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There are plenty of people I am indebted to and owe so much of my success to through the 29 years of my life, but what I wanted to focus on the people who helped me through what started off as a not-so-great 2012, yet eventually became my most successful professional year ever. This blog post is a collection of short Thank You notes written in one post.

This is my humble attempt at a digital thank you with all of the love, thanks, and gratitude a blog post can muster.

Shelly Kramer,

I can say with sincerity that there isn’t one person that has believed in me more over the last 4 years than you. Whether I needed some advice, an ear to listen, or just someone to give me an ego boost — you’ve been there for me through thick and a whole lot of thin. There isn’t a person alive I’d trust more to give it to me straight, but I always know it comes with the biggest hug of love possible. May 25^th, when you responded to my mentor-catch-up-email with a job opportunity, you pulled me out of the largest, darkest hole I’d been in. Your words still resonate in my head to this day: “Okay, here’s the deal. I’m a big fan of yours and want to see you succeed.”  I know I’ve told you how much that meant to me north of 5 times, but you’ll never understand the truth depth of how much that meant to me. I think you’re brilliant, I think you’re the savviest of business owners, and most of all, I think you are one of the most humble, good person I’ve ever met. I glean lessons from you on a daily basis, and most of the time you have no idea I’m learning anything. Your attention to detail as well as overall “do good, be better” mentality is something that makes me strive to “be more like Shelly” every day. Thank you for all of your continued support and belief. I look forward to proving that all of the time you’ve invested in me one of the best investments you’ve ever made.

Thank you,

Ryan

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Tim Kopp,

There aren’t a whole lot of words to say, but I’ll keep it short and to the point. Your belief in me and your help in getting me into the ExactTarget door is something that will leave me forever indebted. From our walking coffee meetings, to you putting your name behind me a bit — thank you. I appreciate all of the advice and actionable recommendations you’ve given me to date. I look forward to proving you right, as well as coming for your job one day. =) Thank you again for giving me a shot, Tim, and for your continued friendship and mentoring along the way.

Thank you,

Ryan

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Kristen Nicole,

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t consider you one of my best friends. From the days of Schindigs and flying you into my investor meeting that was nothing short of me and a few friends, you’ve always had my best interests at heart. I can’t quantify the amount of on-hand support you’ve given me, even if I have to initiate the gchat. It is always, without question, a “let me figure out how to do that” and not a “sorry that can not happen” with you Kristen. You let me onboard at SiliconANGLE and introduced me to OMBO apps. The Fab giftcard is the least I could of done. You’ve been a best friend and supporter of mine from long before I ever deserved it.

Thank you,

Coxymoney

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Scott Thomas,

To my boss who basically created an opportunity for me — thank you. You’ve been nothing short of everything an employee could ask for in a boss. You’ve been open and honest with me about anything and everything, as well as laid out a framework that allowed a consultant mentality to transfer into the corporate environment. I’ve had some bumps along the way, but you’ve continued to encourage me and have given me chances to redeem myself. Your continued belief in my abilities and finding a ‘best fit’ at ExactTarget have been nothing short of a concrete “solid” anyone could do for someone else. Thanks again boss, and here’s to knocking out some more ideas for 3sixty in 2013.

Thank you,

Ryan

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Hessie Jones,

I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but that late October message on Twitter might have been my best move of 2012. I’m tireless when it comes to making connections, but you’re a connection that will prove to be fruitful for years to come. Everything I’ve ever said or given you the impression of was legit. I don’t fluff, and I don’t fake. From that first Skype call, I’ve felt we just “got” each other and that we were meant to work together. I’m all about #TeamArc and making it the social data company everyone envies. Thank you for your near-blind belief, trust, and opportunity. You gave me a shot without a reason to (at least from my point of view) and I am focused on proving that to be the right decision in 2013. 

Thank you,

Ryan

——

Kathy Pierce,

You quickly became a best friend in 2012. I can’t explain where it came from, or how, or why, but I’m glad that it did. It’s cliche to say, but you’re the ying to my yang. You seem to always be able to bring me down from outer space and keep me focused and grounded. Your ability to ideate and connect is rivaled only by my own, and our ability to feed off of each other truly added to my successes in 2012. I very much value your friendship, and I’ve quickly became nearly obsessive with staying connected. You’re, without question, one of the most sincere and coolest people I’ve ever met. Maybe one day I’ll be a profitable partner in that empire of yours that you’re building. =)

Thank you,

Ryan

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Zena Weist,

Another one of my “cold call” emails, and another one that I’m patting myself on the back for everyday. I just knew you were brilliant and the kind of person I wanted to be connected with. The fact that you took me in as a mentee and have provided hours of your precious time to listen and to provide feedback…well, it’s worth its weight in diamonds and gold. You are so good at what you do, I literally get a little nervous before we have our mentor call every month because I want to sound “smart”. I look forward to furthering our relationship in 2013 and maybe even doing some work together. Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for giving me time that you didn’t have to give.

Thank you,

Ryan

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David Hosei,

I sure wish I’d have connected with you like this back in high school — I’d be a much smarter professional today. =) You’ve been the best same-city mentor a guy could ask for. We’re learning so much along the way together, and I’m really proud to call you a friend. Simply having someone I can see in person and discuss my goals and my hurdles with has provided me with the most clarity I’ve had in a long time. Really looking forward to 2013. 

Thank you,

Ryan

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Sarah Robinson,

I didn’t have a lot going on for me in the first half of 2012, except your friendship and co-working. Even though I was just getting to know you and you me — you helped me grow leaps and bounds. You are a great mentor, but even greater friend. You are my go-to when it comes to community building, and I look forward to anything we tackle together in 2013. You were my rock for so much of 2012.

Thank you,

Ryan

These are people that I can directly relate my successes in 2012 to, and I hope that their inclusion in this list gives them any kind of indication just how thankful I am.

Here’s to kicking ass and taking names in 2013.

*big thanks to Jen of TheJennaBee for the edits*