I didn’t anticipate saying goodbye to my company as I have known it for seven-and-a-half years. I had been flirting with the idea of making a drastic change for a while, but I couldn’t jump off the ledge into the deep, unknown waters – the waters that gave way for me to begin my company in the first place. Here I am, sipping cold coffee at a mid-century modern desk with accolades, hourglasses, and clutter surrounding me. I have to wonder, “Where did I go wrong?” The answer is that I didn’t go wrong. I am just evolving, as most healthy, self-informed humans tend to do.

What Hourglass Media Will Look Like Going Forward

I recently turned 34, and there is something about birthdays that invites moments of reflection – at least for me. I spent much of this year, and April onward in blog posts, mulling over what I want my career to look like. I’ve done a lot of work I have truly loved, with clients and partners that continue to do life-changing work in their spaces. However, you know when a change is afoot, and that change happened for me when my son was born.

Recalibrating your personal and professional goals for the new year

While I do not have recalibration figured out in its most cohesive form, it is the major theme of 2022. Whether you have a “Word of the Year” or not, it can be helpful to think about your work or an overall feeling you would like to achieve this year. What are some ways you can incorporate recalibration into your everyday life?

Five Communication Trends That Will Be at the Forefront in 2022

If we have learned anything in 2021, it’s that each of us has had to be flexible in our own ways. From hybrid events to the constant influx of misinformation, it has been a challenge to get past the fatigue and clutter to effectively communicate with our audiences. We are starving for in-person events but are also easily exhausted. Some of us have faced and conquered The Great Resignation, while others have stayed put to create lasting change in our own organizations. Here are five trends that we will continue to see in the new year and in the PR industry for years to come.

Five takeaways from another year #behindthehourglass

While the pandemic and other factors have impacted our lives in and out of the office, Hourglass Media continues to meet opportunities right where they are. 2021 was no different. While we had a banner year and have met nearly all of our goals and objectives, we have learned just as much from our missteps (if not more, as it usually goes).

Here are five takeaways as we wrap up another year and look toward 2022.

Mental Health Moments: Ways To Rediscover Into Your Identity

I will be the first to admit that acceptance is something that doesn’t come naturally to me. My entire life has been a kaleidoscope of dwelling on aspects of life I cannot change, wondering why experiences/people/places/things just can’t be different, and an entire host of other expectations. In short, I believe that most of my anxiety and depression lie in my relationship with acceptance. How can you learn to rewrite your own story and accept yourself more fully?

Additional Ethical Considerations for Your Daily PR Practice

September is Ethics Month! Here at Hourglass Media, ethics are at the core of who we are individually and as a company. While everyone brings a unique perspective and morality to the PR profession, the PRSA Code of Ethics serves as a constant and consistent blueprint for us to follow. We adhere to the PRSA Code of Ethics, which is the highest professional standard of the public relations industry.

How I Found My Dual Purpose as a Mom and CEO

One year ago, my life completely changed forever. I do think my company was made for this moment. It’s the reason I created Hourglass Media: so I can live my own version of a successful life. What have I learned after a full year of being a new mom, the CEO of an always growing company, and a communicator (and human) in an ever-changing landscape? Here are three takeaways.

Healing Your Heart After A Pregnancy Loss

I honestly wish I didn’t have to release this book. Today marks a bittersweet moment in my professional -- and personal -- life. It’s the release date for my latest book, Healing Your Heart: A Prompted Journal for Pregnancy Loss. I wrote this book because suffering two miscarriages has changed the trajectory of my life. The eBook and print versions are now available.

Tips To Find A Quality Mentor

So, with all of that being said, should you devote time to finding a mentor? Like with all of my answers, I will say yes and no. Here are some things to keep in mind as you attempt to find a mentor or are in the midst of your own mentor-mentee relationship.

Should You Go To Grad School as a PR Pro?

This week is the second part of our New Professionals series. As someone who was once a new professional myself, I struggled to find answers to these pressing questions. I want to ensure that you don’t have to spin your wheels like I did! While I don’t have all of the answers -- or even ones that will resonate with you -- I do hope that something will spark interest, action, or understanding for you along the way. This week, we’re delving into the deep waters of grad school and if it’s for you -- or if you should keep that $20K or so in your pocket.

How To Gain Valuable PR Experience As A New Professional

If you’re a newly minted graduate or are thisclose to graduating, I fully empathize with you! It’s hard to balance the workload, expectations, and fears of the unknown. It can be a windy road. Here is an answer to one of young professionals’ most pressing questions with the hope that it can alleviate at least some of the inner turmoil: How do I get experience when I’m first starting my career? This is the first in a series of (at least) three questions. Think of this as the Dear Abby of PR questions and answers!

Mental Health Moments: What We Learned During Our Mental Health Week

During the week of May 24-May 28, Hourglass Media observed its inaugural Mental Health Week. This week’s intention was to take a much-needed hiatus from client work and everyday work life #behindthehourglass. While we love what we do, we wanted to practice what we preach and make our mental health a priority during this week. Both of us wanted to give our takes on the week and what we learned about ourselves -- and our mental health -- during our Mental Health Week.

Using Behavioral Communications

If you’re a PR practitioner, small business owner, or just a human trying to convey a thought in any situation, using behavioral communication will create more comprehension and understanding. All of us have communicated a message and then witnessed it fall flat, offend someone, or be misunderstood. Here are three ways you can use behavioral communication in your work and personal conversations and messages.

Mental Health Moments: Five Ways To Focus on Mental Health This May

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. As anyone who knows even a small glimmer about our work knows, mental health is one of our main passions and causes. In addition to introducing mental-health habits in the workplace, we also want to give you some tools to use both personally and professionally. Here are five ways you can bring your mental health to the forefront this month.

Basics That Will Drive the Success of Your Project Management

It’s the beginning of a new quarter, and if you’re anything like me, you sit at your desk and wonder, “Where did Quarter 1 go?!” Each of us is busy trying to further our clients’ goals and objectives, grow our companies or careers in general, and attempting to achieve our own versions of work/life balance.

All in all, it can get relatively exhausting when you you’re grasping at straws with project management. This month, we’re focused on resources that will help you better plan for your goals at hand.

MY CONTRIBUTION TO IWD'S #CHOOSETOCHALLENGE

On March 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. For myself, it was a chance to reflect on and appreciate the work and accomplishments of so many women. To think that approximately 100 years ago, women were first granted the right to vote; and this year, the first woman was sworn in as Vice President of the United States. Although, women everywhere have tirelessly fought and accomplished more than people thought possible, the battle is not yet over.

Happy 150th Birthday, Huntington!

Huntington is where I spent my formative years and learned about life, love, and everything in between. To celebrate Huntington’s 150th Birthday, this is a master list of my experiences in Huntington and what it means to my narrative. Huntington, you’ve been so good to me. I am forever grateful to you. Happy Birthday, Jewel City. You shine brighter every day. ❤️

Mental Health Moments: The Exploitation Of Mental Health Through Clickbait Strategies

Like most people who have Netflix and love a good true-crime story, I watched “Crime Scene: The Vanishing at The Cecil Hotel.” I’m going to go ahead and spare you if you haven’t seen it already: just sit this one out. With all of my commentary aside, there is one thing that really stuck with me after watching this series. Mental health is still very misunderstood and exploited. When you don’t have control of your own narrative, it can be misconstrued to the masses.

Benefits of Being An Independent Practitioner

I have been an independent practitioner for almost six years, and I never want to go back to a traditional office environment if I can help it! For the sake of this blog post, and because I am a public relations practitioner at heart and by trade, I will focus on communications-based independent practitioners. What are some benefits of being an independent public relations practitioner?