Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself – where you live, about your family, what you did before DE?
A: Was there life before DE? 😉 I am the proud Founder of Hopeful Hearts Ministry, a 501 c3 non-profit aiding in the long term recovery of survivors of abuse, the author of EXPOSED, REDEEMED, and RECLAIMED. Before Hopeful Hearts Ministry I was a Catholic Youth Minister for 12 years and spoke across the United States with Steubenville Youth Conferences, and at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia and Madrid, Spain addressing the realities and affects of abuse in our culture and the graces faith provides for one’s healing journey. My greatest joy is being married to my best friend, Russell Carr and the proud mom and bonus mom to Ryan (26) and Seth Deitz (24), and Simon (21), Molly (19) and Laurel Carr (17).
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Q: How long have you been at DE and what brought you here?Â
A: This August will mark five years since I joined Decided Excellence. Prior to that, my full focus was on Hopeful Hearts Ministry, where I drew a modest salary. I was newly divorced, and when COVID hit, I was faced with a difficult decision: either stop taking a salary from the nonprofit or shut it down entirely. I suddenly found myself with no income, no speaking engagements, and no side work. I desperately needed an opportunity that would allow me to support myself, keep Hopeful Hearts alive, and still maintain the flexibility to meet with survivors. I went through a dozen interviews and nearly accepted a corporate position—one that would’ve meant walking away from Hopeful Hearts. Then I received a call from DE asking if I’d be open to interviewing. I saw it as God’s intervention. I had never sold anything before, and there was no base salary, but I took a leap of faith and declined the corporate offer. Within a year, I had two community magazines in print and was close to launching a third. I was even able to hire an account executive for Hopeful Hearts because, truthfully, I was having so much fun with DE.
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Q: Who is your favorite saint and why?Â
A: I have so many!!! St. Bernadette of Lourdes was my chosen confirmation saint and I related to her in many ways due to her ailments, spiritual discernment, and how she was treated by the townspeople when she began to dig for the spring. It’s a longer story, find me at SLC and I’ll share more!
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Q: If someone were to drop in during a family dinner, what should they be prepared for?
A: Come sit at our dining table and be ready with your high’s and your low’s because we make sure we know what’s going on in your life!
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Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?Â
A: I love to travel and have been blessed to go many places across the world but I still wish to Iceland and, crazy that I haven’t seen them, but the National Parks in the US.
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Q: What advice would you have for someone new joining the DE team?Â
A: Did God open this door? Then trust Him and do the work. When you follow our metrics and the orthodox way you will succeed. But you have to do the work – it’s not easy working at home so give yourself your work hours and stick to them, whatever that looks like to you. Also, it takes some time in the beginning but once you own this like it’s YOUR BUSINESS then it all falls into place because the enthusiasm of business ownership shines through!
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Q: What is a hobby you enjoy?Â
A: Dancing (not professional, just like a fool), Karaoke, Reading, Traveling, Eating oh and I love People Watching because I like to come up with their story, and often I end up saying a silent prayer for them.
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Q: What do you love most about DE?Â
A: So much – the people in DE – you are all my work family. I love getting to hear what readers say about our magazine. I love meeting with priests and hearing their heart and desire to evangelize and being a part of that dream. When working with businesses I love hearing their Higher Why and being a support to them.