My Biography
I credit my strong work ethic, integrity, faith and humor for my successful career. A native of northwest Indiana, my dream job in pro sports led me to Indianapolis, Indiana, where I began my career as a member of the Indiana Pacers’ highly-regarded media relations department. I never envisioned that dream job would lead me to becoming a business owner.
In 2011, I created Candor Creative, LLC. But, it was the path started during my tenure in the Pacers’ media relations department that led to my entrepreneurship.
Always a keen observer, I noticed a lack of communication between the Pacers team and its fans. As a result, I developed the team’s first-ever electronic newsletter entitled Pacers Weekly—delivered via fax to over 4,000 fans! I served as the sole content creator, editor and designer of the weekly newsletter (using Microsoft Word). As the evolution of the electronic age brought new forms of communication, an email version of Pacers Weekly replaced the faxed version, for which I served as sole editor. But, my technical and creative savvy did not go unnoticed. Upon suggestion by the team’s print vendor, and after a few courses to learn desktop publishing software, the design of the team’s annual media guide—a 300+ page book featuring the team’s players, statistics and history—was added to my duties. These duties were in addition to my already full schedule, which increased twofold as the team’s on-the-court success reached new heights.
Ultimately, the work on the media guide developed into additional graphic requests, and as the team expanded into a sports and entertainment company to include two professional basketball teams (Pacers and Indiana Fever of the WNBA); a charitable division, Pacers Foundation; and the venue in which the games and events were held, my role expanded as well. In 2001, I became manager of the company’s publications department of which I was instrumental in the development. In my role as publications manager, I managed a graphic design team, a print production center and digital asset libraries, while successfully coordinating, facilitating, and executing on-time delivery of more than 2,000 projects annually. In addition to my management duties, I continued as the creator and designer of both teams’ media guides, as well as the Pacers' game program.
Unfortunately, the lack of the team’s on-court success led to financial challenges that resulted in the elimination of the publications department and my role in the company.
Shortly thereafter, I secured a job at a local chapter of a non-profit national organization of women business owners. Notwithstanding a lack of business acumen, I focused on my strengths putting my creative and multitasking skills to work with fearlessness and tenacity. I revamped inefficient operational systems into streamlined and accountable event registration; I created and oversaw the development, publishing and delivery of premier events program books and Web pages, including the implementation of ad sales; and directed the Web developer providing advice, content and guidance on the organization’s website redesign. In addition, I handled the day-to-day office operations, membership and partnership management and fulfillment, and website management. Consequently, during my tenure the chapter grew into the third largest chapter in the country.
Clearly influenced and encouraged by the many women business owners I encountered, it was then I decided to join the ranks and become a woman business owner myself. Blessed with such a diverse background, my company, Candor Creative, is able to offer a variety of services, from desktop publishing, graphic design, and proofreading to marketing, editorial and technical consultation to event planning and media/public relations.
The same year I started my company, another major change occurred in my life. I relocated to Tampa, Florida. In January 2013, I began sharing my in-depth marketing knowledge and technical skills with a small family-owned vacation rental business located on Anna Maria Island, Coastal Cottages AMI, serving as the company's marketing director.
In January 2015, I joined a full-service marketing company, Marketing in Color, located in downtown Tampa, as an account manager. My role as an account manager was to serve as the direct link between MIC and its clients, while managing day-to-day affairs and ensuring client satisfaction. In October 2018, due to company downsizing, unfortunately, my role at MIC was eliminated.
Starting in January 2019, I became an account executive at Promopoint, a national retail promotion agency, and a division of Advantage Solutions.
I continue to look for opportunities that can benefit from my skills and from which I can continue to learn and hone my craft.
In 2011, I created Candor Creative, LLC. But, it was the path started during my tenure in the Pacers’ media relations department that led to my entrepreneurship.
Always a keen observer, I noticed a lack of communication between the Pacers team and its fans. As a result, I developed the team’s first-ever electronic newsletter entitled Pacers Weekly—delivered via fax to over 4,000 fans! I served as the sole content creator, editor and designer of the weekly newsletter (using Microsoft Word). As the evolution of the electronic age brought new forms of communication, an email version of Pacers Weekly replaced the faxed version, for which I served as sole editor. But, my technical and creative savvy did not go unnoticed. Upon suggestion by the team’s print vendor, and after a few courses to learn desktop publishing software, the design of the team’s annual media guide—a 300+ page book featuring the team’s players, statistics and history—was added to my duties. These duties were in addition to my already full schedule, which increased twofold as the team’s on-the-court success reached new heights.
Ultimately, the work on the media guide developed into additional graphic requests, and as the team expanded into a sports and entertainment company to include two professional basketball teams (Pacers and Indiana Fever of the WNBA); a charitable division, Pacers Foundation; and the venue in which the games and events were held, my role expanded as well. In 2001, I became manager of the company’s publications department of which I was instrumental in the development. In my role as publications manager, I managed a graphic design team, a print production center and digital asset libraries, while successfully coordinating, facilitating, and executing on-time delivery of more than 2,000 projects annually. In addition to my management duties, I continued as the creator and designer of both teams’ media guides, as well as the Pacers' game program.
Unfortunately, the lack of the team’s on-court success led to financial challenges that resulted in the elimination of the publications department and my role in the company.
Shortly thereafter, I secured a job at a local chapter of a non-profit national organization of women business owners. Notwithstanding a lack of business acumen, I focused on my strengths putting my creative and multitasking skills to work with fearlessness and tenacity. I revamped inefficient operational systems into streamlined and accountable event registration; I created and oversaw the development, publishing and delivery of premier events program books and Web pages, including the implementation of ad sales; and directed the Web developer providing advice, content and guidance on the organization’s website redesign. In addition, I handled the day-to-day office operations, membership and partnership management and fulfillment, and website management. Consequently, during my tenure the chapter grew into the third largest chapter in the country.
Clearly influenced and encouraged by the many women business owners I encountered, it was then I decided to join the ranks and become a woman business owner myself. Blessed with such a diverse background, my company, Candor Creative, is able to offer a variety of services, from desktop publishing, graphic design, and proofreading to marketing, editorial and technical consultation to event planning and media/public relations.
The same year I started my company, another major change occurred in my life. I relocated to Tampa, Florida. In January 2013, I began sharing my in-depth marketing knowledge and technical skills with a small family-owned vacation rental business located on Anna Maria Island, Coastal Cottages AMI, serving as the company's marketing director.
In January 2015, I joined a full-service marketing company, Marketing in Color, located in downtown Tampa, as an account manager. My role as an account manager was to serve as the direct link between MIC and its clients, while managing day-to-day affairs and ensuring client satisfaction. In October 2018, due to company downsizing, unfortunately, my role at MIC was eliminated.
Starting in January 2019, I became an account executive at Promopoint, a national retail promotion agency, and a division of Advantage Solutions.
I continue to look for opportunities that can benefit from my skills and from which I can continue to learn and hone my craft.