By Cari Doutre, "Why I really left" - Jan. 11, 2020
My heart was broken by the very thing it loved dearly, journalism. It sounds odd but allow me to explain.
All I have ever known (career wise) is how to be a reporter or journalist. It’s in my blood. I’ve known since I was 10 years old that being a journalist was what I was going to do “when I grew up.” That was 30 years ago.
When I first began my career in print journalism (let’s be honest, this face and voice are not made for broadcast journalism), things were booming. Back then the internet was still a bit of a novelty. Social media and smart phones didn’t exist yet. People actually read their local news from their local community (print) newspaper. It was great. This was in 2001 when I first started working for the Leader newspaper in Tremonton.
But things changed. Readers decided that they wanted their news in a different format (digital) and that they wanted it faster and for free. The Leader newspaper also changed ownership several times and long time employees started leaving. I held on as long as I could.
So why the change? Why did I leave behind my identity in this community to find that passion again? Because it was time to let it go. I fought it for years. I fought the inevitable change that everybody else saw but I was blind to. I didn’t want to see that the platform I was working for was a “shell of a shell of what it once was.” I just didn’t see it.
Then, one day, I saw what everybody else saw. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I went for it. I released that sense of an obligation and decided to take a break, take a risk and find my passion once again.
But now, I’m back and I’m ready to take on this industry once again. This time, however, I’m calling the shots. No more corporate offices across the country telling me what to do. I get to decide now. This community, and how they receive their local news, is my new passion.
The Valley Headliner - BRVNEWS.com - is that change. It was my epiphany. Literally, at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. Less than two weeks later my life changed forever and I said goodbye to the Leader. I spent 18 years working for them. Just like that. I haven’t looked back. I don’t regret anything. I don’t even miss it.
Here’s how my new adventure is going to happen.
First, I need time. I need time to learn the basic fundamentals of website design and upkeep so that I can clearly get across local news in a digital format. It’s a work in progress but progress is happening.
Second, I need to learn how to switch my mindset from a journalist to a journalist/business owner. It’s going to be tricky but I’m learning. I’ve been facing two new aspects of this industry that I’ve never dealt with before. I’m learning how to sell something and I’m learning how to make a business successful. I’m up for the challenge.
Third, I need the community’s support. Don’t give up on me or The Valley Headliner - BRVNEWS.com. Keep reading, keep coming back and please, give me your input and suggestions on how I can make this better. Submit news tips, story ideas, anything! I can't do this without you! And if you feel inclined, help support this new business by advertising with us!
I also need patience from the community and readers. Over the course of the next few months I will be releasing new pages to my website but that takes time and manpower. I don’t want to release a poor product. I have big ideas but one thing I have learned is that I need to slow down and focus on one step at a time. This company is basically a one woman show right now. That will not always be the case but it’s just the start of something I honestly feel will be a great asset to the community.
This is not a business that is going to grow overnight. It will take me months, even years, to feel comfortable. I’m in this for the long haul if you are. Take a chance on me and take a chance on The Valley Headliner - BRVNEWS.com. I promise I won’t let you down. I owe this community that.