I was fortunate to have had a great internship in college that allowed me access to the top photo editors and photographers in the industry. Through networking, I was able to secure a coveted job in the photography department at People Magazine. Staying in New York City and being in this frantic and bustling environment helped with my transition because nothing seems daunting after making it here.

I always had a passion for entertainment because of the nature of how I grew up, but it wasn’t until I spent so much time away from the industry that I realized my need to jump back in.

When I was at People, I wasn’t able to get to show rehearsals, out to see the live tours or visit with the many different people that I’d grown up with at the company. It was then when I started to really miss it and subsequently decided to return to my roots and immerse myself in my family’s business. I spent the first year at the company learning from different associates and apprenticing in different departments. I then began searching for Circus talent and learned the productions and how to put them together.

The biggest difference is that I went from a very routine and disciplined daily schedule to having every single day be totally different. The transition was easy for me because I like to be active, plus I get to travel way more—which I love. Interacting with people from all different walks of life is great way to grow as a person.

It’s really a blessing to be part of something that has such a rich legacy and steeped tradition. My grandfather began working with Ringling Bros. in 1967 and to this day I come across people that had interactions with him. It’s neat to cover the same ground as my father and grandfather, but also exciting to break new ground as part of the current generation. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I feel a big responsibility to our audience, our associates and my family that gives me the drive to continue to grow these brands, look for new business opportunities and to never stop learning.

The three of us all work on different projects and productions, but also overlap on occasion. Because we have separate projects that we oversee, it allows us some independence within the company and from each other. But at the same time, we have the opportunity to work together on strategic ventures and on growing the business as a whole. This has helped us develop different areas of strength while also giving us the ability to learn from one another. 

The three of us have nothing but tremendous respect and love for one another and a common vision for the company, which is what makes our family leadership successful.

It’s interesting to be a woman in a motor sports industry that’s usually influenced by men, but then because of incorrect assumptions, it gives me an edge and makes it easier for me to prove people wrong. It can be an asset to be underestimated. But honestly, the fact that I’m a woman gives me a lot of strength and now that I’m a mom, I can better connect and communicate with our audience, performers and associates.

When we reimagined the format and updated the look of the Circus in 2006, the result was met with both success and some critical failure. Our marketing message did not communicate the expectation of the experience accurately and we were met with disappointed customers and irate traditional Circus fans. We listened to our audience and rectified the messaging and the show and had a positive result. Some of the conservative Circus fans were not satisfied but at the end of the day, I have to answer to the audience who embraced the updated experience.

Ultimately, I learned from the criticism and brushed off the negativity. I’ve kept in mind not only do I have the pressure of answering to our public, but I have to answer to our associates and my family—and most of all myself. The good news is that when you have the added pressure of not letting down your family, they’re also there to catch you if you fall.

There is no average day! Some days, I wake up at 3:30 a.m., get on an airplane, land in a different city by 8:00 a.m. and I’ll be running around for another 14 hours attending meetings, meeting partners and attending one of our events. There are other days when I go to the office just like everyone else, have meetings, check email and catch up on calls. The most exciting (albeit, grueling) days are the ones spent in rehearsal where I can interact with performers and supervise the details of the production while it all comes together. My favorite days are the ones when I get to work from home. Nothing is better than having lunch with my kids in between emails and calls.

There is no other company like Feld Entertainment. We are truly blazing the path in the family entertainment industry. We have an entertainment experience for a person’s entire lifetime. A child’s first entertainment experience begins with Disney Live! and then they can grow into Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros., Monster Jam, Marvel Universe Live and then it cycles back again once they become parents. Children are going to be comparing everything afterward to what they have seen with us. That’s important because those first memories are indelible for our audience. I’d say we break the mold because Feld is a family entertainment company run by a family—we are truthfully working together to make sure the shows we put on are unforgettable.

Becoming a parent helped me to be more in touch with our audience and I’m sure it was the same case with my father and grandfather. What gives us our edge is that we can never lose touch with our audience because we are our own demographic.

I think it all comes down to understanding your audience and what they want in order to create a show that is tailored for everyone but still feels personal. It could be the best show in the world but if nobody wants to see it, it doesn’t matter.

Then it’s just about getting along with all of my different sets of staff and managing personalities—being the ultimate captain of a ship by making sure that my crew is managed. I have to make sure I have the right mix of people that can be guided to work together while bringing the best out of each other. 

First identify what that passion is, then pursue it and don’t wait to do it. I believe in making your own opportunities and not waiting for them to come around. There are a lot of unforeseen events in life that you don’t have control over, but pursuing your dream takes motivation and discipline and that is one thing you should focus on taking control of. Successful people aren’t lucky—they are impassioned. 

It doesn’t take me much to get jazzed for the day; I normally wake up that way! If I’m away, having FaceTime with my kids gets me going or getting some pictures or videos from my husband. But I do love exercising, so running definitely helps to keep me balanced. I go into the workweek knowing that no day will be the same, so acceptance is key. 

Something that I’m proud of is that I get to build memories for families across the world every single day. I also love knowing the day is going to bring me one step closer to completing something I’ve been working on. Plus, I truly view every day as a learning experience and adventure. What better way to wake up?

Regarding my career, it’s certain that I’m not going anywhere—my roots and heart are with Feld Entertainment. That said, I’m learning to become a better executive by getting involved in areas where I haven’t spent enough time. But in the immediate future—between now and the end of the year—I’m working on producing “Disney on Ice: Frozen” and two new Ringling Bros. Circus productions.

In the long term, I’m all about looking for new ventures, development prospects, growth opportunities and strategic alliances for our company. As long as I am able to bring families together and put smiles on their faces, I’ll be satisfied.