Vintage Vision, Modern Impact: A Personal Branding Journey

At the beginning of 2025, I was fortunate to begin a journey with a professional coach (thank you, Metro DC Chapter of ATD). Working with the fabulous Julie East, one of the many insights that surfaced was the idea of developing my “brand.” But how? That was more than six months ago, and in that time I’ve read countless posts from other L&D professionals, learning from and being inspired by their voices. I kept asking myself: how do I share my perspective in a way that’s both unique and true to me?

In July, I lost my soul dog, Bailey. 💔 It’s been a difficult season, but through that grief I reconnected with one of my lifelong passions: thrifting and vintage.

Eureka! I realized that my love of all things vintage isn’t separate from my professional journey — it’s a mirror of it.

When I thrift, I curate, much like I curate learning resources to help people find exactly what they need at the right time. When I restore something worn, I think of how we reskill or upskill learners — building on strong foundations and giving them new relevance. The imperfections I treasure in vintage finds remind me that mistakes and missteps in learning aren’t flaws; they’re part of growth. And just as every item carries a history worth honoring, I see organizational culture and heritage as vital stories we must preserve even as we prepare for the future.

I’m beginning to see that my brand is a blend of these two worlds:

I am a soul who curates stories, not just spaces — a vintage alchemist who treasures imperfection, restores with care, and repurposes with intention. Whether it’s in a living room or a learning strategy, I weave threads of history, memory, and possibility into something meaningful and lasting.

As I move forward, I’ll continue sharing reflections that connect my personal passions with my professional practice. If you choose to follow along, you’ll see how the past fuels my vision for the future of learning.