Don’t be afraid to work. My father has offered me that advice numerous times, and it is something I remind myself of every day. It’s simple but has a wide range of unlimited meaning. I’ve surpassed many peers around me that went to prestigious universities because of my work ethic. To that end, never be intimidated by a name.
My love for God and love for people motivates and inspires me to better the community. I was created with a purpose, and I am thankful for all the Lord has done for me. In response to what He has done for me, I want to be faithful and committed in loving people and bettering the community.
I love seeing young people learn to love entrepreneurism and business. I grew up in a home where my mother was creating and growing her own small business. Small business owners have a passion and drive to overcome that we must pass down to the next generation.
Do not hesitate to reach out to other people in or outside of your profession. Help is around every corner. Mentors come in every shape, size, age, color, religion, gender—you name it. Once you have your bearings, you need to move into a mentoring role and help the next generation.
My daughters are both my motivation to continually work toward improving our neighborhood and community. I want them to know that it is the little things that make huge differences. It is easy to point out what everyone else isn’t doing, but I want them to know that there is little room to speak if we aren’t being proactive ourselves.
The best leadership advice I’ve been given is that leading is about serving and communicating effectively, not about knowing the most or being the smartest. Leadership is learning from others about how best to serve their needs, support their efforts and engage them as a community … And if you don’t have a plan, you have a very bad plan.
Follow your passion. After college, I followed a path that felt safe and aligned with what others thought I should do instead of committing to the issues and work I was passionate about. When I trusted my gut and committed to changing industries, I truly started to excel in my career and began making a larger impact in the community.
The best career advice I was given is that you don’t always need to know the answer but do need to know how to find the answer.
My favorite thing about Stark County is the people! There are so many inspiring people that have given so much back to our community. In the face of challenge or prosperity, our community has always come together to tackle anything that comes our way. As a need comes up, our community is looking for ways to find the solution.
There is so much about Stark County to love. I’ve spent my whole life here. And as good as it is to see other states and to travel out of the country, there is something special about coming home to Stark County that I don’t think will ever be lost on me. The people, the seasons, the energy and the heart… it’s truly a wonderful place to live.
