We were lucky to catch up with Alyce Peterson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alyce, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Throughout my career, mentors have always been key. And, building a network of people who can be in your corner is so essential. When I was first starting out, I got my very first marketing internship as a senior in high school for Summerfest. Suddenly, I was doing brand photos for companies like Dyson, and covering concerts like Third Eyed Blind and Maroon 5. When I was standing in the pit for the very first show, I asked for help to others willing to give pointers. The next summer, I covered Lollapalooza while the youngest e-board member for Marquette Universities Student Newspaper. And, I couldn’t have dreamed of it without the mentorship from the summer prior. As I continued my studies and graduated, mentors, have been and continue to be a driving force for success. We all need them and to be one.

Alyce, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My career began in publishing at Trusted Media Brands Inc., where I developed ad creative for beloved publications like Taste of Home and Country Woman. From there, I was recruited by a consulting firm to co-lead marketing efforts for a mobile app focused on leadership development.

Next, I then transitioned into the B2C corporate world, taking on regional marketing for Chick-fil-A, for a local owner’s second franchise, where I played a key role in launching a new franchise in Milwaukee’s bustling downtown new Bucks arena.

After that, I spent five exciting years at a global Fortune 500 company known for manufacturing Apple products and leading innovations in robotics, servers, AI-powered EV tractors, and solar technology. After that I headed into a half decade of fun at a global Fortune 500 company known for manufacturing Apple products and most electronics globally. In the US, we were working on cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, servers, AI-powered EV tractors, solar and more!

During that time, I became a mom and shifted to part-time work, continuing with the Fortune 500 company while also stepping into the B2B SaaS space. I joined a fully remote marketing agency, where I led strategy for fintech, insurtech, field service, and other verticals.

That path ultimately led me to my current role as Product Marketing Manager at a fast-growing, 8-figure SaaS field service company—where I bring all of that cross-industry experience to bear every day.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One day, in my second job ever, (the one I was recruited for and truly enjoyed) I was let go. At the time, it felt world-ending, as I was ghosting writing in magazines for one of the owners, going to tradweshows, running the social media and wearing many hats. I didn’t realize it then, but what I loved was the career of marketing. The experience was repeatable other places, and in fact, I succeeded a lot due to what I learned at that job. As well as what I learned from being let go on a Friday due to ‘company restructuring and my role being eliminated.’ It turns out what feels devastating
in your twenties, (or any stage of life) truly can be overcome.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I found out I was expecting, I knew my job that involved tons of travel and sometimes 80 hour weeks would no longer be a ‘lifestyle’ fit. So, instead of counting myself out due to pregnancy, I talked with leadership. We negotiated a plan to keep me on as a 1099 contractor in a similar role and allowed me to pivot full time into an agency that had fantastic benefits and work-life-balance. To this day, I’m so thankful to have had all of those experiences all at one time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @akpphotographyllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyce-k-peterson/
• Twitter: @alycekpeterson

Image Credits

Studio 29 Photography