What have you accomplished in your professional life/career since your 40 Under 40 selection?
As part of the 40 Under 40 class of 2010, I can confidently say that a lot has happened in the past 10 years! When it comes to business, I typically have a “slow and steady wins the race” mentality, which has proven to be a successful strategy for us. Our firm, Rescue Desk Virtual Assistant Services, has been steadily growing every year in the number and types of clients we serve, we’ve added some truly exceptional people to our team (allowing us to provide even more high-level business support services), and we’ve enjoyed double-digit revenue growth almost every year.
Because of my active role in the local business community, I’ve also been truly honored to be part of some amazing opportunities in nonprofit board service for organizations doing extraordinarily impactful work in our community. I’ve been invited to be a speaker about topics facing small business owners, I’ve had a ton of fun being interviewed on radio shows and podcasts, and I love teaching aspiring entrepreneurs through my volunteer work with WWBIC. Being a member of the 40 Under 40 was also a proud accomplishment, as was being part of In Business magazine’s “Fittest Executive” series in 2013!
The thing I’m most proud of, though, is that I’ve cultivated a highly influential network of colleagues, peers, and local leaders whom I greatly admire, respect, and have wonderful relationships with, and who have been instrumental in helping us succeed!
What accomplishments, milestones, or endeavors have you attained in your personal life since your 40 Under 40 selection?
There were certainly some memorable milestones in the past 10 years — I bought my first home, I got married, I discovered a love of the Caribbean (and have traveled there a handful of times), I overcame some challenging personal setbacks, I welcomed new family members into my life, and I said final goodbyes to people I loved.
But one of my biggest personal accomplishments involves the volunteer work I do outside of my work. I’ve been a foster parent for the Dane County Humane Society, as well as Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims, since 2010, and I’ve been a foster mom to close to 50 animals. It’s been so meaningful to give these animals safe, temporary shelter (and spoil them rotten!) while they recover from surgeries, de-stress from time at the shelter, look for their forever homes, or (in the case of SAAV) wait to reunite their owners.
If you were to “do it all over again,” what (if anything) would you do differently throughout your career?
I don’t think I’d do anything differently. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason; we’re right where we’re supposed to be in any given moment, and I believe all things happen in “divine order.” Without the wins, the challenges, the adventures, the difficulties, and all the “nothing special” that happens in between, we wouldn’t learn what we need to learn and use those lessons to make our lives and the lives of those around us better and more meaningful.
What is something that you have a new passion for since the time of your induction — either professionally or personally?
I don’t think I’ve necessarily gained new passions, but the passions I do have continue to get stronger.
Professionally, I’m extremely passionate about small business and doing whatever I can to support and see small businesses succeed, as they’re the backbone of the economy. I’m passionate about seeing and supporting women and minorities in leadership, as I think we have a LONG way to go before there’s equal representation across all segments — media, business, government, board rooms, etc.
Personally, I’ve always been an advocate and supporter of causes around domestic violence and ending the cycle of abuse. I also get extremely excited about the volunteer work I do for shelter animals, as every companion animal deserves a home.
So, my passions haven’t necessarily changed, but they’ve evolved and grown significantly stronger as I’ve continued to increase my knowledge and awareness of the issues I’m passionate about.
Based on your experience, do you have any advice for today’s young professionals (under 40)?
Be true to yourself and strive for authenticity. Honor your priorities, live your values, and have a deep understanding WHY you’re doing what you’re doing. Read a ton and seek out advice but be discerning — nobody knows what’s best for you except you. Be brave and move forward even if you’re afraid; your best life will happen outside your comfort zone.
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