This is the time for reflection on the year that is almost gone. Every news site, blog post, and twitter update just about has some reflection. So I may as well go with the crowd.
Time Magazine recently called the ‘00 decade the worst in American history, and dubbed it the “Decade from Hell”. I certainly have to agree with them. However, for me 2009 was a hell of a way to end the decade from hell, and that is a good thing.
I believe I am fortunate enough to have seen my personal brand experience a large jump in 2009. From jobs, photography, honors, to just great people I have got to meet, here is how it looked from my side of the fence.
Jobs: When 2009 started I was working at a decent, but very low profile job at Perfect 10, a satellite equipment distributor in NLR. There I was wrapping up the creation of an online division of the marketing department. When I left in April I had been able to move most of the marketing online and hire an assistant to work under me. I took the job at Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions to create a marketing department here. With it comes plenty of challenges, working in a state government system is certainly not for me, but the organization has the potential to really help the state. Through it I have gone to a much more high profile position allowing me to be much more visible than before. With it I have learned how to market an organization not by generating sales, but by increasing influence around the state.
In 2010 I hope for more opportunities to grow professionally and become even better at what I do. This organization faces challenges that will require an even different take on marketing. In addition it appears that I will be for the first time be marketing on a national level rather than local or state.
Photography: I had always been interested in photography, but never put the time in to develop it. In 2009 I finally committed to photography and found out I was decent at it. I’ve received far more compliments than I feel like I probably deserve, but I take what I can get.
2010 looks like a big year potentially for my photography. I have agreed to work with two local non-profits to do photography for their events. In addition I have been asked to show my photography so far 2 times in 2010, and looking at others.
Honors: This one certainly blew my mind, I was named to the first list of Arkansas Business’ 20 in their 20’s. Looking at the others in the group I don’t quite feel up to their standard, but it shows that maybe I am doing something right.
I don’t expect anything like that in 2010, but who knows what will happen.
New Faces: The best part overall was the great people I ended up meeting in 2009. Friends from LR Tweetup, RefreshCA, and other groups have made a huge impact on my life. Little Rock has an amazing group of people living here, I am thankful for every one I have got to know this year.
At the same time I feel like I have just began to scratch the surface. In 2010 I hope we can grow some of these groups and get to know even more people.
There are other things that 2009 has brought me, not all of which I can say at the moment. It has been one hell of a year, and looking back it gives me hope for what is to come. Maybe there is something good in store for the ’10s.
