This is my third career. The first was filled with power ties and smoky conference rooms. (Yes, it began that long ago.) The second is ongoing and easy to spot as the van drives by, full of long-legged teens hauling gym bags, band instruments, camping equipment and fliers for the next fundraiser. You’ve found your way to my third.
Straight out of college, in a bad economy (Prime = 20%), I stumbled into a job as a technical writer for a regional investment banking firm. The atmosphere was exhilarating, I was hardworking, and I soon found myself structuring and negotiating financings rather than simply describing them. I was promoted to vice president of municipal finance, then corporate finance, and finally left to become chief financial & administrative officer of a company for which I’d raised capital.
I loved consulting, both as a third-party professional and as the new executive hire — getting to know a business and the people who ran it, helping them achieve their goals. I was particularly good at getting them to take an honest look at what they were doing, articulate a mission, organize a plan, then communicate it to employees, shareholders, lenders, industry partners or potential suitors. It was hard work, but it was such a rush to put together the program that got my clients what they needed.
Eventually my kids needed me to help them find their way, full time. But I discovered old “habits” die hard, and before long I was volunteering to tweak all sorts of organizations as a treasurer, youth program director, benefit event organizer, political campaign coordinator, strategic planner and grande dame of communications.
Nearly 15 years had passed since my last performance evaluation. I was up late, figuring out how to get a crowd to the state cross country meet, building a Facebook presence for our high school’s booster club and alum runner pages. (The crowd showed up, and the boys won!) That’s when I realized it was time to follow where this volunteer road was leading, back to the world of communicating and consulting.
Apparently, a few of my friends had this epiphany at the same time. They were calling for help before I could get organized. Scurrying to get in front of the business coming your way: it’s a good thing.
If that’s your problem, or if you hope it will be, I can help. Fill out my e-mail form, and I’ll get back to you with a time when we can talk for an hour, face-to-face or on the phone. No charge for this introductory consulting session. I’ll be your sounding board. You acquaint me with the plans for your organization, and I’ll give you an idea of how I can help – business plan, marketing piece, website copy, Facebook strategy or whatever else makes sense.
I look forward to connecting with you!