Born & raised in Gary, then Merrillville Indiana, I spent my childhood on the stage, performing in summer stock musicals, school plays and concerts from the age of 7.
Before my senior year of high school, I was moved to Minneapolis, Mn. After graduation, I quickly learned community theatre wasn't paying any bills, so I got my first office job as an accounting clerk. Given my natural ability at math, I thought I'd found my perfect career! I went to community college to get my accounting certificate and excelled, being promoted to first A/P clerk, then A/R clerk, then cost accountant, then assistant controller. I was working for a national trade show company as a cost accountant when the president approached me with what I thought, a most unusual offer....he wanted to promote me to a sales position. I thought he was crazy, and would only accept it if he promised I could get my old position back if I didn't like sales. He knew me better than I knew myself, as I flourished in advertising sales! Within two years, I was promoted quickly up the ranks to Sales Manager, then VP of Sales and Marketing.
By the time I was 30, I formed my own multi-million dollar out of home media company.
In the mid 90's, a national sports franchise lured me from Minnesota to the great Pacific NW. I was thrilled by the opportunity and enjoyed every day of my years there as National Sales Manager.