How Long Have You Been Involved In Marketing? And, in what positions over the years?
My first experience in the field of marketing was in college, where I was the Student Director of Campus Recreation. The position included coordinating the intramural leagues, planning special events and promoting Campus Recreation as a whole. That’s actually the path I planned to pursue at the time, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Recreation. After graduation, I worked for Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation. My position heavily revolved around event planning and execution.
How Did You Get Into Your Current Career? Include background?
It was in looking for an opportunity that would bring me back home, that I accepted the Office Manager position at Rock Hill Galleria in June of 2005. Given my background in events and promotions, I assisted the Marketing Manager, which led to me taking on the marketing position in May of 2007 after her departure. While I have been with the Rock Hill Galleria for nearly four and a half years, I’ve only formally been in marketing for close to two and a half years.
What Are Some Of Your Toughest Challenges These Days?
Of course, the current economic conditions don’t exactly make the job easy. I have to try to encourage people to spend money when there’s so much uncertainty right now. Just like those individuals, my budget is tight as well, and it’s challenging to be creative with limited funds. It’s also challenging to convince people to spend money locally rather than traveling out of the area to shop. The Galleria has gone through several different phases...some were good, and some not. Many people who have not visited us in a while would be pleased to see how we’ve changed and what we now offer the community. My challenge is finding ways to bring those people back and change their opinions.
What kind of advice would you provide to women who want to pursue a career in marketing?
First of all, don’t let it discourage you if you don’t have a specific marketing background. If the field of marketing is something about which you are passionate, there are many opportunities, regardless of your background. Do what you can to get your foot in the door and absorb everything you can. Prove your worth and value by showing how much you care about the success of whatever it is you’re promoting. From that point, the next biggest thing is networking and getting to know others in the business community with whom you can develop professional relations and partnerships.
How Do You Measure Your Success Professionally?
I measure my professional success by witnessing the impact…no matter how big or small. It could be as simple as changing someone’s perception, or as large as helping a struggling tenant work through their challenges. Knowing that something happened because I had a hand in it is very rewarding and I take pride in knowing that I was a part of that.
What Do You Enjoy Doing To Rejuvenate After A Long Day Or A Long Week?
I enjoy low-key things like cooking a good meal at home with my husband or for a family get together, keeping in touch with friends and family, watching a good movie, or catching up on some of our favorite TV shows. I don’t really want my schedule outside of work to be filled with a lot of excitement, since it’s my time to relax and recuperate, or should I say rejuvenate!