Reinvention is never easy. It asks us to let go of what we’ve always known, step into uncertainty, and trust that the skills and strengths we carry will guide us toward something new. Few people embody this better than Gina Tabasso, a writer, marketer, storyteller, and fractional CMO who recently joined Nicole Donnelly on the Hello Moxie podcast.
Gina’s story is one of courage, resilience, and vulnerability — and it’s full of lessons for anyone navigating a transition or chasing a new dream.
A Bold Pivot in Career and Identity
For much of her career, Gina worked in marketing strategy and implementation, running her own consulting firm as a fractional CMO. But like many professionals in today’s shifting economy, she found herself facing an uncertain landscape.
“With the economy the way it is right now, marketing is the first budget cut,” she explained. “And with AI replacing a lot of marketers, I knew it was time to pivot.”
Instead of being paralyzed by fear, Gina chose reinvention. She revisited her résumé — but this time, she wrote it as a skills-based résumé rather than a chronological one.
“When I redid my résumé into a skills-based résumé, it was like looking in the mirror and not recognizing myself. I thought: Wow, that’s me? She’s impressive.”
That exercise helped Gina recognize she wasn’t “just a marketer.” She had the experience and capability of a Chief Growth Officer or even a CEO — roles that demand vision, leadership, and versatility.
The Power of Courage Companions
Even with new clarity, pivots are never easy. Gina admits there was fear in stepping into the unknown. What made the difference? Her network.
“My network has wrapped around me like a warm blanket,” Gina shared. “I’ve had friends and recruiters helping me see what I couldn’t see myself. When you’re too close, you need someone objective to remind you of your strengths.”
One of her friends even challenged her directly:
“Why are you still chasing marketing roles?” he asked. “You’ve got 12 other huge skill sets. Go after stealth startups or companies that need one person who can do it all. You know how to build businesses — you’ve built your own.”
That push was transformative. Nicole called it a “courage companion” — someone who stands beside you when you’re stepping into fear and reminds you of your brilliance.
Vulnerability as Strength
Perhaps one of Gina’s most powerful lessons is around vulnerability. For years, she prided herself on being self-sufficient, never asking for help. But reinvention demanded a new approach.
“I used to think I had to do everything myself,” she admitted. “But in the last year, I’ve learned to humble myself. And it’s a miracle how much people are willing to help when you’re not a taker — when they know you’re a giver.”
Her advice to others? “Be authentic. Be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not a weakness — it’s a superpower.”
Writing, Poetry, and the Art of Distillation
Beyond her career in marketing, Gina has always been a writer. From childhood stories stapled together with crayons to published poetry, writing has been her lifelong passion.
“Words became power for me,” she reflected. “Writing was how I took difficult experiences and transformed them into something beautiful that could inspire and move people.”
She describes poetry as “the art of distillation” — the same skill that makes her an effective marketer. “Marketing is about telling the story of a brand in just a glimpse — like a poem, but for business.”
During the episode, Gina even read one of her poems, written for her beloved horse. The imagery was vivid, emotional, and a beautiful testament to how creativity and resilience intertwine.
Mentorship and the Women Who Inspire
When asked which woman inspired her most, Gina spoke of her freshman-year English professor, Margot Bohannon.
“She told me, you are an absolutely gifted and brilliant writer — this is what you were meant to do,” Gina recalled.
Margot later became a mentor, guiding Gina to pursue corporate America instead of academia so she could continue writing for joy, not just for credentials.
“She was almost like the mother I wanted — calm, peaceful, compassionate, kind, gentle. She gave, she lifted others up, she wanted to change lives.”
That encouragement left a lasting imprint and helped Gina step boldly into her own path.
Key Takeaways from Gina Tabasso
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Reinvention starts with perspective. A skills-based résumé (or simply reframing your strengths) can reveal capabilities you’ve overlooked.
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Find your courage companions. Surround yourself with people who see your brilliance when you can’t.
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Ask for help. Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s what connects us to others.
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Use your creativity. Whether in art or business, distilling complex stories into powerful words is a superpower.
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Value mentors. A single affirmation or piece of advice can change your entire trajectory.
Living with Moxie
At the end of the episode, Gina defined moxie in her own words:
“Moxie is courage and resilience. You can’t have one without the other.”
Her story is proof that no matter where you are in your journey, it’s never too late to pivot, reinvent, and live with courage.
