Teresa Coles
How does one begin to define the multi-dimensional creature that is Teresa Coles? We’d have to answer in Teresa’s own signature statement: It depends on your objective.
You see, there is I’m All Business Teresa. Hand her a big bad problem and a magic marker and within minutes, the issue will have been dissected and four possible solutions will appear in step-by-step, grid-like fashion (each leading to a different objective, of course). There is Fashionista Teresa. Trend setter; shoe acquirer; good-looking-suit wearer. I Have A Dream Teresa, (ice skating lessons at age 45, need we say more); 70s Funk Teresa; Dinner in the Dining Room / I Have My Own Tool Belt / Let’s Just Try It, How Hard Can It Be? Teresa.
They make for one interesting brand strategist. Early in her career, Teresa served in marketing positions for the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Colonial Supplemental Insurance Company. She joined C.C.Rigg’s 17 years ago, becoming a partner/principal in 1996. Along with partner Cathy Monetti, Teresa co-founded the national CreateAthon network, a little philanthropic idea that has yielded almost $10 million in marketing and advertising services for nonprofits around the country. In 2007, CreateAthon took on yet another dimension with the establishment of CreateAthon on Campus, a student model of CreateAthon developed in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University.
Teresa’s commitment to nonprofit endeavors is widespread. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Clemson University Alumni Association, along with serving as board member and communications chair of The Children’s Trust of South Carolina. She served for six years as founder and co-race director for West Metro Habitat for Humanity 10K Run; board member and president of Columbia Communicating Arts Society; founding chairperson of InShow; marketing council member of Boy Scouts of America Indian Waters Council; board member of Clemson University Women’s Council; board member of Columbia Downtown Development Association, and board member of Providence Presbyterian Child Development Center.
Teresa and her husband, Jay, are the happy parents of John and Julian.
Old friends see inside you forever. I have friends from college with whom I’ve been remiss in keeping up with over the years. These were the girls who dried my eyes when a boy hurt me, borrowed my Fair Isle sweaters, and welcomed me into their parents’ homes. I had lunch for the first time in years with my friend Anne, and it was if we had never been apart. Because we knew so much about each other during those young years, we were able to relate to how our history had shaped us into becoming the people we are today. It’s almost scary to see how you can pick up where you left off with friends like these, and be with each other on a whole different level than you are with the people who are in your life every day, today. It’s a treasure, and one I plan on unearthing more of in the future.
Farm living is not that glamorous. It cracks me up to see city folks gaga over growing their own vegetables, eating organic chickens, buying “a farm” for hunting. Been there, done that, shelled the butterbeans in 99 degree heat. Farming is hard, hard, hard work, and there’s no one at Real Simple calling you up for a photo shoot. Don’t get me wrong, I am all about a homegrown tomato, and can be downright snooty about it. I long for the day that small farmers can come back and make a real living. These people raised me and sent me to college. Which is why I’ll never fuss at anyone who lights up a cigarette.
Everyone has the right to cry. My dad died at age 50. I was 16, and had lost my hero. In all the fog of those first few days after his death, the one thing I remember is hearing some adult say to me, “Don’t let your mama see you cry.” I was cast immediately into the role of stoic daughter, there to stand by her mother and attend to her grief while I hid in my brother’s bedroom and sobbed. Ever since, I’ve always told people to cry their tears, and never apologize for it. I still can’t.
People take themselves way too seriously. I learned that from my Uncle Thelton, who was a true gift in my life. He was incredibly smart, with the quickest wit ever, and you smiled the second he walked into the room. One of his favorite hobbies was people watching and making up stories about them. He’d make Average Joes into Wall Street executives and rich tourists in Cadillacs into burnt-out burger flippers. It was a great exercise in leveling the playing field of humanity.
It doesn’t have to be that hard. One of the most important life lessons I’ve learned is from my husband Jay, who quickly taught me that a real, lasting relationship doesn’t have to be hard or hurtful. I had never known that before, and I’m amazed at how he continues to shower me with unconditional love 20 years later.
Everything happens for a reason. I’m Presbyterian, and they’re all about that predestination stuff. I’m not quite that serious about it, but I do believe God can show us something every day that can enrich our lives. I believe challenges can make us better, happier people in the long run, if we’ll only stop trying to fix it ourselves and stop and listen instead.
People are not email addresses. Email is a good way to exchange quick, factual information, not to present or debate a topic. Just pick up the phone and have a conversation.
The greatest luxury in life is reading. When I am all grown up, I’ll read for pleasure every single day. I may even write something while I’m at it.
Life is better with a little funk. Just ask my friend Joe Phillips.
You can spend twice the time complaining about how you don’t have time to do something, or you can spend half the time and just do it.
You just don’t have to have that many clothes when you’ve got good shoes.
There is but one mayonnaise for a tomato sandwich. Duke’s.
