“When clarity speaks, apathy dies.”
It’s a line from the Nashville punk rock band from a former life —and it’s where Clarity Speaks got its name.
I spent years swimming in the apathy of 1990s alternative and punk rock circles. Back then, “slacker culture” was king, and trying too hard? The ultimate uncool.
But here’s the thing:
I was never cool.
While others embraced the slacker ethos, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
Overhauled the tuition structure for my first employers, a mom-and-pop guitar shop, giving them a couple more years to thrive before the corporate behemoth (cough Guitar Center cough) took over.
Earned my Master of Arts in Teaching and taught English Language Learners in underperforming schools.
Threw a conference on nuclear waste disposal during a one-year stint at Vanderbilt University. I’m no expert in radioactive waste, but I do know how to make sure the snacks show up on time.
Led the business office of a small private school.
Launched a debt-free thrift store in East Nashville with my partner that outfitted nearly 100 refugee students with school clothes when they entered Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Rescued a local law office from the grips of the Yellow Pages—saving them a five-figure monthly bill. (Yes, the Yellow Pages. Yes, it really happened in the 2010s.)
Built a successful party supply brand and launched hundreds of products on Amazon.
And somewhere along the way, I started helping people tell their stories.
I’ve created websites, email campaigns, and marketing strategies for a leading instrument retailer in Nashville, a national fitness company, addiction treatment centers, three fine artists, a perfumer, two organic farms, an eco-friendly septic company (yep), corporate coaches, two community art spaces, a local bookseller, an instrument maker, a prestigious graduate school, and more.
Eventually, I got clear about who I work with: small businesses that are creative, founder-led, innovative, and trying to make the world better.
Oh, and about that .co in my web address? It’s a not-so-subtle nod to the fact that I didn’t start my own business until I hit 40 so I was too late to claim the .com version. Call me a late bloomer, but I’ve spent my life pushing through apathy to make a difference and find clarity.
Now it’s your turn.
How can I help you and your business find clarity?