Yume Tabo virtually stumbled into her social media position with Nurse Next Door when, at her previous job, she was always finding excuses to play on Twitter and Facebook! Now, working for a company that closely shares her core values, she helps potential clients meet their match in today’s YPDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am the social media maven for Nurse Next Door, managing our online presence and sharing our brand and culture with the public through Twitter, Facebook, Blogging and our website. I am also a part of the Nurse Next Door brand team.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I started in social media by pure luck and actually, by disobeying rules. In 2007, I was attending SFU, studying psychology and criminology and needed a part-time job. I started working at blo – a blow dry bar, shortly after it opened, as a receptionist, and during shifts I would constantly be playing around on Facebook and Twitter. On numerous occasions I would get caught by the co-founders until finally, they offered me an opportunity to create and manage blo’s online presence. The co-founders taught me a lot about marketing and branding and were probably the best mentors I could have had. Without them, I don’t know what I’d be doing today. I fell in love with marketing and it completely changed the direction I was going in.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my day-to-day is just creating dialogue and engaging in thought leading chat with people in our industry or people who are connected in one way or another to home care conversations.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I hope to cast a wider net in online media and possibly advertising. I would also like to become so well versed in online media and advertising that I become more recognizable as a strategist as opposed to just a social media diva.
What does success look like to you?
I don’t really know what success looks like because I’m still on my way to feeling that way. I can tell you though, that the road to success is really windy. You have hard times, and easy times. You have to persevere and have the guts to take risks, and the main thing is, you should have is the ability to laugh. You have to laugh at mistakes and setbacks, or you’ll never be able to let it go, and continue working on your next step.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Some of the biggest milestones of my career may be quitting my past jobs. That sounds really funny, I know. I loved blo’s team so much, but needed a change. That was a hard job to quit. If I never did that, I would have never been able to work at Chatterbox Social Media, being the first hire of Emily Psimoulis and helping launch the Chatterbox brand. If I had never walked away from that job, I wouldn’t be at my biggest growth opportunity to date, with Nurse Next Door. If you stay at a job, just because it’s comfortable, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Don’t be afraid to change your mind. If I had continued my degree in psychology and criminology, I doubt I would be as happy as I am now. I know now, I was interested in courses, but didn’t see a future for me there. Never be afraid to feel uncomfortable. If I had stayed in my comfort zone of the beauty industry, I would have missed the opportunities to grow as a person and accomplish career goals.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
My company is in the process of launching a new charity which is called, Dream On, Seniors Wish Foundation. The foundation will aid in helping seniors achieve life long dreams, no matter how big or how small.
What to you is notable?
Notable are things that are inspiring and admirable. Admiring someone, or a group of people can generate action, and being inspired can create motivation in someone’s life. I try to surround myself with people I admire and people the inspire me.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone. I just love the app store.