Reflection

I am so grateful to have spent three months learning from an organization that I believe in, working with two mentors that I trust and respect. I learned a lot about leadership from Kamarie, Krissa, and the Bellingham Story Hour community.

Transformational Leadership:

Working with Bellingham Story Hour gave me a concrete application of the impact of transformational leaders. Krissa and Kamarie started Bellingham Story Hour because they saw a need for authenticity and connection in the area, without the pretense of being polished. Together, they inspired a shared vision in people who yearn for that collective vulnerability. Krissa and Kamarie are motivated by an altruistic sense of purpose – they do this because they know how crucial accessible, safe, creative spaces are to the development of an interdependent community. The warmth that they bring to this audience heals the all-too universal feeling of emotional disconnection in the community. 

Through Krissa and Kamarie’s mentorship, I grew both personally and professionally. By setting clear goals, providing support, and recognizing my achievements, I was motivated to work hard and bring my own ingenuity to the team. Their approach not only encouraged a sense of ownership and commitment but also contributed to a more cohesive and productive work environment. Kamarie and Krissa do it all: administration, marketing, project management, networking, storytelling. I was encouraged to take on anything I had interest in learning more about. Because we were so public-facing as facilitators and also shared openly as storytellers, we modeled the way for others to be brave and vulnerable. This hands-on involvement not only strengthened my connection with the Bellingham Story Hour family but also inspired others to step outside their comfort zones. 

Marketing Skills Development:

Working in the marketing realm at Bellingham Story Hour provided me with invaluable insights into the intricacies and labor of running an organization with a successful online presence. I honed my skills in content creation and marketing analytics to develop clear online audience engagement tactics. Until Bellingham Story Hour, I hadn’t used social media consistently in my personal life, so my dedication to this task was impressive to me. I researched tips and tricks from other social media accounts. Canva became my go-to tool to design captivating social media graphics, incorporating both Krissa’s templates and my own unique creations. Through trial and error, I had to balance testing something new with using something tried and true. Marketing is a lot of work, and I only covered a portion of it on a handful of online platforms – if anything, my respect for full-time creators and marketers skyrocketed because of this endeavor. I am proud of what I learned and I feel confident bringing these new marketing skills to future organizations. 

Contacts for the Future:

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Bellingham Story Hour was the opportunity to connect with a vibrant community of storytellers and listeners. I met people who had just moved to town, locals who had never traveled past Seattle, people of different ages and vocations and backgrounds. And every single one of them wanted to listen to strangers tell true stories for two hours on a Tuesday. I have a greater appreciation for the people of this town, because I have listened to the depths and breadths of their lives. I feel more supported by the greater Bellingham area because of the new friends I have made through Bellingham Story Hour. The trust and rapport I developed with people serve as a testament to the quality of relationships fostered through our shared passion for storytelling. 

Most importantly, Karmarie and Krissa modeled the leadership behaviors that I hope to practice in future organizations. Their patience, kindness, and trust empowered me to try new things and be a better leader. Kamarie and Krissa and two smart, resourceful, capable women that started Bellingham Story Hour on top of full lives as mothers, professionals, and artists. Their capacity for greatness is staggeringly awesome. I am eager to continue working with them in whatever capacity I can in the future.