A New Adventure

I'll be the first to admit it: I like to be comfortable. I like routine, I love knowing where I stand with people, and how I can contribute. I like the sporadic, but it's almost a planned sporadic. A "you know, we haven't done anything crazy lately, let's pencil that in" kind of sporadic.

I've been with Bernard Hodes Group for about three years now (I'm rounding a little...). And I can truly say that this experience has been the best in my professional career. Some of you might raise an eyebrow at that. I'm young, how much professional experience could I possibly have? Well, let me tell you mister - I've been working since the ripe age of 14, and up until Hodes, I had identified many things that I did not want to do.

And then I found Hodes. Or rather, it found me. And then I met Shannon and Lori, Chris and Jenna, Jim and David, Carlene...and so many others. I started at Hodes as a Social Media Analyst (whatever that is) and I began my first true professional step to my career.

Sob.

They say that parents raise their kids so they can spread their wings - and a true mentor, boss, and team is no different from a family. Shannon - I can truly say that you are the manager I hope to be in the future. The inspiring strong woman who leads in her industry, who inspired me to be more, reach higher, and achieve my aspirations.

Lori - my partner in crime, my pseudo mom, and continuous source of inspiration (and book share). Chris - my football fantasy contributor, real life talk time, and great distraction.

My team at Hodes gave me exposure to so many firsts. My first speech at a national conference (and second, and third, and fourth...)My first virtual team experience, my first webinar, my first published article... It taught me to be confident, that saying "no" is sometimes the right answer.

And so it is bittersweet that I now say goodbye. And I mean goodbye in the "answering crap tons of emails, going through a rocky acquisition, and amazing client work, day to day, and experience". But it is not goodbye to the friends and companions I've made along the way.

Cheers Hodes - you were a good one for me.