First, allow me to welcome you to the safe space of my writing and photographs. I hope you’ll navigate through the posts with an open mind that’s ready to connect through the commonalities we all share. Our connections are much more similar than we’d ever like to acknowledge. But if you think about it long enough, you’ll realize that we’re all the same at our core. We may have to sort through a million layers to find those bonds, but they exist.
I’ve been on a self-discovery journey and spiritual path most of my adult life. It all started when I had hit rock bottom and decided to change everything about myself except my name. Much like a company that is going through a rebranding; I had to define who I was, what demographic / quality of human beings I wanted to be around, writing out my goals as my mission, and a plan to reach them as my objective.
*Silent applause to the marketing professionals reading this that caught the background presentation verbiage.
Second, as you dig through my layers, I hope you’re inspired by my vulnerability, eternal optimism, and honesty as it allows you to connect with me on a deeper level. I believe it’s a crucial component to connect with others through honest storytelling. It’s a way for you to read about my journey and take it as you will.
Next up is a bit more insightful for my career, education, and how I blend brands as a current grad-school student at West Virginia University’s Integrated Marketing Communications program and social media maven. I received my bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Journalism and have worked in media and marketing since 2010.
I work in marketing by day as the owner of Bella Vita Media, a company I started in 2010 with a “Community Management” approach, emphasis on PR. In 2012 I transitioned into an influencer and social media management company. With that change, I’ve been able to work with national companies including Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, Sun Tan City, Lashtastic Louisville, Steve Madden, Gordman’s, Delta Dental, York Management, Inc., Revelry Boutique and Gallery, American Heart Association, Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, IdeaFestival, NOVA Salon, Excavive Life Coaching, and other regional clients.
I’m also an entrepreneur with different restaurants my husband and I have invested in, as well as boutiques, and horse racing. I’m also a published writer and previous Editor in Chief for a lifestyle magazine in the city of Louisville to empower women with the stories of other women in our city. You can catch my previous work in Today’s Woman Magazine, Hello Louisville, Louisville.com/Louisville Magazine, Share Louisville, Extol Magazine, and TOPS Louisville.
By night I’m an avid iPhoneographer to feed my creative hunger pains (@BellaOfLouisville), and my blog that you’re reading now is one place that I write about three topics that connect my readers; life, love, and the city of Louisville.
Philanthropy has been an essential part of my career. I have served on the Louisville Orchestra board, the Blessings in a Backpack national marketing committee, and Unbridled Eve Planning Committee. In addition to those boards, I’ve volunteered on the NeXtGen Alumni with Fund for the Arts, Kentucky Derby Festival’s MiniMarathon as an ambassador, Boys and Girls Haven Ambassador, IdeaFestival, Zoom Group of Louisville, Junior League of Louisville, Gilda’s Club, Susan G. Komen, BIAK, and the Denny Crum Scholarship Foundation.
Last but not least, I want to thank you from the bottom of my glittery heart for taking the time to visit my humble digital dwelling. My mission is to open your mind, heart, and spirit with my words and photographs as you click through this digital dwelling called Bella of Louisville.
With glitter and love,
