When it comes to keeping our team and client projects organized, Mallory Gunzenhauser, our project manager, is a master. From maintaining client communications, to ensuring projects stay on timeline, to assigning tasks to individual team members, Mallory knows the status of each project. This month, Mallory is celebrating her four-year GRIT anniversary, so we decided to put her in the spotlight by asking her some tough (and fun!) questions.
What led you to this career?
Mallory: I was working as an account manager for a digital publishing company that started an agency division to help local clients with website design and development as well as video production and the services they offered grew from there. As an account manager working with one product, I thought it sounded like an exciting change of pace and I transitioned over to the agency as a project manager. I enjoyed working in a new role to help facilitate projects and deliver beautiful work to our clients.
What is the worst job you have ever had and what did you learn from it?
Mallory: After college I worked briefly for a direct sales company where we would set up promotional events around the community to raise awareness for different non-profits and sell toys to help raise money for the different organizations. It sounds nice, but it turned out to be a disaster. There was no sense of work-life balance and it taught me that when interviewing for a job, as the candidate you are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you and to make sure it is a good fit.
Who has influenced you the most when it comes to your career?
Mallory: Probably my husband. He’s always super encouraging and supportive and reminds me I’m doing a good job when I start to feel overwhelmed. He helps keep me grounded and to focus on one thing at a time.
What is your favorite part about working at GRIT?
Mallory: Definitely the talented team of people I get to work with and the support we all provide to each other, both personally and professionally.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mallory: A veterinarian.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Mallory: You are much too young right now to really determine what you should be doing for the rest of your life. Live a little and don’t feel pressure to take the ‘practical’ route. Focus on what you want out of life and what brings you the most joy – chase after that.
If you could only eat one item for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mallory: I’m tempted to say ice cream, but I know that would be a bad idea. Perhaps pizza. There are so many different varieties and possibilities.
What’s one hobby you would love to get into?
Mallory: Sewing. I think it would be fun to sew some of my own clothes and make things for other people.
What is one thing you are really good at? What is one thing you are really bad at?
Mallory: I am really good at assembling furniture. Especially the IKEA stuff where you must pay attention to the tiny details in the pictures. I’m really bad at taking care of plants and gardening. I kill houseplants and don’t know how to properly care for anything outdoors.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Mallory: I think they would say I’m optimistic (totally ‘glass half-full’), too nice and indecisive.
If you are interested in learning more about GRIT, our services and team, reach out to us today to start a conversation!