Get to know about the ICLA membership through the monthly 20 Questions segment. This month the spotlight turns to Sonni Minton, ECU's trademark licensing coordinator.

Name: Sonni Minton
Position/Institution: Trademark Licensing Coordinator/ECU
Number of years in your position: Almost 4
Alma Mater(s): ECU
Hometown:  Wanchese, NC (Outer Banks) 

1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
ECU was a member but we really didn't have a lot of involvement for quite awhile. When I signed up to get the emails I realized that it was an extremely useful platform and hub of information.

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
The information I have received from other licensing professionals has been crucial in the advancement of my career.

3. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
I want a stand-up desk because I sit way too much these days.

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
In Athletics (which is where I am based) we have coaches and teams who want to create their own graphics to look cool and different but they don't stay in our guidelines. It is very frustrating especially when they post it on social media or in facilities and it is incorrect.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
Confidence. It took me awhile but now I have the confidence to stand up for our brand to protect and promote it.

6. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
Traveling! I would go somewhere new every chance I could. Wait, does that even count as a hobby?!

7. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
They either want to do something creative with our primary mark and I have to say no or they need approval to use it in certain areas. It really is something different every day. We just had it installed on a train bridge in town.

8. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
I took a job out of undergrad in promotional products and started learning that side first. When the job opportunity at ECU opened up I knew a little bit about the position so I applied.

9. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
Brittany Piesel and Lee Workman- they have been wonderful mentors in this industry and I'm so thankful for them and everyone else in ICLA. Overall- my Dad. He is no longer with us but he always pushed me to show up, work hard, and don't quit. He really believed that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.

10. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Oh there is so much!!! I couldn't pick just one….beach, beach, beach, workout, read, watch movies, projects! Activities!….the list is endless!

11. Who's your role model? Why?
My parents- they didn't have much but they did whatever they could for their children.

12. What's your favorite quote?
"Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear."

13.  What is your biggest pet peeve?
I don't know that I have a big one- chewing loudly or smacking is annoying.

14. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal a for?
Probably something inappropriate like eating tacos or hot dogs. Maybe dancing like a crazy person.

15. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing?
Advice- Do the hard things. You might be surprised at how amazing you really are. The field of collegiate licensing- Observe & ask questions- you can learn a lot from your peers in the licensing field. Attend the seminars & conventions- TONS of great information & most of it comes from the great conversations.

16. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
Online. Social media is only getting bigger & badder. You have no idea how posting something on Instagram could end up all over the world. If you have the ability to add 'shop' buttons then people could buy your gear from somewhere like Australia. Pretty cool!

17. What is your favorite family tradition?
Christmas morning at my Uncle's house. We have a huge breakfast and see family that we haven't seen all year. Then we go out back and shoot skeet over the sound.

18. What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you are good at it?
Flip cup. I'm out of practice (and really too old to be playing) but was always my go-to game in college. I ran the table. :-) 

19. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
80% at least. A lot of what we do is on the computer or on the phone. Always something popping up.

20. What are you most looking forward to at the next ICLA Convention or Winter Symposium? 
Seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones. Exchanging information and ideas…hoping to learn something new (I always do!) and bring back some good promotional plans for ECU

About ICLA: ICLA provides educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of collegiate licensing. For more information on ICLA, please visit www.iclanet.com. ICLA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 54^thyear. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.