Crystal - Roadmap to Marketing

What do you do for a living?

Marketing. Currently in healthcare, and I have started my own gig.

What does a day at your job look like?

My day starts at 345am when I get up and head out to spend 2 hours in the gym. First I network and then I play basketball with potential business partners while continuing to network. I spend the rest of the day meeting with referral sources to drive business and resolving any obstacles to business referrals.

What path did you take to get here?

Graduated high school -->

Joined the Army -->

Went to boot camp, trained and worked as a combat medic -->

Got honorably discharged after my first pregnancy -->

Worked in sales and management positions while raising my kids (I was the first female car saleswoman in Nashville)-->

I almost died due to an ectopic pregnancy and was inspired by a very caring, present nurse who took care of me -->

Went to nursing school and got my Bachelor’s in Pre- med and Healthcare Administration -->

Got my MBA-->

Worked in multiple healthcare jobs (including hospice after watching hospice work with my grandmother) -->

Changed to working as a Marketing Specialist in hospice -->

Accepted position as Community Liaison in mental health in Chicago -->

Am also running my own media/marketing company

What are the Challenges of your job?

1. Being kind with truth telling - sometimes people don’t want to hear truth and at times I don’t know how to say truth without coming across harsh.

2. Faking it. Sometimes I’ve gotta smile when I don’t want to. In marketing, you always have to be "on".

What are the blessings of your job?

Awesome relationships. Building relationships is my passion and my purpose. I like talking to people, being able to help people, knowing people.

What 3 characteristics do you have to possess or develop to do your job well?

1. Discipline

2. Candor

3. A positive attitude

What are 3 concrete things you’d tell someone on their journey to doing your job?

1. Find a good mentor to show you the way and be on your side.

2. Self-assess to make sure you can do the job.

3. Do your research. Marketing takes work and dedication to relationships, which are give-and-take. You gotta give to get. Don’t get fooled by the glamor of closing the deal.

@xposyourmedia