We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Towns and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alyssa, what matters most to you?
As I continue to navigate my career journey and life path, time consistently sits at the top of my values list. Time is a scarce and precious resource, and how we spend our time and who we spend it with is all we can say we have in the end. It’s not your fancy job title, the amount of money sitting in your bank account, or material possessions that matter, nor are these things we often wish we had more of. Instead, people say they wished they had more time to do what they love with their closest loved ones.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career journey has been far from linear. It’s more of a squiggled, scribbly line extending in various directions at varying heights and lengths. I started my career in human services briefly, but a few short months in, I knew the work was meaningful but needed to be more challenging. What I learned about myself is that I needed more than monotonous, repetitive tasks.
I then worked as an executive assistant for a women-owned small business. Day in and day out, I learned from a fierce leader and felt inspired by her drive, courage, and grit. I was good at my job but got the itch to want to grow more than I could at the company. At the same time, my then-boyfriend and I decided we wanted to move closer to Denver, so I began exploring new opportunities in the digital marketing field there. Here, I learned that growth is essential to me.
I joined a small digital marketing startup as the 40th employee and have spent the last six years there, filling various roles and growing with the evolving business needs along the way. I worked hard always to put my best foot forward, and in doing so, I was able to fill multiple roles for the first time within the organization. I am so grateful for the many opportunities I was given. I learned that I love tackling a challenge (like a new role), owning it, and then pursuing my next big challenge. I never want to feel complacent, so I must keep moving and evolving.
During the pandemic, I also began exploring freelance writing. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and have leveraged my communication and writing skills at every step of my career. Funny enough, I was featured on Shoutout HTX near the beginning of my writing journey (https://shoutouthtx.com/meet-
No parts of my journey have been “easy” per se, but at every step, I’ve made it a point to be quiet and let my gut and intuition lead the way. In moments of anxiety, discomfort, or “not knowing” where to go next, I’ve learned that no one can make those defining decisions for me. And when you’re quiet enough and give yourself a chance, you might realize that you already have the answers you need, so long as you are brave enough to chase them.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s so much to see and do around Denver! One of my favorite things is going to Empower Field at Mile High and watching the Denver Broncos play, so if it were football season, this would be on top of the list. I’m not a snow bunny, but I enjoy fresh mountain air, whether hiking in the summer or cozying up in a hotel or hot tub on a snowy weekend in the winter. I also pride myself on being a coffee connoisseur, so a cafe tour is necessary. My favorites are Side Pony, Rivers and Roads Coffee, and Steam Espresso Bar. Oh, and if it’s a spring/summer visit, we’d ride our bikes, probably from Denver to Golden, and enjoy some sunshine and snacks in town!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my family (parents, grandparents, little sister) and my high school sweetheart-turned-husband and his family are the most supportive cheerleaders and champions of everything I do. They motivate, challenge, and uncover the best parts of me better than I can at times.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to surround myself with the type of mentorship that sparks a fire. One is my former manager, Tiffany Tasset. She not only grew my skills in the workplace but also worked hard to protect my time and energy because she understands the value of ensuring work isn’t all-consuming and that your loved ones deserve the best version of you, too. Tiffany never doubted me and was always willing to pull me into projects and tasks I didn’t have previous experience with because she knew it didn’t matter and that we would find a way together.
I also want to thank the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Colorado Chapter, a nonprofit organization I joined and have volunteered with for the last three years. I’ve connected with many talented, compassionate individuals who energize me, always lend a helping hand, and genuinely want the best for me.
Website: https://www.wordswithalyssa.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssatowns/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordswithalyssa