I didn’t anticipate saying goodbye to my company as I have known it for seven-and-a-half years. I had been flirting with the idea of making a drastic change for a while, but I couldn’t jump off the ledge into the deep, unknown waters – the waters that gave way for me to begin my company in the first place. Here I am, sipping cold coffee at a mid-century modern desk with accolades, hourglasses, and clutter surrounding me. I have to wonder, “Where did I go wrong?” The answer is that I didn’t go wrong. I am just evolving, as most healthy, self-informed humans tend to do.

What Hourglass Media Will Look Like Going Forward

I recently turned 34, and there is something about birthdays that invites moments of reflection – at least for me. I spent much of this year, and April onward in blog posts, mulling over what I want my career to look like. I’ve done a lot of work I have truly loved, with clients and partners that continue to do life-changing work in their spaces. However, you know when a change is afoot, and that change happened for me when my son was born.

Musings From Someone Addicted to Achievement

Not too long ago, I decided to break up with achievement addiction. In the second episode of The Wholeheartedly Podcast, I take a deeper dive into achievement addiction. I talk about how toxic positivity and other factors contributed to my plummeting self-worth and other negative factors. I define achievement addiction and discuss ways that help me move past negativity in order to harbor contentment.

Recalibrating your personal and professional goals for the new year

While I do not have recalibration figured out in its most cohesive form, it is the major theme of 2022. Whether you have a “Word of the Year” or not, it can be helpful to think about your work or an overall feeling you would like to achieve this year. What are some ways you can incorporate recalibration into your everyday life?

Mental Health Moments: Ways To Rediscover Into Your Identity

I will be the first to admit that acceptance is something that doesn’t come naturally to me. My entire life has been a kaleidoscope of dwelling on aspects of life I cannot change, wondering why experiences/people/places/things just can’t be different, and an entire host of other expectations. In short, I believe that most of my anxiety and depression lie in my relationship with acceptance. How can you learn to rewrite your own story and accept yourself more fully?

Additional Ethical Considerations for Your Daily PR Practice

September is Ethics Month! Here at Hourglass Media, ethics are at the core of who we are individually and as a company. While everyone brings a unique perspective and morality to the PR profession, the PRSA Code of Ethics serves as a constant and consistent blueprint for us to follow. We adhere to the PRSA Code of Ethics, which is the highest professional standard of the public relations industry.

How I Found My Dual Purpose as a Mom and CEO

One year ago, my life completely changed forever. I do think my company was made for this moment. It’s the reason I created Hourglass Media: so I can live my own version of a successful life. What have I learned after a full year of being a new mom, the CEO of an always growing company, and a communicator (and human) in an ever-changing landscape? Here are three takeaways.

Healing Your Heart After A Pregnancy Loss

I honestly wish I didn’t have to release this book. Today marks a bittersweet moment in my professional -- and personal -- life. It’s the release date for my latest book, Healing Your Heart: A Prompted Journal for Pregnancy Loss. I wrote this book because suffering two miscarriages has changed the trajectory of my life. The eBook and print versions are now available.

Tips To Find A Quality Mentor

So, with all of that being said, should you devote time to finding a mentor? Like with all of my answers, I will say yes and no. Here are some things to keep in mind as you attempt to find a mentor or are in the midst of your own mentor-mentee relationship.

Should You Go To Grad School as a PR Pro?

This week is the second part of our New Professionals series. As someone who was once a new professional myself, I struggled to find answers to these pressing questions. I want to ensure that you don’t have to spin your wheels like I did! While I don’t have all of the answers -- or even ones that will resonate with you -- I do hope that something will spark interest, action, or understanding for you along the way. This week, we’re delving into the deep waters of grad school and if it’s for you -- or if you should keep that $20K or so in your pocket.

How To Gain Valuable PR Experience As A New Professional

If you’re a newly minted graduate or are thisclose to graduating, I fully empathize with you! It’s hard to balance the workload, expectations, and fears of the unknown. It can be a windy road. Here is an answer to one of young professionals’ most pressing questions with the hope that it can alleviate at least some of the inner turmoil: How do I get experience when I’m first starting my career? This is the first in a series of (at least) three questions. Think of this as the Dear Abby of PR questions and answers!

Bringing Light to the Unconventional Side of Mental Health

Hourglass Media’s Integrated Communications Assistant Isabella Mershon believes that too often, mental illnesses are romanticized. She wanted to share her and her peer’s stories — unfiltered. Please note: This blog post contains information and insight about mental health disorders and experiences that could be triggering for some. Please be advised.

Mental Health Moments: What We Learned During Our Mental Health Week

During the week of May 24-May 28, Hourglass Media observed its inaugural Mental Health Week. This week’s intention was to take a much-needed hiatus from client work and everyday work life #behindthehourglass. While we love what we do, we wanted to practice what we preach and make our mental health a priority during this week. Both of us wanted to give our takes on the week and what we learned about ourselves -- and our mental health -- during our Mental Health Week.

Mental Health Moments: Five Ways To Focus on Mental Health This May

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. As anyone who knows even a small glimmer about our work knows, mental health is one of our main passions and causes. In addition to introducing mental-health habits in the workplace, we also want to give you some tools to use both personally and professionally. Here are five ways you can bring your mental health to the forefront this month.

Mental Health Moments: The Art of Self Love

One of the most challenging lessons I have learned is how important it is to love and value oneself. I have experienced times in my life where I was my biggest bully. I didn’t love who I was and my actions reinforced this internal struggle. I did not take care of my body, my mind, and my overall well-being.

Basics That Will Drive the Success of Your Project Management

It’s the beginning of a new quarter, and if you’re anything like me, you sit at your desk and wonder, “Where did Quarter 1 go?!” Each of us is busy trying to further our clients’ goals and objectives, grow our companies or careers in general, and attempting to achieve our own versions of work/life balance.

All in all, it can get relatively exhausting when you you’re grasping at straws with project management. This month, we’re focused on resources that will help you better plan for your goals at hand.

Happy 150th Birthday, Huntington!

Huntington is where I spent my formative years and learned about life, love, and everything in between. To celebrate Huntington’s 150th Birthday, this is a master list of my experiences in Huntington and what it means to my narrative. Huntington, you’ve been so good to me. I am forever grateful to you. Happy Birthday, Jewel City. You shine brighter every day. ❤️

Mental Health Moments: The Exploitation Of Mental Health Through Clickbait Strategies

Like most people who have Netflix and love a good true-crime story, I watched “Crime Scene: The Vanishing at The Cecil Hotel.” I’m going to go ahead and spare you if you haven’t seen it already: just sit this one out. With all of my commentary aside, there is one thing that really stuck with me after watching this series. Mental health is still very misunderstood and exploited. When you don’t have control of your own narrative, it can be misconstrued to the masses.

Introducing New Intern Isabella

On January 11, Hourglass Media welcomed new Intern Isabella Mershon. Isabella Mershon is a junior studying communication at Ohio University which makes her Hourglass Media’s first intern from OU! This week, we are introducing the newest member of our team #behindthehourglass! Stay tuned- because Isabella will be helping write many of our blog posts throughout the spring 2021 semester!

Benefits of Being An Independent Practitioner

I have been an independent practitioner for almost six years, and I never want to go back to a traditional office environment if I can help it! For the sake of this blog post, and because I am a public relations practitioner at heart and by trade, I will focus on communications-based independent practitioners. What are some benefits of being an independent public relations practitioner?