Riggs Partners

Full circle moments

Julie and Cathy, circa 1988

In 1988, I was a 27-year-old entrepreneur with a great passion for advertising and a tiny bank account that didn’t allow for payroll (including my own). The phone rang one day and on the other end of the line was the determined voice of high school student Julie Smith.

“My sister just graduated and she doesn’t know what she wants to do and I already know I want to work in advertising and if you will let me come work for you now I will do anything you need even empty the trash and you won’t even have to pay me.”

It didn’t take me long to say yes, and even today — 23 years later — I consider it one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made. It was also a valuable lesson:

Never underestimate the power of the gut instinct decision.

Is there any level on which it makes sense to hire your first — and might I add only — employee from the high school pool? Okay, maybe if your business is a landscaping service. But not in this kind of business, for which a level of talent demonstrated through a great portfolio or experience in other respected shops is virtually required. And yet I heard something in Julie’s voice, a quality that told me This girl is something special. I was right, and for the next five years, Julie added sparkle, smarts and joy to our growing creative studio.

Cathy's graduation gift to Julie

In 1992, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in advertising and I joyfully nudged her out into the world. I knew her talents would best be developed with experiences challenging and diverse, and she earned her stripes with stints at several respected agencies and in leading an in-house marketing program for a major nonprofit.

She also grew up, got married, and became a mother of two precious, precious boys.

Earlier this year, Julie founded her own creative studio, wordsmith. She has come home to roost in the fabulous WECO building, alongside Riggs Partners and among our band of crazy-talented strategic partners who also call the WECO home.

Cathy and Julie, circa now

It is one of the great joys of my life to work alongside my protégé and friend, Julie Smith Turner. She is a reminder to me, every day, that the relationships we build as we move along this “work” pathway are the real payouts for a job well done.