God’s Plan for Me in the Western Industry

If I have learned anything over the years, it’s that God’s plan always prevails. I am naturally a very Type A, need to be in control person, but what I have in mind for my life and future typically isn’t exactly what God has in mind for my life and future. From personal life to professional, He’s been at work behind the scenes from the very beginning.

Growing up, my dad worked his tail off to provide for us and create success in what is now an almost 30-year career. My mom put her dreams on hold to raise her children and support our family. However, there were certain things that we did as a family - all having an impact on me and my character. We spent lots of time in dusty arenas, in the hunting blind and learning the value of hard work and never quitting - things God has used to my benefit time and time again.

Eventually, that turned largely into small-town sports, FFA, etc., and it had already been instilled in me that if I was going to do something, I was going to do it right. I’m sure that really backfired on my poor parents when they had to wait on me all the time, because I had to be the first one there and the last one out. Throughout the years and changing seasons, those things that we have invested time in as a family have changed.

However, through it all, that appreciation for the western way of life remained. In high school, like everyone, I had to dream up what I wanted for my life. I was good at the journalistic, creative stuff, and I knew I wanted to do something in agriculture as a whole. As I progressed, that path got narrower heading into college, and I really thought I wanted to promote the western lifestyle, despite not knowing all the different ways I could do so.

I toured two schools that were far enough away that I would not be able to come home every weekend and that aligned with my goals - Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. I had these big dreams, and I did not want to limit myself to what was in the Texas Panhandle. I even said I would never move back, but again, God has a funny way of making you eat your words.

When I toured A&M, I had a meeting in the Ag Economics department, because I had specified ag marketing as an interest. However, when I sat down in that office, we quickly realized that was not where I was supposed to be. It was Spring Break, so nobody was really there, but we walked over to the Ag Communications & Journalism department, and there was one professor there who took a few minutes out of his day to talk to us. He was from a Texas Panhandle town near my hometown, and I immediately felt at home - another push from God to get where I was supposed to end up.

In College Station, I made some of the very best friends (who also come into play in getting the job I have now) and got to learn in a very hands-on way - writing, interviewing, taking pictures, designing, producing a magazine, etc. I made it a point to seek out as many internships as I possibly could during my time in college, because I somehow had a gut feeling how valuable that experience and those connections would be. I faced some rejection along the way, but also had doors opened based on experience after experience and relationships formed. One of the most important was an event production internship in Montana, which not only created other opportunities but also sparked an interest in me for the demanding and fulfilling work that comes with putting on large-scale western events. COVID also took away some of those opportunities I hoped to have, shutting my world and everyone else’s down in the very middle of my college education.

After graduating, other life choices took me to Huntsville, TX for a communications job at Sam Houston State. If nothing else, this chapter of my life showed me what I didn’t want for myself, which I think was also a huge part of God’s plan. The job was a good stepping stone to get my foot in the door as a journalist, but I was unhappy. I needed to get back to my dreams and doing what brought me joy, so I started looking for opportunities to get back into the western industry. But holy moly, that chapter was filled with lots of rejection, forcing me to dig in and grow, but also to trust that there was a bigger plan.

I started diving into some freelance writing, and while those jobs/opportunities have come and gone, they have continued to present new ones as time goes on. Eventually, I found the job I currently have, thanks to God’s plan and two of those friends I made in college. They grew up in Denton going to the North Texas Fair & Rodeo; and when the fair posted on Facebook looking for a new Marketing & Media Manager, they both sent it to me. I never would have known that job was available if it wasn’t for the friends God placed in my life and the character He had developed in me thus far.

This job has allowed me to continue investing time and effort into other areas of the western industry - sharing stories, helping produce other events and contributing to some of the most trusted western brands and publications. My heart still thrives in sharing the stories of those who make our industry great, and I will never not appreciate every chance to be the one putting their thoughts and experiences into words or capturing their life in photos.

However, for a time, I had big-time imposter syndrome, due to lack of involvement in the industry myself outside of my behind the scenes roles promoting what makes it so special. Eventually, God gave me enough experience and courage to embrace the value of where I’ve been, what I’ve done and what I do now. It took me a long time to feel comfortable wearing a cowboy hat or to step into rooms and arenas confident in the fact that my role was also necessary, but it came with time. In 2023, I applied for COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30, which was something many of the women I looked up to were part of. I didn’t know if I fully deserved it, but I took a chance on myself and now get to sit in rooms with the most influential cowgirls.

During this time, I also grew as a person, and it led to me being ready for a guy I’ve known most of my life. When the time came and I was ready to move back home to start that new season of life, I was so fortunate that I had worked hard enough and proved to be valuable enough that my team at the fair allowed me to keep my job and work from six hours away. It was also all in God’s plan to take me to Denton/Fort Worth to gain all this experience and to build relationships with western brands before returning back home. I would not get to do what I do from where I do otherwise.

All in all, God wants for you what you want for yourself. My dreams have always been to preserve and promote the western way of life, which is now what I get to do every day. And while I didn’t know that it was going to take such a roundabout journey to get here, I can now see why it did and how each twist and turn made it possible to become who I am and get to do what I do. As a 24-year-old, I also know that there is so much life to be lived; and there are going to continue to be twists and turns. I just hope that I am able to trust His plan a little more and enjoy the ride.