Meet Our New Project Manager: Jaci Van Essen
We are ecstatic to announce our new Project Manager, Jaci. She is stylish, spunky, and willing to jump in wherever needed. When she isn’t writing blogs and scheduling out client editorial calendars, she can be found hanging with her pup, Zuri, or trying new restaurants throughout her new home of Sioux Falls. Read more about her below!
Name: Jaci Van Essen
College: Dordt University
Hometown: Sheldon, IA
Role: Project Manager
Birthday: April 24
Instagram handle: @jaci.noelle
Coffee Drink of choice: White mocha with a pump of caramel :)
HOW DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT TSH AND WHAT DREW YOU TO US?
One of my friends sent me the TSH Instagram post about looking to hire a Project Manager. I loved the aesthetic of the Instagram feed and website, as it was simple but classy, which is definitely how I would describe my own style.
WHAT ARE 3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE SAMPSON HOUSE?
Aesthetic, Creative, Friendly
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? AND WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SO FAR?
I’ve been working on a lot of different projects and accounts so far, but I think my favorite so far has been learning about the agriculture industry through writing blogs for Hungry for Truth. My favorite blog has been writing about how to save money on your grocery bill, which I definitely could use practice in!!
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WAKE UP AND GO TO WORK?
The thing that motivates me the most to get up go to work is getting to work with a variety of people and really watch small businesses thrive in the digital world that they’ve had to adapt to! A lot of small businesses are just stepping into social media and it’s fun to show them how they can use it to further their audience reach.
WHAT DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK?
Outside of work, I like spending time with friends and family, cuddling up with my pup and watching a good show, cooking, and getting to travel when I can.
WHEN DID YOU DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN ART, DESIGN AND MARKETING?
I started my college experience wanting to be an event planner, after doing an internship and realizing that wasn’t for me, I quickly discovered that I wanted to be able to combine my passions of design and being creative with business and strategy. Through different marketing classes and a temporary position as a marketing coordinator, I felt I was in the right field to express both of those passions!
WHAT’S A CURRENT ART/DESIGN TREND YOU SEE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
I think a current art/design trend that I’ve seen a lot is simple designs with bright pops of color. Simple can still be very eye-catching when used with the right color combo.
WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM CLIENT TO WORK ON AND WHY?
I think a luxury clothing brand like Gucci or Burberry would be so fun to work on! I have such a heart for fashion and I think boutique and online shopping has such an interesting market in the wake of COVID-19 and the pandemic. Online shopping was all that we could do for a period of time and I think it’s changed many people’s minds about finding things online. And luxury brands just intrigue me!
BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
I think the best piece of advice I’ve ever received was, “Don’t ever stop doing something you love because someone else said it was stupid.” It’s always stuck with me!
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS
Loyal, Fun, and Laidback
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR POSITION?
So far I think my favorite part about my position is that it’s never the same thing. I’m constantly learning new things about a lot of different industries!
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE BUCKET-LIST TRAVEL DESTINATION?
Lake Como, Italy or Amalfi Coast, Italy or really anywhere in Italy haha.
IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Hands down Abraham Lincoln! I’m a huge history buff and I think he was a President that intrigued a lot of people, while also being very controversial for the time in history. I think he would have a very interesting perspective on things and I think he’d be a great person to sit and chat with over a beer.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
This is a very hard question! I’m really not picky with food or restaurants. I like going to any good sit-down restaurant with my people and getting a glass or wine or two! :)
3 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT YOU:
My mom really LOVES Christmas, so my middle name is Noelle because of that.
I am a huge sucker for anything Disney, I could probably sing you any song, tell you which movie it’s from, the whole shebang.
My parents were told I was going to be a boy when I came… SURPRISE they got me instead!!
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO ON YOUR PLAYLIST?
I’ve been loving Dan & Shay’s newest album, love the new Justin Bieber album but I’m really all over the place with music. What I’m really excited for is Adele’s new album to drop in a couple of weeks!
GO-TO TV SHOW?
New Girl. Makes me laugh every time.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
I think success is finding things that you love and creating change in the areas that you can control. I want to love what I do and continue to find things that I am passionate about. I think for me success isn’t measured through tangible things like money, but through touching people with the information that you are creating and putting out into the world.
WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE HERE AT TSH?
I think that I bring a new set of eyes to things, everyone has different experiences which shape them to view things differently. I also hope I can be helpful working newer apps like TikTok & Instagram Reels.
