Diane Carson:

When Life Forces Reinvention

She was told she’d never run again. Instead, she ran farther than she ever had before—and discovered her true strength when she stopped.

Bio

Diane Carson is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience as a Promotional Product Advisor, PR Consultant and Certified Marketing Consultant specializing in marketing strategy. Her journey in the field has been nothing short of remarkable, spanning diverse roles that showcase her adaptability and expertise.

From her distinguished tenure as the Pro Consul at the British Consulate General in St Louis, where she orchestrated personal appearances and media interviews for esteemed personalities, including Prince Charles (now King Charles!), to her role as the Special Events Director for a major department store, where she even stepped into the shoes of Frosty the Snowman at Breakfast with Santa when needed, Diane has truly worn many hats.

With a track record of more than three decades as the owner of a marketing company and promotional products distributorship, Diane has been a driving force behind the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs. Her focus on highly targeted promotional marketing programs and strategic marketing has been instrumental in helping clients to succeed.

As a Certified Marketing Consultant (CMC) and the President/Owner of Promo Xpertz LLC, Diane collaborates with small businesses and entrepreneurs, guiding them to select memorable and useful branded items within their budget. With nine years at the helm of Promo Xpertz LLC and an additional eighteen years as Co-Owner of a full-service marketing agency, she has a wealth of experience in creating and implementing effective marketing action plans.

Diane’s professional journey also includes a decade with Dillard’s Department Stores as the Director of Wedding Registry for the Midwest Division, with responsibility for thirty-five stores, where she significantly increased sales and maintained the #1 Wedding Registry store for four consecutive years. She also spent eight years as the Publicity & Special Events Manager at Stix, Baer & Fuller, coordinating events and publicity for authors and celebrities in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Throughout her career, Diane’s strengths have shone through in her outstanding organizational and administrative skills, strong motivational abilities, enduring professional relationships, and a commitment to high-quality standards. Today, as the owner of Promo Xpertz LLC, Diane continues to bring creativity, dedication, and a strong work ethic to her clients, Taking their brands “Beyond the Bland”!

Topics

  • Starting a business after 50
  • Navigating career loss and identity
  • The power of female friendships in reinvention
  • Building a business with zero startup knowledge
  • Pivoting business models after failure
  • The emotional roller coaster of entrepreneurship
  • Getting support from SCORE and other free resources
  • What happens when your business partner leaves
  • Creating a sustainable solo business after loss
  • Rebuilding confidence through community

Guiding Questions

  • Take us back to that moment when you lost both your job and your marriage—what was going through your mind?
  • How did your corporate experience help or hinder your leap into entrepreneurship?
  • You call yourself an “accidental entrepreneur”—what does that mean to you?
  • What was it like to build a business with no plan and no money?
  • Can you share the story behind the dime in your first direct mail campaign?
  • How did you know it was time to pivot your business model?
  • What did the experience with SCORE teach you about asking for help?
  • How did your support system (or lack thereof) shape your journey?
  • What was the turning point that helped you believe, “I really can do this”?
  • If someone is in their 50s or 60s and feels like it’s too late to start over—what would you tell them?

Interested in this guest’s story?