Hi, I'm Hannah
This is my story... so far
I began my marketing career in New York City in startups.
The hustle culture was invigorating for me and propelled me into fast-paced work environments where I wore many hats (sound familiar???).
I worked as the third employee at two different startups, worked on an app, launched a blog where I managed a team of writers, networked with folks at a trendy coworking space, and learned a new skill literally every day.
I was around really smart people who had life-changing ideas. The energy was contagious but the job security was less-than-desired. I knew I had to make a move to keep growing, get a stable salary with health insurance (yay!), and make a good investment into my career path.
I pivoted into working at nonprofits doing great work in their communities.
The mission-driven work was attractive after the flightiness of the startup industry and it was great being part of a team doing good in the world, not just selling the next big, shiny thing.
I provided strategic communications and operational support to over 140 global affiliates across 19 countries for a large international organization.
Then I worked specifically in comms for another nonprofit doing important work across all the boroughs of NYC.
I planned annual galas, conferences, networked at Women in Business events, and was quickly promoted due to my high-functioning work ethic.
But then everything fell apart. My mental health took a nosedive.
I got diagnosed with depression and anxiety, started taking meds, and moved to Florida to live with my parents.
Over seven months, I built myself up again. I started meditating, working out, launched a blog, and submitted my writing to several publications.
I decided I needed to make a change. I moved to the desert to work for a team of artists building the company of their dreams.
At the immersive arts company, I was part of a budding team building something truly mind-blowing.
I was the first employee in the merch department and hit the ground running. During my first week, a product went viral, garnering attention from multiple news outlets, including being featured on The Today Show.
Over my 4+ years, I grew sales on their online store by 400%. But I realized that I was on an e-commerce island alone with not much prospect for professional growth. The company had also grown beyond its early, scrappy beginnings and was quickly becoming a corporate beast.
*drumroll* I decided to quit my job and pursue music full-time. Crazy I know! But I'm a creative soul at heart... as most marketers are.
I started busking and performing around town, but of course, quickly realized I needed to get a day job to stay afloat. I began working at a very popular restaurant in town and everything was going well until a loved one died suddenly and tragically on my birthday.
The grief changed me. It demanded my full attention. I struggled that whole year while I reeled from the death. I leaned on my community and my family, and somehow survived.
I started working as a freelancer (remotely from the desert!) for a nonprofit based in NYC.
The freedom and flexibility suited me while I continued healing and tried to find a place to live, but I badly needed health insurance and some stability after a hard year.
Impressed with my work, they hired me as a full-time employee. I hired a direct report to lighten the load, but unfortunately, I'm back to a department of one running all marketing and communications by myself...
Where do we go from here?
I'm interested in:
- Talking to marketing professionals about their stories so that people understand that burnout is real
- Sharing real experiences with the marketing community to remove the stigma and shame associated with burnout
- Asking what new systems can be developed to actually be supportive, not just fulfill some performative idea of employee care
- Discussing how the industry can prioritize health--mental and physical health-- and yes, burnout is both
- Crafting a new set of values that approaches work with a whole-person outlook
- Building a routine and work life that prioritizes me, not my job
- Looking beyond to a better and healthier future where companies don't dictate our lives and our choices, or decide our freedom for us