Today we’d like to introduce you to Monette Douglas.
Monette, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Like most Asian families, my chosen career has been predetermined for me by my parents. Be an accountant they say, that’s where the money is, they say. So, I picked Accounting as my major. When it was time to take my upper division classes, I thought to myself…” Is this what I really want to do the rest of my life?” Heck, no! I wanted a career in Fashion & be a buyer for a large company. So, I switched my major to Merchandise Marketing, went to FIDM, got married & took a job at Boudin Bakery & became part of management while still going to school. When I finally graduated from FIDM, eager to start my new career, my first son was born, followed by two more. By this time, all my time and attention was focused on my boys. My career was put on hold. Most of my time was spent volunteering at their school. Although I was able to take on part-time work, it had to be within the hours between dismissal times from school. I worked as a substitute Special Ed Teacher Assistant, & an after-school dance instructor. It was when I became part of PTA that I took interest in helping out with fundraisers & organizing events. I have always enjoyed dancing, fitness, running, & taking pictures, so the roles I took on reflected that. Coordinating the monthly Fitness Friday all school sessions and The 5K Literacy Run in 2015 at Clear View Elementary marked the beginning of my fitness career.
It was my brother who introduced me to running 5K’s. My first 5k was the Allstate Hot Chocolate in 2012. Earning chocolate at the end of a race was so much fun that I have signed on every year with my boys. In 2017, I shadowed my brother when he did the Ragnar Relay Los Coyotes just to see how it was. It was my first trail run and I enjoyed it… a runner’s high I suppose. Running in another country has been on my bucket list for a while, so, in July 2018, while in Australia for a high school reunion, I was able to do another trail run, the Speewah Legend Footrace.
In November 2018, when the team my brother was on, was missing a runner, I didn’t mind filling in for them. By then, I’m convinced that I needed to do another Ragnar race. So, when my brother put together a team for Canada, I signed on.
Coming up this May, we are scheduled to run Ragnar Relay Niagra, which would be my first road relay.
Now that my boys are grown, I am able to pursue my passions. I am thankful to my family who has always been supportive of my projects and has allowed me to find personal fulfillment.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part of organizing an event, especially for non-profits, is getting sponsorships. My associate and I mostly work with smaller non-profits since they are the ones that need the most help raising money. The larger companies though, tend to only sponsor or partner with established and well-known non-profits. Having a limited budget to work with, it can be very challenging to put on events. Advertising costs money, so most of our advertising is done through grassroots marketing, and social media. But even boosting a post on social media costs money. So we have to rely heavily on friends, family, volunteers and sponsors for support.
My advice for women just starting out their journey… if you want something, just go for it! Be bold and courageous. Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t be afraid to get that “NO” when you ask. Someone will eventually say “YES” after so many tries. For every goal you set, there will be many, many setbacks. But that’s what makes it more worth it. My teacher once told me, even Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before he successfully invented the light bulb. So, do not get discouraged in life so easily.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
We are currently working on SNOWCONE 5K which is coming up March 31, 2019, at the Chula Vista Marina. It’s a family friendly fun run, where runners and walkers get rewarded with snow cone at the finish. It’s for a non profit organization and benefits local participating schools, so we hope we can count on your support for this community event.
Our non-profit projects and events, my health and wellness endeavors, volunteer work and travels are documented on Facebook and Instagram @outandabout_in_sundiego.
I simultaneously maintain @g_morning_sunshine on Facebook and Instagram, where I document meals and treats for an active lifestyle. All photographs are styled and taken by me, so I’m anticipating more of this type of work in the future. I’m also, open for collaborations.
I am an ambassador for Pineapple Clothing.
I am most proud of the Run Voyagers Run 5K that I launched and spearheaded at Clear View Elementary School. The overall planning of the event, logistics, city permit, volunteers, vendors, sponsors and marketing was coordinated by me. “It was a huge undertaking, but the event was flawless” , quoting Christopher Carroll, Principal
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I think it is in our nature as women not to self promote, because we don’t want to be mistaken as bragging. Which in turn, undermines our leadership chances.
As women, we have to earn the respect and recognition that we deserve from the community. We always have to prove ourselves and show that we can get the job done.
It is important for us to be courageous and take risks.
Contact Info:
- Email: info.outandaboutsundiego@
gmail.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outandabout_in_sundiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutandAboutinSunDiego/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/g_morning_sunshine/
https://www.facebook.com/gmorningsunshine3/
Image Credit:
Ted Douglas
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
