Home-schooling and rodeo set Carlie up to be a self-starter.  The first person in her family to graduate from college, Carlie has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a Website Design focus. Carlie’s support system has encouraged her to be diligent and work hard toward her goals; she’s eternally grateful for the lifestyle in which her parents raised her and the core values they have instilled in her along the way.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Each day is different, but I suppose a typical day would be getting to the office, getting the computer turned on, making my coffee, and answering emails. Once I am caffeinated, and my inbox is clean, I dive into work. I love having a variety of sites to work on; they are all in different stages, so I keep a fresh mind. I might be designing the graphics for one while finishing the SEO on another. No two days are the same, and that is one thing I love about my job. 

WHAT STRENGTHS DO YOU BRING TO THE COMPANY?

Thinking out of the box is my best strength. I am super detail-oriented. When it comes to making each site look different, function smoothly, and be relatable to the customer, that is when I truly shine. I like to be diverse, innovative, and ahead of the curve. 

HOW DID YOU HONE YOUR SKILLS FOR YOUR POSITION?

Trial and error. I watch a lot of videos and tutorials on new tips and techniques. I learned so much in school with my degree. You can't take your professors with you forever, so I have continued my education online. There is always something new coming out in the web design world. They aren't reinventing the wheel by any means, but they are building new spokes to make it more efficient. 

TELL ME ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE FROM AND A LITTLE BACKGROUND OF YOUR FAMILY AND EXPERIENCE GROWING UP THAT HAVE SHAPED WHO YOU ARE TODAY:

My background in rodeo and being homeschooled set me up to be a self-starter. I believe that these two elements not only taught me to work hard. They taught me how to appreciate when a project is complete, and when you have worked hard and strived for perfection. I know that I can juggle more tasks than most and desire always to learn and do more because of the way I was raised. I have watched my parents grow businesses and handle a multitude of projects at once. I am thankful for the lifestyle they have raised me in and the core values they have instilled in me along the way. They truly set me up for success with every chore, project, and assignment they gave me. 

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION AND WHY YOU CHOSE THE CAREER PATH THAT YOU DID:

I have a bachelor's in marketing, but I focused on Website Designs. I was initially pre-med and wanted to be a surgeon; however, Biology and I  were not friends. Instead of making myself miserable, I flipped the script and found business marketing. I got my job with Denim & Velvet Marketing + Design 6 months before I graduated and was able to not only use the skills I already had but also the knowledge from my professors to make sure each site I was delivering was better than the customer expected. 

WHAT INSPIRES/MOTIVATES YOU?

To deliver the best websites that this industry has ever seen. I think it is easy to get caught up in how other sites look, so I don't look at my customer competitors for inspiration. Instead, I dig deep into the trends and how they relate to my customers and their market. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A WOMAN/GIRL TRYING TO BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY OR CAREER ADVICE IN GENERAL?

Learn from others that are already excelling. DO NOT COPY them but LEARN from them. They have become successful for a reason and have also crafted skills that make them the best. Pay attention to their mannerisms; even the smallest of things can largely impact you.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?

Balancing college and work simultaneously and finding time to dedicate enough attention to both and not let one be on the back burner. I wanted to make sure that I was excelling at both and giving them both my best.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND WHY?

Tackling videography. I love visual art, so I bought a camera and dove in. Janzen also took a chance on me and has allowed me to video photoshoots for customers to better craft my skills. Now I feel confident taking on any video project for Denim & Velvet.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FUTURE CAREER GOALS?

I want to take on a large scale project. Where Denim & Velvet helps build a brand from the ground up. I want to be able to help them develop their branding through their website and videos. 

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I am the first person in my family to graduate from college.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST SUPPORTIVE/ENCOURAGING THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE, CAREER, ETC.?

I have a great support group. My mom and grandma have been there from day one, lifting me up and encouraging me to be diligent and work hard towards my goals. Also, my friends cheer me on and keep me going. Being creative is hard, and having a support team is so important.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE TO HAVE ON YOUR FOLLOWERS/COMMUNITY/READERS?

Never lose faith. I thought I was going to be jobless when I graduated from college. The marketing field is competitive, and I was struggling to find a place where I fit in. Thankfully I was tagged in a Facebook post for this job, and my life hasn't slowed down since. So keep faith that you will find that perfect job for YOU. One that you love and are excited about every day.