Where were you born and raised?
Glencoe, Alabama.
What is your occupation?
Marketing Director for The Messenger newspaper.
What made you decide to work in your field?
I’ve always loved supporting small businesses – it’s been a passion of mine. If given the choice, I would rather purchase from a mom-and-pop store than a big box store. I want to help small businesses thrive. They can do that through advertising and promotion. As the Marketing Director of The Messenger newspaper, I want to be able to help businesses any way I can. We make advertising affordable and easy. I decided to work in marketing because helping individuals and businesses gives me joy. I want to see them succeed!
Tell us about your family and pets.
I am married to my best friend Cameron. We have been married four years this month. We met right after I graduated high school. We have a two-year-old little girl named Quinn. She is an energetic and happy little girl! We love spending time with our extended family.
Describe an average day in your life. I wake up probably to my little girl pulling me out of bed. We start our day off in prayer. It’s important to me for her to learn God’s love for her at a young age. We thank Him for another beautiful day, and then we enjoy breakfast together. Then, off to work I go! I get to work at 8 a.m. and start answering any e-mails from the afternoon before. I then start working on whatever special edition we have coming out that month. I not only sale, but build advertisements as well. If it’s a pretty day, I love to go out and talk to businesses about advertising in The Messenger newspaper. When I get off work I pick Quinn up from the babysitter and head off to the house to start on some dinner. That is one of my favorite times of the day. I love cooking. I love sitting at the table with my little family and discussing our day.
What school or schools have you attended?
I am a 2015 graduate of Glencoe High School and a 2018 graduate of Gadsden State Community College.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’ve actually taken up plants! My porch and home are full of them. It’s now a hobby to keep them alive. I like learning better ways to help them grow and thrive. I probably have about 25 different types of plants to take care of now.
What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
You know, I’ve worked most of my life. My senior year in high school I got my first “real” job. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, but even still that is not my greatest accomplishment. I would have to say my daughter is my greatest accomplishment. She is an amazing little human and I am blessed to be her mother. I thank God daily for allowing me to have her and love her. It is a blessing to see her grow and learn.
Name the one person that has been the most influential in your life. Why?
Hands down, my grandmother. She has a heart of gold. She and my grandfather raised me in church. My mom worked a lot and was a single mother the beginning of my life. I spent my days with my grandparents. My grandmother was like a second mother to me. She has always been there. This year she will be 86. She is still so full of life and so much fun to be around. I would not be who I am today without my grandmother.
To what do you credit your success?
God. Nothing is possible without him. He has seen me through some really hard times. He has also been there through all the great times too. My success in life is all because of Him.
What is your favorite thing about this community?
I love the small-town life. I know many people try to get out of Gadsden to see the world, but my world is right here. I love the fact that I know who runs local businesses and where the best places are to eat dinner in town. I love that everyone knows everybody’s name and high school football games are always packed. I love the support small towns receive.
What would you like to see change in the community?
Right now? The employment rate. I will not get too deep into it, but right now businesses are struggling because lack of workers. I hate to see that. I miss the pre-COVID world.
What is something surprising that many do not know about you?
I am a certified cosmetologist. Before I found myself in marketing, I got a degree in Salon and Spa Management. I am still licensed to do hair and do my family members and friends hair all the time.
What is your favorite quote?
“Kind people are my kind of people,” because its true. Kindness goes a long way. You never know whose world you could change just by being a kind human being.
What is on your bucket list?
To try eggs cooked every way possible. Did you know there are over 100 ways? And here we are just scrambling them in the South…it’s wild. I actually got an egg cooker for Christmas, so I’m well on my way to crossing this one off my list.
What is your hidden talent?
I am surprisingly really good at arcade games. Take me with you and I will win you all the tickets!
If a movie were made about your life, who would you want to play you?
I would love Zooey Deschanel to play me. She’s fun! And She can rock some bangs, which I love.
What advice would you give yourself as a child?
Keep that fire going kid. Keep working hard. Keep your head up and I promise it really does pay off. They are going to tell you to not follow your dreams and be practical. Follow those dreams anyway. You are so strong and so smart. You will do great things.
