A Personal Story

During high school I was in the Air Force Junior ROTC program. It was a mistake in my class schedule that transformed into being the youngest officer cadet in my school’s history. I was commander of the prestigious Kitty Hawk Society, attended summer camps at McDill Air Force base & working towards my college application to West Point.

That senior year, I went to see a circus performance: Ringling Brothers Barnum & Baily. During the show I quickly realized I did not want to attend the military. Instead, inspired by the circus performances I started gaining skill sets to become a clown. I learned how to juggle by facing the wall. Every time I messed up my knuckles scraped the wall causing cuts and bruises. This process was painful but effective. I started researching clown schools & came across Ringling College of Art & Design. In that moment I said to myself: “Never mind this clown nonsense... I’m going to be an artist!”

It was the only college application I decided to send in. I had never taken any art classes before & had fourteen days to create a portfolio. I spent that time creating charcoal drawings of anything I could. When I got to the interview. I waited in the lobby embarrassed because everyone had large professional canvas portfolios while i carried my drawings in plastic grocery bags. Some how, someone saw potential in me and I was accepted. 

How serendipitous that later in life I would accept a job creating and later strategizing ads & campaigns for the grocery industry. The universe comes back full circle sometimes. This starting story represents the key values I hold myself to. Whatever the task or skill set, have pride and dedication in everything you do. Be flexible, adapt to your environment and then seek to enhance it for the better.