I want to help businesses. I want to help you. Because I truly love what I do and I care enough to do whatever it takes to get it right, every time. Before starting my own company, I worked for a public relations and economic development firm, designing for businesses, individuals, and political candidates. In addition to my MBA, I have a BA in Political Science and Communication Arts and a Web Cognate in Computer-Mediated Communication. What the “CMC cognate” means is that I have a complete understanding of design, implementation, and marketing strategies in new technology. So I’ve been studying and practicing and working this online + offline + marketing + design + business thing for a while. I want your business and your marketing to look so polished and professional and inviting that your customers won’t hesitate to say yes.
I’m a 30-year-old entrepreneur, mother, wife, vanilla latte drinking Starbucks addict, and go-getter who is addicted to learning, pleasing, and success.
I help businesses. I help businesses brand, market, grow, solve problems, and run more efficiently – through graphic and website design, marketing strategy, and whatever it takes.
I do this for YOU and your business – which fulfills my need to help and make a real difference – which makes me a better mother, daughter, wife, and human being.
I am firmly rooted in Sweet Home Alabama. But I have helped businesses from Canada to South America and across the United States.
July 2010 – Present
High Cotton Solutions
Graphic Design –
create company pamphlets and portfolios, political flyers and mailers, client logos, business cards and materials, invitations, website design, etc.
Website Design –
design and develop corporate websites, eCommerce sites, blog/news sites, landing pages, and much more; website analytics and search engine optimization; client training on how to use the content management system
Email Campaigns –
integrate email systems with websites for lead capture and design email templates
Social Media Marketing –
design custom images and assist companies with online and social media strategies
Marketing & Networking –
member of a weekly networking organization, wide circle of local business owners and sales and marketing professionals, highly trained in networking, marketing, and business growth strategies.
Training –
attending industry conferences and training and follower of design industry news and thought leaders
Business –
managing all of the office communication and financial needs – timely communication with clients and prospects, expenses, budgets, taxes, deadlines, project prioritizing, project management, etc.
August 2009 – May 2011
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Professional Concentration
3.8 GPA
April 2006- July 2010
Main Street Strategies
Government Contract Proposal Management –
writing, editing, creating tables and illustrations, managing version control, and packaging final product
Research Analysis –
research and report information from online sources and public records as needed for client projects
Client Management –
maintaining positive client relations, organizing meetings, developing media approach, generating print materials, organizing community relations strategy, and drawing media attention for company achievements and events
Political Campaign Management –
developing print campaign materials, creating online strategy, organizing volunteers, establishing and maintaining databases, and fundraising
Graphic Design –
create company pamphlets and portfolios, political flyers and mailers, client logos, business cards and materials, invitations, website design, etc.
Media Relations –
creating and delivering press materials, guiding reporters at functions, organizing interviews, fostering relationships with members of the press, and writing, editing, and distributing press releases to local and national media sources
Event Planning –
creating and sending invitations, gathering guest lists, planning event space, organizing vendors, and greeting and accommodating guests for events including fundraisers, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and community relations events
Company Representative –
represent Main Street Strategies in the public at Chamber of Commerce events, fundraisers, luncheons, community activities, and other business events
August 2002 – December 2006
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Computer-Mediated Communications Web Cognate
Honors Program Graduate
3.7 GPA – Summa Cum Laude
4 Year Varsity Tennis
Compass Orientation Counselor
Writer, The Exponent
I develop websites through WordPress, the web’s most popular easy-to-use content management system. I have extensive knowledge in HTML, HTML 5, PHP, and CSS. I not only design, develop, host, and maintain websites, I help clients with many other web-related marketing campaign, including email campaigns, social media design and integration, and analytics analysis.
I use the full Adobe suites to design and create branding and marketing pieces your business will be proud to show off. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign have been a daily constant in my life for the past 10 years. I’ve designed it all – from logo creation to business cards and letterhead to flyers and brochures to catalogs and reports to t-shirts and posters to exhibition displays.
From the initial concept of a temporary, part-time hobby to the creation of a successful, more-than-full-time, “REAL” business, I founded High Cotton Solutions and haven’t looked back. Starting, growing, marketing, and managing a business is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s every day. It’s more than just design. It’s real. It’s budgets, expenses, taxes, deadlines, invoicing, prioritizing, communicating, prospects, marketing, networking, training, meetings, late nights…. and it’s all worth it. That MBA really comes in handy some times!
Did you catch that part on Business Development and Management? I know the struggles of your business – personally.
I have the skills, drive, and entrepreneurial passion to do what it takes to do a good job at whatever I do.
How can I help? Whether it is working with your business on a single project, assisting with your ongoing marketing needs, or possibly even joining your team, I want to know your ideas about how we can work together. Let's talk!
Get in touchBusiness Network International – Power Referral Partners Chapter (Feb 2012 – present)
Original member of core chapter; helped grow chapter to over 20 members; held leadership positions, including Secretary/Treasurer, Events Coordinator, and Visitor Host; weekly networking meetings with other local business owners and sales and marketing professionals; weekly networking and business education along with regular outside training and marketing advice; Two-time Notable Networker Award Recipient (Oct 2012, Feb 2014)
STRATEGY 2014: Social Media Conference (March 2014)
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Social Media, Blogging, and Online Marketing Strategy Training
Semper Fi Community Task Force Marketing Director (2013)
Volunteer with SFCTF, assisting with marketing needs for the Semper Fi Community Task Force and Heroes Week Celebration
Business Network International – BNI Alabama Assistant Director Consultant (2012-2013)
Selected to be chapter coordinator and BNI Alabama representative within another local BNI Chapter. Roles included insuring chapter was following BNI rules and procedures, advising chapter leadership, training and assisting members, and conflict resolution. Extensively trained in network marketing, including BNI Consultant Training Conference in Birmingham, AL.
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce – Total Resource Campaign Volunteer (2007-2009)
Sold sponsorships for advertising opportunities and Chamber events to benefit economic development in Huntsville and Madison County
Keller Proposal Training – Proposal Writing: The Art of Friendly and Winning Persuasion (2008)
Course focusing on proposal development skills and their real-world business application
Collegiate Accolades
UAH Tennis Team Scholarship (2002-2006), Captain (2004-2006); Scholar Athlete Award (2003-2006); 2006 Distinguished Student of the Year – Department of Communication Arts; 2006 UAH Distinguished Student Leader of the Year; Dean’s List (2004-2006); Compass Orientation Counselor (2003-2005); CCC Freshman Counselor (2004-2005); Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society (2003-2006), President (2004-2006), National Convention Attendee (2004-2006); Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society (2004-2006); Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honors Society (2005-2006); The Poli Sci Club (2003-2004); The Exponent, Student Writer (2003-2004); Alabama Higher Education Day Activist – Montgomery, AL (2004-2006); Volunteer in various political campaigns across the city, state, and country
Computer Skills
PC and Mac; Microsoft Office Suites; Adobe Acrobat, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign; Dreamweaver and Flash; WordPress CMS, HTML, HTML 5, CSS, PHP coding
Interests
Tennis, Golf, Ultimate Frisbee, Running, Marathons, Travel, Reading, Photography, Learning Spanish
U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain security clearance
