Where are they now: Jamie Banbury Beatty

Jamie Banbury Beatty

Tell us a little about yourself, both personal and professional, and your past/current OCLA involvement
I currently reside in Indiana, Pennsylvania with my husband, Greg, and we are expecting a little boy in early June. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Communications and a minor in Animal Sciences. Since November 2009, I’ve been employed by Encore Visions as a graphic designer. In addition to our full-time jobs, Greg and I lamb out about 100 club lamb ewes each year.
In terms of OCLA involvement, I was an eleven year member of the OCLA and exhibited at numerous sanctioned jackpots throughout my career. I also served as a Junior Director for several years and then later was an OCLA Board Member, coordinating the banquet award ceremonies. Since moving out of state, my main OCLA involvement has been helping my sisters, Madison and Taylor, exhibit at jackpots and state fair. Additionally, I help coordinate our family’s show lamb camp each spring in Ohio and work with various exhibitors that bought show lambs from us.

What is your official title?
I’m a senior graphic designer for Encore Visions and chief of staff in the lambing barn at Beatty’s Club Lambs…

What does your career entail?
My career involves working for a full-service advertising and marketing studio. We work with a variety of clientele on their marketing campaigns, from agriculture entities to boutiques and the fashion industry. I’m responsible for the behind the scenes creative aspect, which entails designing logos, websites, print advertisements, web marketing, etc. to help build a brand for our clients.

 
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really enjoy the ability to be creative and the flexibility that my job offers. My company is based out of Haskell, Texas; however, everything I do is coordinated online from my home office. It’s awesome to be able to work from home for a company that is halfway across the nation.

 
How did you land your first job?
The foundation for my first job actually came from my OCLA days. After I had the Champion and Reserve Champion Overall lambs at the 2004 Ohio State Fair I was interviewed by Ohio’s Country Journal for their Spring Livestock Directory. From this opportunity I was able to meet the OCJ staff, owner, etc. and network with them. Additionally, with the OCJ being a substantial supporter of the Ohio State Fair market lamb show and lamb booster program, they were always set up ringside at the state fair lamb show, so I got to know them even better at the fair interviews the following year. After I started college, I applied for an internship with OCJ and my show day experiences opened the door as I already knew about their company and vice versa. I worked there throughout my four years at Ohio State and they created a position to keep me on full-time after my college graduation.

What characteristics are needed for success in your career? 
A strong work ethic is first and foremost when it comes to success in your career. It’s no different than showing sheep. If you put in the time and work hard to obtain your goals, you’ll accomplish them. So many people are interested in taking short cuts to excel and that always catches up with you in the long run. Being able to work hard will carry you much further than any short term resolution. Additionally, it’s important to be responsible, take pride in what you do and do it well. For me personally, being creative is important as well as having good time management skills and efficiency. 

How has OCLA helped you in both your professional and personal life?
Being involved in the OCLA was a huge asset to me in terms of networking. Everywhere you go, you can find someone that has some connection to agriculture or affiliation with organizations like 4-H, FFA, OCLA, etc. and that is something to take advantage of. Most of your non-livestock classmates will never be afforded the same opportunity, so appreciate it. Any job opportunity I’ve ever had has come through networking and having the connections where someone knew me well enough to vouch for my character and work ethic. The way we formulated those professional relationships all went back to the show ring.  

 

What advice would you give to current OCLA members?
Being involved in the OCLA was a huge asset to me in terms of networking. Everywhere you go, you can find someone that has some connection to agriculture or affiliation with organizations like 4-H, FFA, OCLA, etc. and that is something to take advantage of. Most of your non-livestock classmates will never be afforded the same opportunity, so appreciate it. Any job opportunity I’ve ever had has come through networking and having the connections where someone knew me well enough to vouch for my character and work ethic. The way we formulated those professional relationships all went back to the show ring.
8. My best advice looking back on my OCLA days is to enjoy the opportunities put in front of you to grow as an individual. Develop responsibility, set goals, work hard to obtain them and maintain your integrity along the way.
There was a time when I never thought there would be anything bigger or better in the whole entire world than winning the Ohio State Fair. I worked hard every day and was fortunate enough to accomplish that goal (and will never forget how exciting that was in those particular moments), but I can guarantee you that as you grow up, there are way more exciting things ahead to accomplish, value and be proud of. Don’t be discouraged by defeat – there’s a whole world of things to achieve and excel at. Looking back on my show career now, I’d much rather have one kid name me as somebody they looked up to in the ring than have five kids come up with my name when asked who won the OSF ten years ago.
More than anything else, value the opportunity to show and the people that make that possible for you. You’ll have some of your best and worst moments at shows – we all know it is typically a high stress atmosphere on show day, with adrenaline pumping, high heat, sleep shortage and uncooperative animals – but some day you’ll look back on all that and remember the times shared with your family and memories you made. My dad passed away a year ago in January and I’d give back every banner we ever won to still have him here. What I wouldn’t trade, though, is a single brace night he watched on the truck tailgate, a state fair moving him off the show box for the 1000th time to grab whatever we needed to get a lamb ready or leaning on the back bleacher watching the judge sort a class together. I won’t forget traveling across the nation with my mom to shows and sales, the time spent together and the opportunity provided for me to see this country one state at a time. As my sisters graduate high school this month and prepare for college, I look back on how this hobby was one we could all share, despite our age differences. My last year showing was their first year and I can look back on a lot of tense brace nights and long road trips, but more importantly, some great memories made and having more pride standing on the sidelines watching them accomplish their goals than any handshake I ever had of my own in the ring.
Looking back, I wish I had known the world as I knew it wouldn’t end when the calendar pages turned over to January 1st and I was 19… Instead that would just be the beginning of a whole new way to make a mark on the ring. I challenge current OCLA members to first thank your parents for these opportunities as you get ready to kick off a new show season and second, set an example this summer that you can be proud of in the ring and look back on someday with no regrets. I also challenge those former members now on the sidelines to find a way to give back to an organization that helped shape who you are today.