So, work. It’s something we all have to do and lately I’ve been doing a variety. As you remember from my last work-related post, I’m a professional job juggler. But what you may not know is what exactly I’m doing NOW since it changes so much (seriously, tax time next year will be a BEAR). So I’ll run down the list with descriptions of my duties just so you know what I do every week since it’s not as apparent when I no longer fit into one job title. Although, I’m actually still the Savvy Queen of Ingenuity no matter what I do. It’s on my business card.
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Job #1 – SIGNIFY. (since September)
Graphic design, photography, marketing, public relations and copywriting. Right now I’m working on a website, two logos, a publication redesign and an ad, with two more websites and a booklet in the pipeline. Along with that, I continue to have occasional small projects from a new Golden contact at the Foothills Art Center and PR assignments from a Golden/Boulder connection. I attend meetings every other Tuesday morning at 7:30am with the Downtown Merchants Association through the Chamber. Even though I’m not a Chamber member, it’s a great way to get more recognized in the Golden business community – last time I got to reconnect with my acquaintance, Donald, from the Colorado Railroad Museum. I also try to connect with and meet as many people in the community as possible and usually have a meeting every couple weeks with someone new, which has been great.

The newest thing with Signify is getting an RFP (request for proposal) from the city of Golden in my inbox the other week. Who put me on that list, I don’t know but will be forever grateful if we get this job. It’s a website redesign for the City of Golden. This is big. Very big. I went to a pre-bid meeting yesterday to find out more before we put together a proposal (due July 11) and while there were 24 other contenders and the scope is intimidating, we’re totally going for it!

Job #2 – Guest relations at TallGrass Spa (since February)
Reception and hostess duties three days a week that include checking people in and out, taking payments & phone calls and guiding our esteemed guests around the spa if they so desire a tour. There is also housekeeping involved which is not very glamorous, but necessary for keeping things looking pristine and in order. It’s more or less a mindless job, but it’s also a consistently paying job. Not to mention it comes with great perks – free massages, majorly discounted services and trade balance that can be redeemed on boutique items, products or services. Not a bad deal. And the location is killer – when people are jealous of your drive to work, you know it’s good.

Job #3 – Travel writer for Examiner.com (since April) and GoColorado.com (since June)
I got into travel writing after working on a PR history backgrounder for Golden in late March. After that piece, I met with the director of communications at VisitDenver.com back in April to talk about how I could get in the field – he told me Examiner would be a great place to start a portfolio of work for future opportunities. And he was right. A couple months after I started and 16 fabulous articles later, I was able to sit down with the owner of the online publication, GoColorado.com, and send an article her way. While it has yet to be published, I’m officially a freelance writer and get paid more than a dollar per article and one cent per page view, ha. I will likely still continue writing for Examiner (though I haven’t had time the last two weeks!) to keep getting my name out there to all the Golden peeps (and because it’s fun for me) but it’s more my writing “outlet” now. As if this blog wasn’t enough…

Job #4 – Aftercare teacher for Free Horizon Montessori (just got the offer and it starts in August!)
I just had an interview with the hiring manager last Tuesday for this position. She said she’d get back to me this week with an answer so I just emailed her yesterday to find out – she emailed back today with an offer! This will be from 3-6pm Monday-Friday throughout the school year and I think this could be a good gateway into a future teaching career. And it would be completely doable with most of my other jobs, including Potential Job #5.

[Potential] Job #5 – Marketing coordinator for a certain city (still in the works)
Technically this isn’t even a job yet so I can’t say which city. But I love it. And it’s quaint. But if this job does open up in August, I would have to be selected by a committee. Which two of my connections (I need to think of a better word…) are on. I’ve been told I’m definitely qualified, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this one because it would work perfectly with what I’m doing now with Signify and travel writing – plus it allows for flexible hours and working from home. And it should help pay the bills a bit more than my other jobs right now. Ryan and I are destined to be office mates forever it seems, ha!
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So I will soon potentially have four-five PT jobs. Wow. I think I’m a little crazy. But the thing is, even though Signify has been picking up which has been really nice, it isn’t as reliable as we need it to be just yet. However, I so appreciate all the support I’ve been getting from my Midwest friends and family because they’ve been huge contributors to getting our company off the ground!

Well, that’s my job situation. Hope that clears up any confusion about what I do to occupy my time when I’m not gallivanting around the state, haha. So please pray for continued success and opportunities for me. This is the best I’ve felt since entering the working world, not just because my time is flexible and I’m able to goof off, but because I am able to “find myself” rather than feeling boxed into one career. It was stifling for me and literally made me ill. And as I’ve mentioned, I LOVE the variety and use of my different talents.

To end (finally…I know), my wonderful Aunt Marie sent me an extremely encouraging note the other day that really helped reaffirm what I’m doing. In that note she said, “I have wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. I just knew you, like Lexie, must be a freelancer. You have so much artistic drive to work for someone else. You will thrive on your own talent and vision.”

Thanks to all of you for your continued support. Oh, and if whoever comes up with the best alternate title for me and my various jobs, you get a special prize. The challenge is on!

Much love,
Laura