In 1993 I began homeschooling my children. For a science project, I received my state and federal licenses as a wildlife rehabilitator. I soon got my exhibitor's permit and began taking wild animals into schools, libraries and other public events. I designed and created learning packets to use in the lectures. In 1999, I started a career as a freelance writer for the local community newspaper. After two years, I was brought in-house as Circulation Manager where I created marketing campaigns to increase readership as well as other duties. I obtained various vendor agreements, increased sales locations, and increased single copy sales from 1200 per month to over 4300 per month. I also continued writing monthly wildlife articles to benefit a local charity and wrote other articles assigned by the editorial manager of the newspaper. I have also written ad copy and designed marketing flyers and mailers for a local real estate company that noticed my work at the newspaper. I