The Horizon is Changing

Oh my goodness, I finally did it yesterday, and by that I mean left Yelp. As some of you know by now, I have accepted a new position as head of fundraising for a nonprofit called Think Global Institute. (Whooo!!!!!).  Another big change, I am moving to Denver early January. Whoa. Even as I write this I can hardly believe it's happening. Did I really just leave Yelp yesterday? Am I seriously moving to a state that has snow? Holy crap. 

It's a little bitter sweet. I've been here in Phoenix for 2 years now and so many people here have become like family to me. So many. It's hard to believe that I've only got a couple more months. Although, as of yesterday, our nonprofit officially partnered with ASU so it does appear that there will be some back and forth, which means visits are in order :)

Yelp. Oh Yelp. Yelp was a great run, grew some thick skin (did I mention thick?) during all those cold calls, learned a lot about marketing, and consequently a lot about small businesses and many industries. It was weird leaving yesterday. I was grateful to them for what I've learned, but so, so ready to move on. Talking to (irritable) business owners day in and day out who may or may not have ever run a business before, oh the conversations I've had. Some good, but many frustrating. I am ready for more intelligent conversations and to be working towards a more meaningful goal. Advertising is certainly part of being in business, but our mission at the nonprofit means so much more to me. A shout out to the Yelp kitchen that kept me fed over many lunches. Boca burgers, black bean burgers, every kind of deli meat and cheese, a variety of red bull, my fave. Just kidding, red bull is gross and I'm a (wannabe) health nut. 

If you're interested in reading about my career growth and striving to push the needle forward, read on ;) 

For the last 2 years I've struggled I guess is the best word for it, with trying to figure out what I was meant to do. When I moved to Costa Rica for 3 years after college, I'll be honest. I got really, really lucky. I moved without a plan. I knew I would land on my feet, but I had no idea how. I was lucky to find a job that I adored. It was flexible on my time, my position wasn't limited and by that I mean that while I mainly sold luxury, custom designed (by yours truly) vacations to clients, I also got to give input on website improvements, training methods, our home grown CRM, and more. Oh and I got to travel all the time in a country that I adored for its outdoor activities and pura vida lifestyle, as well as to other countries around the world. 

When I moved to Phoenix, I did the same thing. I moved without a set plan and just figured I'd land on my feet again. Well, I landed on my feet, but I have had career dissonance for some time now. Maybe that is part of being in your 20s. Figuring out what you're good at. What interests you. What stimulates you. What you can see yourself doing for a lifetime.  

It all started a few months into living in Phoenix. I had this idea that I was interested in marketing and started surfing the web for ideas. I came across a listing that needed marketing/PR help for his business consulting. I applied and soon got my feet wet. Over time I grew and eventually went on to work at Yelp. Meanwhile, I kept in touch with the business consultant who became a good friend. Then one day he told me he was starting a nonprofit. A nonprofit that coaches women entrepreneurs around the world. I began working with him and his partner in my free time. It kept me sane from my days at Yelp. It was fulfilling and stimulating, something I desperately needed. I worked as a volunteer because I believed in what we were doing. Imagine my surprise (and delight) and we began to discuss my employment.

There is (career) joy in my heart again. I haven't felt this since Costa Rica and it's amazing. And it doesn't stop there. The nonprofit is a startup. The founders have been working hard over the past year to put everything together, all the while coaching women business owners in all corners of the world. We have been live for a couple months now. It's a very exciting time. Check out our new shiny website: http://thinkglobalinstitute.org/

I think being a part of a startup would probably scare alot of people, but I find it thrilling. Our mission is to empower women in business around the world. To stir economic and social growth. We are building from the ground up, developing models, processes, ideas. I don't know that I could think of another position that I would rather do. 

My role is head of fundraising, working with businesses and foundations to secure funding for our programs. To be clear, TGI is a business accelerator, an incubator. We run 16 week programs with the women and find ways to expand their businesses, structure business models etc. Our first cohort will be mid-February 2014 in Denver. We will also be running a program in Phoenix next year sponsored by ASU. Current international regions of focus are Asia and Latin America, specific locations still pending. (Yay Latin America!! Hello translating opportunity)  

I want to make a specific shout out to the volleyball community here in Phoenix, who in particular has truly been like a family to me, you are such a wonderful group of people. I hope you will keep in touch and come visit. Let's play in the snow! 

And don't forget I'm not moving until January, which means there is plenty of time to hug it out :) 

Karaoke - It's the real deal

So I'm at this coffee shop that I found on Yelp (imagine that). It's kind of awesome. The guys working here are older and were somewhat cantankerous when I was checking out. Turns out they're ol softies that love to sing. I'm absolutely loving it. Their voices are smooth, and the one is just plain soulful. There's about 6 people here, and they totally talked me into doing karaoke. Now I've done this twice in my life with my love miss Chelsee back in Michigan, although I'm not sure it counts because everyone in the bar, including ourselves, were pretty inebriated, and by inebriated I mean trashed. Tonight the only beverage I've had was a vanilla soy late (and well made might I add). My song of choice was When I was your man by Bruno Mars. Love that song. They tell me I did pretty well for a newb and that I should do it more. I have a hunch it might just be because I'm the "youngin" here and we all know how much the old folk enjoy having young whipper snappers (sp?) around ;) 

So I'm looking at this blog and I seem to be posting few and far between. I'm realizing I never gave an update about my old job, which was technology sales. To give you some insight, companies like HP, IBM etc would hire the company I worked for to set sales appointments for them, and then they paid $800-$1000 for the appointment. Sounds good in theory. The reality was the company was poorly managed and I got the heck out of dodge. Fast forward a few months- I am now happily working at Yelp. World of loud music, life size gongs, sporadic catch phrase and more. I do love it there. It kind of reminds me of my job in CR for the fact I can work throughout my day on my own, and yet run around taking beaks as needed, with the understanding that the flexibility comes with a strong work performance. 

I actually just called my mom a few days ago with a work update. Like any sales job, there is always a learning period for the first few months. I was calling to tell her I finally feel like I know what I was doing now. It's a great feeling to go into work feeling confident and like you're about to kick the world's a**.  :D 

This one's gonna be a shortie. Karaoke is closing up shop and it's time to head out. Night kids

New Year's Resolutions, Cliche I Know

Back to blogging my friends. This Sunday I find myself wanting to organize my thoughts on my "New Year's resolutions." I've never really been one to have new year's resolutions, but the more I look back on my last year, the more I realize I'd like to make some changes. And there's a lot of them. I'll list them below, maybe you can relate- 

Blog more. I haven't blogged in ages, but I love doing it! Sometimes I just feel like time gets away from me. No wait. It always gets away from me. Maybe being more punctual should be on this list ;) 

Do more social activities that don't involve going to the bar. (Dont' misunderstand, I'm not going to stop going to the bar, just add more social activities to the mix :D )

     Some of these may include: a scuba dive club (yes they exist in the desert), Toastmasters, volunteering for the AMA (American Marketing Association), and some other cool marketing groups that I have recently discovered on linkedin

Go to church. Can anyone recommend a good nondenominational option? I used to go to this amazing church called Mars Hill when I lived in Grand Rapids, Mi. I was so lucky to get to listen to Rob Bell  a pastor who actually travels the nation speaking and relates the bible to every day life. If I could find a place to go to similar to the experience I had there, I would be there every Sunday. 

Reach out to my family more. Living in Costa Rica and now Arizona which are both miles away, it's easy to fall out of contact and not know how things are going in their everyday lives. As I get older, I realize I need to make this more of a priority and be proactive. Especially with one of my brothers. You may not know this because I don't talk about it often because to be honest, I'm embarrassed of the situation, but I actually have a brother who is 22 who has a young two year old baby girl Ella, and his girlfriend is now pregnant with their second. Their financial situation is not the best, nor is his work history. In the past years I have shied away from contact because most interaction when he was in Michigan ended in turmoil. To be frank, he's troubled and has brought alot of grief to my family. However as I get older, I've decided that I need to be the adult and reach out to him, try to be a good influence. Maybe that's what he needs. Of course it helps that he lives in another state and I can reach out from a safe distance. Either way, time to put on the big girl pants.

I could list a bunch more, but then the list would be unrealistically long and wouldn't happen. These are the ones I can commit to. Anyone else have some of these as resolutions? 

Flagstaff is Cool

So we went to Flagstaff this weekend.  It was my first A/B Volleyball tournament which was pretty exciting.  No, we did not win the gold, but we didn't get killed either :) From starting to play 6 months ago I will say I've come a long way. I'm sure alot of my Phoenix friends will attest to that haha. It was a great day, we had a minor interruption with some rain, but it quickly cleared up and we got to finish the tourney.  Great play by all, I love volleyball and our community! 

You know what else is cool? Flagstaff, land of pine trees, snowboarding in the winter, and hippies is just 2ish hours away.  AZ is so diverse that way. So many cool places to visit within driving distance or at least a quick flight away.  On our way up there, my Michigan friend Ashley asked me (who had been there before), Theresa, does Flagstaff remind you of Michigan at all? My response was, hmm, I guess, it is alot greener up here isn't it...  

As the weekend went on, the vibe I was getting from Flagstaff did start to remind me of Michigan. Some friends were discussing Flagstaff and another girlfriend Serina said, yeah, Flagstaff is alright, as long as you like snow and drinking, otherwise there isn't much else to do. And then I thought to myself, ah yes, that's why it reminds me of Michigan, ha. 

All jokes aside, it's a cool little town, lots of hole in the wall places to eat, and older buildings which are a love of mine. For example I adore houses with built ins like bookshelves, drawers, heck, I even love the wall paper. (Don't judge me!)  The house where alot of the players stayed was a 6 bedroom house rental. I loved it! I'm a total house explorer.  The bathroom even had a laundry chute.  If I stay in Phoenix through the years, I would love to buy a house like that, although I'm not sure they exist here, seems most homes are pretty new in Phoenix. Maybe I will just have to have one custom built with my built in bookshelves :)

Here is my advice to those who have not been - (Or am I the last to have finally made it up there lol) Flagstaff is cold! Even in the summer. It actually seems to go back and forth. On the tourney day it started out warm, low 80s, but then it rained and the temperature got down to the 50s.  My Costa Ricafied turned Phoenician self was freeeezing. Next time I shall bring multiple layers, a blanket (Yes a blanket. I was sooo jealous of those who had come prepared) and some corduroy Rocket Dog boots that I recently purchased on sale even though it's 110 degrees right now in Phoenix :D

Oh Did You Know?

That my car now has sweat and sand stain on the driver's seat? ick lol. I can't decide if I should be divulging this somewhat self compromising fact, but I guess it's too late now isn't it :) Which brings me to my real plight. I need a new car!! 

Besides the fact that my volleyball antics seem to be ruining my driver's seat fabric interior, I have been driving a 2000 Toyota Echo since my college days, and unfortunately it has taken a beating over the years. That, and let's be real, I'm 26, (lol I almost wrote I have 26 years, yay, still thinking a bit in Spanish) and I think it's about time for an upgrade. I finally feel somewhat adultish, and in about 6-8 months, I expect to be in a (much awaited) position to be able to make that purchase. 

Now, on to what to buy. I seem to gravitate towards yellow (ish) colors for the past couple years, although reason tells me I might want to avoid bright colors since they probably get more attention from those people we call cops? Or is that just red? How does the color thing work. Or maybe it's just an old wives tale and I can just pick whatever color I want.  The funny thing is, for the longest time, my favorite color was purple.  Now all I want to buy is yellow. Yellow shoes, yellow clothes, I want a yellow kitchen someday, etc.  Do favorite colors change normally? 

Next requirement. I want it to have good gas economy or to use the trending buzz word, for it to be 'green.'  While of course I enjoy the savings that my little Toyota offers, I also just feel compelled to take responsibility for my footprint on the environment. I have always been a big recycler, ask my mom, when I was a kid, I wouldn't say I was obsessed, but I was definitely more concerned/aware than my peers. I just feel if we have the ability to take control and do better, we should. 

The last thing is not so much a need, but more of a want. I like the idea of having a vehicle that has four wheel drive/more space for going on outdoor adventures. Maybe something like the Toyota Fortuner? Don't call me out on this in case it's like the worse gas economy ever or something. I have really not done any homework, just briefly done a google image search. What do I mean by outdoor adventures you ask? Oh you know, hiking, camping,  maybe fishing/hunting? I'm not really a huge fisher, but I'm OK as long as I have a beer in my hand :) Hunting - don't know a thing about it. I just like the idea of living off the land. Pretty sure I could handle it though. Other activities would be mountain biking and off-roading. We used to go off-roading in the rainforest in Costa Rica and picnicking. I would love to do that sort of thing maybe up north in Fossil Creek/Strawberry.  (Joiners?) The thing is, I never drove during those off-roading adventures, although perhaps it's time I learn.  

Oh oh, one more thing. To lease or to buy. Which is better these days? Anyone care to offer insight and your experiences?

Do you want your children to be Entrepreneurs?

So as some of you know, I do some marketing/writing/social media on the side for a firm that does business advising. We are all about propelling small businesses, getting them structured, and pushing those entrepreneurs to their full potential.  One of the fun things I get to do for them is blog once in a while.  Below is one that I wrote the other day.  Thought I would share it with my social circle as well.  I hope you find it thought provoking and enjoyable :) ---


I read an interesting article today, entitled "How to teach your kids to be Entrepreneurs." The document embodied the idea of reaching out to entrepreneurs and showing them commonalities that research had found amongst entrepreneurs, and encouraging them to cultivate the qualities in their children's lives so that they could one day also become entrepreneurs. One particular quote really started to turn my wheels: "In other words, if you can't grow up to become Bill Gates, it's not so bad to be his entrepreneurial father William H. Gates, Sr."

It got me thinking, so the first choice is to be a Bill Gates, and then in comes second to be an entrepreneur? Last I checked, there are many hugely successful entrepreneurs, and that while it will certainly require hard work, the reward can easily be huge as well. I began to mentally answer the question of if I would want my (possible) children to be entrepreneurs. The immediate answer was well of course if I would. It doesn't even seem like a question. To me the word 'entrepreneur' brings ideas to mind like opportunity, determination, thinking outside the box.  All positive notions.  But I suppose there is the other side to it, where being an entrepreneur can be a challenge, and maybe not always one that is comfortable. Some days there may be struggle, financially, or just trying to figure out your niche in the world of business.  But then, isn't anything worth having, worth working (hard) for?

And then I got to thinking, this really is the time for us to teach the next generation the way to thinking outside the box, to question business norms, to search for opportunity.  As the article suggests, it all starts during child development. Who they become, how they think and problem solve.  We are seeing now more than ever companies having to cut short their benefit packages.  Or maybe you don't get any sick days until after a year of employment. Many outside sales jobs who used to pay gas, and dare I say a company vehicle, now communicate that these are just the nature of the job and you make what you make despite the expense. With these current economical challenges in the business world, it does seem that entrepreneurship could be the key to opening many new doors and opportunities. To solving a lot of problems. I suppose the question is, will we step up to the challenge and show our children the entrepreneurial way?

Change Is A Comin

Okay, I'm all situated. I find that I work better in coffee shops or other locales that offer upright sitting furniture and/or a desk. At home I just don't seem to be productive. Does anyone else have this issue? I just left Paradise Bakery who has failed me now a second time with their supposed wifi ability.  I do so love their fresh salad/soup/sandwich combo options, now if they could just get their internet in order! I had to relocate to the ol' standby Starbucks.  A giant corporate monopoly, and yet, they are consistent and dependable. What can ya do. 

So I've been itching to write and post again, but wasn't quite sure how often you are supposed to blog before people get tired of you.  Once a week? Twice a week? I think once a week is a healthy goal, and then every once in a while if I'm just bursting at the seams there might be a bonus post here and there :)  Today I am supposed to be packing and getting organized since I totally blew it off yesterday at the pool enjoying this amazing weather that AZ seems to be able to offer just about every day :)  Just as soon as I get some stuff done here I'll get back to it.  I think. 

Oh yes, did I mention I'm moving? Let's back up a bit.  Before I moved to AZ, I had kind of put the word out that I was coming back to the US and was looking to live somewhere warm and any known job openings would be most helpful.  I had a few people respond, one of my good friends Katie in particular was the one who got me all set up working with her at a remodeling company.  And so I set out and drove from Michigan to Arizona.  That was a long drive let me tell you. I am so glad I'm part of a generation that flies.  It's so much more affordable to hop a plane than it used to be.  If and when I am ever a parent with a bunch of hooligans running around let me tell you, unless it is 5 hours or less in the car, we will be flying.  I am just not the road trip kind of gal. I just sit there while I'm driving thinking about how I might be getting muscular atrophy and what is happening with my circulation right now? Plus you just want to get to wherever you are going without stopping much, so you eat like crap and stop at fast food all the way. Ugh, its just not a good cycle for me. Oops I detoured off subject. Anyway, Katie was a doll and basically had the job waiting for me when I got here. What a blessing. It really made moving seamless for me.  I stayed with her for a bit in Tempe while I was figuring out where to live.  The job was working out in Peoria (West Valley Phoenix) at the design center.  It was a good hour drive every morning each way to get to work from Tempe, and I made the decision to not commute that every day.  Katie warned me my social life would take a toll if I lived in the west valley, but I stubbornly insisted on it.  She was right. Wow do I drive alot to hang out with friends. (No offense to my current westie friends ;) However, I don't think I would have done it differently though. Being from Michigan, I had never commuted more than 20 minutes to a job, so an hour each way was just out of the question.  I think about things like the statistics and odds of my being in an accident that come with being on the road for more hours out of the day. My snowboard instructor once told me that I think too much. It's probably be true, but it's what I do. 

Anyway, that's all about to change now! I officially gave my two weeks notice to my current job on Friday, and I'll begin a new job in sales in Mesa (East Vally Phoenix) on July 9th.  I'm pretty psyched.  My first job out of college was working as a custom vacation planner, ie sales, while I was living in Costa Rica.  My sales manager during my first review told me that if/when I ever moved on to bigger and better things that I should definitely still work in sales and that it was just my personality. It was a compliment I didn't really know what to do with at the time. I continued on for a couple years down there, but in the end I started to get burnt out. (You must think I'm crazy to have gotten burnt out living in paradise right, lol.  Another blog post for the future).  I felt like I was just repeating myself every day like a broken record. I knew Costa Rica like the back of my hand, and no longer felt challenged.  And that's when I realized, it was time to come back.  When I first moved to CR, people had asked me, well for how long do you plan to be down there? And I didn't really know.  I had just said, for as long as I'm happy and feel challenged/am learning new things.  I think that goes to say for anything really. 

So now I'll be entering the world of sales again.  I like it.  I am a naturally competitive person. I am looking forward to the team environment and positive work culture this new company seems to offer.  We will have different types of clients as well, so it won't be as repetitive, awesome. From what I can tell, my hours will be somewhat flexible as well, and I'll have more freedom again.  Oh glory be :) (In Costa Rica we had the leisure of taking vacation time pretty much whenever we wanted).  (When I moved back to the US it and started to work here, the lack of vacation time was a bit of a shock to my system). My current job does not offer PTO until after a year of employment, and they are set hours of 10-6.  If you love to sleep in, it's perfect, but I like to get alot out of my days and I'd much rather start in the morning.  With this new position my day will start between 5:30am and 7:30am, so I guess I got my wish lol.  Time to start changing that bed time. But I'll be out so much earlier and off to evening volleyball I'll go :) 

I'll be moving to Scottsdale on June 30th with a friend from the volleyball circle, hooray :) I'm such a happy camper right now.  So many fun things to do in that area.  (Scottsdale is where alot of the vball goes down.) For a while I was playing vball 3-4x a wk, but I've recently cut that back in an effort to not drive/spend so much on gas. It won't be an obstacle much longer.  And there's more than vball! I'll be closer to the cactus and chapparal lap pools. I have also been googling adult hip hip dance class, we'll see if I can find something. Hillary if you're reading this, I so miss our dance days. I've also researched those pole dance classes.  (Is it bad to post that online?) I think they look like so much fun haha.  Pure barre is another one I've had my eye on. And then there's yoga too.  Oh so much I want to do!!