Spotlight: Amy Eckert our Project Manager!
You guys, to say we’re excited is an understatement!! We’re so ecstatic to introduce to the world our new Project Manager, Amy! In just the short amount of time she’s been with us, she’s already done some killer work and we’re insanely luck to have found her. Keep scrolling to learn all about the newest addition to our team, spoiler alert, she’s pretty great!!
Name: Amy Eckert
College: Creighton University
Hometown: Sioux Falls
Position: Project Manager
COFFEE DRINK OF CHOICE:
My daily drink is black drip coffee. Sometimes I get wild and add a splash of cream. Entering my 30’s made me realize I have to prioritize my vices, and fancy coffee didn’t make the cut.
HOW DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT TSH AND WHAT DREW YOU TO US?
I’ve known of TSH since the very beginning! My previous work was in event design and planning, so my path has crossed with the various members of The Sampson House on many occasions throughout the years. I’ve always been impressed by their keen eye for aesthetic, but I’m especially proud to be a part of a team of driven women who unceasingly support and encourage one another. Collective inspiration is woven into the very fabric of the company.
I also enjoy working with Jeff. ;)
WHAT ARE 3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE SAMPSON HOUSE?
Curated, Strategic, Ever-Evolving.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON?
Ammunition Wines, Frontier Bank, Screenflair, The Addys
WHAT DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK?
I’ve been married to my husband Joe for 12 years. We have two sons, Henry, who is an 8th grader at Edison Middle School, and Teddy, who is a 2nd grader at Laura Wilder Elementary. They both play “club” soccer (among other activities!), so we spend a great deal of our time shuttling to practice, games, or weekend tournaments. (The “soccer mom” moniker, though technically not incorrect, is one I’m not super comfortable with, as of yet. At least I don’t have a minivan?!)
I also love to read, exercise, and spend time with my siblings/siblings-in law. Between my husband and I, we have 6 sisters and brothers and they, plus their spouses, comprise our closest circle of friends. I really love spending time with them whenever we’re able.
WHEN DID YOU DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING?
My previous work as an event coordinator and designer was essentially a very nuanced and niche Project Manager position. It provided me the opportunity to see a “project” from inception to completion, and to balance the requirements/needs of other contributors with the overall goals of the project, as well as anticipate and troubleshoot along the way. It was, I believe, an excellent precursor to my current position. So much of that job was also about creating beauty in a strategic way, while being mindful of logistical confines. I think, when you zoom out, marketing isn’t too far removed from that.
WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM CLIENT TO WORK ON HERE AT TSH, AND WHY?
This is more of a “who’s work do you admire” answer, but I love everything that Jamie Beck of Ann Street Studio (@annstreetstudio) does. She’s a photographer and co-inventor of the Cinemagraph, and everything she creates feels like fine art. She has conceived some of the most visually stunning campaigns I’ve ever seen, and she is also incredibly generous with sharing her process, which is both mesmerizing and inspiring.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR POSITION?
The intersection of creativity and organization is my sweet spot, so I very much appreciate that I’m able to use both sides of my brain on a regular basis.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE BUCKET-LIST TRAVEL DESTINATION?
I read “Murder on the Orient Express” when I was young and ever since I’ve been captivated by the concept of luxury travel in a well-appointed rail car. I’d love to someday ride the original route from Paris to Constantinople (Istanbul). I follow @vsoetrain (Venice Simplon-Orient Express), @belmondhirambingham (luxury train ride to the top of Machu Picchu), or @rockymountaineer (rail journeys through the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park) on Instagram, which elicits some pretty serious wanderlust.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
My top three are:
JL Beers for a fun, casual evening
Grille26 for happy hour drinks and any of their flatbreads
McNally’s. I love the patio during the summer and the live music year round. Admittedly we live near here, so we definitely treat it like our neighborhood hangout. If we were smart we’d start budgeting a monthly stipend for our meals here. I have dreams about their blackened steak tips.
3 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT YOU:
1. I was on a synchronized swimming team when I was younger. I was not very talented, but I CAN now hold my breath for a long time as a result. (Seriously, don’t’ challenge me to a breath-holding contest. I will win, or one of us will die.)
2. My husband is a farmer. That might be more of an “interesting thing” about him, but people are often surprised that he farms. Last fall was my first year driving the grain cart and I’m not sure he’ll hire me back after my spill-prone performance.
3. I’m a big fan of Martha Stewart. I really admire her uncompromising aesthetic, her seemingly insatiable curiosity, and her fearlessness. I think her massive success is a testament to living a brave life.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO ON YOUR PLAYLIST?
I’m not super music-savvy, so I generally hand over the reigns of my playlist to my husband (or my boys if I’m feeling daring). Left to my own devices, I generally default to listening to podcasts. I have a long list of recommendations, but some of my favorites are “The Dream”: a deep-dive into the world of multi-level marketing (i.e. “Pyramid Schemes”) and some of the businesses that use this format for selling their product (so fascinating!), “Heavyweight”: each episode examines a life-altering moment in an individual’s life and attempts to ascribe meaning or find a resolution for the occurrence. One of my favorite episodes was about a woman who, years ago, was kicked out of her college sorority and never knew why. (Charming, poignant, and often very funny). And “In the Dark”: an investigative journalism podcast with each season exploring a new topic. The first season was a probe into the Jacob Wetterling kidnapping/disappearance and subsequent police investigation. (Not for the faint of heart, but incredibly well done).
GO-TO SHOW ON NETFLIX?
I recently started watching the show “Derry Girls” which is a comedy about a group of girls growing up in Northern Ireland in the 90’s. It took an episode or two to train my ear to their accents, but once I did I ended up binge-watching all the episodes in one weekend. If you’re nostalgic about 90’s music, I highly recommend it.
WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE HERE AT TSH?
I think the greatest attribute I bring to this position is an ability to understand and embody the mindset, goals, needs, and overall “voice” of the companies or individuals we represent. I take a lot of pride in my ability to capture the essence of whomever I’m speaking for, particularly through copy writing and long-form composition. Because of my background in event planning, I also bring an eye for detail, an understanding of aesthetic/trends, and an organizational, Big Picture, forward-thinking mentality.
