If you are looking for calm, cool and collected, look no farther than Jennifer Notz. Jennifer recently joined the Kolbe Co team as our Social Media Manager and she is the epitome of level headed and cool under pressure. Might we also add that she is the perfect blend of creative and organized that adds so much to the team? We loved getting to know her more and we hope you will too!
Q:What attracted you to Kolbeco?
A:The opportunity to work with different sizes and types of businesses, and to help them grow with a team that really cares. One of Kolbeco’s strengths is that there is a very strong desire to be the best agency for clients and be the best team for each other. We all know each other, and we love to banter and joke while working hard to create an authentic atmosphere with real friendships. You can tell when people can’t interact personally and it’s all about work – there is none of that at Kolbeco. It’s not like an episode of the office where everyone just sits there with Michael Scott at the helm. I love that we are a company that values storytelling over problem solving. We are in the business of helping companies to thrive and not just put a patch on a problem. When can tell the story of your brand in your sleep, that is when the business flows – that’s what we do at Kolbeco. We humanize companies and create lasting relationships.
Q:What are your favorite moments at Kolbeco?
A:Going out with Stephanie after our last conference and recognizing that I work with amazing people who actually listen to what I’m saying. You can tell here people actually care. Oh, and did I mention all the dogs! How can you go wrong with an office of doggies? That’s just fun.
Q:What inspires you to work with clients, what have you learned from clients?
A:I like the opportunity to help people get closer to their vision and dreams. We get to work with a lot of business owners. That passion spills over and you can’t help but be excited by their enthusiasm. I love to learn the individual stories from each client and see what drives people to succeed in whatever field they are in. Some are driven by tech, some by human connections. It’s interesting to see how that manifests within a company.
Q:What is one Kolbeco project you’re extremely proud of and would like to showcase?
A:I’ve enjoyed the internal work I’ve been a part of here, putting systems in place to help us manage our growth and our clients’ growth. You can have the best ideas in the world, but without some sort of system to do it you can’t do it well or be as successful as possible in the long run. Having pre-built mechanisms in a system ensures long term success.
Q:Secret skill or talent? Share with the class.
A:I can play the piano. I can quote the entire Fellowship of the Ring extended edition. And I can plank on a lot of things too. And I can sculpt, paint and draw. When I was a kid, my dad would read us a chapter or two of C.S. Lewis every night.
Q:The best advice you’ve ever received was:
A:This nugget of wisdom came from my dad. He said you have a lot of strengths, but it’s up to you to focus. You can become anything you want, but you have to focus on what you want to be. I’m naturally creative and quick to action but I had to realize that if that wasn’t tempered with strategy I wouldn’t be effective. The work is much more impactful when I combine the skillsets. It’s not a denial of my creative character to organize it. It maximizes potential and creative influence.
Q:The secret to YOUR happiness is:
A:I’m a firm believer that the more you focus on yourself the more miserable you’ll be, and the more selfless you are, the more the you will receive back. I feel that God is the connection point between all humans. He created everyone which means that I have commonality with all, and so I can care, love and be concerned about others. It is of greatest benefit to care about others because the greatest being in the universe cared. This brings happiness in the sense that becoming the person you were created to be brings happiness. For me it’s about being less selfish, giving to others and having a sense of fulfillment, knowing at the end of it all you did something worthwhile.
Q:What would be your superpower?
A:Knowing what people are really saying. Understanding them without having to talk.
Q:What did you want to be growing up?
A:An artist. Or a Roman Warrior. I was very much of a tomboy. I thought I could do both. This is where my dad’s advice came in. I just had to decide. I think now I’m a weird combination of both. I get to be creative and also get to work with a team to conquer the world one business step at a time to make things better.
Q:What song is currently on repeat in your head, car, Spotify, etc.?
A:I listen to a lot of talk radio. If it’s a song, it’s something that’s really fun to sing to.
Q:What’s something we don’t know about you?
A:I have never done Karaoke. I can sing somewhat on key.
Q:What’s your guilty pleasure (food, activity, song)?
A:Pita chips and binge-watching shows like Say Yes to the Dress or lifestyle YouTube clips.
Q:What do you need for survival?
A:People. I don’t see the point of doing something unless it benefits someone else in the long run. Working in a void of helping others is not at all something I’m interested in.
Q:What was the last TV show you binged?
A:Friends
Q:Describe your dream vacation (and you’re not paying for it?):
A:Traveling to every possible place I’ve ever wanted to go. Bottom of the ocean, Mariana Trench. Mountain Biking through parts of China. Riding a motorcycle through Europe. Going on an African Safari. I could travel blog for long periods of time and be happy.
Q:What gets you pumped up?
A:Ideas, new experiences, making other people happy, surprises and really good food.
Q:Celebrity crush
A:The Rock. He is one of the more positive real human beings out there. He posts on social media about where he used to live and where he came from. Even if you don’t agree with him, he is honest and he does a lot of give back within the community. He embodies the hardest-worker-in-the-room concept.
Q:FIRST Celebrity crush?
A:Legolas played by Orlando Bloom.
Q:Favorite color?
A:Blue.
Q:You’re going on a shopping spree, where can we find you?
A:Any resale store.
Q:If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
A:Asparagus is my spirit vegetable. But if we’re talking animals, it would be cool to be an Eagle. Eagles are protected and they soar.
Q:It’s a Saturday. Where can we find you?
A:Helping around the house, or with friends. I don’t chill on Saturdays I get stuff done.
Q:Favorite drink?
A:Red wine and chocolate milk. But not together!
Q:Proudest accomplishment OUTSIDE of Kolbeco?
A:My desire to keep learning and recognize that I am not right all the time. It’s sad when people can’t see that they don’t know everything and can’t learn. Be humble enough to learn.
Q:Embarrassing moment you most definitely NEED to share?
A:My first college visit I wore a sweater contained rabbit hair and completely broke out in front of all of my peers. I don’t embarrass easily. I get more embarrassed when my friends or people I’m with are treating people badly or doing something wrong.
Q:You’re on a deserted island. What 3 items do you bring with you?
A:A cruise ship, fuel and a ship’s captain.
Q:Dogs in the office, thoughts?
A:Yes. All the time. More.
And all that, friends, is an inside look into the mind of Jennifer. She’s passionate about helping others, a joy to work with, and can quote Lord of the Rings. Oh, and she resourceful – of course you bring a fully equipped cruise ship to a desert island! As you can see from what she shared above, she’s full of compassion for all! Stay tuned for our next RAPIDFIRE target, our summer intern, Patrick.
