Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.

When anyone asks me “where I’m from,” it’s sometimes hard for me to answer. I grew up living in Dallas, Fort Worth and several cities in between, so many areas of DFW feel like home. Growing up, I played every sport I could – volleyball, gymnastics, cheerleading, soccer, and track. I made so many lifelong friendships and learned a lot about work ethic through playing sports; that really has a lot to do with who I am today.

What’s something you love to do?

Honestly, just being outdoors anywhere I can, and living in Austin, that’s pretty easy to accomplish. There’s so much in Austin to do outdoors – from random concerts in the park to hiking and yoga, really anything. I love Barton Springs Pool – it’s the best thing to visit after work and just jump in and relax. That’s the place I recommend anybody to go when they’re visiting Austin.

What’s your favorite place?

Probably Paris, France (not Texas). My husband Adam proposed to me there, so it is where I spent one of the best days of my life.

What is the last thing you binge-watched?

I am borderline obsessed with Shark Tank, and I probably watched nine in a row. I love thinking of [good and bad] invention ideas. Most recently, I’ve thought of a device that puts sheets on people’s beds automatically and I would name it “Oh Sheet.”

What’s your favorite book?

I like to read to learn. I love many books written by John Piper, but the latest book I’ve read is called Switching on Your Brain, by Dr. Caroline Leaf. I enjoy reading about how your beliefs shape your abilities. 

If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?

Friends, it just gets better every time I watch it.  

Are you a listener or a talker?

I’m a listener.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Cheeseburgers. Clark’s in Austin is especially awesome, I love it.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve done for fun?

On one of my birthdays in college, I convinced one of my friends to skip class and go skydiving with me. Long story short, we probably shouldn’t have used a Groupon on such a life-risking activity. We were fine, but you couldn’t pay me to do it again. 

If you had an extra hour of free time every day, what would you spend it doing?

I would spend it on improving my cooking skills and making new recipes of my own. I think it is such a gift to have the ability to pass down personal recipes to friends and family.

If you could do anything besides what you are doing now, what would you do professionally?

Architecture has always interested me. Similar to what I do now, there are no real black-and-white answers. Thinking of how complex and the number of people involved in a project is beyond comprehension.

What do you love about the job?

I think that every day is different. I look at the clock and can’t figure out how the time passed. Most questions or problems we face on the account service team aren’t black-and-white, and that really energizes me. I love working with clients to make complex brand priorities into simplified, powerful strategies and with the creative team to turn highly technical medical jargon into a compelling brand story.

Why Schaefer?

“Leave it better than you found it,” is somewhat of family motto I grew up with. Everyone who makes up the Schaefer team shows up every day with genuine and purposeful intention to do just that.

Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.

I’m a native Texan, and I’m full of Lonestar pride. I’m the oldest of three children, and my younger brother was my “archrival,” in school at Baylor. I met my boyfriend in high school and we have been dating for seven years. I was always a TCU fan growing up, but never thought I’d end up attending. But, long story short, I wound up loving the school of communications and became a Horned Frog shortly thereafter! I’ve also danced all of my life, but I stopped in college because I thought I was done with it – I was just tired. However, I missed dancing so much that I began teaching dance at the studio MoveMINT in Fort Worth.

What’s something you love to do?

I love listening to country music because it brings up a nostalgic, summer feeling– it just sounds warm for some reason. I really gravitate toward Texas country music because of the grittier sound that doesn’t sound too “pop-y”. My boyfriend and I are constantly going to country concerts around town, and it always reminds me of being at the lake or driving in a Jeep with the top down. My musical taste is pretty wide because of my history with dance, but a country song is always mixed into my playlist somewhere.

What’s your favorite place?

My favorite place is my grandparent’s lake house in Granbury. It’s close to the metroplex, and it’s the perfect mix of being at the beach, and in the country – it’s such a weird, great little sweet spot. My grandmother calls it her “little cottage.” It’s great having coffee on the boat or the dock. It’s also super fun to go out there with my siblings to just have fun and spend time together. As I’ve gotten older, I really appreciate how slow the pace is at the lake house, it’s incredibly relaxing.

What is the last thing you binge-watched?

Jack Ryan, but I mostly binged it because I wanted to find out how it ended. However, my favorite show that I’ve binge-watched recently is The Marvelous Miss Maisel.

If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?

Friends, because I have this side of me that wants to pick up and move to New York, which is largely due to Friends and Frank Sinatra. There’s a charming, elegant side to the city. Plus, I grew up watching – it brings a sense of comfort. People would call me a Monica, but I really try to be more like Rachel.

Are you a listener or a talker?

A talker. But I am so aware of it that I am CONSTANTLY challenging myself to talk less in conversations. From what I’ve gathered, I am an enneagram 3 wing 2, so that is very on-brand.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Italian food. My dad’s family is Italian, and I couldn’t imagine life without it. After traveling to Italy, I acquired more of an appreciation for the culture around the food rather than just the taste. Plus, learning about the culture has made cooking Italian food with my grandmother even more special, as she did the same with her mom.

What’s your favorite children’s story?

You are Special, by Max Lucado. I used to go to this Fine Arts camp at our church every summer and the woman that ran it would read this book to us every year. Reading it now, even the summary, makes my heart swell and my eyes well.
In a village, there live many different Wemmicks. The Wemmicks walk around all day and give each other either a gold star or a gray dot sticker. A Wemmick named Punchinello always tries his best to receive gold stars from the other Wemmicks but only receives gray dots for not doing well enough. One day, he meets a Wemmick named Lucia who doesn’t have any gold stars or gray dots because they don’t stick to her. Punchinello doesn’t want any stickers on him either so Lucia tells him to visit their maker, Eli. Eli explains to Punchinello that if he is not bothered by what the other Wemmicks think then the star and dots will not stick to him either.

If you could do anything besides what you are doing now, what would you do professionally?

Something culinary. If I have a midlife crisis, I imagine I’d go to culinary school. I’m not the type to do anything crazy like that, but if I did, I’d love to pursue a culinary profession.

What do you love about the job?

I love the people – everybody has been super nice, especially my direct teammates Krista, and Ali. They’re very considerate and understanding that this is my first real work experience, but also guiding me along the way. It’s great because I’ve always wanted older sisters, and they really feel like that to me. I love the culture here at Schaefer, it feels like a family.

Why Schaefer?

Right off the bat, I loved the building. I interviewed during Christmas time, so I was able to see it in all its’ decorated glory and that hooked me from the beginning. The intentionality behind each process and person really sealed the deal. This opportunity was dropped in my lap when I wasn’t expecting it and things like that are usually the best blessings.

Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.

My name is Matt, I’m a rock climber, writer, and unprofessional cook. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but I officially began publishing at 19 in the Dallas Observer, doing editorial pieces about art installations, concerts, and a little bit of everything else, too. The Observer was a lot of fun for a college kid, but ultimately, journalism just wasn’t worth the byline for me. There were a lot of late nights, all of the deadlines were hot, and the pay just wasn’t worth it.

What’s something you love to do?

I love learning, anything that stimulates the left side of my brain, really. I learn something every time I cook, climb and read or write. Learning plays a huge role in cooking, and every time I try a new recipe, I’m learning about the smells, geography, and people of a place. It tells me about what ingredients surround some far-off location, informs me about the tradition and values of an area. Cooking really is an amazing tool for exploration.

What’s your favorite place?

Nocelle, Italy, which is up the mountain from Positano on the Amalfi coast. The natural beauty combined with the hospitality of the people, the food, and the laid-back attitude is everything to me – everything I want from life can be found there. It’s an other-worldly, ethereal escape. Plus, they have incredible coastal climbing there.

If you could do anything besides what you are doing now, what would you do professionally?

Probably cook, but I would try to do it in a place where local ingredients and techniques mean something more than profits. This is definitely a “pie-in-the-sky” sort of dream because commercial restaurants are all about the bottom-line. I’d be completely happy with a shack by the coast that cranks out good, local, authentic cuisine where people can relax and share a quiet meal and some killer wine.

What is the last thing you binge-watched?

The Boys, on Amazon. It’s a show that asks the question “what if superheroes lived among us, and had real human motivations?” It’s great – it’s cool to see what would happen if someone with superhuman powers was tempted by social power, money, lust, etc. I strongly recommend it. Plus, it has an amazing, dry sense of humor and fantastic cast.

If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?

Community. The humor is off the wall and there’s an irreverence that exists in community college that they really lean into. The world they’ve created is lighthearted, good-natured and idyllic, so it just speaks to me. In spite of all of the weirdness and wild plot-points and disfunction, the show is character-driven by a small group of students that care about each other and their school. 

Are you a listener or a talker?

Listener, full stop.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This is really hard. My dad is my primary culinary influence, and we’ve always played this game where you have to describe everything on your plate that you’d eat for your final meal. Over the years, that food has changed.
My dad’s cooking is southwestern, focused on green chile and traditional New Mexican food. It’s a family staple, and I can’t recall a time when he didn’t roast and press his own red chile. So, it would be red chile enchiladas from Big John’s Chile Farm in Las Cruces, with a fried egg on top and a glass of milk for the heat. If it were something that I was cooking, it’d be homemade pasta and pesto. But, I gotta give this one to my dad.

What’s your favorite children’s story?

Jack Tales, from my Grandpa T, which is a book of folk tales he used to tell us as children. They’re Appalachian folktales from the Blue Hills region – Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, all those Smoky Mountain states. They’re the earliest stories I can recall, and my grandfather is an amazing orator – he was a physics professor for years and has a rich voice and enjoys telling stories. It’s just a magical book, and I don’t think I will ever be able to locate a copy. 

If you had an extra hour of free time every day, what would you spend it doing?

Definitely spend quality time with my wife, Blair; probably cooking, hiking, or gardening.

If there weren’t any more computers, what would be your new occupation?

I’d probably still be a writer in some capacity, I would just use a pen and paper instead of a computer and accept the carpal tunnel consequences.

What do you love about the job?

I love using both sides of my brain to tell stories and earn results. My role is a blend of analytical crowd trend analysis and branded storytelling, so it’s fun to research and learn about the market, and then create strategies and content that performs within the vertical. Both sides of the job present different challenges, and I love that – it’s never boring.

Why Schaefer?

Good people and good challenges.

Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.
I’m a writer, and from San Antonio originally. I love dogs, and I have two of them. Every dog I’ve ever owned has actually found me. I’m married to Matt Arnold, and we’ve known each other since we were in seventh grade, but didn’t get together until we were in college at UTSA. I got my start in PR, but transitioned into advertising because I was more curious about it, and I’ve always had a pension for ads. When I was little (like watching Nickelodeon little) I would get excited about the commercials, and when we eventually got a TiVo, I would fast-forward through the boring parts of the shows to get to the commercials.

What’s something you love to do?
I love vacuuming, because there’s something so cathartic and therapeutic about seeing a floor before and after it’s been cleaned. But not just floors, I would vacuum any surface. I love finding new music and sharing it with someone I know will enjoy it. I love listening. When you truly listen, people tell you their story—how they got here, what their opinions are, their world view. But my favorite stories always involve what someone learned from an experience. I love asking questions—the “why” behind something is a huge driver for me. My mom definitely got annoyed with that one.

What’s your favorite place?
This is a funny one, and so generic but, home. Home is San Antonio. When I think about it, it warms me up. My family and friends, the scenery, the familiarity of the routes you drive, all of it makes me warm and fuzzy.

If you could do anything besides what you are doing now, what would you do professionally?
I don’t know what it’s called, but the people who create soundtracks for movies. Not a composer. But the people that select the music from an existing library to set a tone in a moment or even the entire movie. The people that see a script and decide what musical emotion needs to hit the hardest to make this movie/scene/feeling ‘pop’ or resonate. I don’t know what they’re called, but I would love that job.
(After post-interview research, we found that the title is ‘Music Director’ or Music Supervisor)

What is the last thing you binge watched?
Cheer, don’t judge.

What’s your favorite book?
My favorite book is actually a children’s book called Where the Sidewalk Ends. It has a lot of poems and life lessons and it still holds up well in adulthood. I think there’s something lovely about finding something really enlightening in something so simple.

If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?
I honestly would say Boy Meets World. It’s kind of like a throwback to growing up: your problems are simple, life is light and every day is a new adventure with your best friends so definitely Boy Meets World.

Why Schaefer?
The camaraderie, and that it feels like a home. Culture is something every agency talks about, but at Schaefer you can feel it. And right away. I love that we do projects that extend into the community, and at a higher-level, I really think that we live our motto and make life better for people all over the world.

If there weren’t any more computers, what would be your new occupation?
Couldn’t I still do the same thing? Put pencil to paper, you know what I mean?
(She’s right, she could still be a copywriter.)

What’s your favorite children’s story?
Clown Arounds Go on Vacation, it’s a riot. And the first book I ever read. The whole thing is told through a series of jokes. It used to make me laugh out loud as a child. It’s kind of a family heirloom. Complete with family drama and everything! When my cousin found out my aunt had given me the original from our childhood, dinner got uncomfortably tense… we still don’t talk about it. You can get a copy on Amazon, but it’s not the same.

If you had an extra hour of free time every day, what would you spend it doing?
I would spend it talking to my granny, my mom’s mom. She lives in San Antonio, and my favorite memory of her is getting in the car with and belting the entire soundtrack of the “Sister Act,” which by the way is a great album. It has a lot of pop-y renditions of church hymnals that you can’t get out of your head.

Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.
I’ve lived all over – from Oklahoma to Colorado, Ohio to Indiana, and finally, we settled in Texas, which is always where I wanted to be. My desire for design goes back to when I was a child. My first project was building a matchbox city with my brother, and I got to create logos and billboards for the faux businesses in the city. It was a lot of fun.

What’s something you love to do?
I enjoy photography and playing games with my family. Lately, we’re enjoying playing Ticket to Ride, which is the perfect balance of strategy and enjoying each other’s company. It’s not so demanding that you can’t visit with people at the table.

What’s your favorite place?
The Rocky Mountains. I just love the experience of the mountains. When I was growing up in Denver, we’d go into the mountains just about every weekend to camp, and fish in the streams. I spent a lot of summers near Aspen, and I just fell in love with the experience.

What do you love about the job?
I love working with the creative team to help deliver high-level solutions for our clients.

If you could do anything besides what you are doing now, what would you do professionally?
If I weren’t in design or production, I’d like to be a writer. I have written a children’s book, and I just really love writing. I like being able to get all of the ideas out of my head. I have notes everywhere because I’m thinking all of the time.

What’s your favorite book?
Rework, by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. I really love the concept they present about viewing our work and approaching it from a healthy perspective.

What’s your favorite children’s story?
Oh, the Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss. I love all things Dr. Seuss, but that one is my favorite.

Are you a listener or a talker?
I’m a better listener than a talker. I love learning about things and people. My dad taught me that I need to approach interacting with people like a news reporter – to ask questions and seek to understand people.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza, because you can use it as a platform and customize with whatever toppings you like.

If there weren’t any more computers, what would you do with your time?
Either researching or writing about something having to do with social studies, history and how people interact with each other.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve done for fun?
The only thing I can think of isn’t all that scary. A friend of mine took me and some of my kids rock climbing in Oklahoma. He was really good at climbing and setting up everything and teaching us about climbing – it was just a really neat experience.

Why Schaefer?
I was introduced to Schaefer through a creative placement opportunity, where I was able to work freelance for just over a year. I was extremely impressed with the culture and the people.