Hello, I'm Travonda and I LOVE information! I know it may sound like a confession and perhaps it is, but not one that I'm embarrassed about. I'm an internet researcher and proud of it.
It seems that I've had somewhat of a love affair with finding information. Because of this, I've learned ALL SORTS of fascinating things since I was 7 and that desire has only grown. It started with reading chapter books/novels. Then it was the dictionary and I ended up secretly harboring encyclopedias. With the onset of the Internet I was hooked very early on spent long hours searching the web. (awkwardly at first) That led to my gazillion email accounts to capture all the ezines & newsletters I get filled with primarily verifiable information that I get now.
As an airman in the U.S. Air Force my path set when they tested me and determined my top aptitudes were for analyzing data and working with information technology. I didn't agree but, what choice did I have? They owned me and I did my job -- well! I remember being one of very few people with a computer at home. Even though I worked with mainframes and one or two P.C.'s in the office, having one at home was a huge deal and expanded my learning exponentially. When I returned to the U.S. and I got Internet access and it didn't take long before I knew I was hooked for good. My dad introduced me to CompuServe and Prodigy and even though AOL was available as well, for me, it couldn't hold a candle to the others for "real" research.
Throughout my career I have always been the "go to" person for information. No matter what position I held or the industry, I was a researcher. Not always an internet researcher but, I used the right resources to find the information online or off. I loved digging deeper and I ALWAYS found the answers. Even if I encountered a block due to the site requiring payment or membership for all the detail...I found where the information was housed.
I fell in love fitness during my early Air Force career as well. I wanted to be the next Cory Everson and made a strong effort to do so. Of course I researched and soaked up everything I could about bodybuilding, diet & nutrition, and creating the right workouts to help reach my goals. It was an exciting time and I placed second in my first and only bodybuilding competition in Okinawa. I had transformed myself inside and out and made it my mission to share my knowledge with anyone who needed it.
How? I taught myself about being a personal trainer while I was still overseas and before I could sit for the certification I wanted. I did fitness assessments at the base gym and wrote up workout programs and actually went to the gym to help the many women who wanted to transform their bodies like they saw me do. It was phenomenal. I did become a certified personal trainer and worked in the field a couple of years. I'm a techie by trade so, it was hard to let that go.
I've been told that I'm analytical, methodical, logical and quite meticulous. Actually the Air Force tests back that up. All those characteristics always made me seem the perfect candidate to be an accountant (or librarian), but I'm not. Definitely NOT because I have a flaw...I'm also creative. I love to write, scrapbook, and many other artsy things. That combination would likely throw a monkey wrench in everything if you're talking about accounting but, what if you need information, a solution, an idea, a "why" or "why not?" That's easy, it's the perfect recipe for a motivated, open-minded internet researcher!
Enough time and information passed and my knowledge of entrepreneurism, small business and copywriting grew. I developed a burning fascination with these fields (particularly b2b copywriting). I delved into the nuts and bolts of my craft with training from AWAI (American Writers and Artists Inc.) and expanded my knowledge of copywriting, b2b copywriting as well as internet research. It was clear what I had to do -- it was time to move forward and stop putting off what I love. Stop copywriting and providing internet research as a side business and take a leap of faith. And so here I am, my natural path led me to choose being an internet researcher by title.
I used to imagine experiencing joy from work, being challenged by work, and having passion work. It was important to attain in my life's journey because for me all of these lead to an inner peace when the day is said and done. I'm proud to say that feeding such a strong desire while helping others succeed at what they love brings a satisfaction and joy like no other. Even better than that, I've found a balance in what I do for clients and yes, ultimately for me. I don't work...I enjoy!
I genuinely look forward to hearing from you to help you find whatever information nuggets you need for your fitness or b2b copywriting project. I'm still just a call or a click away...Let's Talk about your passion!
Travonda
President/Sr. Internet Researcher
Thomas Internet Research
