Self proclaimed as a Jody of all Trades, 25-year-old entrepreneur Jody Rebak runs a full-service management and personal assistance company that takes care of anything from working with an organization to building a marketing communications plan to more mundane tasks like picking up the dry cleaning. Find out her inspiration and what keeps her motivated in today’s YEDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
Emery Lifestyle Management is a full-service management and personal assistance company, which means I am “Jody of all Trades.” My day-to-day life can involve anything from organizing a corporate retreat, personal gifting for the professional that just doesn’t have enough time for Christmas shopping, apartment decoration and design, working with an organization to build a marketing communications plan, to more mundane tasks like picking up the dry cleaning. You name it, we deliver!
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
For a number of years I was very enthusiastic and involved with the technology industry. I worked for a technology industry association, an online marketing company, as well as the financial services sector. Then I got a craving to start my own business and work for myself. I was faced with the inevitable question, “What do I do?”
I started from scratch and made a list of things that I enjoyed doing. At the top of the list was ‘variety’, and the must-have of an ever-changing job description. Combine a bit of craziness with someone who encouraged me to make a change, take a chance, and follow my “out-of-the-box” idea, and months later I now have my own business, Emery Lifestyle Management.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Most people devote a disproportionate amount of time to focusing on annoyances, instead of doing what they got into business for and playing to their strengths. It’s my role to help people focus their energy on their interests, to value their time, and recognize when they aren’t the right person for the job. If their talent “tool kit” doesn’t include a certain interest, then they shouldn’t spend endless hours on something that they might not enjoy or see a solid return on investment.
It’s my job to help clients invest their efforts into something they are great at, and to let me take care of things they can’t or don’t like to do. I love when I can help make a client’s life less stressful, but sometimes it can also be a bit difficult to tell someone to “let go.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Travel and culture is important to me; the line between work and personal life is not something that exists in my repertoire. I hope to have an office set up in three major cities across North America and to have a diverse client base so when the immigration officer asks “what’s the purpose of travel,” I can say both personal and business.
What does success look like to you?
I want to get up every day excited and looking forward to it! Maintaining my health, a functional social network of friends, and personal policies such as valuing and managing my time are important to me.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
The day I recognized that I would be much happier working for myself, despite not having security of a pay check every two weeks.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
One reason I think many young entrepreneurs are successful is that we don’t make judgements about we can or cannot do. Instead of getting bogged down with why your ideas won’t work we find a way to make it work; don’t be afraid to take a risk. When someone says it’s not possible, find a way to make it possible.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I co-chair the organizing committee of Vancouver Aquarium’s annual fundraiser called ‘Toast to the Coast’. We bring together over 500 young professionals and entrepreneurs at the Aquarium for an evening of great wine sampling and food tasting. All the proceeds support the Aquarium’s conservation and education programs. This not-for-profit is important to me not only because I believe in the Aquarium’s initiatives, but also because it’s imperative that our generation gets involved in philanthropic activities – whatever they may be.
What to you is notable?
Being involved and not taking yourself too seriously.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone – is there another option?