I began to create written stories at age six when my mom bestowed me a Hallmark diary as a birthday gift.

I remember standing in the driveway that summer morning, holding its pink, lined pages, knowing I held something special. I often look at the scribbled handwriting from a younger me learning how to hold her pencil and form simple sentences, wondering if she’d know how much she’d love writing so many decades later.

As I grew up, I opened the pages to my second love: visual storytelling. Jaw open, I poured over the vibrant photography in those National Geographic issues.

I absorbed the big, colorful world through those pages sitting in my tiny home in Ohio and bought my first camera at age 11.

I’ve always loved news and communications, especially the human interest segments and desired to be a journalist.

Instead, I chose a “safe” career in business, opting for a marketing degree because it sounded more fun than all the other practical majors a forward-thinking student should pursue.

My career journeyed through various marketing communications and brand strategy roles. I spent 20 years working my way up in advertising, public relations, sales, marketing, branding, strategy and ultimately serving as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer.

I performed well, but knew something was missing. I found myself returning to my childhood passion: documenting and sharing what I observed and experienced.

After nearly bleeding to death from a health crisis several years ago, I documented my journey to offload my painful emotions.

It was a complex, lengthy and scary journey, and I was convinced my dream was dead. I could barely work and most days. Getting out of bed, showering and making a small meal on a restrictive diet was the best I could do. I was spending more than I made on medical treatments, made only more complex after years of misdiagnoses.

Through the power of sharing my own painful story, I understood the power story has to ignite change for others. My story inspired others to dive into their health journey and finally get the healing they needed.

During the time I was enduring my chronic health recovery, I met with a business coach. She helped me understand that my zone of genius as a highly observant, empathic, and sensing person is to translate what I see, sense and feel into multimedia stories.

My mission is to combine what I learned in marketing and in storytelling to integrate storytelling pragmatically into day-to-day communications.

When I meet clients, I see them for who they truly are, affirm their significance, and reflect their unique characteristics creatively to better connect with their target audiences.

The result? You harness the power of your story and gain the confidence and clarity to make a bigger impact in the world.

I envision a world where businesses motivate change in others to make the world better than before.