From a young age, I was always the creative type.
I grew up in Ottawa playing piano and flute, while also learning to tap dance and do ballet. I was homeschooled, so I had the freedom to try different things and see what I enjoyed doing. I took lots of art classes, learning about art history and different types of art mediums. For a while I really enjoyed drawing and creative writing - it was a great way to express myself.
In high school, I attended an arts high school and chose to partake in their Dance Program. Even though dance was my passion at the time, I still joined the school band in Grade 9, and took Media Arts, Yearbook, and Communications Technology classes. Other than my dance classes, these artistic classes were by far my favourite. I learned all about digital media and design and decided that after I graduated, I would either pursue dance or graphic design.
After high school, I chose to pursue dance at George Brown College in Toronto in their Dance Performance Studies program. I figured that the only time to pursue my dance career was when I was young, and graphic design could always wait until I was older - dance couldn't wait.
During my graduating year, we were given a project to create a solo choreographic composition. I decided to step above and beyond and use the skills that I always enjoyed. I created a video to be projected behind my solo composition, to really portray and bring my theme to life. It was a huge success, and it was then that I realized how much I enjoyed making art in different types of mediums.
After I graduated college, I decided to leave Toronto, and wasn't sure I wanted to continue dancing professionally. I soon found a job doing door-to-door sales. I was great at it ad really enjoyed talking to all the different types of people I met. I learned so much from my time there, but soon decided it was time to move on to something else. I moved to London, Ontario, and found a job doing phone sales and B2B sales for a small digital advertising network company, Goat Getter Media. The owner of the company also owned a startup 3D printing company in the same building. I soon got recruited to do sales for the 3D printing company to get it off its feet.
During one meeting, I got asked "Can you draw?" and I responded with "Yes I can". From there on, I started drawing out concepts for clients to show them what their custom 3D-printed products would look like. I became a great asset to the company and soon transitioned to just doing a design role. I designed all of the company's custom products for clients to see before the design was sent off to the 3D modeller. Not long after, Goat Getter Media was starting to pick up again, so I was asked to become the designer for there too. My job was to create 30-second motion advertisements for clients so they could advertise on the digital network. At this time, Goat Getter Media was also in the midst of being acquired by a tech company, Zomaron (now Paystone). Once the company was fully acquired and transitioned over, I moved over to Zomaron and became a designer in the design team.
At this point, I didn't really have any experience working with other designers, but I quickly learned how to work within a team to create various mediums while continuing to make motion advertisements for the digital network. Zomaron was going through a rebrand, so as a design team, we had to create new logos, new marketing material, new banners, new business cards, and a new brand. We were also creating a new product, which needed a new website, and a new Client Management System for our clients to take care of all their back-end needs and keep track of their customers.
I continued working with the design team as it grew bigger, but I realized that what I really enjoyed doing was making videos. An opening for creating a training system came up and I jumped at the opportunity. The job involved creating training modules for new employees and also creating training videos on how to use products. I piloted the training program by myself, gathering information from managers in the company, and creating content and design for the modules. It was a big task, but I thrive when I'm challenged.
I have worked at a variety of both large and small companies including startups - helping them build a brand up from the ground. In 2020, I was asked to be a partner in two businesses - Disinfect & Fog and Caring Support in which I fully created the branding for both companies.
I currently work as a Director of Marketing and Design at Caring Support, overseeing a marketing team of 7, all while ensuring our branding stays consistent and working on application and website design updates.
I am a competitive curler, so during the winter months, you can find me at the curling club almost every day! I teach curling multiple times a week to both brand-new and seasoned curlers which gives me an absolutely immense amount of joy. I love being able to share my passion for curling and help others succeed.
Whenever I'm not curling, I enjoy playing music, video games, crocheting, and of course snuggling with my foster cat. In the summer, I take part in recreational softball to stay active and have a love for seeing the world!
A lot of people ask me this (or something similar along those same lines), and the answer is no. When you go to school for dance and dance every day, you learn a lot more than just steps and how to be graceful. You learn discipline, you learn what hard work truly is, and you learn how to get over challenges.
I have always been a hard worker, but I think I get a lot of my work ethic from being a dancer for so many years. Another thing that I can thank dancing for is being a quick learner. Though I never went to design school, I can very quickly pick up how to use programs or theories behind certain elements.
