Founder / Creative Director

• Oct 2016 - Present

We make cards because cards make people happy. Anvil Cards has a simple mission - spread love through paper. Cards and gifts for any occasion. Anvil Cards is focused on quality and hometown service. We noticed that although options for cards has picked up, the quality of those cards is down. National chains and print shops have traded quality for quick success. They've traded uniqueness for ubiquity. Anvil Cards was created to change that. Our signature linen paper cards are hand cut and hand folded every time. They're made with love in Houston. Anvil Cards offers cards for gratitude, celebration and cards for just because. And we know how forgetful we all can be (us included). To help the forgetful masses, Anvil Cards offers a send a card service to send any card with a custom message to anyone on the same day. No trip to the store, no handwriting the message and no trip to get a stamp or go to the post office. Show less

Founder / Creative Director

• Oct 2016 - Present

Boutique marketing firm focused on helping small business owners create powerful and beautiful brands. Primarily work in the financial services, restaurant and service industries. Anvil Marketing brings JC's experience and expertise on the national level to small and medium sized businesses to help them create a memorable experience for their customers. Anvil Marketing wants every brand, big or small, to have a clear vision, a clear focus and a path to growth. Boutique marketing firm focused on helping small business owners create powerful and beautiful brands. Primarily work in the financial services, restaurant and service industries. Anvil Marketing brings JC's experience and expertise on the national level to small and medium sized businesses to help them create a memorable experience for their customers. Anvil Marketing wants every brand, big or small, to have a clear vision, a clear focus and a path to growth.

Financial Advisor

• Jan 2016 - Jul 2017

I work to deliver the best possible path to financial security for my clients every day. I believe that my success is directly tied to the long-term success of my clients. I deliver custom strategies to help individuals and families create generational financial strength. I do this by:- Putting the needs of the client first. Always.- Listening intently to discover and uncover important issues relevant to the client’s success.- Using my knowledge, experience and values to guide my clients to the best solutions.- Creating opportunities for families to preserve accomplishments, protect their lifestyles and increase the value of their lives. Show less

Chief Marketing Officer

• Aug 2013 - Jan 2016

Drove the marketing, branding and advertising strategy for the Northwestern Mutual territory which included Houston, The Woodlands, Austin, San Antonio and College Station. At the time, the largest geographic territory in the Northwestern Mutual network office system. Consulted financial advisors (several of the top financial advisors in the country) on strategies to find and retain their preferred clients. Advisors in the consulting program saw significant performance increases in new clients, production and other key performance indicators.Led the firm's philanthropic outreach programs focused on raising money and awareness for childhood cancer prevention. Directed and grew relationships with Texas Children's Hospital, University of Texas Health System, MD Anderson, the Periwinkle Foundation, the Starlight Foundation, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and other organizations focused on childhood cancer prevention. Directed training and marketing education for more than 150 advisors throughout Texas. Led the firm's event planning and strategy for client relationships and retention. This included trade shows, premiere client events such as dinners, theater engagements and managing the firm's suites at professional and NCAA sporting venues. Show less

Marketing Director

• Sep 2010 - Jul 2013

Direct national, regional and local marketing and advertising for 110+ locations across 18 states. Quickly restructured marketing strategy and focus. Conducted research and refocused brand marketing strategies to new core customer base. New brand identity and strategies launched after extensive, national research project. Included focus groups of existing customers, stakeholders and other key constituents. Directed launch of new identity, logos, positioning statement and collateral for an established, 30-year-old brand. Improved online presence, reputation and social media following. Created new website and new mobile website. SEO program launched alongside new site development. (ChristianBrothersAuto.com) New strategies and sites created 90%+ increase in unique visitors and 230%+ in online conversions. Facebook followers increased by 1,500+%. Gained trust and worked with key franchisee stakeholders. Built effective programs while building community and trust with a diverse group of local business owners nationwide. Lead brand development and franchisee marketing support for all locations. Direct the national and regional marketing and advertising funds. Coordinate broadcast, mail, print and digital media campaigns in several top 10 DMAs. Able to coordinate campaigns individually or via agency partners. (About $1 million ad budget.) Creativity wins customers. Developed winning strategies to increase customer acquisition with budgets of any size. Increased advertising efficiency, performance and accountability. Improved internal communications through weekly e-newsletters and custom, internal websites. Innovative internal publications created for tablets as well. Convention planning assistance and event collateral creation. Show less

Director of Marketing and Communications (Franchise Development)

• Jan 2010 - May 2010

Directed marketing efforts for franchise development in the USA and Canada for seven home-service brands. Built a powerful franchise recruitment system that produced record sales in 2009. Significantly increased results in all objective categories. Produced 29% unit sales increase and 35% sales revenue increase. Conversion rates also increased.Strategic planning of a $1 million budget. Eliminated more than $120,000 in excess spending in 2009 while increasing new leads and sales. Directed all media planning – digital and print. Developed marketing strategies and execution plans for multiple brands in diverse industries.Digital strategies along with SEO plan increased web traffic by more than 250%. Coordinated all development communications. Secured prominent placements in leading publications. Show less

Marketing Manager (Franchise Development)

• Mar 2008 - Feb 2010

PR Specialist

• Sep 2006 - Mar 2008

Directed all internal and external communications for multiple brands within The Dwyer Group. Included all press materials and media relations. Trained staff and franchise owners on PR and marketing strategies.

GIS Coordinator/ Graphic Designer

• Jun 2005 - Jul 2006

Created geographical representations for development scenarios as part of a boating and recreational use capacity study for the Brazos River Authority on two of its reservoirs – Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury. Created geographical representations for development scenarios as part of a boating and recreational use capacity study for the Brazos River Authority on two of its reservoirs – Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury.