I’ve rewritten this opening sentence 23 times now. Unfortunately, not 1 of the 23 attempts hit the note at the pitch that was destined to be that last note. I’m an emotional person to my core, plain and simple. If you’ve ever met me, or know me at all — you know that to be an understatement. Understatement of the century most likely. So if I’m being over-dramatic on something that seems so simple to you, well, tough.

Coxymoney had became a name I was known for. That “social identity” had become an indicator and had people recognize me simply by hearing it. 

“Oh you’re Coxymoney!”

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, well, I’d have grocery money covered for all of 2012. I think whole-heartedly, we gravitate towards things. People, Issues, Personas, the list goes on and on. I had definitely gravitated towards the Persona “Coxymoney.” 

The Merriam-Webster definition of persona: the personality that a person projects in public. 

That is exactly what the Coxymoney persona was — my personality, projected in public. I have a BIG personality. I’ve never hid that fact, and it is a fact that has been true since I came out of my mothers womb and slap hands with the doctor. I enjoy the HECK out of life. I mean, why wouldn’t you? We all have our demons, we all have are “why me” moments — but if you have the ability to read this, your life is already more fortunate than half of the people of this world. So if you had ever met “Coxymoney” in his element, I sure as heck hope that is the takeaway you had.

The short answer for the change is that I wanted more memories to be tied to my actual name, not a persona. When I started into the Social Media world six years ago, I was coming from the AIM generation. Apu2255, SoccerStud13, AFSoccer13, Coxbsu — all were personas I had in my teens and early 20’s. So when it came time to pick a new social identity, the first that came to mind was Coxymoney.

Now contrary to popular belief, Coxymoney actually had nothing to do with money. I got that nickname some 17 years ago from my family babysitters boyfriend. I don’t remember his name — but the neighborhood kids and I thought he was a God. He was cool, he rode a motorcycle, and he’d play football with us. To us, he was who we wanted to be when we grew up. Well I happened to be one of the better neighborhood kids at sports. I’ve been an athlete all of my life, and a rather good one at that. When we would play two-hand touch football, he’d always play quarterback. And whenever my team needed a big play, he’d always tell us in the huddle, “Cox I need you to catch this one.” (I’ve been known as Cox more so than Ryan most of my life.) He’d throw it, and I’d always catch it. To which he’d let, “Wooooooo, that’a’kid Coxymoney! You Money son!” 

The nickname has stuck with me ever since those backyard football games. Now as you get older, you stop using nicknames — and usually just call someone by there name, or a version of their first or last name. Consequently, that is why Coxymoney had stuck, to some degree, all this time. 

I tell that story only to give a little bit of context to the “why did he choose that,” only because there were a few people that seemingly had negative assumptions as to the how and why of it all. 

So when I finally decided I was going to make the change, I went to the person I trust the most in my professional life. Gini Dietrich. Gini and I’s story is a very interesting one. I started following her on Twitter almost 5 years ago. She had like 15,000 followers (at the time), lived in Chicago, was pretty, and was in the Marketing and PR world. So I began engaging her on a daily basis, and tried to strike up a friendship. I made a trip up to Chicago with a (now defunct) start-up I had at the time to look at space and tried to setup “Oh hello friend” meetings with Gini and another digital-only (at the time) friend Mari Luangrath. Mari and I got to meet face-to-face and she even brought me a cupcake. (If you are in Chicago, check out @FoiledCupcakes) Gini and I were set to ride bikes, but my schedule got messed up and I (still regret to this day) had to cancel. When I got back to Indianapolis, I started to dig around on her, Gini, in more depth and soon realized that not only was she IN that space, but she was a BIG DEAL in that space. (Insert #facepalm) 

The reason I detailed that part of the story, is because I’ve long held Gini to a very trustworthy and high standard. So whenever I have a decision I think is right, I ping Gini and she gives me her honest, no BS opinion. She never says No, and she always helps. EVERY. TIME. You have no idea how valuable that is to a young(er) business professional — to have someone like Gini in your corner.

So with all of that being said, I explained to Gini I was thinking about changing it, and asked her if I should? Her response was pretty simple: 

“I’ve been thinking about this since last night. You know what I think you should do? Just transfer @coxymoney.”

(Cue crescendo music) 

So there you have it. @Coxymoney will now be known as @ryanleecox. 

All of the business professionals I trust in my most inner of circles: Gini Dietrich, Shelly Kramer, Lorraine Ball, Tim Kopp, Andrew Dumont, Shannon Holato, Stacey Acevero, Jared Brown — to give you 8 as an example, have their social persona/identity tied to their actual name.

Sometimes even a Leader needs to Follow a Smart trend. 

Oh, and by the way — Thank you very much Gini. You’ve been a mentor I can ping with what must seem as the stupidest or craziest questions sometimes, yet you always offer your help. I want you to know how thankful I am. Truly thankful Gini.