this is me: Hilary Adorno

I was born in Torrington, Connecticut, a charming mill town along the Naugatuck River, rich in historic architecture and family-owned businesses. From a young age, I developed a passion for art and music—memorizing every lyric to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by age five.

Without the military to blame, I attended two elementary schools, three high schools, and three colleges. My career began at Glastonbury Bank & Trust, where I was hired in the financial services department and was entrusted to manage the bank’s cash position (buying and selling fed-funds) at just 18 years old. Some of my other notable career milestones include pursuing higher education on the dime of The Connecticut Department of Higher Ed in exchange for managing the Connecticut Family Education Loan Program (FELP), and working in financial forecasting for Research in Motion (RIM/Blackberry) before smartphones became a household term.

In my professional journey, I moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I joined a dynamic commercial real estate development group. The company was later acquired by Highwoods Properties, a leading REIT in the Southeast. Starting as an assistant, I advanced to Director of Lease Administration and was later transferred to a newly acquired portfolio in Charlotte. Living in the South, I embraced the region’s love for sports—becoming a reluctant Panthers fan—and spent time on Lake Norman.

Seeking new opportunities, I relocated to Colorado and worked as a Financial Analyst for a retail/office portfolio. During my time in Denver, I explored the rich history of Leadville, learning how to snowboard and becoming captivated by the story of Horace Tabor.

After returning to New England, I settled in the Farmington Valley, where I began exploring a career shift into music management and public relations. I collaborated with talented musicians like Yogi Lonich to independently release two albums and organize tours. This experience offered valuable insights into the evolving music industry, especially as digital music distribution disrupted traditional business models.

In northwest Connecticut, I launched Ice Blink Designs, creating and selling handmade jewelry. This venture required creating a website and marketing materials, which quickly led to a growing portfolio of clients across NY, CT, and MA.

In 2019, I made the decision to leave snowy New England for the vibrant arts scene in St. Petersburg, Florida. Here, I’ve embraced the dynamic community focused on creativity and small business. I’ve exhibited my shell art at the Dali Museum and earned recognition in national shell shows, including the Sanibel Shell Show—an international competition featuring some of the finest shell art.

Throughout my career, I’ve combined creativity with strategic expertise, drawing from diverse experiences in real estate, music, art, and content creation.