My New Job.

Funny how things come full circle, right?

After two years of working in Birmingham, AL, I’m getting back to my roots by joining the Laurel Mercantile Co. team as the Content Strategist and Ads Manager in Laurel, Mississippi.

The last two years at Red Mountain Grace were fundamental as a young professional. The work they do is essential and shares the love of Christ through Gospel hospitality. I learned how to work well with professionals in every field, work alongside a small team, serve families and children going through medical crisis, gain confidence in my skills, see constructive criticism as an opportunity, cultivate a positive perspective in stressful situations and take the lead when necessary. Also, how to survive a pandemic.

My time as Marketing and Events Coordinator at Red Mountain Grace has been so precious to me and so are the wonderful volunteers and staff that became like family in the process.

In those two years, I never lost touch with the friend-family (framily) at LMCo. When I would come home to Laurel, I’d visit my former team first. The Nowell family and I even became close friends while I lived in Laurel and then when I started living in Birmingham. Josh Nowell, LMCo. co-owner, checked in regularly, and he even led me to the true knowledge of Christ and eventually baptized me last year. They were both great bosses to me, but I’m so thankful for the friends that he and Emily became in the last two years. I’ve learned so much from their wise advice and fruitful lives.

Every time I went back to Laurel, I was amazed at how quickly things changed. Laurel was growing at an unbelievable pace. There were people from across the nation visiting because of Erin and Ben and Home Town.

While I was happy with my life in Birmingham, there was a part of me that missed the quaint Laurel life. I missed those friendships and comradery. I wanted to play a role in Laurel’s revitalization again.

Time passed, and then magically, doors opened. I’d like to say I’m surprised, but it’s only natural that my heart was led back to work for all the people I cherish the most. While I’m still living in Birmingham and working remotely for the most part, it feels like I never left.

I am so grateful for full circles, good bosses who become great friends, and the chance to make a difference in my hometown. Be sure to follow along, support local creators and check out my work on the Laurel Mercantile Co. Journal!