Can you give us a bit of background on yourself? When did you join EY, where were you prior to joining, current role, etc.?
I like to tell stories…I say that a lot (like on my LinkedIn and my portfolio), but honestly it’s true. I’ve always been fascinated with the art of storytelling, and up until recently my medium was advertising (now, it’s more directed at TV/film). So when I left Gatorade and joined EY about 5 years ago, that’s all I wanted to do. As things normally go here, it took a while to hit my groove and find my place as a creative. But then I got lucky and fell in with the right crowd in USQ – a rare treat for a guy based in LA – and have been blessed to do amazing work with amazing people ever since.
This interview is coming at you while the community is doing its part and sitting in quarantine; a lot of us are still getting comfortable with working from home and getting used to our new schedule and daily life.
What have you been doing to help with the transition from office working to working at home? What are some pros/cons? Can we get a pic of your current desk setup?
This has been absolute madness. I’m very lucky to be healthy and quarantined with my amazing girlfriend, and my heart goes out to those that aren’t as fortunate in these times. Just like everyone else, we’re trying to stay sane – doing puzzles, cooking, long walks, Tiger King (if the profile pic didn’t make that obvious), and even learning German. In terms of pros/cons…it’s really just amazing to see the rest of the world working from home. For me, this hasn’t been a massive transition, because whenever I’m not on the road with clients or working out of USQ, I’m working from my apartment in LA (we don’t really have in-office culture out here). So I guess the pro’s are seeing a lot more of my lady, and getting more adventurous in the kitchen? Con’s would have to be the insanity that is going to the grocery store, and not getting to see my family face-to-face right now ☹ And of course, here is my ZERO frills WFH set up…do you like my standing desk?
We usually ask about activities that you like to do outside of work, now that work has been brought inside your home; what activities do you like to do around the house to break up the work day? What activities do you look forward getting back to when the quarantine is lifted?
Hmm, see above on the “around the house” activities. When all of this is over, I can’t wait to get back to Orange Theory and into the local restaurants we love. They are suffering right now and it sucks. Oh also, I can’t wait for my girlfriend to get out of the house so I can play guitar! I’m locked down here, but can’t even play because it annoys her! How’s that for cosmic irony.
What is something people don’t know about you because the right question hasn’t gotten around to you yet?
I’m color blind…like comically so. It usually gets me out of doing the grunt work in PPT decks (shudder), but it’s also a pretty big hindrance when you spend a ton of time editing video and reviewing design work. A big thank you to my peeps around the firm that help me color correct and color pick!
You’ve been participating in the EY 30-Day Playlist Challenge. What day/theme did you like or look forward to contributing to most and why?
Oh man, this is what gives me a reason to wake up every day! I don’t know what’s going to happen when the challenge is over, because it is my purpose right now. I’m torn between Day 15/A song you like that’s a cover and Day 8/A song about drugs or alcohol. The former because I think covers are an amazing way to genre hop, and it really helps show the yin and yang of people’s musical tastes. The latter because that’s just hilarious. Loved seeing the diversity from the younger generation to the older partners (who didn’t pull ANY punches)!
First concert? And favorite venue? Go!
Brittany Spears. Yup.
The Troubadour in LA.
Last question, you are the headliner of a concert, what band and song do choose to open for you?
No brainer! Lynyrd Skynyrd, Free Bird.
LATEST MIX
Raissen the Roof
A playlist by Jarred Raissen