- Name
- Chrystina Tovani
- E-mail
- Contact Chrystina Tovani
- Website
- http://ChrystinaTovani.com
- Office Phone
- (916) 359-9505
- Address
- Sacramento, CA
Here's a little bit about me...
From the moment I hooked up my first computer (8mgs) in 1995 and logged onto the internet I started participating on forums. Back then it was Compuserve and we had to limit our time online to keep the costs down. I became a Systems Operator which would allow me to earn free time for keeping the forum updated and managing the community.
I won a contest and was givien Paint Shop Pro.... That's when I got hooked on graphic design and creating web sites using Front Page Software. It didn't feel like work because I enjoyed it so much. I've always been a creative person.
It used to be a chore to explain to people that some of my "friends" who were online were REAL. LOL! Very few people had websites or used email.
Originally, I went into the mortgage industry and worked as a loan originator for many years. I also have some experience as a real estate agent. I was one of the first people in my office to have a website because I was able to make it myself. Then people started asking me to help them and of course I did.
I was so happy when I found Active Rain because it is a community of real estate professionals but even better, they teach how to use social media for business. I soaked up every bit of knowledge and went back to school to take web development courses and marketing. I started attending local media meet ups in my area and I knew that this is where my passion is.
A few times, my articles have recieved attention from local news reporters and I was interviewed and featured. One article took up almost two pages in the Sacramento Bee's family section. It all started with me writng about my son moving back home.
What followed was that I started getting calls for help from my friends and then got referred to help people set up their social media profiles and use all the tools that I have learned to use to help small business owners develop a social presence on the web. I didn't even know at the time that it was a job description. Now, the Internet seems to be full of noise about social media managers, so I am hesitant to call myself that. I just do what I do.
Where it will lead? First, back to school to enhance my web design skills. I absolutely (to my horror) love coding!
Update: I was intrigued by coding but once you learn it, it's not such a big deal. Right now I'm in love with Typograhy thanks to a professor who is passionate about graphic design and teaches with enthusiasm and stories. I remember stories. Sitting in class grinning from ear to ear like the geek that I am. There are a series of courses that I will take to get set up for what I want to achieve. I have to pace myself. I felt like a kid in the candy store going through the college catalog.... I want this, and this.... I knew better than to take on too much at once. I'm right where I need to be.
Volunteering taught me a lot
I am proud to be a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post 4647 in Antelope, CA. Growing up as a military brat in the Air Force; married to a Viet Nam veteran; helping the men and women who have fought to preserve our freedom is one of my highest passions. I donate my time as the editor of the newsletter and website administrator to our on line bulletin board, The Black Jack. If you live in the Sacramento area and would like to know what you can do to help our veterans, or if you know a veteran who would benefit from our organization, contact me.
VFW Post 4647 is located in Antelope, CA. The VFW does a great deal to help our veterans and their families as well as the community here in Sacramento.
I know quite a few experienced, top notch real estate pros.
My real estate license is active and while I am in school, I will be referring people to some of the top real estate professionals that I know on Active Rain.
