middle management.

It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. This is very true. And it goes without saying too, that in my household, it takes a middle child to manage a family-owned business.

When we celebrated the open of the agency's second home, a fourth floor shared suite in the West End Plaza on Pearl, I stole away from the party hoping to catch my breath. Instead, I chanced upon a scene that took my breath away. Removed from the chaos, tucked peacefully within her happy place, I discovered my daughter, Olympia, seated authoritatively behind my desk, taking in the Flatirons view, Googling her own name, systematically sorting my pens and paper clips to her liking.

I opted to leave her be. Clearly, she was in the zone. A future Madame President, daring to dream. Who was I to boot her out of office? I smiled, sipping Chardonnay and spying for a moment. If only she could see her own shine. Perhaps one day, she will. With any luck, we all will.

I'm certain that for those dear, sweet, patient souls who follow my work, it may seem as though I idolize my offspring. Perhaps I do tend to gush, but there is just cause. For putting up with all the Cheerios, purchased in bulk, because it was cheap and easy... for all the hand-me-downs, shared bedrooms, and that one communal bathroom in the ramshackle hell-hole we crammed into [sans complaint] over on Alpine, I'm grateful. They definitely deserve credit. Lord knows, they've got my back, those three incredible kiddos of mine.

Day after business day, while my eyes are glued to my lap-top screen... while I'm scratching my head and talking to myself, pacing about my office, gesticulating in grandiose fashion, their eyes are on me-- confident I'm getting the job done. Never questioning the method to Momma's madness, though certainly giggling at the ridiculous half-time caliber performance of it. It's up to me not to let them down.

Whether you spearhead a start-up or the next big thing, it is critical that you credit your team. As for me, I own a Boulder-based boutique advertising agency, founded at the tail end of 2007. I serve as creative director, contracting work to hand-picked vendors who graciously contribute toward the OX & CO portfolio and brand. As I knuckle down, expanding the business to include a fine art PR house via the A. L. Neill Group, I am well aware that I am nothing without the talent and media resources I'm privy to. I love and respect these professionals and am wowed by them every day. And to my advisers, my trusty accountant and generous investor, you two are my heroes. Thanks for supporting the dream.

I am nowhere without my own little board of directors: Jaeger, my rock-- my right hand man. Olympia, my rising star apprentice. And Piper, my little mail delivery girl.

All of this, is for them.