Why share about running with the bulls? I think it says a lot about my character. That stuff takes guts…real moxie. It also highlights how I’m able to make human connections and lasting relationships wherever I go. That guy I ran with, mi hermano del toro, he went from a completely random roommate to running mate to one of my groomsmen at my wedding back here in the states.

Hasta Luego Espana, Hello Again America

While it was one of the absolutely most special experiences in my life, I eventually had to just pull the trigger, deciding to leave that epic country to start my professional career in earnest. Technically, after my student visa expired, I was there illegally at that point (“sin papeles”), but academies and language schools prioritize native-English speakers over visas, so I could have continued living free and fun with my tax-free earnings. Alas, even then, my sense of responsibility and drive to succeed in the realm of content guided me back home.

When I returned, I worked on a horse ranch in Saratoga Springs, NY for a couple months. (I work hard and embrace getting my hands dirty.) Then on to my first copywriting job. To show my age range of experience, one of my responsibilities was taking RadioShack’s product catalog online for the first time. It was also thrilling to get to work with big-name clients like BestBuy. Despite surviving to be the last 2 of the initial team of 15 copywriters, Syracuse, NY didn’t quite hold the allure that San Diego, CA held.

Go West, Young Man

So, I packed up my car and cat and headed west. Didn’t know anyone. No job lined up. Just a modern-day pioneer making his way. Poetically, that included rolling into town with a flat tire. Rolled right into the apartment I rented from across the country, shared with someone who can be summarized with this line after they ate the few grocery items I could afford: “Can’t believe you trippin’ on some eggs.” Would a home-cooked meal have been nice after traveling alone over 2,000 miles? Sure. Alas, I got the opposite. With that, I quickly realized my deposit and first month’s rent weren’t worth sticking around more than a week. So, on to a hotel, with cat in tow, and onto the beach towns of San Diego, CA.

Where’s My Wife?

That’s when the path to my wife really took shape. It was my first day at a job, and I looked over…“Kevin!?!” The best friend of one of my closest friends from college, from back in NY, was also there for his first day. What are the odds? 2,000 miles away from our origins, and we both start on the same day, without any prior knowledge of our journeys? Shortly after, I began couch surfing at the apartment he shared with a fellow New Yorker. At a party some time later, we had some college friends visiting, where I met a previously unknown alumnus, and soon after moved in with him (this time with my own bed). Through that guy, I met yet another native New Yorker, who invited me to play on his co-ed soccer team (I played in high school and college).

That’s when it happened—I met my wife on that team. Now, we have an absolutely epic son and daughter, living here in our forever home in San Diego, CA.

From There to Now—What I’ve Done, Can Do for You

When I’m not playing with my family or getting dirty in my front, back, side, and office gardens, I’m working. Hard. Having parents who were both teachers—both the first in their families to go to college—taught me the importance of hard work, service to others, frugality with oneself yet generosity with others, and infinitely more.

My professional career has been filled with contract work. By no means am I averse to staying at the same company, it’s just been the nature of copywriting, content, and social media roles, especially since I’ve worked at many start-ups where marketing budgets are the first to dry up or the seedling company gets acquired.

But it’s thanks to contract work that I’ve had so many exciting opportunities at bootstrapped start-ups you’ve never heard of—but afforded me opportunities to work directly with owner-operators spilling their own blood, sweat, and tears into their businesses, while allowing me to apply and grow my full skillset—to global enterprises and clients, including Cisco, Webex by Cisco, Splunk by Cisco, Outshift by Cisco, Alteryx, StubHub, Travelocity, John Assaraf, Subway, NFL, CooperVision, Kodak, Scripps Health, DoubleVerify, DataRobot, Sterling Renaissance Festival, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Across those opportunities, I’ve successfully executed a number of senior roles, including: Copywriter, Copyeditor, Marketing Copywriter, Technical Writer, Content Consultant, Associate Editor, Lead Editor, Social Media Manager, Web Content Specialist, Content Developer, Marketing Program Manager, Content Marketing Manager, Community Manager, and Project Manager.

Quite the variety of roles, right? Well, regardless of whether it’s B2B, B2C, C2C, or B2M, it all comes down to human connection. From internal sales-enablement sheets to mass-media storytelling, it’s all about communicating with your audience, not talking at them. All business should be a 2-way conversation.

So, hello, how are you? What do you need help with? What are your pain points and hot buttons? What does your dream state look like? Let’s get there together.

Certifications

• Cisco Systems, Inc. Digital Specialist Certificate

• Cisco Systems, Inc. Digital Strategist Certificate

• Hootsuite Advanced Social Advertising Certificate

• Hootsuite Social Marketing Certificate

• ITC International, Barcelona, Spain; Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate