In 1998, I was blessed with the opportunity to help a friend launch her clothing line. I was completely shocked. Just years before I had studied everything from human anatomy to tv production to public relations to child development.
I had only done very small projects, but I had ideas that she and her investors were impressed with when we talked. I did freelance work for her for about 3 years. I have loved every opportunity that I have gotten to do freelance marketing for different companies, but the call to finish school was getting louder.
This call has taken me on a journey that I didn’t expect. I wasn’t sure if wanted to get a degree in business, marketing or advertisement. I thought that I wanted to finish my advertising degree that I started at Towson State University, but I was thinking that I wanted to move out of Maryland. On my search, Charlotte kept nagging at me, so I began to research what Charlotte had to offer. My search led me to The Art Institute of Charlotte.
At the age of 31, I officially started at the Art Institute of Charlotte in October 2005. I took one class online and moved to the Charlotte area in December 2005. My life as a fashion marketing student has been interesting and long. It has been a struggle to be able to maintain my sanity while going back to school. Being at school with people who are 10 to 15 years younger than me is an experience. Imagine if you will, my perspective, of talking to people who weren't even alive when the Challenger exploded. There are times that I wonder did I get in the game too late. Am I too old to really do this?
There have been many trials and tribulations and smiles and laughter. It just depends on the day. Most days I am plugged into my computer, it literally goes everywhere I do. I could be cranky because I didn’t get enough sleep or be thinking darn it why didn’t that print out right. I could be smiling because I know that this experience has confirmed that I want to own my own business and that I have no interest in the design aspect of apparel. I am always saying that I am not creative, but have to realize that it is just a different view of creativity. I get excited about writing, creating a business and marketing plans, psychology and math. Ask me to style someone or draw an outfit and I guarantee that I will freak out. So, I might not be able to tell you which shoes to wear with that outfit, but I can figure out ways to fund your passion.
I had only done very small projects, but I had ideas that she and her investors were impressed with when we talked. I did freelance work for her for about 3 years. I have loved every opportunity that I have gotten to do freelance marketing for different companies, but the call to finish school was getting louder.
This call has taken me on a journey that I didn’t expect. I wasn’t sure if wanted to get a degree in business, marketing or advertisement. I thought that I wanted to finish my advertising degree that I started at Towson State University, but I was thinking that I wanted to move out of Maryland. On my search, Charlotte kept nagging at me, so I began to research what Charlotte had to offer. My search led me to The Art Institute of Charlotte.
At the age of 31, I officially started at the Art Institute of Charlotte in October 2005. I took one class online and moved to the Charlotte area in December 2005. My life as a fashion marketing student has been interesting and long. It has been a struggle to be able to maintain my sanity while going back to school. Being at school with people who are 10 to 15 years younger than me is an experience. Imagine if you will, my perspective, of talking to people who weren't even alive when the Challenger exploded. There are times that I wonder did I get in the game too late. Am I too old to really do this?
There have been many trials and tribulations and smiles and laughter. It just depends on the day. Most days I am plugged into my computer, it literally goes everywhere I do. I could be cranky because I didn’t get enough sleep or be thinking darn it why didn’t that print out right. I could be smiling because I know that this experience has confirmed that I want to own my own business and that I have no interest in the design aspect of apparel. I am always saying that I am not creative, but have to realize that it is just a different view of creativity. I get excited about writing, creating a business and marketing plans, psychology and math. Ask me to style someone or draw an outfit and I guarantee that I will freak out. So, I might not be able to tell you which shoes to wear with that outfit, but I can figure out ways to fund your passion.
My journey as a fashion marketing student will end soon. I don’t know what my next step will be and that is a little scary, but it is the road I will take. So, if you are out there and need someone to help you create your business image .... I am your woman.
My journey is mine.
Convoluted, but joyously mine.
No comments:
Post a Comment