Hey guys! I have to share something pretty wild with you—something that started as a random thought, turned into a goal, and then, out of nowhere, actually happened.
A few months ago, I mentioned on a Monday morning team call that I had this little dream: I wanted to see myself on a billboard in Times Square. No real plan, just something that felt like it would be such a cool, full-circle moment considering my history with NYC. And then, literally a week or two later, I saw an opportunity in a Facebook group I’m active in—an invitation to co-author a book that would also include a marketing campaign featuring the authors on (you guessed it!) a billboard in Times Square.
I couldn’t believe it. It was like the universe was just waiting for me to say it out loud so it could hand me the opportunity.
So, fast forward to last week—Jeremy and I packed up, hit the road for a 13-hour drive, and headed straight for NYC. We were ready for this once-in-a-lifetime moment, but also, it was Jeremy’s first time in the city. I was so excited to show him around, take him to all my favorite spots, and give him the real New York experience (including a whole lot of walking).
The Power of Saying It Out Loud
Before I get into all the details, I just want to pause here and say—this whole experience was such a huge reminder of how powerful it is to put your goals into the world. I never thought I’d be in a book, let alone on a billboard in Times Square. But as soon as I started saying “Hey, this is something I’d love to do,” things just started aligning.
Okay, back to the trip.
A Walk Down Memory Lane (Literally)
New York City holds a special place in my heart. I spent 17 years living there, bouncing between Chelsea, the Upper West Side, Astoria, Long Island City, and eventually Long Island. I worked in Manhattan for most of my 20s and early 30s, and I hadn’t been back in seven years. Walking those streets again felt like stepping into a time capsule. So much had changed, yet so much felt exactly the same.
One of the most surreal moments was taking Jeremy to FIT, where I went to school. It’s funny how places you used to see every day start to feel like a past life. We walked around, reminisced, and I couldn’t believe it had been 20 years since I graduated. What even is time?
First-Timer in NYC
Jeremy, being the country boy that he is, was completely in awe of the city. From the small apartments to the fast-paced energy, to the endless food delivery guys on e-bikes—it was all so different from what he’s used to. Seeing NYC through his eyes made me fall in love with it all over again.
We hit all the classics: Times Square, Central Park, the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy, Rockefeller Center, and (of course) some of my favorite food spots.
And yes, I made sure he got a real New York bagel. (According to my dad, they’re better because of the water. And honestly, I think he’s right.)
The Big Moment: Times Square Billboard
The main reason for this trip—my name in lights.
The day of the billboard unveiling, I was nervous. It was all happening so fast, and I just wanted to soak it all in. We met up with the other co-authors at the Hard Rock Cafe, and then we got ready. The publishing company, Game Changer Publishing, had everything super organized. They had our marks taped on the ground so we knew exactly where to stand. We got 10 minutes of billboard time, with our faces flashing up there five different times. It was quick, but it was incredible.
And one of the best parts? I got to share a photo with Jeremy during one of the rounds. He’s been such a huge part of my journey, so having him there with me in that moment meant everything. (He also low-key edited my chapter in the book, so he’s part of this whether he likes it or not.)
The Rest of the Trip
After the billboard, we spent the rest of our time soaking up as much of the city as possible.
- Food highlights: Joe’s Pizza (because you have to), Ferrara Bakery for some rainbow cookies, and Big Al’s Italian Kitchen, which was extra special because I’ve done branding work for them.
- Iconic stops: Grand Central Station, The Met steps (yes, Gossip Girl fans, those steps), the Plaza Hotel (yes, Home Alone 2 fans, that Plaza), Rockefeller Center, and more.
- Walking stats: 30+ miles in three days. My feet will never be the same.
Final Thoughts
This trip was special for so many reasons. It was a celebration, a homecoming, and an adventure all wrapped into one. Getting to see my name on a billboard in Times Square was surreal, but the real win was just taking a moment to appreciate how far I’ve come.
From dreaming about this moment to actually standing in the middle of Times Square watching it happen—this was a full-circle milestone that I’ll never forget.
And who knows? This might not be the only time I find myself up there. Something tells me I’ll be back. 😉
Thanks for coming along on this journey with me. If you want to see some of the pictures and videos from the trip, make sure to follow us for more!
Until next time, NYC. 💛
For more insights and to catch a glimpse of the results of my headshot, follow us at @onbranddesigns, @profitablebranddesigner, and @profitable.brand.couple for your daily dose of creativity and business insights.
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Until next time, keep designing and dreaming big!
~ Kim (and Jeremy)
