I try to focus on positive stories and life lessons (both positive and negative), but I wanted to give you more of an inside glimpse on what I do work-wise that may not fit into a “normal” routine. There is give and take with everything, and here are some work quirks I have learned to accept over time.
Read MoreMost individuals find themselves on a journey toward happiness for the majority of their lives. Some find it with open arms, but others never seem to push past fear, expectations, and other factors to cultivate their own forms of happiness or contentment. Here are a few ways you can depend on yourself for happiness.
Read MoreToday, as I enter Year 32, I wanted to shed light on an inside look about what inspires me and Hourglass Media as a whole. This isn’t your typical blog post, but it may influence you to craft your own master list to create your own company’s brand voice or just to keep tabs on your current interests.
Read MoreAugust is my birth month, so that natural year-older thing always puts me in this mode. I think about lessons learned and successes I’ve had from each August to the next, and this time around, I’ve been ruminating about what I would tell my younger self. Here are four mantras I would tell the younger version of myself earlier in my career.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreWE’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.
Read MoreMy Capstone class has been especially hurt by this. With the goal of raising $20,000 for a local nonprofit by the end of April, we have been... struggling. As we were trying to adjust to our new normal, the question that came up time and time again was how do we fundraise during a pandemic? There are so many people unemployed, businesses are closed and the economy is hurting. Should we even go through with raising this money? Is it ethically right? Is this a time to be fundraising? These questions were hard to answer, but we eventually came up with a plan.
Read MoreI always find it interesting to discover what people do on an average work day, especially when they own their own businesses and a little more control over their workflow. I only spent one day, Feb. 28, tracking my day (it takes time to do this, after all), but I wanted to give you some insight into what a normal day looks like for me. Of course, my hours fluctuate. In this particular week, I’ve worked well over 40 hours (which is 100 percent normal for me and any company owner anywhere). That is also why this blog post finds itself on a completely different day -- not its standard Thursday at 3:30 p.m. timeslot.
Read MoreAs I stumble upon the 10-year anniversary of earning my Bachelor of Arts (WHAT), my reflections are geared toward favorite projects of my career thus far. I’ve been incredibly fortunate and have worked on life-changing projects throughout the various positions I’ve held in public relations and writing capacities. I’ve written millions of words and more than 700 press releases to date. I have taken probably a million photos from old Polaroid snapshots to present-day photos with my Nikon D7500 (named Riker). My experiences have shaped my passions, and my failures have also given me perspective into what I want and don’t want. Here are seven projects that are near and dear to my heart.
Read MoreIf you’re a solopreneur, chances are that you think about your growing company 24/7/365. If you’re not doing what you love, then your daily routines won’t bring you joy. One of my passions is helping you find yours, too. Life is too short to not be happy in your personal and professional lives. Here are four ways to tailor your company to your own personality.
Read MoreI think most people know that I love what I do. I’m the CEO of a company I started from scratch, in my childhood bedroom of my parents’ house with my 18-year-old cat walking all over my rough-draft logo printouts. Since 2015, I’ve been unveiling the hearts of clients’ stories in a variety of strategies and tactics. One of my passions is opening the door for others to find their own passions that could lead to better career and personal opportunities. Here are four reasons I love what I do.
Read MoreOn January 13, our team gained a new member! We are excited to welcome Abbey Vidrine, Marshall University senior public relations student to Hourglass Media! This week, we’re getting to know the newest face #behindthehourglass! Stay tuned — because Abbey will be at the helm of MANY blog posts during this Spring 2020 semester!
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreI’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.
Read More2019 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.
Read More‘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!
December is a natural time to reflect on the entire year and what worked and what didn’t really benefit us. Our favorite items have been there throughout all of the noise of the collections of our successes and missteps, our should-have-beens and golden-star moments. I wanted to share some life hacks, favorites, and all sorts of fun thoughts swimming around in my head along with that Christmas clutter.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreMy brain likes to tell me lies, whether it’s perfectionistic with a self-deprecating attitude or positive with a side of nostalgia that never even existed.
And guys, I was 26. My brain was on the home stretch of growth. I didn’t have clarity and thought I had the direction I needed to head a small company. I had no clue what I was doing! I knew my industry very well, but I didn’t have clear goals and objectives -- although I made sure to have those for my clients.
Here are three outright lies I told myself during my company’s infancy. My hope is that they help you as you get comfortable in your own professional skin and wade through the clutter to live your best life:
Read MoreI’m no stranger to talking about mental health. I opened the door into the private rabbit hole of my mind in an op-ed piece in May 2018, and I haven’t stopped advocating for mental health issues since. Today is World Mental Health Day, so I am feeling a natural sense of reflection for my own mental health journey. I usually save these posts for every other Tuesday’s Mental Health Moments blog entries. Today is a celebration of where all of us have been on our mental health missions and where we will continue to go.
Read More
