How cool is this? Two weeks ago, I had the honor of returning to my undergraduate alma mater, the University of North Georgia (UNG), to speak to the students, faculty, and staff of the UNG Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB). It seems like only yesterday—back in 1989—when I graduated from a much smaller North Georgia College, as it was known then, in the sleepy mountain town of Dahlonega, Georgia. When my wife and I arrived on campus, I was greeted with my own named parking space for the day. Nice touch, UNG. Thank you!
So, how did this speaking engagement come to pass, and what did I say to the students?
First of all, let me say that UNG does a fantastic job of keeping in touch with alumni. Under the direction of my classmate Wendi Huguley (Executive Director of Alumni Relations), UNG helps keep us all in touch and up-to-date. In addition to newsletters and other forms of communication, social media also plays a role in helping us stay connected. Thank you to Kim Vickers, Director of Development for UNG MCCB, for reaching out on LinkedIn to follow up on an article I had written about Artificial Intelligence (AI). She asked if I would be interested in speaking at UNG and passed along my name to MCCB Dean Dr. Mary Gowan, who personally invited me. The date was set, and details were coordinated with MCCB Marketing Manager Kyle Huneycutt. Essentially, I was told I could talk about anything I wanted to share. We decided it would be nice to reflect on my time as a student and how that prepared me for life.
In the two months I had to prepare, we spent time at home going through old pictures. Back in the ’80s, we didn’t have camera phones, nor did we take pictures of everything we did. Nevertheless, I was able to dig up some old photos and began to put together my presentation. My staff at Country Fried Creative helped me format the slide show (thank you, Christina), so it wasn’t just a mess of pictures and bullet points. The big day of my presentation arrived on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. My wife, Mary Catherine, took off from work and accompanied me on the trip up to Dahlonega.
Dahlonega is not the sleepy little town it was in the ’80s. UNG sits right in the heart of town, just off the historic square. Although we’ve been back to campus a few times since I graduated, it’s been quite a few years. There are many new buildings, but the campus drill field is still there (named after UNG alumni and Fayette County resident GEN Bill Livsey). We pulled into the parking area next to the MCCB building and, as I mentioned before, were greeted with my own named parking space.
Once inside the building, several of my classmates were on hand to greet me. Thanks for stopping by, Wendi Huguley, Dr. John-David Rusk, and Mike Enright (who also went to high school with me). It’s always great to see old friends. Kyle Huneycutt led us into the presentation room, which was packed with students, staff, and faculty. Dean Gowan greeted me and said she was going to introduce a student, Anna Thompson, who would then introduce me. Thank you, Anna, for the warm introduction, and congratulations on your achievements at UNG.
The time had come for my presentation. What could I possibly say to keep everyone engaged? A colleague suggested I simply speak from the heart, so that’s what I did.
To level the playing field, I let the audience know that, in many ways, I was just like them—just older. A long time ago, back in the ’80s, I was a college student much like they are now. I was active in student government, Sigma Chi Fraternity (several current members showed approval with a snap—IYKYK), ROTC, and other campus activities. All of those experiences at UNG helped prepare me for life, and I shared what I’ve learned in the 35 years since I graduated.
Here’s what I shared.
1. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Push your mental comfort zone by tackling demanding tasks—solve a tough puzzle, dive into complex reading, or learn a new skill to strengthen your mind. Step outside your social comfort zone by meeting people from different backgrounds, attending new events, or taking on leadership roles. And don’t forget physical challenges—whether it’s a GORUCK Trailblazer event or running a marathon, these tests build resilience and adaptability.
2. Choose a Life Companion
Having someone by your side can make all the difference. Life isn’t a solo journey; having a partner who supports and challenges you makes it richer. Someone who’s there through the ups and downs will add meaning and depth to every moment. Success and setbacks are easier to handle when you have a companion who’s got your back. Thank you Mary Catherine for being my life companion.
3. Stay Grounded
UNG taught me core values that continue to guide my life: Excellence, Student-Focus, Integrity, Engagement, and Service. Staying grounded means remembering these values and letting them shape your actions. Excellence pushes us to give our best; integrity keeps us honest; engagement encourages us to connect meaningfully; service reminds us to give back; and a student-focus reminds us to never stop learning. Holding onto these values is like having a compass—it keeps you on track, even when life gets complicated.
4. Prioritize Relationships
Invest in people, not just things. Relationships are worth more than any material success. Time spent with family, friends, mentors, and colleagues is time well spent. At the end of the day, it’s the connections you build that really matter—they’re the legacy you leave behind, not the stuff. Developing meaningful relationships will help you in both your personal and professional life. The adage “it’s not what you know, but who you know” is true.
5. Keep Learning
Challenge yourself: seek out new learning opportunities, whether through formal education, hobbies, or personal projects. Staying curious and adaptable keeps your mind sharp and ready for whatever comes next. Embrace lifelong learning, especially as you get older—it’s key to maintaining cognitive health and staying relevant in a changing world. At every stage of life, there’s always something valuable to learn, and it’s never too late to pick up a new skill or perspective.
6. Care for Your Body
Your health is the foundation for everything else. Take care of both your physical and mental well-being so you can tackle life with energy. I’ve found that when I invest in my health, I’m better equipped to handle challenges and take on new goals. Good health fuels everything, from work to hobbies, so make it a priority.
7. Proceed with Uncertainty
Life doesn’t come with a roadmap, and sometimes, success means stepping into the unknown. Take calculated risks and embrace uncertainty—it’s often where the best growth happens. For me, that’s meant diving into big changes even when I didn’t have all the answers. I went to North Georgia, my first time away from home, and later joined the Army, where I jumped out of airplanes. I went to graduate school while working full-time, got married, learned web design in the ’90s, and had kids. I qualified for the Boston Marathon, completed several Ironman triathlons, and started a business that almost went under in a recession. Now, I’m working on a second act by going back to graduate school. Each step came with uncertainty, but each also brought valuable lessons and growth. Embrace the unknown—it’s worth it.
What I’m Doing Now and the Importance of Education
Today, I’m grateful for the journey that’s led me to where I am. I’ve been fortunate enough to build and run a successful business as President and CEO of Country Fried Creative (CFC), and I’m proud of the impact we’ve made in our industry. Being involved in the local community has always been important to me, and I’ve had the opportunity to participate in various events, initiatives, and leadership roles. I believe in giving back and sharing what I’ve learned along the way. Education has been a constant foundation for my success, and I live by the motto Always Be Learning (ABL). Currently, I’m a graduate student at Georgia Tech and guest lecturing at several local universities. Education opens doors, drives growth, and keeps us prepared for what’s next.
Believe in yourself, pursue your passions, and make a positive impact.
After the presentation and posing for pictures, Mary Catherine and I were invited to a private catered luncheon where we got to share further with select students and faculty. In addition to sharing my knowledge, I learned a few things myself. For students and parents, college is more than a piece of paper—it’s also about building a network of connections that will help later in life. You can’t get that from watching online videos.
I was also very impressed by the dedication, knowledge, and commitment that each of the faculty demonstrated. Many think that college professors have lost touch with reality, but that’s not what I saw. The educators sharing lunch with me were all experienced business professionals with a desire to share their knowledge and experience with students and the community. Local colleges and universities can provide much-needed guidance and assistance to the business community and vice versa.
Going back home to UNG as a guest speaker was an honor and the chance of a lifetime. Sharing my journey and lessons with the students was a rewarding experience, and I hope they left feeling inspired. I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage with the next generation and to see firsthand the dedication of UNG’s faculty and students. Education is more than just gaining knowledge; it’s also about building relationships. No matter where life takes us, there’s always an opportunity to make connections, to learn, to grow, and to contribute to something greater than ourselves. I’m proud to be a UNG alumnus. Go Nighthawks!
[Joe Domaleski, a Fayette County resident for 25+ years, is the owner of Country Fried Creative – an award-winning digital marketing agency located in Peachtree City. His company was the Fayette Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year. Joe is a husband, father of three grown children, and proud Army veteran. He has an MBA from Georgia State University and enjoys sharing his perspectives drawing from thirty years of business leadership experience. Joe is a recipient of the Peachtree City Rotary Club Business Leader of the Year Award for 2024. Sign up for the Country Fried Creative newsletter to get marketing and business articles directly in your inbox. You can connect with Joe directly on LinkedIn or follow his new blog Marketing Data Science for more insights and updates.]
