In the early 2000s, a career that allowed a wife and mom to support her family while also having the availability to enjoy spending time with them was rare. But that’s the kind of career I wanted for myself - one that allowed me to work hard, play hard, and be paid well. And I wanted my livelihood to be one that allowed me to live where I wanted —near loved ones without the long commute.
With some freelance experience under my belt, a degree in graphic design and an MBA, and years of marketing experience in the financial industry, I decided to go into business for myself. My employer became my first big client. It didn’t start there, though. My background is what shaped me into the driven leader that I’ve become. Here’s my story.
In the early 2000s, a career that allowed a wife and mom to support her family while also having the availability to enjoy spending time with them was rare. But that’s the kind of career I wanted for myself - one that allowed me to work hard, play hard, and be paid well. And I wanted my livelihood to be one that allowed me to live where I wanted —near loved ones without the long commute.
With some freelance experience under my belt, a degree in graphic design and an MBA, and years of marketing experience in the financial industry, I decided to go into business for myself. My employer became my first big client. It didn’t start there, though. My background is what shaped me into the driven leader that I’ve become. Here’s my story.
Army Brat Beginnings
When Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz says “there’s no place like home,” I think of my adopted hometown of Franklin, Virginia. But I was born in Kansas, and it wasn’t a tornado but my dad’s military orders that swept me away.
Both of my parents were in the military when they met, and my father served for 20 years before he retired. They bundled up their little Army brats (me and my brother!) and moved to Germany when I was just two years old. Three years later, we all headed back to the U.S. and settled in Franklin, where I live now.
The Ambitions of Youth
As a child, I wouldn’t say that I was a “natural leader” and I wasn’t a typical “Type A” personality with an entrepreneurial spirit. But I did like to be involved and active, and I worked hard to achieve my best.
My leadership skills and drive developed over time. In high school, I was a competitive volleyball and tennis player, a majorette, a member of Beta Club and art club. I volunteered at the local community college where I helped the Office of Institutional Advancement with marketing and updating their website. And I studied art and I took college classes before even graduating — something that wasn’t common at the time. I was busy, but I loved it.
Most importantly, the activities of my youth taught me discipline. It showed me that I would be rewarded with wins and respect if I kept showing up consistently. I simply applied myself, and it paid off. That’s not to say there weren't issues and setbacks, and by no means did my family have excess nor were things handed to me. But I was able to experience a good middle-class upbringing, and I’m grateful.
Driven to Succeed in College
College offered many opportunities for me to develop my skills as a leader and a marketer, both in class and out of class. At Francis Marion University (FMU), a small liberal arts college in South Carolina, I studied visual arts, graphic design, and photography while playing collegiate volleyball and serving on the executive council of my sorority (ZTA). I worked as many as three part-time jobs at a time, landed multiple internships, and even freelanced as a graphic designer.
I began offering photography services, including portraits, locations, and businesses. And I used photo manipulation techniques to edit and restore pictures. I was also designing publications, logos, brochures, email marketing, invitations, flyers, stationery, presentations, and more for local businesses. It was exciting and demanding work that laid the foundation for the job I do today.
Four years in, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, with a double concentration in Graphic Design and Photography.
Kickstarting my Career
My degree, experience, and portfolio helped me land my first job as a graphic designer for First Reliance Bank. The job quickly developed into a marketing specialist role where I began to sharpen my skills.
My contributions helped the company receive recognition as one of the Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies, Palmetto 25, and to exceed $500 million in assets.
On top of this, I also found time to earn my MBA at FMU. I was proud of our accomplishments at the bank, proud of myself, and confident about my career trajectory.
But then the recession hit, and along with so many other people around the country, I was laid off in February 2008.
Thankfully, I had my freelancing skills to fall back on and barely missed a beat.
Later that year, I landed at Armstrong Wealth Management Group. Leveraging my financial industry experience, I honed my marketing skills even further, and shifted into business development mode.
At AWMG, I managed all marketing, public relations, and events, while focusing on helping grow the firm. In addition to business development, I held a dual role as a client service manager assisting in the development and execution of the overall strategy for clients’ investment and wealth management plans, as well as developing relationships with clients and transitioning new clients into the firm.
It was a deep dive and crash course in everything I love about helping clients grow their firms today.
But when my husband and I decided to move from South Carolina back to our hometown of Franklin, I couldn’t take my job with me. As a newly married couple with plans to start a family in the not-too-distant future, I knew a full-time office job couldn’t offer the flexibility and income we would need to build the life we hoped for.
And that’s when Crystal Marketing Solutions was born. I moved home, started the business, and Armstrong Wealth Management Group became the agency’s first client. You can read their case study here which showcases our role in establishing their local prominence and top reputation.
The Good Life
Like so many of my clients, I’m not driven by the pursuit of fancy things or extravagance. I appreciate the fact that business allows me to create financial freedom and security for my family. It allows me to put what matters most first. Serving my clients to help them grow their businesses and live the life they want is what enables me to grow my business and create the life I want.
What’s most important to me is family. I’ve been happily married since 2011, and I have two children (Audrey and Corey) and two cats.
I’m an active member of my church (Elevate) and community as a member of Franklin Southampton Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Western Tidewater Tennis Association, James L Camp YMCA, and Franklin Business Center.
And I also love to stay active! Sports are still a big part of my life — playing tennis and pickleball, lifting weights, working out, and coaching volleyball.
I always jump at every opportunity to kick back on the beaches of North and South Carolina, visit friends out of state, or take a Disney cruise. Both my parents had to work; we didn’t have a lot of money. I only remember one vacation as a kid, and that was with my grandparents to Myrtle Beach. This is why traveling and vacations are so important to me now. Experiences mean more to me than things.
I also find time to enjoy Marvel movies, pursue personal and professional development, and listen to podcasts and audiobooks whenever I can.
This is my version of the good life, and I’m grateful to continue to have the opportunity and privilege to build a business that supports it.
