President of Bucket Media

AGE: 41

JOB DESCRIPTION: If you own a business or know someone who does, you know that we wear many “hats,” but aside from dipping my hands in human resources, accounting, managing projects and day-to-day operations, my main focus is prospecting new business. Whether is it cultivating existing relationships or cold calling, I spend most of my day doing just that.

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 7

HOMETOWN: I was born in Jefferson, Iowa, and lived in Garner, Iowa, until I was in third grade. My father took a job as a superintendent in Newtown, Mo., where I lived until I went to college.

EDUCATION: I graduated from high school in Newtown and then went to college at Northeast Missouri State University, where I received a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications. Since college, I have completed the Sandler Sales Institute and the Media Buying Academy.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Chamber ambassador, Rainbow House board member, second vice president and development chair at Rainbow House, past chair of Leadership Columbia, Columbia Chamber of Commerce Total Resources Campaign vice chair for past two years, past Advertising Federation president, member of Truman State Mid-Missouri Alumni Association, served on the Cancer Research Center Gala committee and Boys & Girls Club public relations committee.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I started my career in marketing when I accepted a job as the director of business development at an advertising agency in Boulder, Colo. When we moved to Columbia in 2000, I accepted a position as a marketing consultant for a group of seven radio stations. I then moved onto take a position as a vice president of business development for a media buying company before launching Bucket Media Inc.

A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: I think this is the hardest question to answer because there are so many wonderful options to choose from in Columbia. Tom Atkins and Jose Lindner for their entrepreneurial spirit and giving so much back to Columbia. Jack Smith and Steve Sweitzer for their creative minds and Lynda Baumgartner, Teresa Maledy and Melody Parry for being strong role models for women in the business community.

WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: Although we work with regional and national clients, working with local clients and watching their businesses grow is very rewarding. I love knowing that when I present a media plan to a client, it is the right plan and I can truly make a difference in the success of their business.

IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Either be staying home with my son, Aden, or be coaching a high school basketball team and hopefully taking them to the state playoffs. Most of my family worked in the school system, and when I was younger all I wanted to be was a teacher and a coach.

BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: Juggling family, owning a business and staying involved in the community. I truly admire the many people in the community I see doing this. It is so hard to find the right balance of these three, but lately, most of the time, I feel like I finally have it right.

A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Taking a leap and opening a company. It has been a dream of mine since I graduated from college, but it was really hard to do this with a family and no guarantees. I told myself 40 was my year, and with a very supportive husband and great partners, we made sacrifices to make it happen.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: I love the world of advertising. When it’s done correctly, it can make a difference in whether a business thrives or fails. It’s hard for a business to determine the right budget and the right media mix if they do not have all the information they need. There is so much more that goes in to an advertising plan than just a few radio, TV and print ads.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Lately, I love spending most of my free time playing baseball and hoop ball with my son, Aden, in the backyard. I also enjoy spending time at Lake of the Ozarks, hanging out with my family, going to Chicago for my annual girls’ trip to watch the Cardinals beat the Cubs and just relaxing at the pool or on our back patio with a few cocktails.

FAMILY: My husband, Scott, works for Atkins, and we will have been married for 10 years in February. We have a son, Aden, 2 1/2, who is Mommy’s angel most of the time and loves sports and trucks. I also have a stepson, Brandon, who is 18 and an amazing basketball player.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Tailgating on a Saturday afternoon before, during and after MU football games and hanging out with friends at Grill One 5.

ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: My largest accomplishment in life is raising our son, Aden. He can melt my heart with a single smile or when he whispers, “I love you to the moon and back Mommy” in my ear. I call him Mommy’s angel, and I truly believe he is a gift from God.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: was a winning goat roper back in Newtown and my first job was detasseling corn. I really am a country girl!!