I spent the first decade of my career in a strategic role within digitally focused marketing and advertising agencies. From my first job out of school writing blogs and managing communities for a boutique agency, to my last agency role helping a team of strategists sharpen their skillsets and grow client business - I've been fortunate enough to experience so many facets of a strategic role hands on. But I've always been an entrepreneur at heart.A profound moment for me was in 2016 when a friend and I took the chance to develop our own business - an online subscription business focused on teaching our community new skills every month - the brand was called New Hobby Box. The business grew in large part to our education throughout our careers, but my own education grew rapidly in this side business - I learned how to properly run a business, manage product, create go-to-market strategies, sourcing and logistics, create financial projections, and the all important lesson of leaning in on chores around the office, trading sweat equity for the sake of the business. In many ways, this was the college education I wish I'd had.A few years later, the opportunity presented itself to synthesize my professional and side hustle skills within OvareGroup, a holding company of agencies, manufacturers, and outdoors focused brands. I joined the growth function of the organization, OvareVentures. Since 2020, I've been responsible for OvareVentures pickleball assets. From validating the opportunity, building the brand from scratch (alongside an incredibly talented team), to launching and successfully growing a portfolio of pickleball brands. Included is a premium pickleball paddle maker called Baddle. As well as a content hub that dominates the online search world for the sport, Pickleball University.A combination of hands on learning in marketing and brand management, strategic chops, focus on growth and efficiency, and getting the foundations right - has led to a rewarding career.