I won my first advertising award when I was 6.
But advertising was the furthest thing from my mind as a popular, sexually active teen with cool interests.
So instead, I founded an arts education after-school program. It was featured in a best-selling book about grassroots activism.
Saxophonist Bill Clinton said nice things about it at an event.
...which led to joining the leadership team at a national education non-profit in Newark, where I also volunteer-taught songwriting.
I moved to New York and started a band after work for shits 'n' giggles.
But my life changed overnight when we released our single.
We charted at #15 on rock radio, which allowed me to quit my job and tour* for two years.
*live in my car
I thought my dream was to write for other artists, so I stopped touring to focus on getting a publishing deal.
But I needed a job in the meantime, so I stumbled into an ad agency as a confused account executive.
Five minutes into my tour of the creative department, I was in love.
I severed my management deal, took an ad class, and put my portfolio together with the help of some advertising friends.
Somehow, Apple hired me as a writer on the strength of my spec work. I can't believe I was lucky enough to start my career there.
As much as I loved Apple, I had always been curious about living in Canada.
Plus, my work visa happened to come through right after the 2016 election, so...yeeeeeah.
Over the next five years, I made award-winning work at Canada's best agencies, taught at Miami Ad School, and ate some exquisite poutine.
But over time, I started to miss my homeland.
And that brings us to right now! As you read this, I am having a blast associate creative directing at Liquid Sunshine.
We're the brand new in-house agency for Keurig/Dr. Pepper's 125 brands, including Snapple, Sunny D, Yoo-hoo, and many more.
It's been a hell of a ride.
But I'm just getting started.
Right, Scrabble?