Get to Know: Production Specialist Paige Sanders
Start of by telling everyone about yourself:
I’m from Des Moines, which is obviously the greatest city in the world. I live in West Des Moines, which is obviously one of the greatest suburbs in the world, with my husband who I’ve somehow tricked into sticking with me since we were 16 years old (arguably the only good decision I made back then!). We have two dogs: Piper and Jaxson and two cats: Rose and Dexter.
What is your professional background?
I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Grand View University in 2012 and just obtained my Master’s degree from Grand View as well in Organizational Leadership in May 2017.
I have had 5 internships ranging from hospitality management to social media start-ups to non-profit galas to working the first Des Moines hosted Justin Bieber concert (oh, the stories…). I knew all throughout those internships that I wanted to be in the business of making people happy. I believe you can apply that to almost any field in any industry if you try hard enough. It’s definitely not easy to take the high road, but it’s typically the one less traveled and there’s a faster commute time.
Before coming to Visionary, I worked at Grand View University in the Business Office as a supervisor for accounts receivable and collections. I wanted to push myself yet again out of my comfort zone and try something I hadn’t done before: numbers. Turns out, it was the best decision I had ever made for myself because it pushed me to analyze things instead of just trying to make them look “pretty”. I hope that learning the data side to things will help make me successful in my new role!
I have been a USA swim coach for the Johnston Blaze swim team at Johnston for the last 5 years.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Being a swim coach, a lot of that job becomes my hobby. I love coaching the kids and having fun with them each week. I also enjoy watching movies as I have a collection of over 700 (Netflix, eat your heart out). Beyond that, my family is very musical and my husband is a drummer so supporting local music is always at the top of my list!
What have you enjoyed about Visionary so far?
The people are incredible. While we’re an office of about 32 people, I still feel that it’s remarkable to get along and mesh so well with one another. Every person here has been very accommodating to me coming on board and has been so caring (and patient) with me.
This place is extremely special. I had heard such great things before reaching out on a whim to see if there were openings and I’m so very glad I did. Finding a career home here at Visionary is humbling and exciting. The flexibility and ownership that you can put into each project you touch are things that I will never take for granted!
Where is your favorite place to eat in Des Moines?
Our family definitely supports Orchestrate restaurants so I would have to say Django & Centro are tied for first!
What is your favorite season and why?
Fall is definitely my favorite and for all the obvious reasons. Iowa is the most beautiful place in the fall months and while it means that winter is soon approaching, I always remind myself that we go through the cold winters so that we can enjoy the Spring/Summer and Fall times that we are so lucky to get. I also am a holiday freak so I live for that time of year.
Best book or blog you've read lately?
I actually write a blog, so unfortunately any time I have to spend reading is usually done editing my own work. I’m also writing a series of books based upon my blog as well.
For a fun book that I’ve forced myself to sit aside and read: “Everything is Awful: And Other Observations” by Matt Bellassai is easily one of the greatest books out there if you want to laugh until you cry.
What is one thing you could not live a day without?
A piece of paper. Sounds ridiculous, but I am a note taker and it must be on paper. No iPhone app will do, although I use those as a back-up. I will write down a list for every single thing and I’ll prioritize my day both inside and outside of work that way. #nerdalert
What are your words to live by?
Celebrate the little things. There is always a silver lining in every single situation – you just need to look around to see it. Kindness and respect are free: spread it everywhere. Leave value in everything you do.
What are you loving at the moment?
I have taken up calligraphy as a relatively new hobby and have taken a class from a local artist so I enjoy using my new artistic tools that I got for Christmas to create new things with a personal twist. As I mentioned, I also am a nerd for planners/organization tools so I have a new weekly organizer that I’m digging!
Anything else we should know?
When I got married in October, it was just our two families present with my dad being ordained to marry us, my mom as my maid of honor and his dad as his best man. We have a big, casual and fun party planned for friends and family on May 19th that we’re really looking forward to.
