What inspired you to start your business?I started Digital Brand Expressions because I saw an opportunity to get into the digital marketing space and it was new and there was lots of pioneering to be done. 18 years later, DBE is recognized as a performance agency for search engine and social media marketing, sought after by brands for which those channels are real business drivers. 

Now, in addition to growing DBE, I’m launching a second business, Owlthena, the expert listening service for business owners. This category-creating service will provide business owners a conduit to clarity^smwhen they find themselves stuck in a pattern of circular thinking.

What do you like most about what you do?For both businesses, I love that feeling of knowing with absolute certainty that what we do truly helps others. DBE does it through competitive advantage performance marketing; Owlthena does it through 1:1 attention clear thinking encouragement for business owners.

What is your definition of success?For me, success is a day-to-day measure. Am I achieving the strategy level goals by achieving the tactical-level ones? Am I taking care of myself? Am I actively helping others? Am I feeling the joy that comes from purposefulness? If yes, I’m successful.

What advice would you give to an inspiring entrepreneur or student?  Build a network and use it! Don’t be shy about asking for help, for introductions. Ask others what you can do for them. When you first start out, most likely you’ll be asking for more than you give—if you do it right, eventually there will be balance, and perhaps over time you’ll get so good at it that you’ll be giving much more than you ask for--and that’s a wonderful place to be!

Essential business philosophy.Lead with kindness, adjust accordingly. 

What is the biggest business lesson you’ve learned?Ask for help to get what you need and the universe will ask you to reciprocate when your help is needed by others.

Why is community involvement important to you and how do you support the local community?I actively mentor young men and women who seek my career advice by making myself available to them to answer questions and offer tips, and I have the not-for-profits that I sponsor financially, including The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen on a local basis, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on a national basis, and Charity Water on a global basis to help me give back in the ways that work best for my life.

FUN FACTS:

Morning ritual: Coffee; check my peeps on Facebook; read 2-3 business articles on something new, innovative, or controversial; take a walk; meditate for 10 minutes; hit the shower; and then listen to podcasts about matters of the soul and mind for my 30-minute drive to the office.

Next vacation: Aruba. I hear it’s a guarantee from a wonderful weather standpoint. I need some of that!

What is something that people don’t know about you?  Though I rarely talk about spirituality, I am very interested in the energy in and around us and fascinated by all that is in this world that we cannot see and are just beginning to realize is just as real.

Favorite place in your house & why: hands down it’s in “my chair” in front of the fireplace in our family room, sitting opposite my guy while we have our morning coffee and chat about whatever comes to mind.

If you were stranded on an island what 3 things would you have to have with you?A French bulldog, a horse, and an umbrella.

If you could invite anyone living or dead to dinner who would you invite & why?Oscar Wilde. I admire his quick wittedness and word play. So clever!