I don’t know how to describe myself except that I am a unique 'banker'… I did not work in a bank in any capacity until my late 30’s... When I graduated high school I planned to sing opera, become a music teacher, or become a nun (I was very inspired by Mother Teresa). As it turned out I did not have 'the calling' to become a nun. And after four years of college I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music…but not in teaching music… it turns out there was no 'calling' for that as well. What does one do with a music degree? It turns out, many different things... for instance some of the places I have worked at are...The Osage County Quilt Factory – I sold fabric. I did not work on a quilt assembly line. The Federal Highway Administration/The Office of Motor Carriers – The government. Lots of filing.Midland Management/Villa West Apartments – I was a manager living on-site. Bad Idea. admark/Kid Stuff – I supported sales and management. Cool concept in packaging and design. FedEx – I drove a truck. Once I had to double park my truck and sing Mass in my FedEx uniform.Henry Wurst Printing – Sales support. I know enough about 'ganging' (print term) to be dangerous.iTravel – I sold corporate travel… I was not a travel agent.AT&T Yellow Pages – I sold advertising. As in “Let your fingers do the walking”.And then Banking! All of this lead me to my current passion in Small Business Lending? I was lucky that folks along the way believed in me. It was hard leaving something comfortable to try something new and unfamiliar. I would go from knowing everything to not knowing anything. I had to be open to learn and I had to trust that someone cared enough to teach. And I had to trust that I was doing the right thing. Today, I love working with small businesses… I love learning what makes each one of them tick… I love identifying what slows them down... and most important, I love finding a solution. I have found my passion, I am a banker.