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MY STORY . . .
It was 1991 when I decided what I wanted to do with my life, my sophomore year of high school. Seems like forever ago. I LOVED COMPUTERS and I LOVED ART! I figured if I stayed with these two choices I could make it and be happy.
Art was my true passion then, the messy kind that took hours to complete. Computers, they were new and so fascinating to me! Once I learned my school was offering a computer graphics class – I was all over it. I WAS HOOKED! The rest of my high-school years were all about the graphics. By my senior year I even taught a class of 13 adults/teachers how to make their very own resume with Aldus Persuasion. I can’t believe I just remember the name of that program:-) It was interesting to see how much the older generation feared THE COMPUTER! It was a great learning experience though. I got to truly understand the real quality in one-on-one teaching and learning.
I finally graduated and attended Montana State University in Bozeman, MT for my freshman year only. Unfortunately the graphic design program back in 1995 was not the greatest. I figured out I knew more about graphics than I thought and my graphic design teacher in high school actually really rocked! I got permission to skip a few of the beginner classes but there was a catch, none of the classes started until you were a sophomore in college. So I was stuck with many boring classes my first year. I did manage to squeeze in sculpture and acting classes though. By the end of the year I knew it was time for me to move on.
Dee Dee, my acting teacher in college, told me about a design company called Montana Edge, located in gorgeous Livingston, MT. She described them as a great little design company. She had nothing but praise to give Sharon Walker, the owner. I knew, right away that I had to meet this lady! I just happened to have a great college buddy who lived in Livingston. I hooked up with her and at the end of the school year we packed it up and relocated over the hill to Livingston.
Now I had to look for a job in a small town that I knew absolutely no one but my friend’s mom and younger brother. I had to earn enough money to buy my own computer then I could start freelance work on the side. Well, I looked everywhere for this so called Montana Edge. I finally gave up and decided I would settle for a mindless, stupid job to get me by for now. My high school graphics teacher always taught me to go for the big guy first. Then move to second best. I was so happy he wasn’t here to see me now; because I convinced myself it was ok to become a waitress, again. It wouldn’t be forever, I hoped.
Several times I passed this restaurant called, The Spaghetti Wrangler, I think that was the right name, down on B Street. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to walk in to this place and ask for a waitressing job, I HATED WAITRESSING! I was only 18 and I already knew this. So I walked in, the place was really dark, lighted only by the sun shining through the front windows and by a little lamp on the front desk. As my eyes slowly adjusted to my surroundings I noticed – COMPUTERS! Several Mac computers lined up against the far wall. A petite, short dark haired lady turned around and asked if she could help me. Her words soon became blurred, while I gradually started to comprehend the name on the business cards right in front of me – MONTANA EDGE and Sharon Walker! I could not believe I actually found it! My whole insides were jumping up and down, but I tried to keep my composure to talk to this lady, Stacey. I guess Sharon wasn’t in, but would be back tomorrow. Stop back in then, she suggested. I walked out and thought to myself, “No waitressing job for me, so there,” and grinned from ear to ear.
The next day I walked in looking like a little hippie, I had no good clothes because everything was still packed and not reachable yet. I knew this look was not going to be giving me any brownie points this morning. I had to walk in and just be me, show my portfolio and wait for the results. I was so nervous.
Surprisingly, Sharon said she was so impressed by my work and that I should come back tomorrow at 9:30 am. I said thank you and walked out the door, calmly. I didn’t know if I was going to make it outside before my sides busted open with that “O’h my god!” feeling.
I went back the next morning and she hired me right on the spot, full time at $6.50/hr. Almost 19, and I was already in heaven. This was my in, this was my turn to finally shine!
I worked with Sharon for almost 5 years, 19 to almost 24 years old, before I left for Arizona to take a graphic design position at the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff, AZ. Those years were so dear to my heart and still are. I came to love Sharon with all my heart. She was such a great mentor, always helped me stay on the right track and always kept me moving toward my dream of becoming a Computer Graphic Artist.
I learned so many valuable design skills, tips & techniques in those years. When I started, I couldn’t even say a sentence using the right grammar. Words always seemed to come out wrong. The thought of talking to someone about a potential art project made me want to HURL then RUN! By the end though, I was smooth sailing.
We even started The Park County Weekly, a local free community newspaper, my first year working with Montana Edge. So I got to work for two companies at once, doing what I loved – designing. Talk about juggling a schedule, several times I didn’t think we would get all the work done. By some miracle, the end of the day would come and all our important goals would be met.
I was advertising manager of the weekly for several years before I left for Arizona in 2001. I had clients to cater to; ads to build, Montana Edge jobs to create, plus I designed the layout for the weekly each week. I learned a lot about customer service. Like, how to keep the communication true, fresh and relationship successful for both sides. I loved it; especially being part of a customers success. Knowing that I helped that person/business reach success, gave me so much personal gratification. Yes, This is what I was born to do.
To be continued . . .
I am in the process of writing the rest now. Please check back later.
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