Photography and graphic design have been my hobbies since I was 12. After getting kicked out at 18, I bartended my way through college and earned my BBA with a minor in marketing. I did freelance work for local companies designing logos, flyers, menus, taking pictures, setting up websites, etc. I have always loved the creativity aspect, but also loved the challenge of selling something and the abstract thinking involved in marketing.

Honestly, my plan was to get a job somewhere that had a marketing team, so I could gather some experience and pick up skills I’m missing and just kind of learn the ropes. Well, I got an amazing opportunity to take over the marketing for a local apple orchard with over 100 years of history. The current owners bought it two years ago and are trying to restore it to the community hub it once was, as it fell wayside due to bad ownership. They’ve done a fantastic job renovating, the community is supportive and excited, and they’ve opened up a bar/restaurant and are in the works of renovating one of the barns to be a gorgeous hall for wedding receptions and other events that overlooks the orchard. They hired me based on my personality and they admired my drive and wanted someone to grow and learn with them.

I am beyond excited, but I put a lot of pressure on myself to excel and it gives me anxiety to think I could be doing more. I know it will take time to learn and my head is already swimming with ideas, but I would love to hear tips from more seasoned marketers so I can do my best for the owners. My current responsibilities include: taking photos/videos, managing social media, designing menus/flyers, managing the website, incorporating email marketing eventually, and obviously anything related to spreading the word about events and the changes being made.