Lisa Marie Jackson | On Chicago
I arrived at O'Hare International Airport with two carry-on suitcases, two leased iDevices, and a short-list of visions during the heart of the winter on January 16th...
Prelude to The Chi
Sometimes we are removed from where we want to be in order to be placed where we need to be. I was downsized from my role as Senior Digital Marketing Manager of Nicole Miller in the Spring of 2017. I saw this as the worst possible thing that could happen to me because it was the epitome of everything I wanted to do as a career in the fashion industry, plus I had placed my consulting business on the back-burner. The months appeared to pass in slow motion as savings dissipated, extensive interviews ended in dead ends, and legacy fashion brands turned to leaner measures. Time abruptly sped up to an excruciating pace upon reading a reminder notification that NYS Unemployment is capped at the six month mark with no funding available to request an extension. Therefore, I decided to take fate into my own marketing hands by publishing "Why Lie, I Need A Job Sign" across platforms about my pursuit of a new position. This article unexpectedly generated leads for the very same business I placed behind me in order to pursue fashion full-time in the first place. Aptly named, Phoenix Aficionado rose from the ashes through M/WBE businesses securing my independent coaching and consulting services for the remainder of the year. One of those businesses was a New York based recruitment firm I established a relationship with throughout the year and the other business was a Chicago based agency called, The Plum Tree Group.
The Coldest Winter Ever
The Plum Tree Group CEO, Daniel Townsend took a chance on me and his leap led me into the coldest winter ever. I was in the process of wrapping up an on-site Paid Social Coaching contract with a local brand's digital marketing team when Daniel responded to a proposal I submitted for an eComm PM opening. Over the course of one month... I went from being a remote PM to interviewing in negative five degree windchill for a permanent Client Partner position in Chicago. Revisiting the book, Minimalism helped me let go of over 75% of the belongings I accumulated the past 10 years. The following is the Vision List I created on December 17th to speak life into the path of abundance I know is possible:
Minimalism
Consistency
Agency Life
Client Partner
Director, Client Success
Phoenix Aficionado
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Community Involvement
NYC Pride
Self-Care
Therapy
Consistent Investment in Spiritual / Physical Health
Credit Rehabilitation
Graduate Student Life
MBA, Marketing Research Insights & Analytics Concentration
Portfolio Development
Assets
A delicious love that is healthy, mutual, equally yoked, free, vibrant, and drops off the tongue with intent towards progress as individuals and as a collective in partnership
Encountering the foundation for an unconventional yet healthy marriage and roots towards the blessing of raising a phenomenal child
I accepted the Client Partner position on December 23rd, confirmed my role with NYC Pride's March Management Committee before the end of 2017, and relocated to Chicago with my Vision List in pocket on January 16th. The winter was filled to the brim with firsts. The first time I felt negative wind chills on a consistent basis and still smiled. The first time I signed a lease beyond the Tri-State Area. The first time I chose what was best for the next chapter in my life with a "why not" spirit as oppose to a "why me" attitude. I poured my heart into the first two quarters between Chicago in New York as life tested me with trying firsts until embracing the balance of both cities as home.
Summertime Chi
Summertime Chi is magic and makes it worth enduring winter conditions well into the beginning of May. Minus the exception of NYC based client meetings, NYC Pride commitments, and The Yale Customer Insights Conference, I have spent more time in town to celebrate Chicago's music legacy and learn more about the local communities. The Chicago House Music Festival kicked off my exposure to The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and I have been hooked ever since! There is nothing more inspiring than being able to wake up next to Lake Michigan, commute down Lake Shore Drive, handle morning conference calls, then house dance in Daley Plaza during lunch break.
It would be easy to fall into comfort with the balance Chicago and New York have provided; however I have decided to press forward with the continued cultivation of Phoenix and the remainder of my visions. I’m a multi-disciplinary marketing entrepreneur who established Phoenix Aficionado in 2012 and relaunched in 2017. For approximately six years, my target marketing services have helped M/WBE businesses reach their niche. I pushed LisaMarieJackson.com live on July 30th and am finalizing the redesign of Phoenix Aficionado.
Light,
Lisa Marie Jackson
