With a Heart Full of Thanks, One Blogger’s Farewell
When you write for a living, you start to take for granted the ability to find the right words. I’ve used words to interview top experts in specialty fields, to relate exciting professional accomplishments and to share my life happenings with interested people around the world. I’ve used words to tell stories, to communicate ideas, and to befriend extraordinary members of the SEM community.
So it’s a strange feeling right now to be wrestling with words, to be unsure of the words that will do justice to this particular moment. I suppose that when words fail, one can only rely on instincts and feelings to guide them. So from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the readers who have found value in my words, who have shared their own stories and insights and who have, along the way, touched my life.
It’s with mixed emotions that I report my final day as blogger and podcaster at Bruce Clay, Inc. is Friday. My time at this company has been full of lessons, surprises and proud achievements. I discovered skills I never knew I had. I count passions that I never before imagined. I’m smarter, savvier and feel more successful than I’ve ever been. All because of this company and this community and you, the reader.
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It may be because of this essential confidence that I’ve decided to undertake an adventure. Next week I’m staking a claim in Brooklyn, New York. I’m being driven to that bright Big Apple by an unpredictable yet undeniable alignment of the stars. There aren’t many times in life when a person is uninhibited by obligations of family or finance.
When a room in my sister’s house became available for rent, I recognized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with my favorite woman in the world and to satisfy a nagging desire for independence and exploration. I’m going with just a suitcase and an address. But more significantly, I’m venturing out with years of industry experience, a rich body of work, and a network of friends and colleagues who have proven time and again that the best things in life present themselves when you follow your passions.
My deepest appreciation goes out to those in the industry who provided their support, advice and time in my more than two and half years at Bruce Clay, Inc. I’m indebted to the man, Bruce Clay, for seeing the potential in a fresh J-school graduate and for pouring into me his knowledge and trust. To Susan, here again I’ll fumble with the words to express how your wisdom, understanding, humor and wit has opened my eyes and enriched my life, both personally and professionally. And thanks and gratitude to everyone at the company whose generous counsel and guidance helped me stand proud where I find myself today, with the genesis and 127 episodes of a podcast as well as countless blog posts under my belt. You know who you are.
God bless you, Virginia. We will miss you.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 17:30Thanks for writing Virginia. Thanks for all your free coverage. Sad to see you go. You are so kind to everyone you meet. I hope you stay involved! You and Susan were a great team and I am sure they will miss you.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 17:37Best wishes, Virginia!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 17:48Congrats and good luck Virginia. You’re taking a big step in a new, and unfamiliar direction. That in itself is feat of it’s own, but you put it best; a whole messload of industry people got your back. You WILL be successful!
I commend you on your adventure and I look forward to seeing where it leads you next!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:05How exciting! Not everybody has the balls to just pick up and move across the country. I’m very eager to see what you do next! Congrats!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:12I will totally miss you at conferences. Come see me sometime in Seattle, k? Good luck darlin’!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:15Mrs. Esparza! I think you’re the blog’s number one fan. Your daughter is a godsend. Thank you for all your support!!!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:29Sean, when it comes to working with you and getting to know you, the pleasure has been all mine! And you can bet I’ll be around.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:37Thanks, Wes! Thanks for reading, for your kind words, and for your support
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:41Thanks, Matt! This is what I’m talking about! Your well wishes and support are an example of what makes life great.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:42Eager to see what I do next? Me too! Hehe! Thanks, cK!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:43I’m sure I’ll be around
Seattle is a date! Thanks, Kate!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:44This is bittersweet. It’s sad that you’ve left BCInc, but because of your talent and potentials, I know that whatever the future holds for you will be sweet and fruitful.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 18:46Thank you very much for gracing the industry with your refreshing style of sharing your thoughts. Good luck and God bless you Ms.Nussey.
I’m so sorry to hear you’re going, I’ve enjoyed tuning in recently, but stoked for you that you’ll be in New York. I used to go live in Brooklyn during the summers as a kid – I’ll think you’ll find it quite an adventure, both personally and professionally.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 19:02Virginia!!!!!!!!!!! Dittos to what Mrs. Esparza said!
You’re “uninhibited by obligations of family or finance” and equipped with many skills and keen wisdom.
As much as I’ll miss you at conferences, I’ll miss you on iTunes. I have listened to every SEMSynergy show.
Bruce, Susan, you have big shoes to fill.
Prediction: We’ll see Virginia on TV or hear her on radio someday.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 20:58Man, your participation on the blog and in the podcast chat is a big part of what made the job so fun
Thanks for being such an avid member of our community! And thanks for your sweet wishes!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 21:03Thanks, George! I’m hearing nothing but awesome things about Brooklyn. Hooray!
@ September 14th, 2010 at 21:05The podcast is one of my proudest accomplishments, and that includes having you as both a loyal listener and an insightful guest! Part of my plan for keeping up on fun industry happenings is following your conference pictures, like the one you took above. Thanks for everything, Dana
@ September 14th, 2010 at 21:13OMG! My heart just dropped at the site of this post.
Virginia, I’m really going to miss working with you, for everything you did to make each and every SEM Synergy amazing.
Thousand of listeners, including myself, have learned a great deal from every interview you have conducted… and every topic you all have discussed.
Like I always said, you always made my work so easy, and you have always been so easy to work with.
Wherever your next career takes you, I hope your new team realizes how gifted and talented an individual you are.
I wish you lots of happiness and continued success. Thank you for the knowledge and the experience.
Bruce is going to have a tough time replacing you. What you have done for the listeners and for me these last 2+ years is irreplaceable.
Thank you! and God bless.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 21:34Virginia,
I’m truly grateful we were able to share but a brief moment along the time-line of life, for in that moment, I saw in you greatness and powerful passionate expression just waiting to burst forth out into the world.
Remember: Follow your heart – allow your intuition to be your guide with each step you take. Each day, be open to the possibility, the truth, that your ideal next opportunity is there waiting for you – even if you haven’t seen exactly what it is yet, even if the day before, it hadn’t even been manifest in the universe yet.
Remember that it’s a magical process, and that no matter what anyone else says or does, YOUR path is uniquely there for YOU to follow, exactly as you wish it to be.
@ September 14th, 2010 at 22:09OH NO! We will miss you so much – everyone in the AU office listens to SEM Synergy each week and its not going to be the same without you…
Was great to meet you while I was of there, please keep us posted on your new adventures. Will make it to NYC one day so see you there when I do!
Xox
@ September 15th, 2010 at 01:34K
Congrats and good luck, V. I know how bittersweet it is to be standing exactly where you are and how hard it is leaving the daily support of the BCI team. But great things happens when you follow your heart. And it turns out they’re serious about that “family” thing over at Bruce Clay. They never truly let you go.
I can’t wait to see what comes next for you and I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished over the past few years. Watching you create your own space has been awesome and the blog and podcast will both miss you. Oh yeah, and welcome back to the East Coast. Can’t wait to see you out here!
@ September 15th, 2010 at 05:34Well, if you’re thanking the readers who found value in your words I guess I should say you’re welcome. Wishing you all the best in Brooklyn. And it’s never too late in life to become a Mets fan. I hope I’ll see you in NY at SMX.
@ September 15th, 2010 at 06:00Congratulations and best of luck in Brooklyn, Virginia!!! We’ll miss your Friday round-ups around here.
@ September 15th, 2010 at 06:31Congratulations! The Big Apple has no idea what is in store for them! You will be missed
@ September 15th, 2010 at 06:55I’m going to miss working with you, Jorge! Together we made SEM Synergy sparkle and grow into the awesome show it is today! The team here is going to keep it going, and even if it takes on a new shape or form, giving it its foundation has been so rewarding. I hope you realize how much I learned from you, the podcast Jedi master, along the way. Thanks for all your kind words!
@ September 15th, 2010 at 09:36Congratulations Virginia!! You’re going to *love* Brooklyn – one of my best friends from college lives in Park Slope and it’s one of many fantastic communities there. I will likewise miss seeing you at shows and in town, but wish you all the best in your new adventure!
@ September 15th, 2010 at 09:41That brief moment along the timeline of life? It touched me. Thank you so much, Alan. Here’s one of those too-frequent times that I’m at a loss for words.
@ September 15th, 2010 at 09:50Sounds like a great move for you. When I moved from Simi, there were little things that I missed which I have to do every time I visit: 1) Campos Famous Burritos / Los Toros, 2) In and Out, 3) The Pacific Ocean, and 4) Disneyland. I think I like visiting more than living there these days. Enjoy NYC!
@ September 15th, 2010 at 09:57It was so wonderful working with you and the BCAU team! I’m glad we finally got to meet and that you were able to come on the show while you were out here! I definitely plan to keep on blogging and my place is yours when you come to NYC
@ September 15th, 2010 at 10:00Congratulations Virginia and best of luck in your new endeavors. It was nice to meet, albeit briefly, at search conferences in the past. Enjoy Brooklyn!
@ September 15th, 2010 at 12:07You know better than anyone. You trail-blazed a path of greatness and I was able to stand on the shoulders of giants. Long live the Bruce Clay, Inc. blog! Long live SEM Synergy! Can’t wait to see you on the right side.
@ September 15th, 2010 at 12:30
Thanks, Gil! I plan to come around SMX East for the evening gatherings. It will be good to meet you!
@ September 15th, 2010 at 12:32I’m so going to miss writing them, too! I’m going to miss being part of the great tradition of the blog. No pressure for this week’s final Friday Recap from me… Thanks, Elisa!
@ September 15th, 2010 at 12:38Thanks, Topher! I’m looking forward to becoming BFF with the big city
@ September 15th, 2010 at 14:51I have a very strong feeling you’re right! I’m going to be in Williamsburg, and while I don’t know the area, I hear it’s delightful. I’ll miss our LA peeps, though I plan to be around
@ September 15th, 2010 at 15:35It was fun hanging out at the shows. Thanks for your happy thoughts, Derek! I promise I will enjoy Brooklyn
@ September 15th, 2010 at 15:37Congratulations Virginia, and best wishes on your upcoming adventures! I’d like to add to what previous people have said and compliment you on both your writing and your excellent skills producing and hosting SEM Synergy.
@ September 16th, 2010 at 13:21You are one of the best Virginia. Thanks for being so open to friendship, poetic lilt, sense of humor, understanding of the matters at hand, youthful enthusiasm, heart, verve, style, wit and writing chops. You will be missed in the online marketing industry. Let us know where you land.
@ September 16th, 2010 at 18:57WahHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I want my mommy
Best of luck. You Rock. Kick ass. Bye.
@ September 17th, 2010 at 21:31Gonna be missed! It was always fun to read what you wrote Virginia. I wish you will in your future endeavors.
@ September 29th, 2010 at 06:59