Hi All!
My name is Sandi and I am on IZEA’s Enterprise Sales Solutions Team. My official title is "Sales Support Manager". Because we work in a rapidly growing Internet 2.0 start-up, we all wear many hats. I’ve been employed here at IZEA for about 8 months, and boy have they been some ever changing, challenging, dynamic and FUN months! Did you see the word "FUN" in there? My job description and title have already changed and evolved right along with the company. Hey, what can I say, I love a challenge and I’m in Sales! Prior to my life at IZEA I was in outside sales for 4 years.
So you may ask, "Just what does a Sales Support Manager do?" A little bit of everything. I like to think of myself as our team’s ‘mother hen’. Shoot, somebody’s got to keep these boys in line! I also am a liaison between Sales and Operations. I compile and tabulate weekly Sales activity reports for the Executive Team and The Board. I also handle all of our Insertion Orders and process any other legal documents that come through our door. I lead and manage all of our sampling campaigns, and some of you may have communicated with me. Another important aspect of my job is to partner with the Sales team, gather key assets needed in a campaign and quality check them for Account Management in Customer Love. This helps us to effectively set up a smooth running and successful campaign. I definitely spend a lot of time compiling various reports that track important metrics and ROI analysis.
Now that I’ve given you a little background about my life at IZEA, let me tell you a little about me personally. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. I’m from Massachusetts, grew up out in the suburbs in a tiny town named, Clinton, with a population of approximately 3,800. Yes, very tiny. However, I have enjoyed the beautiful Florida weather for almost 17 years now. My sisters are each about a year apart and are always bickering at each other about something. My oldest sister, believe it or not, is 54! Yep, I’m the baby at 37 (shhhhh, don’t tell anyone my age). I was spoiled rotten as a child and was an OUT OF CONTROL teenager! I was always pushing the limits….. sneaking out a night, talking back, coming home late, hanging with the wrong crowd, you name it! My Mom always took the "You’ll learn your lesson the hard way" stance and, "You reap what you sow". She was right. In my wise old age I can honestly say that I learned some pretty hard lessons in life. Keyword: "learned". I am a better person today as a result. Now… what scares me to death though is the statement, "You reap what you sow". I am a single Mother raising a beautiful 2 1/2 year old little girl named Laci. Even at her young age she’s becoming a mini-me. She’s independent, strong-willed, confident, and stubborn as they come. YIKES!! I’m in for some challenges! KARMA! ; ) Though I also see many good traits that she inherited from me. Funny how that works, huh? She’s a strong, independent, caring and affectionate little girl. As you all know, some of those personality traits can be a double edged sword. Having been there done that, I’m confident she’ll do well in life with a little guidance and a lot of love. I’m not going to say what most parents say about their child(ren): "My daughter is the cutest little girl". Instead I will say, "My daughter is the cutest little girl in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD"! At this point and time in my life she is my world, and IZEA is a close second. I love my job, the people, the culture, and I’m even willing to put up with that silly little video camera and production team walking around all the time (no offense of course to you Travis and Scott). Yes indeed, I’m just a boring Mom. But, most importantly, I’m NOT boring to my daughter and that’s all that matters. This is something I am proud of.
For your viewing pleasure I’ve attached a few pictures:
Wasn’t I just the CUTEST? There’s a reason why my family spoiled me.
Check me out in cat-eyes glasses at 2 years old, circa 1972. Strangely enough I wear cat-eyes glasses today. Funny how that works. Never gain weight or empty your closet and you’ll be good to go for future fashion trends! That’s my bro in the corner of the picture. He, too, looks a little different these days.
What gives you the idea I was brought up Catholic? Look at those skinny, little chicken legs! Oh, and for those of you who are wondering; I still wear socks with sandals/flip flops today, but only in this office because the average temperature is 40 degrees. OK, so I exaggerate a little.
I LOVED the eighties, check out the perfectly feathered hair-do! It went all the way back to the center of my head. I was cool and the boys loved it.
And, here’s a recent picture. I’m usually trying to dodge the cameras at work. Haven’t quite gotten used to them yet.
Notice my blonde hair when I was young, and the blonde hair on my daughter, Laci (I just had to include at least one).
It’s been fun. I hope you all enjoyed reading my post as I so often enjoy reading yours!
