hand. Making a difference mattered.
I jumped into my career headfirst and always
said “yes,” no matter the scope opportunity.
This included accepting assignments that made
me uncomfortable and appearing on national
television, even though I’d had zero TV training
and was terrified, which ultimately led to what
has been a 7-year weekday morning reporter role
on WHAS11’s “Great Day Live!”
I also made mistakes. A lot of them. Like
the numerous occurrences when I misspelled
someone’s name or printed a wrong phone number
or address. And the time I wrote the incorrect
version of the word “their” (or was it “your”?) in
a quote of the day and received no less than 20
phone calls from readers who were eager to point
out what they perceived as my contribution to
the “dumbing down of our youth” (yes, someone
left those exact words on my voicemail). The
newspaper and I even received a threatening
letter from the legal team of a once-popular TV
star because I rehashed an erroneous news item
pertaining to her that’d I’d (thankfully) attributed
to a national media outlet, which ended up getting
sued (we didn’t, luckily).
Sometimes, I’d receive attacks on my intelligence
from people who thought my column was a waste
of space and, thanks to my tiny photo that was
included with each column, I received a few racist
missives and insults about my appearance, too.
This was in the pre-Facebook and Twitter days,
so most criticism came via snail mail, voicemail,
email and shouted at me on the phone.
The personal attacks didn’t affect me much
– what was I supposed to say to someone who
loathes what my face looks like or the color of my
skin? – but it took a while to learn how to accept
criticism from strangers, especially when it was
harshly given. Eventually, I made it a point to
respond to almost anyone who sent feedback and
would thank them for taking the time to reach
out to me, a practice I still employ. I’d own up to
and correct my errors when possible, vowing to
better next time. People just wanted to be heard,
I realized, and often our communication would
lead to story ideas, news tips and even lasting
relationships.
Embracing my mistakes also aided me in being
more careful and cautious about what I was writing
and whom it might affect. It also helped me give
myself a break. While I continually strived to do
better and be better, I began to fully accept the
fallibility of being human.
Thanks to the editors I encountered during
the five years I worked at The C-J, I gleaned a
lot about management styles and the powerful
byproduct of being treated with respect and
kindness while simultaneously challenged to
grow. (The aforementioned Greg Johnson, a fellow
Hoosier, was a boss unlike any other. I’ll always be
grateful to him for giving me a shot and helping
me find my voice and purpose.)
I did a horrendous job, however, of balancing
my personal and professional lives, opting to put
work first in lieu of cultivating close friendships and
taking time for my out-of-state family members.
But that was then, and I’ve since acquired a fierce
protectiveness of taking the time to walk away
from what I do for a living and focus on those
I love. And, I do my best to ensure those on the
Extol Team do the same.
There are some people who believe if you love
what you do for a living you’ll never work a day in
your life. I understand the sentiment but that’s not
exactly how I see it. I love what I do for a living,
especially it’s ever-changing nature, and my role as
co-founder, co-owner and editor in chief of Extol,
where I’m a part of phenomenally talented team
of full-time and freelance staffers who have joined
me in our quest to celebrate Southern Indiana.
But we work hard to be a magazine on a mission
– and more. In the coming months, you’ll see our
commitment to the Southern Indiana grow in
myriad ways. We mean business and are excited
about what comes next.
In this, The Business Issue, you’ll find industry
leaders who share their advice, tips to help ensure
your success and much more.
As always, thank you for taking the time to
pick up Extol.
Truly,
Angie Fenton
326 Spring Street, Jeffersonville
812.920.0017
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