It’s been an unusual transition to say the least, but as of yesterday I’m formally moving on from the agency that gave me a start in this industry that I now call my industry.
Yep. I have an industry. A place where I’m considered pretty clever sometimes, and have a lot of fun working in. A place where it’s hard to say if I’d even be if it weren’t for a unique company called Epiar (Top Draw’s then sister company) giving me a shot back on ’09 despite what immaterial experience I had at the time.
The rest is a long story, but suffice it to say that the next 5+ years I worked with Top Draw were the formative years of my career (and in many ways, the Top Draw product as well!).
</end-rainbows-and-butterflys>
Then stuff changed…
As many of you know, I have actually been on health leave from my regular position as Sr. Search Engine Strategist since December 2013 due to a battle with severe Ulcerative Colitis. As a result, I actually haven’t worked at Top Draw much since then (aside from a few attempts to return foiled by my fluctuating condition), and a blog post or two. Hence the aforementioned unusual transition.
Over the past few months, though, I’ve regained enough of my health to be self sufficient without having to leave home (a primary difficulty factor in my situation) by working with some great companies on a freelance/contract basis. Freelancing isn’t totally new to me, but doing it full time+ sure is – and was something I was always very hesitant to pursue while I had a sweet gig at the top joint in town.
Making it official
Deep down inside I know entrepreneurship is my destiny though (for a profound lack of a better word), and I’m still hovering around 80% health-wise, so this is a logical path for me. If perhaps a bit of a daunting one.
Graceful as usual (as evidenced by a pressure-free 1.5 yr leave of absence), Top Draw has effectively left the door open and the light on for any potential future collaboration, re-evaluation, rooftop patio-ation, etc., depending on how the seas of change… change.
I have done so as well, just with inferior lounging facilities available 🙂
Top Draw is truly an excellent organization. One that I’m proud to have contributed to, and one that I attribute a tremendous amount of learning and growth to – both career-ly and personally. I want to thank Ken Jurina and Adriel Michaud for being badass leaders, and the whole Top Draw family for all the fun times and learning opportunities we’ve shared over the years. You folks are truly some of my dearest friends.
I’m losing access to Google Apps, I’m shedding the burdens of MarketView, and I should probably go check if I have a key I need to return… But you all know where to find me – and I’d love to grab some sushi sometime – or whatever the cool kids are doing these days.
A truly bittersweet and affectionate goodbye so long,
Nick
PS. Gia, you can actually give me my ROE now 😉
In memoriam
