Returning to the Start: A Journey of Faith, Resilience, and Vision

Yesterday, January 1, 2025—New Year's Day—marked 21 years since I began my entrepreneurial journey at Reni Publishing in Winter Haven, Florida. Standing in the place where it all started, I reflected on the people, moments, and faith that shaped my path.

This New Year’s Day, my original plan was to visit the white sand beaches of St. Petersburg, Florida—a place known for tranquility and beauty. But somehow, I found myself driving to Winter Haven instead of walking on warm white sands. It was as if my heart knew I needed to revisit the town where my journey of resilience and faith truly began.

In January 2004, life was challenging. Our nation was grappling with the aftermath of the September 2001 attack. At the time, I worked at Trinity Church Wall Street, a place where excellence and resilience were part of the culture of every project. My role allowed me to develop visual communication solutions for multiple divisions and fostered a mindset of diversity in design. During my tenure, I also created the Production Manager role for the Communications Department to ensure seamless collaboration between graphic designers and external print vendors. This role reduced production errors, streamlined timelines, and saved the organization valuable time and resources.

Yet, on a personal level, I was navigating the challenges of starting over after a divorce—a time of uncertainty and soul-searching.

One late night at Trinity, I received a call from Joe Jensen, president of Reni Publishing in Winter Haven, Florida. Joe had been referred to me by Norman Hunt, District Director of the New York SBA Small Business Resource Office, for my work on the SBA Small Business Resource Guide. Though my business name had been inadvertently left off the masthead, Joe offered a free ad in the next publication as an apology. Our conversation shifted, and Joe invited me to lead Reni Publishing’s production department.

Intrigued but unsure, I agreed to visit Winter Haven. Joe warmly welcomed me, giving me a tour of Orlando and the surrounding areas. His office was housed in a historic former bank building, complete with Winter Haven’s only basement vault, which he used for sales meetings. The town's rich history, including being the birthplace of Publix, founded by George Jenkins, resonated with me.

With my background in design and advertising—from Connecticut studios to Madison Avenue ad agencies—and my Jamaican New Yorker drive, I saw a bigger opportunity. I boldly told Joe I couldn’t accept the production manager role but proposed partnering with him to expand his company. He laughed but countered with a challenge: if I could bring in businesses within a year, he’d consider it.

That challenge became my motivation. Before the year ended, Paul Hooten, Sales Director of Hughes Corporate Printing, connected me with Southeastern University to design a branded invoice. That single project snowballed into contracts with other colleges, hospitals, and organizations.

In the midst of this success, I was introduced to Nis Nissen, a respected advertising professional who recognized my potential and invited me to acquire his agency. This acquisition was the birth of The Nissen Group, which became the agency of record for Polk State College and earned a reputation for delivering impactful branding and marketing campaigns.

By 2007, Joe Jensen and I established a new marketing and advertising agency, the most diverse in Winter Haven. Together with The Nissen Group, these experiences taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, faith, and the power of partnerships. That experience led to the acquisition of Blair Advertising in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Yesterday, as I stood in Winter Haven, I reflected on the irony of my day’s journey: a planned visit to St. Pete’s white sand beaches turned into a heartfelt return to the town that started it all. I thank Joe Jensen for his belief in me, Norman Hunt for the initial connection, Paul Hooten for opening new doors, and Nis Nissen for entrusting me with his legacy. Together, they played vital roles in helping me see the possibilities of faith, resilience, and vision.

Takeaways for the Journey

• Stay Open to Opportunity: Even unexpected phone calls can lead to life-changing opportunities. Approach every situation with faith and an open mind.
• Boldly Share Your Vision: Don’t hesitate to propose big ideas or unconventional paths. Vision, paired with determination, can create new possibilities.
• Build Relationships with Purpose: People like Joe Jensen, Norman Hunt, Paul Hooten, and Nis Nissen remind us of the importance of connections. Value every interaction—they might lead to your next breakthrough.

#winterhavenflorida, #NewYearReflections, #BusinessGrowth, #innovation

Here’s to embracing challenges and trusting the journey!