A long time ago…

There have been a few men in my life that have made a positive impact and they are definitely worth mentioning. I’ll go with someone not so obvious like my dad (although he did), or some other family member.

I’ll go to a time in my life where I was floundering. Actually, a little before that.

I love exposition.

It was 2003. I had just moved to Florida and got a job at a non-profit. The CEO was a fella by the name of John Ramsey. I never interacted much with him. I was a new hire tasked with overseeing the trade show. His office was down the hall. He had important things to do. I had to make sure the exhibitor manual was collated properly. I’m sure we had a few conversations. None were long or meaningful.

Within three months of me arriving, he was run out of dodge by the Board of Directors. I can’t recall why, but I found over the course of my seven year stint that this was a common practice at this place. I don’t get into politics, and it was always about politics – or a bug up someone’s butt. I guess that is often the same thing.

Many moons after he left, I was surprised to see a Facebook friend invitation from him. I was like – OK, whatever. All good. So I accepted it.

Honestly, I liked him a little less after I started reading his posts. He was always putting on airs.

Look at me in first class!
Look at my fancy dinner!
Look at me hobnobbing with a senator!

Meh. I’d roll my eyes and keep scrolling.

Then, in 2010, I got kicked to the curb. After the shock wore off, I was brave enough to post something on Facebook about my unemployment. We were still smack-dab in the middle of the great recession. Jobs were a scarce commodity, but maybe, just maybe someone would have a lead for me.

A day or so later, John sent me a message. He was now working for another non-profit and he needed someone to edit their conference manual. I hadn’t considered the possibility of freelance work, so when he ask what I wanted, I squeaked out $10/hr. I honestly thought I was going to be shot down.

He wrote me back.

Listen (I could almost hear his sigh), I’m giving you no less than $25/hr. I’ll send you $250 to start the project.

I was stunned.

I was also taught a very important lesson – never undervalue yourself. If you undervalue yourself, it opens the door for others to undervalue you too.

I would go on to hustle up a few more freelance gigs (always asking for at least $25/hr) until I landed a full-time job as a marketing manager six months later. Those six months were a brief, but very memorable time in my life. I look at that time with great fondness as I learned so much about writing, web design and most importantly, myself. I truly believe they would have been considered “my darkest days” if it wasn’t for John giving me that much needed boost.