Summer 2009 - Texas Tech University

Settling for living in a man’s world was not an option for Nelda Armstrong. This oneof-a-kindwoman broke the mold and made a name for herself in the advertisingindustry by becoming the first woman to open her own ad agency in Lubbock.“God put me on this earth to be in advertising,” said Armstrong,“because there was nothing in my life leading me here,” referringto her background in accounting.Armstrong was born in Gatesville, Texas. When she was 10 shemoved to Crosbyton, Texas. After graduating from Crosbyton HighSchool in 1954, she married and moved to Lubbock the next yearand on to bigger things.Armstrong’s climb to success began in 1955 when she enrolledin Draughn’s Business College. She said she was skilled in math andEnglish, and accounting had always come naturally to her, so shealso attended various bookkeeping schools and learned how to bea successful accountant.Armstrong loves what she does and prides herself in being honestand dedicated to giving good service to her clients, and herpeers think the same thing.Jerry Hudson, founding dean of the College of Mass Communications,and a good friend of Armstrong’s, said he thinks a lot of hersuccess can be attributed to her honesty and dedication.“I respect Nelda’s interest in higher education and her truthfulness,”said Hudson. “If she tells you she will do something, you cancount on it.”Hudson said what has set Armstrong apart from other advertisingprofessionals has been her ability to see the big picture, and herspecial interest in helping her clients achieve success.“God put me on this earth to be in advertising, because there wasnothing in my life leading me here." —Nelda ArmstrongNeldaArmstrongand hergranddaughter,Brittany HooverOne-of-a-kindWomanby Kendall Fadner and Merideth Murpheyphoto by Morgan HallAfter attending Draughn’s, Armstrong took a job as an officemanager and secretary at Buckner Advertising Agency, where shefirst began learning about advertising. Having no official trainingor education in advertising, Armstrong had no idea of the successthis job would lead to. However, when she became pregnant withher third child, she left the agency to focus on her family.She went back to work in advertising for Webster, Harris &Welborn until her fourth and final child was born. Armstrong thenbought her own accounting business, but after four years and adivorce, she sold it and went back to work for Buckner Advertising,which then became Buckner, Craig & Armstrong.Armstrong flourished there, but Buckner eventually left theagency, and she did not always agree with Craig. Armstrong sawthis as her chance to branch out on her own. She already had credibility,clients, and experience as a business owner, so her own adagency was clearly the next step in her path to success.Being a divorced mother of four, she made a risky move, butArmstrong said she thought the worst that could happen is thatshe would not make any money, in which case she would just findanother job. Fortunately for her she did make money, and in 1974N. Armstrong Advertising was born.Phil Price, another successful advertising agent in Lubbock, hasknown Armstrong for more than 30 years and said he respects herand the risk she took.“It took guts for a divorced mother to step out of her securityand go into business for herself,” said Price, “especially in thosechauvinistic ‘mad men’ days.”Armstrong used the name N. Armstrong so potential clientswouldn’t know if she was a man or a woman, making it easierto gain clients. Also, she chose to mainly work with family-ownedbusinesses whose focus was agriculture.She said when she opened her agency she did not want to competewith other agencies or steal their clientele. If she is ever askedto do an ad, but thinks another agency would be better suited forit, she will not hesitate in sending the business to one of her competitors.Throughout her career, Armstrong has garnered many honorsfor her work in the advertising field, but she is most proud of hernomination and admittance into the Texas Tech Mass CommunicationsHall of Fame. She takes great pride in this award because sheis one of only two women in the Hall of Fame.“She was chosen to be a recipient because of her contributionsto the college in time, resources and personal involvement,” saidHudson.“I’m always surprised and honored when I get an award,” saidArmstrong. “It is a big thing to be in the Mass Communications Hallof Fame and that still amazes me.”Her advice to young people is to always dream big but keepgoals realistic. She has been instrumental helping young peopleachieve their goals by providing internships to college students.Armstrong has seven grandsons and one granddaughter, BrittanyHoover, who is a junior journalism major in the College ofMass Communications at Texas Tech. “She has grown up with advertising,and I’m pleased that she is in the College of Mass Communications,”Armstrong said of her granddaughter.Armstrong, who said she considers herself to be in good companywhen she is alone, never remarried, and since all of her childrenare grown, she lives alone and works out of her home. She alsodoes volunteer work in the Lubbock community and her church.Today, she only handles about five regular clients, and said shedoes not feel the need to take on anymore than that. Although shehas lightened her load, she does not see an end to her work anytime soon.“There isn’t another business you can go into and have morefun,” said Armstrong, “and as long as I enjoy what I’m doing, I’llkeep working.” mc(Merideth Murphey is a junior public relations major from Southlake,Texas. Kendall Fadner is a junior public relations major fromFriendswood, Texas. Morgan Hall is a senior photocommunicationsand advertising dual major from Duncanville, Texas.)22 | mc mc | 23