Hello Businesswomen, Working Moms and everyone else stopping by!
My name is Rachel Honoway and I’ve been an interactive marketing professional since 1997. My career began at the start-up KowaBunga! Technologies in my hometown of Westland, Michigan.
I started as an intern and quickly fell in love with the industry, the company and the interactive marketing culture. So, I worked my way up to Director of Marketing, VP of Sales and Marketing and finally general VP.
I had a great time working for KowaBunga! Technologies. In the start-up world you are able to try all sorts of tactics and strategies to see what really works for your business. This gave me the opportunity to learn so much as hundreds of my ideas would fail until one would finally stick and make a huge impact.
In 2000 - just a few years into my career - I married my college sweetheart, Tim. No - he’s not in online marketing - he is still able to use the Internet as a playground and resource instead of endlessly thinking of it as a business opportunity! Tim is a Estimator for a General Contractor in the Detroit area… he’s as far on the “brick and mortar” side of business as you can get!
In August of 2002, we had our first baby - a sweet little guy named Ethan. I was lucky enough to be able to stay home with E for most of the first 6 months - working feverishly away at my computer while he played next to me. But, soon enough the business was growing and I was on the trade-show circuit and back to the office at least three days a week (I held on to those two days at home as long as I could!)
Our lives started started on a big change in 2005. Early in the year, the public corporation, Think Partnership (then called “CGI Holding Corporation” and now called “Kowabunga” !) purchased KowaBunga! Technologies. In September of that year, we welcomed baby boy #2, Aidan into our family.
Though Tim waited for me to crack under the pressure every day - we learned that I actually thrive on stressful challenges! We juggled the new baby, an active 3 year old and our growing careers pretty well.
Then - the company dropped a bomb on us… they asked me to move to Florida to become VP of Marketing for the corporation. What a compliment and what a scary thought. Southeastern Michigan had been our home forever!
But, we took the plunge, packed up everything and moved down to sunny Florida in November of 2006. We spent a year there - almost to the day - before packing up and moving home again.
Business was great there - I helped the company roll up 3 subsidiaries into one division, including building a new customer service department and moving 30 employees to the Florida HQ. I traveled across the country and abroad - and was able to come home to a backyard pool and little boys that spent their days running and playing outside - even in February!
But, one day, the reality of all that we were doing so far away from home hit us. Our nanny called in sick and both Tim and I had important meetings at work. So, we called my mom and said, “Can you come and stay with us for a few days to watch the kids?” She answered, “Of course! When?” We had to answer, “Tomorrow.”
After booking Mom’s first class tickets for the next day - we decided it was time to go home.
Going back to Detroit at a time like this was a scary thought. Luckily, Tim’s company had been hinting that they’d like to have him back to help fuel future plans. So, we started there. They made him a nice offer and we accepted.
Next up was me! Detroit isn’t really known as a booming Internet marketing mecca - so I wasn’t sure that coming back was going to be a great thing for my career. Plus, I really loved the work that I was doing at Think Partnership. So, leaving was a big concern for me.
After weeks of heart-aching over the decision - it dawned on me! I didn’t have to take a non-interactive marketing position and I could probably stay in the Affiliate Marketing industry that I had loved so much.
I sent an email to my friend Anik Singal at Affiliate Classroom and asked him if he could use some “help”. Luckily, I caught him in the right frame of mind! He had been considering hiring a VP of Marketing and within a few days we had a plan worked out that allowed me to help him get a new product off the ground while working from my home in Detroit.
That’s where we are today. Ethan is in Kindergarten and Aidan is busy all day with our wonderful nanny. I work from my home office and take breaks to have lunch with the kids and check in on their days.
Since I work remotely, travel has remained a big part of my career. I’m able to visit our company HQ in Maryland and catch up with staff at trade-shows and events.
All in all, the interactive marketing space is a great place to be. It’s been a big part of my life and has helped me grow as a business woman and see the world while enjoying my family.
