my portfolio
(some of) the personally defining things I've done
Oct 2020 - Present
Echo Mountain Inn
Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Echo Mountain Inn has been providing its guests a place of peace and rest for generations. Originally built as a summer home in the late 1800s, this 125-year-old landmark has functioned as an inn, restaurant, and beloved community hub since the 1930s.
My time at the inn was a much needed reset after the chaos-and-Covid-filled year that was 2020. My official title was Marketing Manager; however, due to the small team size, I was able to get a taste of the entire process of running a hospitality business.
A small sampling of the things I worked on: I created Facebook ads (with conversion rates over 20%), assisted hundreds of guests over the phone and in person, started a blog, helped run events, used Instagram to cultivate community (and 5X-ed their following in the process), scrubbed toilets, designed and co-wrote a commemorative anniversary coffee table book, served food, created processes for the rest of the team… and still managed to explore the beauty of North Carolina in the process.
Aug 2019 - July 2020
Hapday Group
Just like the plot of one too many of those Hallmark movies y’all gorged yourself with over the holidays… this small town girl somehow wound up in the heart of the big city.
Despite being the last place on earth I ever thought I would be, New York City very quickly endeared itself to me. Working for a startup in the international market entry space was an amazing way to learn about different business cultures from around the world. I was initially hired on as a Business Operations Associate, and then six months later was upgraded to Marketing Operations Manager.
During my time there I created process documentation, built a strong following on the company LinkedIn page, became a mini Hubspot expert, launched a company blog, built and executed their marketing strategy, created a brand identity and collateral, learned more than I ever wanted to know about spreadsheets, supported the launch of a sales bootcamp, and created content until I was blue in the face.
It was here that I realized a love for building brands, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating community.
Jan 2019 - Feb 2020
Discover Praxis
When I first heard about Praxis, a professional development and start-up apprenticeship program, I was vehemently opposed to it. In my mind, this was a program for those people who knew they wanted to be the next great mega-CEO, or had started 12 businesses before they were 17, or came out of the womb holding a copy of SPIN Selling. I wasn’t about it. I wanted to help people, not be a sleazy salesperson.
Thankfully, I had a fairly dramatic change of heart – thanks to the divinely inspired words of a family friend (for which I will be forever grateful). During my time in Praxis, I met many people who were approaching their careers from a similar perspective – wanting something better and different than the status quo. Praxis is a launchpad for helping people develop the skills and mindset they need to be successful and impactful in this new business landscape – and world in general.
May 2015 - Aug 2019
The Back 40
Nov 2015 - Aug 2019
The Squadron
I started this young adults small group out of an intense desire for deep connection with people in a world that favors surface level interactions. It started with me and 6 other young women being awkwardly quiet around each other, and has since grown into a weekly gathering of men and women coming together to ask questions, learn, challenge and be challenged, support each other, and grow in their faith.
Though I don’t do the majority of the teaching, I facilitate the evenings to make sure everything stays on track and (mostly) on schedule. I also keep the Facebook group updated with weekly information, co-lead group trips, and organize various activities.
Sept 2017 - Feb 2018
My Midlife Closet
During my time with this style-focused startup, I was involved in many different areas of operation within the company. Though my official role as Product Director was to handle all of the clothing from the moment it came in the door to the time it was shipped out, I also helped the Head of Operations, the Lead Stylist, and the Head of Marketing.
As I transitioned from my role with product to a full-time marketing position, I successfully trained my replacement using the systems and processes I had created during my time in that position. I can give full credit to My Midlife Closet for giving me the business bug—it’s where I learned how exciting running and growing a business can be.
For a more in-depth look at my time at MMC and everything I learned, check out my Medium story about it here.
Aug 2013 - Jan 2017
Youth For Christ
During my time with YFC, I was involved with 4 different programs: OnCall (high school music ministry), Campus Life (middle school after-school program), and Chick Chat (5th grade girls outreach). I started my own small group with girls from Campus Life and was a positive influence and someone they could trust during some of the most intense years of their lives.
In addition to forming and facilitating my own small group outside of the organized Campus Life hours, I ran games, led group discussion, gave talks, was a counselor/leader for multiple camps and retreats, and learned how to interact with an entirely different demographic than I’d ever been exposed to.
Lastly, I was one of the driving forces in getting weekly leadership meetings set up for the extensive group of leaders who were volunteering each week. It was an excellent way of facilitating trust and community within the volunteers, making us an exponentially more effective team of leaders.
Aug 2011 - May 2015
The Main Pointe School of Dance
Though I personally had been dancing for much longer, I was able to instruct a plethora of younger dance classes for all four years of high school. Having the chance to be in charge of classes full of very, very small people was a fantastic learning opportunity. From choosing their music to choreographing their dances, running class on a weekly basis to helping ensure the end-of-the-year recital went smoothly, and even to teaching private 1:1 dance lessons, The Main Pointe was instrumental in helping me develop confidence, presence, and people-organizational skills.