Dear Mr. Trump,
It’s been almost seven years since I met you in a conference room at a nondescript hotel in California. I’m sure you don’t remember me – you must have shaken a million hands since then – but when someone makes an impact on me, even inadvertently, I like to acknowledge it.
Back then, I was a recently graduated 24-year-old public relations account executive with reasonable expectations for a normal, simple life – the kind folks back home expected me to have. I took the first job I could find and settled in for the long haul. Life was fine, good even, but quite average.
Pre-Apprentice Angie. Life is good. But average.
When I auditioned for Season 6 of The Apprentice on a whim, I was astonished every time I received a callback from the producers. I’ve been told I’m smart cookie and a sparkplug, but I confess to that point I still felt like I was playing dress up.
What could a normal gal from small town Florida ever really expect other than more normalcy?
I advanced round after round after round, and a few months into the process I found myself in LA for the final selection. Out of thousands of hopefuls, only 50 had made it to that point, and I was elated. A week of intensive interviews and auditions with Mark Burnett, various casting directors and producers had me thinking bigger than I ever had before.
When you and I met, it was for the very last audition of the week, and unlike the rest, this was a group audition. I sat in the waiting area with four women I’d never met, eagerly wondering what in the world awaited us in the conference room.
What awaited was none other than you – the Donald Trump – and an interview akin to the infamous boardroom on The Apprentice. I won’t give the details away here, but I suspect at that point in my life I just wasn’t aggressive enough for TV.
I believe something inside me began to change on the flight home that night. I knew I hadn’t been selected and I was sorely disappointed. Instead of giving up and going back to my average life, I channeled every bit of that letdown feeling into formulating a new game plan.
I’d had a taste of excitement and adventure and what could be, and I was never going back to normal.
I hatched a scheme to move to New York and to search out a fulfilling dream job in travel public relations. Within a few months, I was standing on 5th Avenue pinching myself. I made it!
After five years as a Hell’s Kitchen resident and employee at the world’s largest PR firm, I’m confident the meek young lady you met in the boardroom in 2006 has been taken over by a woman who lets nothing and no one intimidate her.
I’ve since traveled around the world alone, chronicling my adventures every step of the way. I run my own business and my own website, I’m a successful independent PR & social media consultant and I’m planning to take a crack at writing a book later this year.
In the past seven years, I’ve learned that nothing is impossible and no dream is too crazy, and you don’t have to win every battle, so long as you win at life.
Post-Apprentice Angie. Bahamas, Spain, Jordan, Thailand, Morocco, New Zealand, Greece, Indonesia… NYC!
I’m not a Miss USA or an MBA, so only through the powers of the reality TV audition process did our paths cross. And I’m so glad they did. I would not be the savvy, confident woman I am today without the lessons I learned from my Apprentice experience.
Thank you for the impact you made. It’s made all the difference.
— Angie
***
I think vaguely I knew something about The Apprentice, but didn’t realize the whole story–you’ve had your share of experiences, girl, from Best Job to this! Next up: Orth sisters take on The Amazing Race??
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..How to Be an Extra on Nashville
I am always asking RaeRae if she wants to try out for the Amazing Race and do you know what she says? “Don’t they have to run a lot? Nahhhh.”
Here’s a thought: how about you and I apply? I don’t think they’ve had a Travel Bloggers team yet!! We could film our audition at WWoHP
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..Girls Gone Wild … in Atlanta
Amazing story! Can’t believe you nearly got onto The Apprentice. Sounds like you won it, in your own way…
Vicky recently posted..7 Course Taster at Sjavargrillid (Includes Puffin and Whale)
I feel like I did! Thank you for reading!
Awh I love this. That’s the way to live your life. Thanks for the reminder! Keep in living an exciting life girl.
Bobbi Lee Hitchon recently posted..Las Vegas: Hotel vs. Campground
Thanks, Bobbie Lee! Appreciate your kind words =)
Great post Angie! I love how you took that experience as a way to give yourself a little push to follow your dreams! So inspirational
Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie recently posted..Drink & Dish: Strawberry Champagne Cocktail {with video}
Thanks, Nicole!
What a neat story! I had no idea there were so many rounds of auditions for a reality show! Crazy. Glad you used that experience to pursue your dreams!
Gina recently posted..One Day Around the Web | 2/9/13
Oh my gosh, Gina, there are SO many rounds! It’s completely and totally exhausting =)
You amaze me, Angie! You truly are a special person and I am so glad our own paths crossed. You’re inspiring in your own way and don’t ever forget that!
Jennifer recently posted..Flying in a Seaplane Over the Maldives
Aww, thanks J-Domb! When do I get to see you again?
Would love to see you, Angie! Are you going to be in Europe at all this year? I’m headed to the US in a few weeks, but sadly Florida is not on my itinerary.
Jennifer recently posted..Stories You’d Never Want Your Mom to Read
I love this post. People never know what kind of impact they make in others’ lives and it’s great to hear that the Donald made a positive one in yours and inspired you to change how you were living your life. Great attitude and excited to see where you go next!
Diane recently posted..How much does a raw food diet for dogs cost?
Thanks, Diane! Appreciate you reading & commenting!
Hey girl.
Amazing what your learn about people everyday. Think the experience of going through all those auditions and making it to that final pool of ’50′ must have really given you some confidence. I’ll never know what was said between you and Trump but I think the fact that you went for the auditions and gave yourself the chance to be selected…that was a win and shows your inner belief in yourself. The experience gave you the belief that you could do something-wasn’t Trump who changed your life- it was you.So thank yourself. Everyday. Stay inspired and keep smiling.
Kash Bhattacharya recently posted..Fact or fiction? Guide to the ‘reel’ Braveheart
Thanks, Kashtag! Miss you!
Such a cool experience! Congrats on making so far in the audition process! I would have to agree, you’re much too nice to be on the Apprentice – and that’s a very good thing.
Laurel recently posted..The World’s 10 Most Romantic Hotels
I take that as a very high compliment! =)
Hi Angie,
It looks like we share the same PR/travel writer path. What a trip!
Nancy D. Brown recently posted..Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort and Spa, Mazatlan, Mexico
Wow! Meeting successful people can have that affect on your huh? They’re just people and yet they can create this amazing life for themselves. Sounds like a little bit of “The Don” rubbed off on you.
My husband was on the NZ version of The Apprentice. I’m sure the US version is a hell of a lot more competitive to audition for though.
Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted..Meet the Kiwi Bloggers: Man vs World
oooh I didn’t know that about your hubby, Bethaney! How cool!