Ok. That was a joke. But now that I have your attention…
How have you been?!! No, this post isn’t about the Hoff. Which I know disappoints you, even though you’d never admit it.
It’s about the fact that I haven’t blogged in quite awhile. And trust me, I hate that. For the first few weeks I beat myself up about it. My friend Shane would make fun of me and call me Jessie Spano because I’d always bitch about not having enough time to do it.
“Prioritize, girl!” he’d say.
And he’s exactly right. It’s brutal weeding out things and prioritizing, especially when you have so many different/crazy opportunities going on in your life. So for me, blogging had to take a back seat so I could spend time on what I felt was more valuable for me and the direction I’m heading.
A LOT has changed in my life over the last couple of months. Curious? Here’s what I’ve been up to:
We launched Social Media Club Omaha
This was one of the most exciting things that’s happened in the last six months. We launched SMC Omaha in March, right after I got back from SXSW. We’ve been fortunate enough to have some ah-mazing speakers, like Kelly Olexa, Scott Bishop and Nathan Wright. We also held a Big Omaha Tweetup and we’re hosting Jeff Pulver’s visit along with Silicon Prairie News here in a few weeks (Aug. 24).
We’re going through some changes (new board members and a new website), but there are some really fantastic events and things to come! Like an app exchange Tweetup in September. Go ahead, get excited. You know it’s brilliant. 
We threw Big Omaha #2
You’ve probably heard me mention Big Omaha to you in the past. I’ll keep the summary short. Basically, I help my bro and his team throw a conference held each May that helps celebrate all the entrepreneurial/creative movers and shakers here in the Midwest. They bring in some bad-ass speakers, we party and get the opportunity to highlight the most talented companies and things going on here in the region.
This was the second year, and it ROCKED. More than 500 of the brightest and most driven people in the country + ridiculous parties + insane networking + Omaha = best event ever. Just ask Tim Jahn, Shane Mac, Giang Biscan, Chris Kovac… and get their feedback. And you should probably be there next year – or at least at the SXSW Big Omaha Party! (cc: Ryan Paugh, Jun Luayza, Cali Harris, Monica O’Brien).
I went back to an ad agency (as most predicted I would)
You probably already know this, as it’s been three months since I started my knew job. When I launched Walk, Talk, Chew Gum, I was working at Mutual of Omaha. I had previously worked at two other PR/ad agencies and had gotten completely burnt out, so I decided to try the corporate side of things. While the experience was invaluable for a number of reasons, after a year I just knew that the job wasn’t going to provide me with the fulfillment I need out of my career.
I LOVE all things marketing and I’ve worked in nearly all facets of it. But over the last few years I started becoming extremely passionate about social/digital marketing, specifically. I was fortunate enough to get hired as a PR Account Exec (working primarily in social media) at Bailey Lauerman, which is an awesome integrated marketing agency based out of Nebraska. I work with some of the biggest brands you know, doing exactly what I love, with some of the most talented individuals I’ve ever met. I also get work hand-in-hand with my good friend Erica Cenci, who’s the shit. I couldn’t be happier. And I’m telling you we have some great things coming, so watch out for BL.
Working on Project ****
I’m not going to give away the farm here, but let’s just say it’s going to be epic. It has to do with Marketing + Midwest and also involves Scott Hale, so that should be enough to keep you enticed. Stay tuned!
And the other stuff…
Additionally, I did some dating, trained for a marathon, worked at a part-time job, took some trips, attended quite a few weddings/happy hours… AND even tried to relax a little. (More all on this later)
So that’s where I’ve been for the last few months. What have YOU been up to?!!
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