COMO Magazine’s “Day in the Life” series features Columbia pros (and amateurs) who do their part to keep the globe spinning and make life better for the rest of us — often in ways we don’t realize. We especially appreciate opportunities to tell our readers more about individuals and organizations that most of us aren’t familiar with.
What does The District’s events and business coordinator do? As the events and business coordinator for The District, I wear many hats. If you know me, you know this to be true figuratively and literally. I get businesses involved with all our events. I am the liaison between the sign-ups and the businesses. I help get the word out about each event through various avenues. I put posters out, do press releases, and get our events on community calendars. I attend each event and check in on each business and thank them for their participation. I then follow up and give gift cards or posters to winners if those things are part of the event. I will also return to our committee and report how the event went. I also get to come up with fun new event ideas to bring people to our businesses!
As the business coordinator, I keep track of new businesses coming into downtown. I meet with them and give them a welcome packet. I then update them into our databases and add them to our website. I also keep track of businesses leaving The District and update accordingly.
Tell us about yourself. How would other people describe your personality and your skills? I am an empath to my core. I feel everything and feel it deep. I try to be positive and not focus on the bad stuff going on. I am a giver. I use humor to get through a lot. I love to dance and sing. I am probably stronger than I allow myself to think I am. I am a creator, but I don’t think I’m super great at stuff (LOL). Other people probably think I am a lot to take in.
I don’t meet strangers. I had someone tell me once that they said, right before I came into their place, “Here comes Nikki. She’s like a whirlwind/tornado. She comes in all happy, positive, full of energy, says what she needs to say, makes you feel good and then she’s off again.” I take that as a good sign!
What satisfies you most about your position? I love helping people. Being in my two positions allows me to work with and for the downtown business community. They need us all now more than ever before. Getting to see them thrive because of an event we pulled off is so rewarding to me. I feel like I am doing something good.
We’ve learned that in addition to your role with The District, you are a rather overachieving volunteer in Columbia. Where does your passion for volunteering come from? You had mentioned “making up for lost time.” I had fantastic parents. They taught me well. My daddy would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it. When my husband and I moved to south Texas, we moved to a tourist community. They didn’t like outsiders. There wasn’t a feeling of community there. After 17 years, we moved to Columbia. This has been the most open and loving community. I am most definitely making up for lost time. My giving heart is so full living in CoMo.
What’s usually at the top of your to-do list when your workday starts? Email and check for new events to add to our calendar and add things to my to-do list.
Tell us about some of your favorite projects, both with The District and as a volunteer. The District projects would have to be Halloweenie, Living Windows, horse-drawn carriage rides, and the Wassail Stroll. Volunteering, gosh, so many to choose from. Just to name a few, currently, True/False Film Fest, as I am a Q Queen! But there is also Art in the Park, Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Countdown to Kickoff for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sips for the Symphony, Access Arts CelebrARTy, All Women’s Build, and sidewalking at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center. I literally can’t choose one to talk about, and these are only a snippet of all the fun things that I get to be a part of.
What was your professional journey before coming to The District? I was the general manager of a five-house bed and breakfast and wedding venue.
Some people are better at planning and strategizing. Some are better at executing the plans. Where do you fall on that scale? I am good at both. But I love the execution of the plan the most. I like to plan it. But I love watching it in the moment.
If you could tell your younger self what you wish you had known or knew to look out for, what would that be? I would tell myself that I am good enough; not everyone is going to like you — and that’s OK; and don’t look back — you are not going that way. I honestly wouldn’t change the direction of my past. Every step was exactly where I was supposed to be.
So what time is lunch? What are you having? I’m an early eater. Years of retail taught me that lunch is a busy time, so you eat early or you don’t eat when you are the only one in the shop. I love a good salad. I’ve discovered the bento box at Sake is a new fave.
What do your friends not understand about what you do? All of it! They think I am crazy to take on so much.
If someone told you they would like to volunteer but they don’t know where or how to get started, how would you respond? I would invite them to lunch and chat about their interests, the amount of time they have to offer, and then give them some direction as to where they might fit in.
What time is your workday finished? I don’t have a set schedule, so my hours are flexible. My workday ends typically in the afternoon. But sometimes in the early evening.
What’s for dinner? Who will you share that meal with? My hubby and I like to cook together. We love experimenting with food, so sometimes it’s veggie dishes, sometimes it’s fish or chicken. We don’t fry things. We only order that if we are out. Our favorite thing to make is charcuterie.
You met your husband through volunteering. Is that right? Tell us about that. I met my hubby 23 years ago through Big Brothers Big Sisters. He was the executive director, and I was hired as a case manager. The small office created wonderful friendships. After almost three years, we decided the friendship was more. We left the organization and started dating, and we will be married for 20 years this July.
What do you do to unwind in the evening, and what time does your head hit the pillow? We watch a lot of Dateline and Netflix. When it’s warmer, we go for a walk. My head hits the pillow at various times depending on what I had going that day. I am a night owl, so typically I can go to sleep around 11 or midnight.
What are your dreams? (Literal or figurative, of course.) You know, I always wanted to own a bed and breakfast. But I managed one and maintained it as a five-star establishment for four years, and that was enough for me.
My husband and I are looking to start a possible nonprofit in the future. It would assist with colon cancer screenings for people who need assistance in any way. Last fall he was diagnosed and lost 20 percent of his colon. He is a cancer survivor and is still with us because he has had screenings for the last nine years. We would love to help others do the same.
