What Else Keeps Me Busy?

In case I wasn't busy enough, I decided to sign up for (or asked to join) the American Marketing Association, Rochester Chapter. 

I've actually sat on a board before - when Mila was about 1.5. Then I got pregnant with Ava and it was too hard to keep up.

I sat on that board for about 2 years. I attended meetings each month and helped with events, membership, etc.

Having little kids and working full-time wasn't exactly conducive to doing anything outside of work and home. Kids needed to eat. They needed me at bedtime.

Before COVID, board meetings would be from 5:30pm - 7pm, usually offsite somewhere at someone's office, a photographer's studio (if we happened to have a photographer on the board). It was fun.

I enjoyed it. There were several people in the ad biz that I knew that were also on the board.

I liked having something that was mine and just mine. I wasn't someone's wife or mom during these board meetings. I got to be an advertising professional. 

Fast forward a few years and I find myself laid off from my job for the first time in my career. 

I reached out to everyone and anyone and found myself connected to an old coworker. 

She happened to sit on this board and said I should join because it'd look good on my resume. 

So I got into discussions about joining the board and starting in 2021. 

Mind you, this is during the time Steve was going through the worst time of his life.

But had to think past that. I just started my new job (and I did mention my desire to join the AMA during my interview) and I knew it'd beneficial. I wasn't able to start my new job under normal circumstances.

So I thought I should do it.

Not only do we have monthly meetings, sometimes I get the added bonus to do some cool things. 

Like judge creative from another state. 

So after running all my errands, I got to chillax on my couch, watch a little football and do a little extra-curricular work. 

This is the stuff that I love. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and reviewing all these different categories/campaigns. 

Lots of reviewing of background, strategy, objectives, creative, etc. Super fun! 

I don't talk about my work too much, so I thought it'd be interesting to share a little bit of what I do on the side of my actual job. As much as I'm interested in homesteading, farming, animals, gardening, etc., I do love my career and I'm so grateful to be in an industry I'm passionate about. 

My First Week - Complete!

I completed my first week at work.

It was a short week since Monday was a holiday.

I went in two days - it could've been only one, but my computer wasn't ready on the first day, so I had to go back another day.

I love it so far.

The people are super chill.

They seem down to Earth and they are really smart. 

I enjoyed all the meetings I've been in so far.

I did a lot of head-nodding and there was a lot of agreement from my perspective on the approach on various things.

I will be working from home primarily.

This was the first day of school for the girls - virtually, so that's why I'm set up down at the dining room table. I do have my office upstairs, of course that I plan on utilizing a lot more now. 

Overall I feel really good. I really, really like the people, the place, the accounts I'll be working on. 

There will be several life-changing things I need to get used to:

1. NO TIMESHEETS. For anyone who works in my industry, knows that Timesheets are the WORST. Please keep track of your day in 15 minute increments so you can bill clients in 15 minute increments. I get it, we have to be paid based on what we do. But DAMN. 

2. NO JOB NUMBERS. WUT. No real paperwork either. It's all online and via a project management app. 

Not having to track my time each day is weird. As soon as I get off a call, I'm ready to input my time. Only to realize there's no inputting. 

I know this post is going up a bit late, as I'm coming up on completing my second week! It's been awesome and I am loving it so far. 

I really hope this works out. I can see myself here for a long time. 

Hi, I'm Lesley and it's My First Day

Starting my new job during a Global Pandemic has been interesting. 

I interviewed over video calls for each of the 4 interviews. 

I didn't step foot into the building until after I was hired. 

For an old gal like me - it feels weird. 

BUT!

My first day was Tuesday, September 8.

I went into the office to meet up with my Supervisor and pick up my laptop.

Only, my laptop wasn't ready.

I sat with my Supervisor and went through some client background. 

I have a lot of reading in my future.

I handed in my necessary HR forms.

I signed us up for Health Insurance. 

I went up and chatted with an old co-worker (from two jobs ago) and caught up.

And I'm SO EXCITED. 

I could barely contain myself and probably talked everyone's ear off. They are probably already annoyed with me, the New Girl (Lady?)

It's weird because there was no "here's your office" - I mean, I have an office. 

Technically.

But the old person's stuff is still in there. (My Supervisor).

Because he's moving down the hall to a larger office. 

But he's been working from home since March. 

And the plan for now is that we'll be back in January 2021. 

Maybe. 

So it's not like he's in a rush to move all his shit over. 

I get it. 

There's no point in me setting up my office if I'm not going to be there. 

But I think that's part of the "First Day Charm"

Getting my plant out. 

My little pebble bowl. 

My diffuser. 

You know. The essentials. 

Getting organized. 

So I will need to do that (legit) in our loft and get my ass back in "WORK FROM HOME" mode. 

ANYWAY. 

Holy tangent. 

I put on some real pants (ok, so they have an elastic waist and are probably considered leggings, but they have back pockets!), put on some make up and felt like a person again. I had somewhere to go. 

The people are SO nice and welcoming. The one side of the Biz (the Marketing side) is the traditional side of the house. Creative (print, TV, radio, OOH, etc.) and they've been back in the office since end of June, I think. The Digital side (the side I'm on) is completely remote. 

They are actually two different companies under one umbrella ownership-situation. 

I told them it felt like a college dorm hallway and that we should put White Board signs on each door and draw inappropriate pictures on them. His response? "Oh, we've already done that" LOL. These are my kinda people. 

My office! With another guy's shit in it! But I have a window! 

I'm currently doing some stuff on my home laptop and will be going back in on Thursday to pick up my new Mac Book Air :)

I can't wait to meet with clients and start planning for 2021. Let's GO! 

Department of One

The title says it all.

This is a small company and they hadn't had anyone in this department before. They realized the need and created the position.

It's pretty typical, Monday - Friday. 

8am - 5pm 

But, the owner understands my need for flexibility due to having small kids and the fucked up nature of COVID. For as long as I could remember, Account People just had to be "on" all the time. So it was more about making sure the work got done. On time and on budget. 

Clients and team members alike need to know how to reach me if needed. 

So I'm grateful for that. 

I'm grateful to have a job.

ANYWAY.

Back to the job.

Department one one.

Me. 

Managing a number of accounts and help with new business efforts. 

Project managing a bit too I'm sure. 

Managing the relationships with the clients and building that trust. 

Building out marketing plans, recommendations and executing.

Working collaboratively with the digital marketing technologists. 

It's all the same stuff I've been doing for the last 15+ years. 

Small company. 16 people I think they said. 

I feel like I'm really going to love it. 

The agency is Mason Digital. 

Digital marketing has been "the thing" to watch out for..for like the last 10 - 15 years? I was doing interactive web banner ads about 14 years ago, but it was few and far between. And it was Flash.

As the years have gone on, digital marketing has been more and more necessary and many clients are starting to see the benefits (yes, some are super slow to take it on), but the ability to hyper-target and pivot based on real data is just amazing. I've been selling more and more of it.

It'll be great to work for a company that has been that forward-thinking while other agencies are just starting to get it. 

That's all MD does. It's all digital. 

I met with the President, COO and my direct supervisor on Wednesday. We were supposed to have a client dinner Tuesday evening but the client canceled at the last minute.

It was invigorating. I was so jazzed up by the time I left. Just talking about clients, getting their backgrounds, just riffing on strategy with those in the room. Ugh. It felt good. 

I start September 8.

I'm going to enjoy this last week of "vacation."

Weekly Recap 8.17.2020

 Woah you guys.

It's been a week. 

Obviously. I haven't posted all week!

Stuff happened this week. I just posted a big update, but wanted to kinda set the week for you. 

It's been a GREAT week. 

I've been unemployed for 4 weeks.

Let's start from the beginning.

Friday I had an old friend come over with her kids to swim and hang out. This was my BFF in high school. We did everything together. 

She has a 14 year old step daughter (whom I know very well, I was pretty close with her mom back in the day), and a 4.5 year old with said 14 year old SD's dad. Dad is the brother of a girl in our grade and someone I was personally pretty close with back in middle school.

ANYWAY. 

She was over when I had my 4th interview with the one company.

It went fine. I think?

I spent the weekend agonizing over the Situation. 

Luckily we had our friend's son's birthday party that weekend so for one day I got to be distracted. 

Monday rolls around.

I go to my mom's to hang out and drop the girls off because I have an early doctor's appointment Tuesday morning. 

As we get ready to eat, I get a phone call.

It's the Owner.

He offers me the job. 

We chat a bit and he tells me the official Offer Letter is coming the next day.

I mention that in my previous post. 

Tuesday, while I have to go to an early appointment, is already off to a great start. 

I essentially got a raise without even having to ask or negotiate. 

Amazing.

They don't help pay for healthcare premiums, so that's a big chunk of the paycheck every month. Me and the girls have too many health issues to not have health insurance. Even high deductibles are too much for us - our prescriptions alone each month. Eesh.

I officially accepted the offer on Wednesday, folks!

Then Thursday my friends came over with their boys and we swam and hung out. We celebrated my one friend's birthday (which was Tuesday) and my new job. 

And we talked about our rented private island vacation next July 4th. I know, we're insane. We're probably gonna get a Google Sheets started. 

And today is Friday and Steve decided not to go into work today. It's supposed to be 84 and sunny and absolutely perfect. Same with tomorrow! 

I'm looking forward to enjoying these next 2.5 weeks of summer with the girls before starting my NEW JOB on September 8! 

4 Weeks From The Day

It was 4 weeks ago Tuesday that I got The Call.

The Call that told me that I had lost my Job.

The Call that turned my world upside down.

The Call that humbled me.

And on Monday, I got another Call. 

I got The Call that said they'd like me to be a part of their team. 

The Official Offer Letter came today (Tuesday), exactly 4 weeks after I got the first Call.

Funny how that is.

The Call came in just in time for my severance to run out.

The offer wasn't what I was making before. But it was close.

I was just excited that it wasn't WAY under what I was making before. But that would at least give me the option to negotiate.

Anyway. 

I'm excited. 

Then I get the Official Offer Letter and the President had decided to "make me whole" from my previous position and essentially gave me a "raise" before I have even started.

WHAT?!

I am pumped. 

More on the company and position later. 

That's A Wrap!

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I got to spend the day on set of a TV commercial. I got to see the ins and outs of how the crew gets things done. 

It was so much fun!

Don't get me wrong, the crew puts in serious effort. 

The lights, the set up. The background displays. 

It's crazy what the cameraman sees in the waaaaaay back that can be jarring to the eye. Even if it's not in focus. 

But it was cool. I definitely enjoyed myself. 

Prior to my arrival on set, all the necessary precautions were taken - we had to answer a series of questions and get our temperatures taken. 

Got an early start for the first time in ages! 

Director and Talent, figuring out the shot (don't worry, my mask is under my chin - I wasn't anywhere near people and needed a quick breather).

This carpet was the death of me! 

Dressing mannequins

This is awkward.

I don't want to mention who this commercial is for, since it's not my place! And it's not live yet. So there's that. It's obviously a retail location and there are several available brands there. I'm sure you can see that it has something to do with golf ;)

Unemployed - the start of Week Three

Week 3 got off to a faster start than week 2. 

I was lucky enough to be asked to come on set for a TV production shoot that was being put on by a few vendors I know.

This stuff is always fascinating to me.

As an account service professional, in the early days, it was all about shepherding the clients to make sure their vision was there, but that they weren't in the way of the crew. It's very easy to get in the way.

I always kinda wondered what it'd be like to be part of the crew. To really be the production behind the shoot.

I got to witness it yesterday. And it was awesome.

I will do a separate post on that. 

BUT, other than that cool thing happening at the start of week 3, I also got 3 additional calls scheduled.

The first one was Thursday. It's for a corporate job (IE: client-side, working with an agency). I think the call went well! I feel like I was confident in my answers and the conversation flowed well. I should hear about next steps early next week. I've never worked on the "client side" so that part intrigues me. I know someone who works there, and he was willing to put in a recommendation for me. We'll see what happens! 

I have another call scheduled for Friday (8/7) and I'm hoping this one goes well. It's with the owner of an agency, so if he likes me, there's potential to move quickly. I met with a Director over there - someone I used to work with, so I think that gives me a leg up. The position sounds right up my alley in terms of actual job description and my ability to do it. There are several reasons why this would be a cool opportunity. 

This is so exhausting. 

Part of me is excited though.

Unemployed - Week Two

Welp, here we are. 

Week Two.

I've now applied to over 20 positions in my field. 

Some local.

Some remote.

Not all agency. 

I hear client-side pays well.

I'm trying NOT to get discouraged. 

I spend my days with a morning workout.

Then I hop online and answer emails and look for a job. 

I go out to my garden where I can get lost in my mind. Feel the sun on my face and remember to be grateful. 

I'm spending time with my mom too, so that's been nice. 

But I'm realizing very quickly that I need a job. Of some sort. 

I really hate the feeling of not feeling like I'm contributing anything. 

I know, I know.

I'm being a better parent, that's for sure.

But it feels really weird for me. 

Hopefully next week has some action. 

Unemployed - The Job Search

Well.

It has now been 1 week and 3 days since I've been let go from my job.

I have applied for approximately 11 positions.

I applied for 3 positions pretty much immediately (within a day of being let go). 

At all 3 of these companies, I know someone who is willing to recommend me. All previous co-workers. 

I'm beyond grateful to have this network of people who are willing to speak out on my behalf. 

After the initial shock has worn off, I spent some time online doing what I should be doing: 

The Job Search.

I'm spending a decent amount of time on Indeed.com and LinkedIn just perusing the job listings. 

Anything related to Marketing Communications I'm reviewing and deciding if I'm a good enough candidate to apply. Also if the position sounds like something I would want to do.

I mean. Some people are telling me to find something temporary to hold us over until I find a better job.

I'm super thankful that I don't need to do that. We can manage at the moment so I don't feel like I have to rush into just "any old job."

Also? I can't imagine working a 40-hour a week job, with two kids still home, and finding time to look for a job.

I spent probably 2-3 hours a couple days this week looking for a job.

I reached out to everyone I know just to let them know I'm no longer employed full time.

We'll see what comes of it.

Some positions are client-side (vs. Agency side, where my 16 years of experience came from). Basically I'd be my client and would need to deal with the agency. An interesting swap.

I've heard client-side pays much better. 

I may have some opportunities to pick up random odd jobs, like being a production assistant on a TV shoot. I obviously can't depend on those, but I' grateful people think of me!

My main concern is Health Insurance for me and the girls. Once I get that figured out, I will be able to breathe a little better. I'll then know what type of salary I can negotiate. 

There's one potential opportunity that might just be perfect for me. I don't want to get excited by any means, but UGH. I know the guy who's hiring. The position itself sounds perfect for me. Small company. On the East Side of town, but currently working remote. 

Flexible in terms of kids/school, etc. 

I don't want to get excited. They aren't looking to fill this position immediately. They said within a month.

So what sucks is that if I hold out and nothing happens, I am screwing myself. I could always accept a position elsewhere (if I'm lucky to get offered a job) and then if that other position does come to fruition, I can make the jump. But do I want to DO ALL OF THAT?

OMG. 

Ideally, I'd take the next month off, enjoy my summer with the girls and the job miraculously works out and I start there and have Health Insurance on 9/1. And a new company to get behind and a fresh start. 

HAHA! As if anything in this world could be so perfect. Especially during a time like this. 

Unemployed - Day 2

So I woke up and nope, it's not a dream. 

Still unemployed. 

Still processing all this shit.

Like what the FUCK just happened?

Ok, it really fucking happened, didn't it?!

I stayed on top of my emails and contacted a few more people today.

I got a reply asking to meet me to discuss "future opportunities".

I know several people at this agency. I worked with a few of them. 

I spent time in my garden - trying to get a handle on this jungle. (Both literally and figuratively).

It was also great time for me to think and process everything. 

Out of control. 

Literally huge. 

Ummm...

My first harvest!

Having my garden is incredibly therapeutic. And I'm thankful that we can EAT this! Check out my adorable cherry tomatoes. Those went into my salad tonight. 

Steve and I also worked on the deck and got two more sections of railing up. We're getting there!

Reality is setting in and Steve and I spent a decent amount of time discussing next steps. 

I've been pondering going back full-time. 

So many swirling thoughts in my head currently. 

Unemployed - Day One

So I wanted to reflect on what happened.

After the initial phone call and subsequent shock, I had to get my shit together. 

The Phone Call happened around 9:30am.

By 11:30, I had signed up for unemployment benefits and got that squared away. Now I wait for a phone call. 

And the extra $600/week unemployment thing from the government? Yeah, that ends July 26. So I likely won't get it.

Fuck my life. 

But regardless I got that part done. 

By 2pm I had reached out to my entire network of people and applied to 3 jobs. 

The text messages were flooding in.

I definitely got emotional throughout the day.

I tried so hard not to lose it in front of the kids.

Also, figured I should try to earn my keep around here and helped Steve with the deck railing. Tried to keep my mind off of everything...like bills, health insurance, shit like that. 

I'm working on some skillz while I'm home...

After painting and prepping them, we decided to take a break and go on a golf cart ride. We've found that when we go out in the evenings, we'll see a lot of deer. 

 It's becoming our thing. We've seen this mama and her two babies several times. So cute. 

What really matters. 

The sunsets and clouds out here are unreal. #stillgrateful.

Even though this is a SHITTY situation....it could be worse. 

Well, this sucks.

Well. 

I lost my job on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

Somewhat out of the blue. Does that even make sense? 

I knew that my company was going to have another round of layoffs. 

I was hopeful that I wouldn't be on that list.

I made sure my subordinates had enough work to be billable.

And thus, caused myself to not be as billable so my utilization was down.

I get it. 

It sucks.

I'm one of 4 out of my office.

To say I'm devastated is an understatement.

For a variety of reasons.

It's not the same agency I joined 2+ years ago.

I guess I was naive because I've been a professional for 16+ years and I've never been let go from a job.

Like, ever.

So I'm super grateful for that.

But, this is my very first time experiencing all these emotions.

Failure.

A knock to my ego (professionally).

Complete and utter stress on how to provide for my family.

Signing up for unemployment (did that immediately and thankfully, it was rather simple to do and didn't take too long). 

I reached out to my entire network and have already sent my resume out to several places.

Applied to 3 jobs.

I have one call scheduled for Friday.

So yeah.

This fucking sucks.

Wish me luck.

Food Industry Summit 2019

As I mention in my previous post about my job, I thought I'd share a bit about what I get to do while being in my industry.

Marketing and advertising is an interesting field.

It's as fun as you could imagine.

It's just as hard.

Maybe harder.

It's incredibly fast-paced.

I'm usually juggling 15 balls in the air at one particular time.

There are also perks about working in this field.

Continued education in my field can include some fun trips!

I recently attended the Food Industry Summit 2019 held in Philadelphia, PA.

It was a great line up of speakers hosted by Saint Joseph's University and I'm SO grateful my work sent me.

I got to travel with a couple of amazingly fun co-workers, and that probably made all the difference.

So. Much. Fun.

My girl Jenny. She's a PR pro that I've known for about 5 years now. We worked together at our last agency and this girl is ON FIRE. 

Pat. He and his hubby are YouTubers and he's an awesome colleague. 

Food marketing is interesting. I didn't have much experience, as I come from a pretty heavy B2B background. 

Selling medical device products (think catheters and ultrasound machines!) versus selling food and spirits. 

One company talked about how they changed their trajectory without ever changing their product. They had a continual downward trend for years and with the power of social media, turned a profit in 5 years (we're talking millions of dollars).

Without ever changing their product. 

We learned about trends in food shopping with new delivery services like HelloFresh.

We learned about consumers wanting to know the brands they engage with. They want to be able to stand behind the brands they purchase. 

Marketing goes far beyond "selling a product to a consumer" and we are constantly finding ways to BE in the consumers' minds and lives.

And then the entire presentation ended with a speaker whose topic was about Cannabis and how it's changing the world.

Verbatim:

If you're not in the cannabis industry, you need to be.