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.

Hourglass Media's New Direction and Purpose

EP4 of The Wholeheartedly Podcast revealed something I am currently struggling with: purpose and change. I just don’t want my career to look the same way it has for the last 13 years. Realizing that is scary. It’s an internal crisis of the highest order, especially for someone like me, who has it “all figured out.” It’s hard to undo what you have been doing, to knock down the beautiful structure you constructed out of blood, sweat, tears, love, vision, and so much more. I know, deep in my heart (and even in the logical parts of my mind), that I have to pivot in my career.

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.

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.

Mental Health Moments: How To Overcome The Fear of Sharing Your Writing

In last week’s blog post about self-publishing, I mentioned in the last point to not let fear stop you. I wish I could bottle even just a drop of that little-girl fearlessness. There are times I really need it and have to still push myself past the corners of a suppressed envelope in order to reach my writer’s potential. I’ve written millions upon millions of words at this point personally and professionally, but I still struggle with a lack of confidence in certain writing realms. Here are three ways you can work on overcoming your fear of sharing your work.

CASE STUDY: Kids' Dental Health Electronic Press Kit

Earlier this year, the Kids’ Dental Health Month Electronic Press Kit brought home the 2019 Tribus Award in the Electronic Press Kit Tactic category, as well as the 2019 Best Tactic in the Tri-State. (Just a note: When you win the “Best Of” award in a PRSA category, your score from the judges is the highest out of all of the entries.) Needless to say, we were honored to be highlighted amongst communications professionals and amazing work going on in our 15-county radius.

Ways To Diversify Income Streams

As a business owner, you should always think about how you can scale your company and build wealth. Work smarter and not harder, right? Why should you think about diversifying your income in the first place? Here are some benefits of diversifying your income streams.

What Belongs In A Media Kit?

At the beginning of the media-kit-creation process, make an outline to keep yourself on track and know what is needed throughout the creation of your media kit. These following checklist points will help you create an impactful media kit that will drive more engagement and get you the results you want.

A Look Into My Very First PR Campaign

In 2009-2010, I was a senior at Marshall University in the throes of my first-ever public relations campaign. While overwhelming and stressful at times, I can say that I enjoyed every minute of it. Along with my fellow students, I learned how to craft a campaign from start to finish, raising more than $10,000 for a local nonprofit organization along the way.

Join the Hourglass Media Team!

WE’RE HIRING! Outside of the job description and other elements listed here, I wanted to offer some insight into what we are looking for in our current opening for a Temporary Account Assistant. I’m going to highlight a few key points below to expand upon the Hourglass Media brand and the requirements of this position.

Why Multi-Level Marketing Can Be A Dangerous Career Venture

MLMs FASCINATE me. While this is purely my opinion, which I share with a growing community of others, I believe MLMs take advantage of people in more ways than one. This blog post will aim to shed light on the dangers of MLMs if you find yourself flirting with the idea of joining one or know someone who is part of one and want to give them ways to escape. Or it could begin to give you your own script to politely decline to support someone’s MLM “business.”

Four Trends That Will Exist Post-Pandemic

It’s no secret that everyone has had to deviate from planned courses of action and routines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout all of the ups and downs, we have learned what works and doesn’t work for our daily work grinds and personal obligations. There are some things will stick with us. While these projections may not be the be-all-end-all strategy past the pandemic, I believe our world is forever changed. While our lives may go back to their own versions of “normal,” I don’t think any of us will ever truly be the same after this collective experience.

Goal Setting for a New Decade

I know you haven’t missed this semi-breaking news: It’s the beginning of a new decade. Do you have a full-fledged plan or are you trying to figure out what you want out of this next 10 years? If you’re anything like me, you’re probably a mix between the two. There are several things I am clear about, such as where I was Hourglass Media to go within this span of time. On some personal aspects, however, I am not so clear. (Planning everything in great detail would be boring, would it not, my fellow perfectionists?) Here are some ways you can start setting goals for this new decade.

Four Ways to Organize Your Goals

I’ve found that streamlining my goals based on my life mission of living what I love despite anxiety and fear is what really helps me. If I am focused on achieving goals and objectives centered on what is in my purpose-driven heart and mind, then I can be a better version of myself in 2020 and beyond. Here are four ways that you can organize your goals lists while you’re still in the New Year’s Resolutions mindset.

Mental Health Moments: How to Find Your Own Version of A Renaissance

Words have always had power for me. They set the stage for my positive mental health goals, and as a writer, I use them to tell countless stories #behindthehourglass. This year, I am focused on the words, “renaissance” and “regal.”

Five Lessons I Learned in 2019

2019 was an up-and-down rollercoaster ride. With each success, a failure appeared to meet its match. Overall, throughout layers of silver linings, I see 2019 for what it is: a season of recalibration and resilience. I’ve released deeply personal writings that have revealed next-level heartbreaks. I’ve worked with amazing clients and partners. I’ve been desk dwelling too much and not exercising enough. I’ve created some business items that I am immensely proud of, and there’s more where that came from.

Our Gift Guide for PR Pros

‘Tis the season for wishlists galore and trying to finish high-priority work before the end of the year. Eliminate the extra stress by combing through this gift guide for communicators. From lipstick to expanding your skill sets, we have you covered!

Here are some gift ideas for the PR pro in your life -- or for yourself!

My Five Must-Have Items In My #DFSPowerPiece Collection

What makes you feel the most confident in your skin? Which item makes a statement and is undoubtedly you? What is one thing you cannot live without? It could be a favorite piece of jewelry, blouse, color or whatever floats your boat. When you put on this item, your mood could shift for the better. You could feel more confident and ready to tackle any challenge the day throws your way.

Using the 8 Elements of a Story in Your Narratives

As November comes to a close, I’m sure you’re revisiting your projects’ word counts and diligently trying to reach all of your writing goals and objectives. If you’re like me, then that means that you didn’t meet your goal (*gasp*), and you’re faced with establishing a newer, stricter goal measurements in December and beyond. These eight elements will strengthen your story and cause you to geek out just like me when you lose yourself amongst books.

Five Things Writers Need to STOP Doing

I curate and cultivate a living by telling stories. There are so many stories we hold back out of fear or another constraint. We don’t want to hurt those close to us, reopen old wounds, be seen as less than who we are… the list can go on and on if we let it. My hope is that these following tips will help you as you navigate #NaNoWriMo and other writing projects. Let’s make an effort to STOP these five things!