My mom is a microbiologist and my Dad is an engineer so you can imagine their confusion when they realized they had somehow created a human whose favorite subject in grade school was Art and then later chose to go to college for Graphic Design. So many hours of my days are spent doing creative things, whether it’s editing videos, building websites, watercolor painting, designing brand packages, or taking photos, it’s hard to not be in a headspace where I constantly want to make things. That said, in the moments where I’m not creating, I do love being outside, working out, traveling, eating good food, and watching The Office.
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Noah, and I met at Crossroads Church when I first came to work there back in 2016. We dated for a year, were engaged for 8 months, and then got married in June of 2018. Later that year we started our custom table-making business, Table Bar. In short, Noah makes insanely gorgeous tables and I do all of our branding/design/video work. I could write for days about what I have learned, not only about starting a business but about starting/running a business with your spouse. It has been the most rewarding, exciting, terrifying, stressful, fruitful thing in our lives and I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come. When we’re not building tables or designing things, there’s a very high chance we’re out getting coffee or ice cream…caffeine and sugar got us through 2020 #noshame. Noah’s also the oldest of 6 kids, so we spend a good amount of time hanging out with his siblings.
Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I went to the University of Dayton for Graphic Design and marketing. I graduated in 2016 and my first job out of school was with the graphic design team at Crossroads Church, here in Cincinnati. After a year or so on that team, I found myself intrigued by the video work they were producing, started shadowing under some people, and a few months later I officially transitioned to my current role as a full-time video editor. My job is such a perfect mix of all the creative things I love, and it allows me the opportunity to help people tell their stories. I never knew how much I enjoyed storytelling until I became an editor and I think it’s trained me to be a really good listener over the years.
What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Our friends just opened up a new restaurant in Bellevue KY called NOMAD and it’s incredible. If you like margs and tots, you won’t be disappointed. We’re also suckers for good coffee and can be found at Coffee Emporium, Bloc Coffee, or Deeper Roots on the regular.
How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived and worked in Cincinnati my entire life (minus the four years I was in Dayton for school (GO FYLERS WOOP WOOP). I grew up on the East Side of Cincy and now live in Fort Thomas KY (basically Cincinnati) with my husband.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I want nothing more than to see Banff National Park in Canada with my own eyes. I love being just totally blown away by beautiful things, especially in nature, and if I’ve felt that way looking at pictures of Banff online, I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to see in person.
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I will forever and always be an Office addict, although 2020s Queens Gambit was one of the best TV Shows I’ve watched in a LONG time.
What advice would you give to people?
Let your choices in life reflect the things you are hopeful/prayerful for, not what you’re fearful of.
What is something on your bucket list?
I want to go Whale Watching SO badly.
What is your go to music when you cant decide what to listen to?
Ben Rector has been a go-to of mine since college, but Sam Smith, Billie Eilish, and Chris Renzema have been at the top of my playlist these days.
If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch?
Brené Brown or Michelle Obama. I mean…they’re both so wonderful.
What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I feel like Cincinnati is so full of insanely talented, inspiring, entrepreneurial creative. Noah and I have had so many opportunities to meet and collaborate with other creatives in the city through Table Bar. Those people are some of our closest friends now and I am constantly dumbfounded and thankful for the ways our business has lead us into the lives of so many awesome humans.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A house full of kiddos, a business that’s thriving, and a life still full of creating.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I think because I spend so much time creating things and being “artsy” (as my sister would call it), most people wouldn’t see me as someone who has much athletic ability…but I actually love being active and working out! Growing up, I played soccer, basketball, danced, and ran cross-county/track. I was even one of 4 people in the history of my elementary school to win the The Presidential Physical Fitness Award all 6 years in a row. Pretty much the equivalent of winning 6 Olympic Gold medals 😉 Just kidding. I didn’t win many awards as a kid, so those were some of my proudest accomplishments.
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I’ve been hiking in the White Mountains in the fall – that was incredible. I also had the chance to go to Israel in February of 2020 for work (we literally got home right before the world shut down thanks to COVID). Seeing the Holy Land with your own two eyes is amazing. I also got to swim in the Dead Sea while we were there. It’s not necessarily beautiful, but it was certainly unforgettable.
What is your favorite month or time of year?
I’m partial to March because it’s my birth-month and also the beginning of Spring.
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Coffee Emporium’s Nutella Croissants, breakfast burritos, and iced Bumblebee.
Who inspires you to be better?
My husband. Always.
What is one or two of your favorite smells?
This is very specific and very random, but browning garlic or onion in a pan…one of the best smells. My mom cooked pretty frequently when I was a kid and I think I associate that smell to home/my childhood. Also love the smell of coffee brewing. Obviously.
Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Community. Belonging. Safe.
