Working on What’s Next: A Self-Taught Marketer Between Chapters

The last time I was unemployed, the world was in lockdown and everything felt uncertain. Our company had been downsized, and I chose to step down to support a member of my team—hoping that something better was waiting on the other side. Spoiler: it was.

Fast-forward four years, and here I am again. Recently laid off, 13 months postpartum, I find myself revisiting the highs and lows of my career—remembering not just the work, but the people, the moments, and the growth along the way. People often say to separate the personal from the professional, but for me, the two have always been intertwined. I’ve made lifelong friendships at work. I’ve laughed, cried, grown, and led, all while learning as I go.

And now, I’m applying to jobs again. I polish my resume, write tailored cover letters, and hope that somewhere in those lines, a real human or a generous algorithm can see past the bullet points and into the person I am. It's daunting.

But as my dad always says:

1. A hundred no’s equal one yes.

So, I’ve set a goal to apply to 100 jobs. Maybe, just maybe, one will be my yes. (Cue champagne bottle pop and glasses clinking. 🍾🥂 I believe in visualizing success.)

2. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

So I prepare. I apply. I show up.

This morning, after a few hours of sending applications, I received a message from a former colleague turned friend who sent me a job posting that stopped me in my tracks. A company was hiring an interim Director of Marketing because the new hire was seven months pregnant and heading out on maternity leave. I was floored—in the best way. Inspired. Excited. Hopeful. I had used their product during my own feeding journey, and suddenly, here I was writing a cover letter that blended my personal story with my professional qualifications. I never expected to feel seen in a job post—but that’s the power of a mission-driven brand led by empathetic, visionary leadership.

Yesterday, I applied to a tech company and noticed a marketing lead who shared her nontraditional journey into the field—and her home state with me. I reached out to say thank you for sharing her path, and to let her know I’d just applied. It felt right. Genuine. That moment reminded me: sharing our stories matters.

And that’s why I’m writing this.

Years ago, during another career break, I started a blog. It was simple—focused on helping people take small steps toward purpose. I believed (and still do) that no one can fix everything wrong in the world, but we can all do something. That blog paused once I re-entered the workforce, fully focused on building a marketing department from scratch (more on that later). Then came engagement, a wedding, a baby. Life sped up.

But now, with this unexpected pause, I feel the pull to write again. To connect. To reflect.

I’ve learned so much—from every setback, leap, late night, and leadership challenge. If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone or a little more inspired, then it’s worth it. I’m not promising perfection or a chronological order. This space will be part career journal, part life reflection, and fully me.

So, if you’re curious, subscribe. Stick around. We’ll figure it out together.

Thanks for being here. Sending good energy your way, wherever you are in your own journey.