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Careers evolve

Circumstances change. Careers evolve. The pandemic gave me the chance to change careers, but I still have my toe in the door of my old one.
S*P*M - Society of Props Managers

My previous career

In the before-times, I had a 24-year career in live theatre, focused primarily on properties.  I built props and managed prop shops in Western New York, Southern California, and Seattle.  I loved the work; it suited me and filled my creative cup.  But as with many things in life, careers evolve.

When the pandemic hit, my industry was one of the first to shut down.  In my theatre, we were given 90 minutes to pack up and clear out.  And I didn’t go back. 

I chose to switch careers to building websites because it was an area that had been tickling my imagination for years.  I enjoy this work as well, and plan to keep doing it.

But I gotta say, I just can’t let go of my colleagues in the props world. 

S*P*M, the Society of Prop Managers

S*P*M is a non-profit organization of properties shop managers from around the US, Canada, and Ireland.  It’s a small but tight-knit group whose mission is to share resources, information, solutions and techniques, safety guidelines, continuing education, and stock among its members and the props community at large.  Not a day goes by that the forum and FB group don’t have at least a handful of messages. 

When the pandemic closed theatres, this group pulled up its socks and did all the things it’s been wanting to do for years.  It updated its website and printed materials, rewrote its bi-laws, got its non-profit status, and launched a YouTube channel that highlights its members and teaches props skills. 

They were one of my first website clients, and I love that I can keep my foot in the door in a new way.  You can see their site here.

S*P*M 2023 Conference

This week, S*P*M is holding its 31st annual conference in Cleveland, OH: the first in-person conference since 2019.  We’ve continued the conferences via Zoom, but this one is special because we’re back together in person. 

Though I’m not managing shops anymore, I am so impressed with this group and love its members so much that I keep my membership current and participate as much as I can. 

How does that pan out this week?  I decided to spend my Library post time attending the conference.  I’m spending four days with these folks then will return to all things WordPress next week: refreshed, rejuvenated, and with (another) smile on my face.

The attendees of the 31st Annual S*P*M Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. The members are gathered around the Cleveland sign, with the city skyline in the background.
If I can climb it, I will. I always wanted to lounge between two l's 😀
A picture of me with my friend, Marléne, with the Cleveland skyline in the background.
What's better than a selfie with Marléne?

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I’m Freed and I’m a small business owner like you. I stay current in the latest developments in WordPress website design and Mailchimp marketing so you don't have to. With my help, your site and marketing will be on-brand, up-to-date, and get results.

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Freed with her ukulele while scuba diving

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I’ve completed Mailchimp’s Fundamentals training, so you can feel confident about my skills with contact hygiene, templates, customer journeys, and other Mailchimp mysteries.  In coming blog posts I’ll elaborate on various aspects of the marketing platform such as tags, segments, and groups.  I’ll go into depth about customer journeys and why it’s important to design forms such as sign-up and update user preferences.  I’ll talk you through templates and how they can save you time and help reinforce your company branding every time you send a campaign.

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Did you know I'm Mailchimp Certified?

I’ve completed Mailchimp’s Fundamentals training, so you can feel confident about my skills with contact hygiene, templates, customer journeys, and other Mailchimp mysteries.  In coming blog posts I’ll elaborate on various aspects of the marketing platform such as tags, segments, and groups.  I’ll go into depth about customer journeys and why it’s important to design forms such as sign-up and update user preferences.  I’ll talk you through templates and how they can save you time and help reinforce your company branding every time you send a campaign.

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