Living your passion.
I have always been envious of people who have known what they wanted to do with their lives from an early age. They have a deep passion that drives them to a goal and purpose that set the tone for their entire life. Personally, I never really did know what I wanted to do. I knew what I didn’t want to do for sure, but not that one thing that I had no doubt about. I happened into marketing because of circumstances, not from a plan of mine. Luckily, I found it and I had some aptitude for it. I enjoy what I do, but I would hesitate to ever use the word “love” when describing my career.
My daughter Chelsey is one that has always known what she wanted to do with her life. From an early age she had a passion for animals. She has a special skill to connect with animals and a deep desire to protect the animals of our world. Her Mom and Grandmother shared this love for animals and always supported and encouraged Chelsey to pursue her dreams.
From an early age, Chelsey began building a resume of unique experiences to increase her knowledge and understanding of the animal world. Starting with volunteer days at the local animal shelter, her passion dictated what she did with her time. During her summers in college, she worked as a tour guide at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. During breaks she volunteered at the Good Zoo at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV.
Her love for animals and travel has also taken her to far away parts of the world. Three weeks in South Africa, two months in China working with pandas, and three months in Texas working with rhinos.
After college, she landed a great opportunity at Chimp Haven in Louisiana and she now is a zookeeper at the Little Rock Zoo working with primates and apes.
Nikki and I visited Chelsey and her fiancé Kendall recently and we got to see up close her special relationship with the animals she cares for. Watching her call a gorilla by name and see this enormous beast come right over to her was incredible. Separated by a metal screen, they sat looking at each other and he followed her commands as she fed him grapes. Animals have always been comfortable around her, but this was a whole new level.
Little Rock Zoo
I am so proud of the effort and dedication Chelsey has always shown to achieve her goals and to experience what the world has to offer. She is brave and fearless. Her love for learning made her get up close with Great White sharks and down in a cage surrounded by crocodiles. I guarantee you if that is what was required to improve my marketing skills, I would look for a new profession.
South Africa
I envy Chelsey’s life-long love and passion and I wish I would have had something similar in my life. To know something so clearly is a gift that most of us never experience. Her journey is just beginning and I am looking forward to see where it takes her. I know wherever she journeys, she will make it better.