Taking The Leap: Freelancing

After 3.5 years, I am wrapping up my time at Third Door Media. Wow, writing and saying it aloud still feels quite surreal and bittersweet. It has been an incredible ride and I will be forever grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented, creative, and driven team. This definitely isn’t […]

Akvile DeFazio
October 21st, 2014
Akvile DeFazio

After 3.5 years, I am wrapping up my time at Third Door Media. Wow, writing and saying it aloud still feels quite surreal and bittersweet. It has been an incredible ride and I will be forever grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented, creative, and driven team. This definitely isn’t goodbye; it’s see you around, my TDM family.

To my colleagues who brought me on board, believed in me and my ideas, gave me a platform to showcase and evolve my skills, the mentors who took me under their wing, the wonderful clients and campaigns I had the pleasure of working with, and to the oh so many amazing people I met and befriended while working on the Search Marketing Expo side of the business, I thank you. Thank you for the memorable experiences and providing an invaluable opportunity to become a part of the digital marketing industry that I hold near and dear.

What’s Next?

Full time freelancing, here I come! I’m beyond ready, excited, optimistic, determined, and not going to lie, nervous as all hell to take this leap, but it’s time to step out of my comfort zone and do what has been calling me for quite some time. I’ve been yearning for a challenge of this caliber for way too long and my curiosity yearns to be fed. I welcome it with open arms and look forward to continue growing as a marketer, businesswoman, and human being. Above all, I am thrilled to work with a variety of clients by helping them reach and exceed their goals through paid search, paid social, and managing their online communities through organic social media marketing efforts. I want to get back to what I’m passionate about and in which I am able to drive positive results with.

Why Now?

Recently, I reached out to my good friend and industry peer, Pamela Lund asking if I may shadow her for a day as she works on Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns for her clients since I haven’t been in the trenches for about a year. Oh, how I’ve missed doing PPC. Platforms change, new ones arise, ad units evolve, targeting options improve, and I wanted to get back up to speed. I also realized that I’m known as “the Facebook girl” to many and way too frequently, people are surprised to learn that I’m also an advertising platform aficionado. Although I’m passionate about social media marketing and it excites me unlike any other form of marketing, my digital marketing roots stem from paid search, my long lost love. I want to work on and be known for both again. Pam not only enthusiastically offered to help polish up my skills, she offered me work. I was beside myself. Was I ready? Was it time? Absolutely and yes, indeed. I’ve dabbled with freelancing in the past and it became a recurring thought over the last year to give it another shot some day and go full time. The time is now.

A tremendous size thank you goes out to Pam for this opportunity, mentor-ship, and for helping me jump-start my freelance ventures. I’m looking forward to every bit of this journey. If you or someone you know is looking for help with search and social advertising campaigns or you need guidance with your social media marketing strategy, let’s get in touch. “That Pam Chick” and “This Facebook Girl” have you covered!

Thank you…

…family, friends, Zane, and peers for your continued support and encouragement in everything I have done thus far, currently do, and want to do. I don’t think words can properly express just how thrilled I am to create a work life that intertwines seamlessly with my aspirations, lifestyle, and to work with people, organizations, and projects that I genuinely believe in.

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Comments (22)


Annalise Kaylor

Annalise Kaylor (10/28/2014)

Congratulations, Akvile! I have no doubt that you'll thrive no matter what comes your way. So inspired by your confidence in taking that leap!

alanbleiweiss

alanbleiweiss (10/28/2014)

Congratulations Akvile!

You are one of the industry's bright stars and as long as you stay true to your unique path, you'll do great!

    Akvile Harlow

    Akvile Harlow (10/28/2014)

    Alan, thank you very much for the kind words. Coming from you that's a huge compliment. I look forward to the upcoming adventure!

Michelle Stinson Ross

Michelle Stinson Ross (10/28/2014)

Wow! So thrilled for you.

    Akvile Harlow

    Akvile Harlow (10/28/2014)

    Thank you, Michelle! It's been a true pleasure working with you and getting to know over the last few years. Please keep in touch! :)

Akvile Harlow

Akvile Harlow (10/28/2014)

Thank you so much, for the well wishes, Annalise! I hope life is treating you well and that our paths cross again soon! :)

Keira Dazi

Keira Dazi (10/28/2014)

Awesome, Akvile! You have the zest, confidence and discipline to succeed and I have no doubt you will have fun doing so! Best of luck on your venture!

Ashley Tate

Ashley Tate (10/28/2014)

Huge congrats, Akvile! Excited to watch the next chapter in your journey unfold. I'm sure you'll be great at whatever projects you decide to take on!

    Akvile Harlow

    Akvile Harlow (10/28/2014)

    Thank you so much for sharing my excitement and for the kind words, Ashley! :)

Lisa Sali

Lisa Sali (10/28/2014)

Congrats!! So excited for you! You'll do great.

    Akvile Harlow

    Akvile Harlow (10/28/2014)

    I appreciate your support and vote of confidence, Lisa. Thank you so much!

Akvile Harlow

Akvile Harlow (10/28/2014)

Keira! Thank you so much for your support and well wishes. Let's catch up sometime soon. Hope you've been well.

Blake Denman

Blake Denman (10/28/2014)

So stoked for you, Akvile! You're going to do incredibly well! Just remember what you are worth and never take on new business for the sake of new business ;)

    Akvile Harlow

    Akvile Harlow (10/28/2014)

    Excellent advice, thank you, friend. I owe you a huge thank you as well, Blake. You've always encouraged me to pursue this. Took some time, but I'm finally ready. You're a great inspiration. Keep on rockin' it yourself and congrats on your recent big moves!

      Akvile Harlow

      Akvile Harlow (10/29/2014)

      We would absolutely love to and will have to. Miss you and Bree already!

Blake Denman

Blake Denman (10/29/2014)

Thank you! You guys will have to come up and visit soon (20 mins to prime snowboarding too).

aaronfriedman

aaronfriedman (10/29/2014)

You will do amazing work, I know it. Good luck and congrats :)

Akvile Harlow

Akvile Harlow (10/30/2014)

Thank you so very much, Aaron! :D

Jennifer Z.

Jennifer Z. (10/31/2014)

Congratulations Akvile!!!! You are going to do awesome!! So excited for your next chapter!!! :)

    Akvile Harlow

    Akvile Harlow (10/31/2014)

    Thank you for always believing in me, Jen! :D

Mark Traphagen

Mark Traphagen (11/6/2014)

Everything I saw you do during your TDM days convinces me that any client would be extremely lucky to have you working for them. All the best! (But we sure will miss you at SMX events!)

    Akvile Harlow

    Akvile Harlow (11/13/2014)

    I will miss seeing you as well every few months at SMX, however, I'll attend sometime as an attendee and will see you at other events, I'm sure. Thank you so much for the extremely kind words, Mark. I'm grateful to have befriended you over the last few years while working at shows! I hope your week is treating you well thus far and see you soon :)

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