Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 9. Source pages: 16.
I'd like to introduce myself. You may recognize my picture, and think you know me by name. I've had a growing-up maiden name, an early adulthood married name, and now true-love married name, in my personal and professional life, all of which are irrelevant in my public life, my life in front of a camera, a microphone, an audience. So please, feel free to forget any and all of those names because, for my upcoming broadcast productions, including my new television show, South River Stories®, I am marketing a brand new name, a new brand name, Susie Marie PhD.
I invite you to join me, through this column, on my media journey. I will take you with me as I secure my brand, establish a business plan, assemble the crew, design a logo, create a website, obtain my sponsors, build an audience, construct the set, develop a product line, write the segments, produce the show, and enter the public arena as Susie Marie PhD.
I like that my new name rhymes, which suits my corny self. I like that my name has no title, which helps me avoid the "doctor" image trap. I like that my on-air name has evolved over the years to the name that suits me best as I entertain, inform, and inspire, through stories, lessons, and songs about my rural life, as Susie Marie PhD.
You may find yourself wanting to walk this road with me. If you decide to leave the private confines of your office and take up life in the public arena, I will be here to welcome, support and guide you. In doing so, I will be paying forward the mentoring gifts of those who saw me through various shows over the years, who helped me arrive at this happy place of becoming Susie Marie PhD.
Thank you for your interest and for giving me a chance, once again, to say hello.
I'm Susie Marie PhD.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.