Meet Angela Parish

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Parish a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

**Have I truly developed my confidence and self-esteem?** I believe it’s an ongoing journey, and there’s always room for growth. However, my friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances often comment on my confidence. Reflecting on my upbringing, I realize how fortunate I was to have parents who nurtured my independence, creativity, and willingness to take risks. These qualities, instilled at a young age, have been instrumental in building my confidence.

One key lesson I learned early on was the importance of not worrying about others’ opinions. My cousin frequently reminded me of this during our annual family camping trips, where we would dance and be our goofy pre-teen/teen selves at DJ nights. This mindset, though initially applied to fun activities, has helped me in more significant life situations as well.

Volunteering has also played a crucial role in my development. From my early teens to the present day, these experiences have honed my skills and boosted my self-esteem. Additionally, I actively participate in professional development programs, such as the New Sage Strategies Annual Women’s Leadership Conference, to reinforce my belief that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

I consider myself an optimistic person, always striving to find the best in any situation. This positive outlook has been invaluable in fostering my confidence and self-esteem.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a passionate Milwaukee native dedicated to highlighting local businesses and fostering a sense of community. Through my efforts, I encourage others to explore the city’s unique offerings.

I enjoy culinary adventures and specialize in gin cocktails, celebrating Milwaukee’s vibrant food scene—from farm-to-table restaurants to food trucks. I share mixology tips while promoting local bars with creative drinks. Additionally, I emphasize a healthy lifestyle by exploring fitness trends and wellness practices. Through my storytelling, I invite everyone to experience Milwaukee’s charm and delights.

My podcast, **One of a Kind Milwaukee**, began as an extension of my support for local businesses and events, which I initially shared through my personal social media. Recognizing the potential for greater impact, I launched the podcast as a formal outlet. While my personal account focuses on my specific interests, such as my dogs and UCH content, the podcast allows me to reach a broader audience.

Season three has been particularly successful, featuring interviews with local businesses, guest co-hosts, and themed segments like Fit Mix, Girls Weekend, Fab & Fun Classes, and the Family Fun segment (with a twist, as everyone is over 21!). The podcast has created numerous networking opportunities, enabling me to connect businesses with useful programs, professional development events, and potential partnerships. I’ve met many wonderful people through this journey.

The podcast is a passion project, not my full-time job. In my professional life, I plan conferences, constantly connecting with venues and catering companies. I also work part-time for the local recreation department, planning programming for middle school students.

When I’m not working or engaged in podcast projects, you can find me at home with my three dogs.

In conclusion, my journey with **One of a Kind Milwaukee** has been incredibly rewarding. It has allowed me to celebrate and support the vibrant local businesses and community that make Milwaukee and the surrounding areas unique. I am committed to continuing this journey, fostering connections, and sharing the city’s charm and delights with a broader audience. Whether through my podcast, professional work, or personal interests, I am dedicated to making a positive impact and encouraging others to explore and appreciate all that Milwaukee and its surrounding areas have to offer.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward has been crucial. Life is full of challenges, and resilience has helped me navigate through tough times and stay focused on my goals.

Communication: Effective communication has been essential in building relationships, conveying ideas, and collaborating with others. It has enabled me to express myself clearly, listen actively, and connect with people on a deeper level.

Networking: The impact of supportive, inspiring, and like-minded individuals has been transformative in my journey. These people have provided encouragement, valuable insights, and have kept me motivated and focused. Their presence has been a catalyst for my growth, pushing me to achieve more and continuously strive for excellence. Building and maintaining relationships with a diverse group of people has opened many doors for me, offering opportunities for collaboration, learning, and growth that I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.

For those early in their journey, developing resilience is crucial. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow; when faced with setbacks, take a moment to reflect, learn from the experience, and then move forward with renewed determination. Building resilience takes time, but it’s a skill that will serve you well throughout your life. Cultivating your network is equally important. Start building relationships early by attending events, joining professional organizations, and connecting with people in your field. Don’t be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself—networking is about building genuine, supportive relationships. Additionally, commit to continuous learning. Make learning a lifelong habit by staying curious and open to new ideas. Seek out opportunities for professional development, read widely, and step out of your comfort zone to acquire new skills. Creativity and the willingness to take risks are also vital. Embrace your creative side and don’t shy away from taking calculated risks; these can lead to significant growth and innovation. The more you learn, connect, and take risks, the more you’ll grow.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely! I am always looking for businesses and events to partner with, specifically in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas, which for me includes locations up to 2-3 hours away. I’ve also collaborated with businesses that may not be local but contribute to my programs. For example, while discussing local pub crawls and attending one, I partnered with NightCapIt to hand out their scrunchies to attendees and provided disposable drink safety covers to all the bars on the route.

Coming up, I will feature Pickleball by partnering with Premier Pickleball Club and Complex, a local indoor club. Additionally, I am working with The Pretty Pickleball Company to give away one of their paddles. They have generously offered a paddle set for myself and a partner to use for all future pickleball play!

The ways to collaborate are endless! Follow me on social media @1ofakindmke, where you can find my contact information in the bio.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Rooted and Wild Photo

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move