Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself – where you live, about your family, what you did before DE?
A: I’ve lived in North Olmsted, Ohio for 27 years until I met Paul Etzler, whom I married two months ago. I now live in Avon Lake. I have 3 daughters: Megan, 37, a vet tech with one bubbly, happy 2 year old son. KellyAnne, 35, a housewife with 6 children. Talyor, 29. and one son, Matthew, who recently graduated St. Ignatius High School and will be sailing off with the coast guard in a few months. I have 7 grandkids ranging from 2 to 13 years old.
Before DE, I worked 15 and a half years at The Augustine Institute. I worked with Catholic parishes and their dioceses around the world promoting, servicing and selling our online platform, FORMED. Prior to that, I worked for Lighthouse Catholic Media, before they merged with the Augustine Institute. It was during this time, I met Dave Durand, Pete Eriksen and Adam Husing. Ironically, I was approached with an invitation to join BVM with Dave Durand sometime before DE began in 2016. Although it was not a good fit at that time, it was a seed planted which brought me to where I am today.
Q: How long have you been at DE and what brought you here?
A: I have been here for a little over a year now. God brought me here. I kept in touch with Adam over the years with a gentle nudge that just wouldn’t go away.
Q: Who is your favorite saint and why?
A: St. Therese the Little Flower. My mother chose her for my middle name and introduced me to her biography when I was 13. She also gifted me with a rose-scented rosary made out of rose petals with a case hand -painted picture of her and she has been dear to me ever since. Believe it or not, I believe she sent me a rose 3 years ago in the shape of a yellow fall leaf that was attached to the side of my car one wet fall evening after praying her novena that October.
Q: What is your favorite game (board, cards, or sports)?
A: I LOVE BASEBALL/Softball. Huge follower of the Cleveland Guardians. I have attended many World Series games back in 95 and 97. My son has played baseball since the first grade. His team won a few championships over the years and although he did not make the Ignatius team, he was asked to be a student coach and learn the ropes on statistics with their coaching staff. I also have played softball since the third grade and continue to play to this day. I’ve assisted coaching both girls softball for my daughters as well as baseball for my son. Back in 2010, I was asked to take over as the head coach on a co-ed Catholic team where we won the championship. I was their left field and second baseman. The league fell apart so I formed a new team four years ago but now I am a distant co-manager but they have been undefeated ever since!
Q: Where would you travel if you could go anywhere?
A: Hawaii – been on my bucket list forever. My husband and I hope to take a postponed honeymoon there next Spring!
Q: What is a hobby you enjoy?
A: Besides softball, I enjoy singing, sang in my church choir, joined an A Capella chorus, and must visit a karaoke location whenever possible! I also enjoy fitness such as dancing, Zumba, kick-boxing, circuit training, bike riding and walking my dog through the metro-parks in my backyard.
Q: What is your favorite Title of Mary?
A: Blessed Mother, She has always been close to my heart and also how my husband and I met!
Q: What advice would you give to someone new joining the team?
A: Keep fighting the good fight. It took me 8 months to first print, success happens with complete surrender to God. I am a huge advocate of the Surrender Novena / Adoration. Follow the 3 Yes rule and the wake with 8, it really will bring you the clients who will print your next issue. Oh and don’t move forward with pricing if you learn they need to take things to a board meeting, you really need to make it happen to meet with them to move it forward. Also always maintain control of your meeting, always present the value before demands to cut to the chase with pricing.