After spending almost 30 years in the corporate environment with a few small technical companies, the defense industry and telecommunications, I have had the opportunity to spend the last eight years in a job that serves the community. While I am extremely grateful for the first 30 years, I am extremely gratified in my current position.
I’m often asked what I do and what I like about my job. Consider this “a day in the life” of Aroundabout magazines’ president and market manager. Often, I start by attending a meeting where I get to see esteemed members of our community: business owners, residents who want to get involved, and others who want more information. I get to meet the people who make decisions about a trail we need in our community, a dog park for our canine friends or plans for an amphitheater.
Next, I might meet a client for advertising. While we talk business, we also form a relationship that leads us to share our life stories. Many times I meet family members and pets, and I see pictures of children and especially grandchildren, along with photos of special events or prized possessions like rare sports cars (one of my personal favorites). I hear heartfelt stories about family members a client has lost and about a business they are opening to support a cause. I have a client whose dog wears a tie and we talk about where the dog goes for his play dates.
Of course, we talk business and how our magazines can help their businesses grow, but I find that so many times people just want someone to talk to. Community is a place where we all have commonality and if you spend enough time with someone you will find that connection. How could I not like that?
I am thankful to have connected with our owners, Jon and Karen Flaig, and to have been given the opportunity to be part of a team that has such a giving heart. I want to say thank you to our readers for being loyal, to our advertisers to making it possible to be in our communities for more than 21 years, and to our remarkable staff that is always dedicated to giving you what you ask for each and every month.
Feeling grateful, from the heart
Patty
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