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At the end of this month, I'm stepping down as Community Manager for Brazen Careerist. As a founder and a stockholder I'll always be involved in the company, but career-wise I'm moving on.
I spent most my life establishing relationships with people who made me feel safe. In high school I spiked up my hair and wore nothing but tee-shirts from punk-rock bands you have never heard of. At the time I thought I was making a statement, but really I was just making it easier to know who my friends were.
In college, I joined a fraternity with Ryan Healy, my freshmen-year roommate at the time. I hung out with the same people for all four years—again, it was all about feeling safe. Some of them remain my closest friends. Others I will never talk to again because we were never really friends to begin with.
When we moved to Madison and teamed up with Penelope, everything changed. My support system got thrown out the window and I spent the majority of my time with two people who were remarkably different from me.
Penelope and I spent a lot of time hating each other. At first, she thought I wasn't cut out to do a startup. I fired back by calling her a bad person. And really, I was just pissed off at being so unanchored. It takes time to learn to deal with that.
When "community manager" first became a buzz word among startups, it all started to come together for me. I could see that the company needed relationship-building talent, and I was it. We started working well together and eventually got funded.
Today, I look at the company and know that it has the momentum to continue to succeed. We have great leadership and talented people working for us. So I can feel safe to step down as Community Manager and still feel good about it.
I never would have been able to take another risk like this if it wasn't for the relationships I formed four years ago with people who forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. It was Ryan Healy who first asked me to start a blog with him about Generation Y and see if we could turn it into a business. And it was Penelope who fought with me mercilessly until I was able to find my greatest strengths.
So here's my last piece of career advice as community manager: find people who test your limits and do everything you can to work with them. Keep learning by surrounding yourself with people that make stability---settling for safety---difficult.
When we first started this company, I was 23 and, admittedly, naive. My 23-year-old self thought that by now we would have sold the company for one-hundred million dollars. Now, four years on, I care less about selling big and more about doing something cool. Something cool that also teaches me something new.
This is probably the last post that you'll read from me here, but you'll continue to see me in the discussion threads here on Brazen Careerist. We've built one of the smartest communities of young professionals in the world and I'd be crazy to stop reaping the benefits.
I've learned so much from building a community like this from the ground up. Now, I'm excited to take that knowledge and apply it to building something new again.
Thanks for everything.
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Comments
03.09.11
True.surround yourself with people who test your limits.i am a better person now because i did just that.
Over the last fews months after joining brazen.i have enjoyed reading your comments on several topics.
Thanks
Goodluck on your next venture
03.09.11
All the best in your future undertaking! :)
03.09.11
Good luck, and keep posting on your personal blog! We want to keep tabs on you. :)
03.09.11
Best wishes for you and yours in the future, Ryan.
Thanks!
03.09.11
Lots of luck Ryan. I look forward to seeing what you do next! And thanks for making me feel like an important part of the BC community.
03.09.11
Sorry to see you go! Best of luck to you!
03.09.11
You've done a tremendous job building and facilitating this community. As someone who was in that initial group here, I've enjoyed not only witnessing the community grow, but you grow as a community manager. Kudos to you, Ryan. And best of luck in whatever is next.
03.09.11
All the best, Ryan.
03.09.11
Best of luck with everything Ryan! It's been really great interacting with you here, and I hope you'll continue to do so. What next in your plan? :)
03.09.11
Ryan, I haven't been around on Brazen for a while but was glad I stopped by today, if only to read this news. You've done a great building a community here. Even as one of the "not-so-young" professionals who are on the outer circle, I can say that you have done a great job making Brazen an accessible community where just about anyone (even us 40-ish folks who just want to stay connected to what's going on with young professionals) can find some comfortable corners to connect with people that have similar interests.
I haven't made a huge number of connections outside of the forums here, but those that I have developed a little further have been great, and you've done so much to make this a welcoming place where people can connect. You have some big shoes to fill. Best of luck to you (and to your successor, who will need a lot of support and encouragement growing into the role.)
Thanks for all you've done.
03.09.11
Good luck, Ryan! So, what is the next step?
03.09.11
Wow... shocked! But all the best Ryan!! I love that even in your last "official" blog post, you're still inspiring.
03.09.11
It is too bad we did not have the opportunity to work more together!
03.09.11
Best of luck for your transition and the future! Do you know what you'll be doing next? I hope that whatever it is, it allows you to blog more because your writing is fresh, clear and though provoking, so I hope to read more.
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03.09.11
Best of luck with everything Ryan. You've taught me a lot over the last couple of months and I know that you'll rock at whatever it is you take on next.
Thanks for everything!
03.09.11
Good luck in the future! And thanks for all the help in getting our company page set up!
03.09.11
Ryan, you were the guy that got me on Twitter, who helped me figure out blogging, and got me involved in t his community. I now make my living as a social media consultant.
You've done amazing things at Brazen, and probably affected and influenced more people than you'll ever know. Great, work, friend. Best of luck with whatever you choose to pursue next - I'm sure you'll be awesome at it.
03.09.11
Congrats! Thanks also for a wonderful website. I hope you will still lurk in these fourms and maybe join us over at u30pro or somewhere else online and share your insights. Oh and thanks for all the featured posts. Even though my blog's in hiatus right now, when I bring it back, this family will be the first to know.
03.09.11
Thanks for being accessible. I don't think I will ever again come across another organization where I have the ear and attention of one of the top people in the structure.
03.09.11
Have to say I'm shocked. I never thought I'd read an update like this from you, but I appreciate your candor. On to a new adventure!
03.09.11
Ryan, looking for a mighty interesting challenge.
Check out www.5milliongreenjobs.com
Best Of Luck,
DD Vasseur
03.09.11
I can't believe that just three years ago, when I was just starting out with blogging as a way to get back to writing again, to get my life back on track, I would find my way to a community of some of the smartest, genuinely kind people I've had the pleasure of meeting. You, probably unknowingly, were a huge proponent in that -- introducing each other, encouraging conversation, facilitating friendships.
I agree with Ryan Stephens -- not only has this community grown, but it's evident you've grown with it.
The very best of luck to you, Ryan, as you take the next step to where you want your life to lead you!
03.09.11
Congrats! Wishing you well in your next adventure!
03.09.11
When BrazenCareerist had just launched, I remember you e-mailing me about the site to ask if I would be interested in signing up. At the time I didn’t know who you were, how you found me, and had no idea that BrazenCareerist would be as big as it is today.
It's been great seeing both Brazen and you grow. And I wish you the very best in your future endeavors!
03.09.11
Thanks to everyone! Big changes are happening in my life. Got engaged in December, leaving Brazen at the end of the month and I'll probably be moving back to the east coast soon as well. It feels great to make a change.
What am I doing next? I have a few amazing projects lined up so far. One of them I'll start talking about next week on my blog.
03.09.11
Ryan- As a Brazen member, I'm very sad to see you go, but excited to hear about your new projects. Your work here has definitely touched me and made my professional life so much richer. Thanks for everything.
03.09.11
Where on the East coast did you settle on? Or are you still deciding?
03.09.11
Ryan, you're the top Community Manager out there period, in my opinion. You were/are always so honest, encouraging and engaging over the years with my involvement in Brazen. I want to thank you, because a lot of people don't provide honesty and I always knew that you HAD the community's back, even if others did not.
I know you're going to kick ass. You rock. Let me know how I can help and thank you again. Change is good :)
03.09.11
Best of luck, Ryan. But you really should share with us your next venture....
03.09.11
You will be missed, Ryan. I credit you with really pushing me to get out there and really share my voice in this amazing community. Echoing Ty above, thank you for your accessibility and commitment.
I'm excited to hear what's next for you. Hope we can finally meet up in NYC when you get back to the east coast! Keep on rockin'
03.09.11
I'll always be accessible to you guys whenever you need help. You know how to find me :)
03.09.11
Congrats on the move and the engagement. Thank you for all the help and information you passed on. I will keep reading as long as you keep posting. Have fun on the East Coast, I hear it is lovely this time of year
03.09.11
Ryan,
Best of luck on your new projects and enjoy the heck out of your life. You won't have as much flexibility for changes once the kids arrive so have fun with your fiance.
Kim
03.09.11
Ryan, thank you for all your hard work, patience and encouragement in building the amazing community that is Brazen Careerist. I don't spend much time in the Brazen fold anymore, but I made some very good friends here, and I wouldn't have met them without your work to create a true community here. Bummed I never got to come up to Madison to hang with you, but I wish only GREAT things for you from here. You're the best out there, and I've learned a lot about being a better community manager from observing how you work - and chatting with other BCers. So, thanks...and I hope our paths cross IRL one of these digital days.
03.09.11
Ryan,
I'm sure you will get tons of comments on this one buddy. Thanks for the words on comfort and being pushed. I needed to hear that.
I appreciate what you did at Brazen as a community manager. It was the first time that I have been part of a forum when I felt the people really cared, were super responsive and I was recognized for my contributions and encouraged to do more. That was all you buddy. When I was ready to step aside, it is as if you knew there was more I could offer and you would invite me to participate. I appreciate it. You are the ambassador.
Your Fan,
Mike Bruny
P.S. More to come, you haven't seen the last of me buddy!
03.09.11
Wow. Shock to the system. You've really been the one to bring the community together. This is the only "community" I ever have (and probably ever will) converse actively with. Love your post today; you're now "one of" the "BRAZEN" success stories; a community that inspires Gen Y's in business settings - couldn't be more perfect.
03.09.11
Ryan, with the boot camp you went through working with Penelope, you're ready for whatever comes next. All the best to you.
03.09.11
Sad to see you going! You were the life of the Brazen Careerist. Wish you the best wherever you go. Just wondering where you'll be going next. If only I could find as good as people as you :)
03.10.11
Hi Ryan, Thank you for all of the support you've given me to get me comfortable with Brazen and with social media in general. Being somewhat of a real world wallflower, Brazen has allowed me to participate in conversations I might avoid in the real world.
I am sad you are leaving the Brazen Community Manager position and want to wish you well and Good Luck! in all your future endeavors. I'm looking forward to reading about your post-Brazen manager adventures in your blog.
Best Wishes & Good Luck!
03.11.11
Ryan, as a Founder and Community Director of Brazen, you have done an outstanding job in starting this company and building and managing the amazing Brazen community. The time and effort you put into this clearly shows.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this awesome community!! Dad and I wish you much success with your next exciting venture!! And please come back to the east coast....
Love you,
Your Mom
03.11.11
Looking forward to seeing what's on your horizon. All the best, and great advice!
03.11.11
Ryan,
Congratulations on whatever lies ahead and best of luck to you. I'm so glad that I saw this post because I just stepped out of my comfort zone and took a position with a new company yesterday. It's always a bittersweet experience, especially if you're leaving on the best of terms. I'm so glad to hear that others are taking chances; it helps to keep me focused and to keep the momentum going.
Again, best of luck!
03.14.11
Catchy title but I know you'll never leave BC! :)
You've done a great job.
Best of luck to you and your fiance in your future career development and learning exploits.
03.24.11
Thanks for all that you've done to help make Brazen possible. I've enjoyed having a chance to collaborate with you over the past few years and look forward to putting our heads together as you make your next move.
It's hard to step away when you don't know what the future will hold--something everyone should have the chance to do at least once in their career.
Good luck, Ryan.
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