Kelly
Allow me to introduce you to Kelly.
She is our Chief Operating Officer, and she is in charge of production for the company. Anything that gets out the door begins and ends with her stamp of approval. Kelly has been a part of the family for years. While she was working her way toward her college degree she took care of the Deal girls on a regular basis, which wasn’t always easy, as we were working from home most of the time while she was keeping them in line! Upon graduation, while she was still formulating her long term career plans, we snatched her up. We figured if she could keep our children in line, she could do the same for our company.
Her arrival has allowed us to move our focus toward the future. We can spend our time doing things that will bring long-term growth, knowing Kelly is handling the side of the business that gets keepsakes in the hands of our customers. If you write an email, chances are Kelly will be the one responding to it. During the “normal” season (i.e. not the holidays), she also returns the majority of the customer service calls that the customer service department can’t answer, so you may talk to her at some point. You will certainly come away feeling refreshed!
I had chance to interview Kelly the other day, and I was enlightened. Here is an excerpt from that interview:
Her arrival has allowed us to move our focus toward the future. We can spend our time doing things that will bring long-term growth, knowing Kelly is handling the side of the business that gets keepsakes in the hands of our customers. If you write an email, chances are Kelly will be the one responding to it. During the “normal” season (i.e. not the holidays), she also returns the majority of the customer service calls that the customer service department can’t answer, so you may talk to her at some point. You will certainly come away feeling refreshed!
I had chance to interview Kelly the other day, and I was enlightened. Here is an excerpt from that interview:
SnS: What has been the most rewarding part of your first year with the company?
KB: Honestly, just knowing that I am now a full-fledged part of Sticks and Stones. I have been indirectly associated with the company since the very beginning when I was a nanny for the Deal's and I already had this sense of pride in what we do. I have been here from the ground up, and love the product and the people associated with it. To know that I get to go to work everyday and further that vision is so rewarding.
SnS: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
KB: Finding my own voice amongst all of the others... When I first started, I pretty much had to jump in and learn as I went along. I really looked to everybody on our crew to help me out with what I didn't know. The hard part was that everybody has a different way of doing things or an opinion of how things should be done and all that noise can be overwhelming. My challenge was to take all of that knowledge, insight, opinion, and at times, nonsense, and make my own path. Everyday I work to try and make a positive impact.
SnS: What are the similarities and differences when it comes to working with employees between the ages of 16 and 65 versus handling three children under the age of 8?
KB: There are actually more similarities than differences. I have found that regardless of age all people want to be listened too, respected, and appreciated. While you meet those needs differently with a 4 year old than you do a 30 year old, you have to make sure that you don't take those needs for granted. Also it’s important to remember to always be willing to adapt and learn because things won't always go as planned. It is also amazing how much people enjoy snack time, regardless of age. :) The biggest differences are how I have to solve problems and the way you communicate. You go from being able to speak in abstracts and "because I said so" to having to really articulate yourself. Problems can no longer be solved with an episode of "Spongebob" or quiet time... its a different set of problem solving skills. And the biggest differences is I don't get as many hugs and kisses. My girls were always good at that. :)
SnS: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
KB: Hypothetically, it would be in one of the New England states. I have never been to the north east but I have this idealistic picture of having a cottage on the beach, enjoying a simple life. It is my happy mental picture. Though realistically there is nowhere that I would rather be but right here in Illinois because it’s where almost everybody I love lives. What good would the beautiful cottage be if I didn't have my friends and family to fill it up?
SnS: What is your most embarrassing moment on the job so far?
KB: One day during our busy season when I wasn't handling a situation as professionally as I probably should have and things got a little heated. It was one of those learning experiences that made me wish I had a shell to crawl into. And I am sure on a daily basis I trip over something in our studio.
SnS: Name three of your guilty pleasures.
KB: 1. Mountain Dew
2. scratch off lottery tickets
3. shopping
SnS: If you eat dinner with a historical figure who would it be and what would you ask him/her?
KB: I couldn't pick one so instead I am having a dinner party with George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, and John F. Kennedy. I would like to ask all of them what they think of our world today and if y believe the things that they stood for are still being honored? And what would they do to turn it around?
SnS: What’s on your iPod playlist right now?
KB: Well I have some Death Cab for Cutie, Queen, Ben Folds, Jack's Mannequin,Lincoln Park, Counting Crows, Eric Hutchins, Paolo Nutini, OAR... And for some reason I am really loving The Flobots new song 'Handlebars". There also might be a Britney Spears song or a little Rod Stewart, maybe some Elvis.
SnS: What’s your definition of success?
KB: Being able to do something that I love that also allows me to support myself and a family when that time comes. Success is taking responsibility for your place in the world. It’s balancing work and play. It is leaving this world having done what you could to make the world better than when you got there.
SnS: Who is your favorite LOST persona and has it changed since the show started?
KB: Hurley and he has always been my favorite. He is just this good guy with a big heart, who comes through when you need him the most. That and I think that he is more than likely the catalyst for everything that happens on LOST. Just my opinion. :)
SnS: If you couldn’t be you and could be anybody else in the world for a month, who would you be?
KB: Dr. Penny Patterson... She started the Gorilla Foundation and works with KoKo the gorilla. I have always wanted to be able to be close to gorillas and am fascinated with how she taught Koko sign language. I cannot imagine a more fulfilling and amazing month.
KB: Honestly, just knowing that I am now a full-fledged part of Sticks and Stones. I have been indirectly associated with the company since the very beginning when I was a nanny for the Deal's and I already had this sense of pride in what we do. I have been here from the ground up, and love the product and the people associated with it. To know that I get to go to work everyday and further that vision is so rewarding.
SnS: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
KB: Finding my own voice amongst all of the others... When I first started, I pretty much had to jump in and learn as I went along. I really looked to everybody on our crew to help me out with what I didn't know. The hard part was that everybody has a different way of doing things or an opinion of how things should be done and all that noise can be overwhelming. My challenge was to take all of that knowledge, insight, opinion, and at times, nonsense, and make my own path. Everyday I work to try and make a positive impact.
SnS: What are the similarities and differences when it comes to working with employees between the ages of 16 and 65 versus handling three children under the age of 8?
KB: There are actually more similarities than differences. I have found that regardless of age all people want to be listened too, respected, and appreciated. While you meet those needs differently with a 4 year old than you do a 30 year old, you have to make sure that you don't take those needs for granted. Also it’s important to remember to always be willing to adapt and learn because things won't always go as planned. It is also amazing how much people enjoy snack time, regardless of age. :) The biggest differences are how I have to solve problems and the way you communicate. You go from being able to speak in abstracts and "because I said so" to having to really articulate yourself. Problems can no longer be solved with an episode of "Spongebob" or quiet time... its a different set of problem solving skills. And the biggest differences is I don't get as many hugs and kisses. My girls were always good at that. :)
SnS: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
KB: Hypothetically, it would be in one of the New England states. I have never been to the north east but I have this idealistic picture of having a cottage on the beach, enjoying a simple life. It is my happy mental picture. Though realistically there is nowhere that I would rather be but right here in Illinois because it’s where almost everybody I love lives. What good would the beautiful cottage be if I didn't have my friends and family to fill it up?
SnS: What is your most embarrassing moment on the job so far?
KB: One day during our busy season when I wasn't handling a situation as professionally as I probably should have and things got a little heated. It was one of those learning experiences that made me wish I had a shell to crawl into. And I am sure on a daily basis I trip over something in our studio.
SnS: Name three of your guilty pleasures.
KB: 1. Mountain Dew
2. scratch off lottery tickets
3. shopping
SnS: If you eat dinner with a historical figure who would it be and what would you ask him/her?
KB: I couldn't pick one so instead I am having a dinner party with George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, and John F. Kennedy. I would like to ask all of them what they think of our world today and if y believe the things that they stood for are still being honored? And what would they do to turn it around?
SnS: What’s on your iPod playlist right now?
KB: Well I have some Death Cab for Cutie, Queen, Ben Folds, Jack's Mannequin,Lincoln Park, Counting Crows, Eric Hutchins, Paolo Nutini, OAR... And for some reason I am really loving The Flobots new song 'Handlebars". There also might be a Britney Spears song or a little Rod Stewart, maybe some Elvis.
SnS: What’s your definition of success?
KB: Being able to do something that I love that also allows me to support myself and a family when that time comes. Success is taking responsibility for your place in the world. It’s balancing work and play. It is leaving this world having done what you could to make the world better than when you got there.
SnS: Who is your favorite LOST persona and has it changed since the show started?
KB: Hurley and he has always been my favorite. He is just this good guy with a big heart, who comes through when you need him the most. That and I think that he is more than likely the catalyst for everything that happens on LOST. Just my opinion. :)
SnS: If you couldn’t be you and could be anybody else in the world for a month, who would you be?
KB: Dr. Penny Patterson... She started the Gorilla Foundation and works with KoKo the gorilla. I have always wanted to be able to be close to gorillas and am fascinated with how she taught Koko sign language. I cannot imagine a more fulfilling and amazing month.
posted by Sticks and Stones @ 9:02 AM
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