You Never Know Who You’re Talking To
A convention conversation, a closed door, and a later opportunity taught me why genuine professional relationships matter long before the timing is right.
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Latest from MKé Exchange
I Built a Professional Network. Then I Realized I Didn’t Know How to Use It.
Thousands of connections. Years of leadership experience. A strong academic record. But when I needed help the most, I realized something was missing. When I graduated from the University of Alabama, I had a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, a French minor, and an MBA. I had maintained an A-average GPA in one of the […]
Being Good Isn’t Enough: How I Learned to Build My Professional Network
You can have all the talent in the world, but if nobody knows what you’re capable of, how will the right opportunities find you? During my sophomore year at the University of Alabama, I found myself in a frustrating position. For the second consecutive year, I hadn’t secured an internship. I couldn’t figure out why. […]
You Don’t Have to Build Your Business Like Everyone Else
How my engineering background shapes MKé Exchange—and why entrepreneurs can build around their strengths while giving new skills time to develop.
Exploring Fargo and Jamestown: What North Dakota Is Teaching Me About Community
Exploring Jamestown and Fargo has me thinking about local relationships, Folkways, and how building community can create economic opportunity.
I Moved to Jamestown, North Dakota. It Wasn’t What I Expected.
After moving to Jamestown, North Dakota for work, I expected a major adjustment. What surprised me most was the calm, the natural beauty, and how easy it can be to plug into a close-knit community.
How to Build a Professional Network When You Know Nobody
What Cedar Rapids, Riverside, and a new start in Jamestown taught me about vulnerability, discomfort, and building a professional network from scratch.
Things to Do in Jamestown, ND: Where to Eat, Go, and Meet People
Looking for things to do in Jamestown, North Dakota? Here are places to eat, activities to try, and a few ways to actually get out and meet people.
The Real Advantage Is Learning How to Build Systems
I already knew I didn’t want to build a business that consumed every hour I had. What I didn’t understand yet was how much of that comes down to systems — and how much systems determine whether you’re effective, competitive, or just busy.
What Losing a Brand Name Taught Me About Trademarks
I knew what trademarks were. I just didn’t give the issue the attention it deserved when I started building my brand. A year and a half later, I had to change the name — and learned a lesson I’ll never skip again.