I started my marketing journey in 1989, and I wouldn’t change a thing. One of the greatest blessings of my career was the chance to learn from and work alongside my dad — we made a great team. He taught me that people always come first: listen intently with an open mind, truly hear clients’ frustrations and pain points, and build solutions that matter. That simple lesson has guided me ever since.

Together, we launched Signature Marketing Group, a full-service agency that handled everything from corporate identities and branding to photography, airbrushing, graphics, typesetting, and presentation boards with monolith overlays. I loved being part of the creative, hands-on process. It taught me so much about the art of marketing and design. Over time, I grew into a strong business developer, helping clients move from one-off projects to full branding strategies

For 25 years, our team had the privilege of working with incredible brands like Intel, HP, and Continental Airlines Cargo, while also becoming recognized thought leaders in the cargo industry. When my dad passed away unexpectedly in 2009, it left both a personal and professional void. I kept the business going for six more years, but eventually I knew it was time for a new chapter.

That decision led me into the corporate world with Containment Solutions, Inc., and the past decade has given me a new perspective. I experienced firsthand the politics, challenges, and opportunities that in-house marketers face, and I gained a deep appreciation for what it takes to build and sustain marketing functions inside complex organizations.

Those experiences are exactly what drew me back to entrepreneurship. Too often, marketing is viewed only as a support function rather than a true growth driver. As a result, it falls short of its full potential.

Yes, marketing supports every department — but it also does so much more. Strong internal programs bring employees together, align them toward a shared vision, and ensure consistent messaging from the executive team to the people building products, providing services, and serving customers. Externally, marketing is most effective when it works hand in hand with sales, business development, and product teams — advancing the brand, reducing the sales cycle, building trust and loyalty, and driving sustainable growth.

That belief is what inspired the birth of Signature Marketing Partners. The name is both a tribute to my father’s legacy and a reflection of a new chapter. Today, we serve as a consulting and contract marketing firm that partners with leadership and marketing teams to bring clarity, confidence, and growth to their businesses.