The Power of Words: a Personal Branding Exercise

“If you don’t write your story, they are going to write it for you.”

This was one of our main takeaways from Jennifer Huffman at the recent Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council presentation on how important personal branding is—especially for women. After hearing her uplifting words about her own personal brand journey, the women of Firefli were inspired to delve into our own narratives and explore the traits that define each of us.

Our unique perspectives empower us to confidently be ourselves, and all of our quirks and qualities both enhance and illuminate the Firefli brand. In celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth, all week we've been posting about the ambitious, talented, and inspiring women of Firefli.

Mackenzie Kenny , Digital Strategist

Big thoughts. Big feelings. Big personality.

I’ve heard it all and what I used to hear was “too much.”Some see being too much as a bad thing, but for me, it’s the best part of who I am. The things that make me bold are the same things that make me pour my heart into everything I do, show compassion to all the things, no matter how big or small (turtles crossing the road, trapping and releasing bugs from the house, you get the point), and love big.

Those big thoughts turn into bright ideas; the big feelings into passion for the people and causes I care most about; and the big personality has brought a lot of laughs and smiles to my people (If it’ll make you laugh, I’m going to do it without hesitation).

For all the little girls and women who think you’re “too much,” embrace it, own it, find the strength in it and use it.

Jocelyn Ashwell , Product Development Manager

In the chaos of my life—three kids, a husband, two furry friends, and a full-time career—I've learned the significance of every choice I make. Whether in the office or my home, each decision ripples outward, impacting the lives of those closest to me. It's more than just making choices; it's about fostering trust—in myself and others—that every move I make is rooted in deep thought and empathy. Amidst juggling multiple roles, I strive to ensure that each decision reflects a profound understanding of its impact. Whether weighing options, assessing risks, or envisioning outcomes, I navigate with mindfulness, always prioritizing my family, my team, and my community.

Sarah Larson, Project Manager

Dynamic thinking and communicating has always felt like a superpower of mine. My brain has always felt like it's moving at warped speed, spanning different topics and conversations seemingly at the same time (could it be my Gemini placements?).

Whether I like it or not, the world is an ever-changing place and the ability to mentally change course, solve a problem before it's a problem, see five steps ahead when we've barely passed step one, fills me with a supreme sense of productive achievement. Being dynamic brings my passion, adaptability, charisma, and resiliency together to (hopefully) leave a lasting and positive impact on every person or project I reach.

Beck S. , Full Stack Developer

Kindness is something that feels simple, yet meaningful to me. In my adolescence I learned early on what pain was from having to endure painful periods as a result of endometriosis. I struggled to get help and a diagnosis for years. I think part of my coping was me being more outwardly kind because I knew what it was like to suffer and I didn’t want to see other people suffer too. To me, this picture represents a different type of kindness I am learning to have for myself. It was my first time walking 10k steps in a single day 10 days post hysterectomy. It’s been quite a journey recovering and learning to push past my limitations while practicing kindness and appreciation for my body instead of anger or frustration.

Carly York , Art Director

Something that has always been important to me is figuring out why. I’m always curious about everything, from how things work the way they do to why people do what they do. You can never stop learning and that’s what keeps me going and excites me in life.

Emily Senesac , Content Strategist

The art of imaginative, creative thinking is perhaps my deepest, most fulfilling pastime.

Creativity isn’t just about harnessing or honing artistic talent. At its root, it’s really about imagination, self expression, and a love of the journey.

It’s also a boundless concept, and I think that’s why I feel so at home there. My seemingly-endless list of hobbies can vouch for that—I engage in everything from guitar and piano playing to film photography, knitting, and writing murder mystery parties. Each of these (and all the others) allow me to express myself in different ways, but they all fall under that big, beautiful umbrella of creativity. Still, there’s a million creative avenues out there that I haven’t yet meandered down. “Yet” being the operative word.

My favorite thing about my creativity is that, at the end of the day, I’m really just doing it for myself. Whether or not anyone resonates with or even sees anything that I create, whether or not I have the skills to do it well, I love the process enough to try it anyway.

Michelle Williams , Content Strategist

My authenticity empowers me to feel more confident in everything I do.

I was mentally paralyzed throughout most of my life because I was different than my peers, inside and out. I capped out at 5'10' by the time I hit 8th grade (and no, I didn't play basketball, running is awful) and my brain just worked differently. I felt like a weirdo.

I didn't think that I fit into any mold or could be successful in the real world. But when I reached my mid 20s, I started surrounding myself with other "weirdos" who were inspiring and courageous—most of them being women. Those individuals helped me celebrate my differences and lifted me up to embrace my authentic self.

Being authentic isn't about fitting into molds, it's about breaking them. Authenticity is our superpower, and it helps us break free from life's limitations.

Ashley Perez , Interactive Art Director

Few things matter more to me than encouraging others, especially women! I’ve had the honor of being mentored by some incredible people in my life, and I get a deep sense of fulfillment from any opportunity to pay it forward. We all get a little down sometimes, but it’s those seemingly small moments of inspiration and hope that lift us back up again. I want to be remembered as someone who thrived in those moments and made a difference… one person at a time.

Sara Schober , Project Manager

Over the years, I’ve learned that while you cannot always control the situations you find yourself in, you can control how you choose to react. So, why not choose to be positive? Focusing on finding the good helps me stay grounded. Staying positive helps me navigate challenges and problem solve, but really, I hope it just makes me a nice person to be around.

In world full of uncertainties, being positive is a choice. It isn’t about seeing the glass half full - it’s about being pouring enthusiasm, empathy, and resilience into each and every interaction. I hope I create a ripple effect that uplifts and supports myself and those around me.