow those muscles earlier in life.
If you had to choose any career path besides your current one, what would you want to be when you grow up?
Ok this one’s easy. I’ve been thinking about making this my side hustle for years. I want to help people who hoard or experience excessive clutter. Maybe by writing this, I’m finally putting this into the universe.