Knowing where my interests laid at a very young age, I spent most my life indulging in the worlds of beauty and fashion. I have an Associate’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising from the Grand Rapids Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Communications from Aquinas College and a Master’s Degree in Global Retailing & Technology from DePaul University. As alumna, I wanted to give back so I joined the Fashions and Interiors Department advisory board at the Grand Rapids Community College and began to teach for 10 years. I joined X-Rite Pantone as a consultant on a cosmetics project, 6 months later became the Global Cosmetics Project Specialist. I worked with X-Rite Pantone for 9 years where I led all cosmetics projects for the company globally and all department marketing activities involving webpages, webinars, blogs, etc. Cosmetic projects require combining my color and cosmetic knowledge with my aptitude for technology to create data to be used with Xrite’s retail color matching devices. I traveled globally to develop and support customers cosmetic retail programs. This position inspired my master’s degree in which it combines retailing with the technology that enhances the consumer experience. Before working with Xrite Pantone I was regional makeup artist for Estee Lauder, Dior, Clarins, and Chanel as well as performed freelance services for TV and print. I became a sole proprietor creating integrated marketing strategies for designers and retailers as well as produced fashion shows and photo shoots. I was the fashion writer for both Women’s Lifestyle and Grand Rapids Magazines. I eventually began the beauty section at Women's Lifestyle when I pursued writing fashion and producing the fashion shoots for Grand Rapids Magazine.