Storytelling

The heart of everything is a story. Since I can remember, I’ve been a storyteller. I tell stories through books, theatre, film, marketing, speaking, performing, and teaching. I’m still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. I just know I like stories.

WRITING IS AN EVOLUTION

My journey as a storyteller

My Theatre Company Days

After graduating from Miami of Ohio, I started a theatre company and became the resident playwright of Serendipity Theatre (which is now 2nd Story, Chicago). I wrote a lot of plays and performed all over the place on stage, in commercials and doing voices overs.

My Transition to Corporate America

Eventually, I decided to settle down and start a family, so I moved to the suburbs with my husband. It was then that I literally picked up a book on how to be a Copywriter. I wrote a lot of cover letters to Marketing Directors until one finally gave me a chance. I started doing catalog copy, and then product copy, and eventually moved to another company and worked my way up to becoming the Director of Content Strategy and Creative Director at Abbott/AbbVie for the in-house agency.

Working in the Corporate Setting

I worked in a corporate agency setting for 10 years, leading writing teams and writing anything and everything. I even started an improv team to teach others how to tap into their own creativity. I worked alongside C-level executives and drafted speeches, videos, communication plans, marketing strategies, and all the collateral that came with it.

Starting My Own Marketing Firm

I started my own marketing firm in 2019, Marie Daniel Group. We are a women-owned small business that is a full-service marketing and communications company. I do all the writing and creative strategy. I also own my own company, Koloski, INK., where I take on special projects including children’s books, consulting, and speaking engagements.

My Passion for Children's Books and Speaking Engagements

I wrote five children’s books that are all based on the spirit of real kids. I’ve been the guest speaker for Writer’s Week and Storyteller Series at High Schools throughout Northern Illinois and have visited hundreds of classrooms with the hope of inspiring kids to try all the things!

I'm always up for a new adventure and love finding ways to inspire others to tap into their creativity. When I'm not writing, speaking, or working on marketing campaigns, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, and looking for mushrooms.

HERE is a list of my speaking programs and writing workshops.