What was your first job as a journalist?
Working at a group of beauty trade publications in Los Angeles.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, when I was younger I had a Brother typewriter. I hated making mistakes and having to pull out the liquid paper.
How is social media changing news?
Quick, digestible content on social media makes in-depth stories from trained journalists stand out more now.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
My dad calls me Lois Lane.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, being a journalist has always been about helping people achieve more in their business through shared expert tips and advice.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I don't really follow hashtags.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer email pitches.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Mostly Microsoft Word
What's your favorite social network?
I still use Facebook; I find sharing and reading easier there.
Who do you wish followed you?
I haven't thought about it.
Why did you become a journalist?
I enjoy doing something different everyday. As a journalist I'm always talking to different people and writing about interesting topics.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, I wrote for my high school newspaper covering school events and human interest stories. I was also editor of my high school yearbook.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I can't pick a favorite.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Always proofread your work. Read it out loud, preferably to someone else.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Daytime during the week.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
None stand out at the moment.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The worst pitch I ever received was one in which they got my name and magazine wrong. That one was deleted immediately.
What's your favorite drink?
Water
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Out shopping with my husband, in the garden tending to vegetables, or around the corner at my favorite pizzeria.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I really enjoy Money magazine; I always walk away with a useful tip.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Some new writers think that trade journalism is boring, but I love learning about how businesses work and grow.
