DCFunemployment: Tell the people – Who are you?

Mary Godier, JRINK Juicery Community and Marketing Manager.

I’m a DC transplant from Boston and just got married this past September (DCF: WOOT WOOT, congrats!!). I love being creative- whether it’s taking up a new artistic hobby, or experimenting in the kitchen. I love hosting friends over for dinner, outdoor brunch, exploring DC and drinking all the coffee.

DCF: What does being funemployed mean to you & what was your path to funemployment?

MG: To me, being funemployed means finding moments every day of real joy in your job. Now, every job will have it’s frustrations – that’s just life- but having a job that allows you to feel excited and motivated is the goal. Life is too short to have your job be just a job (DCF: Amen sister!!)

Last year, I decided to take a job as the Community and Marketing Manager for JRINK Juicery, after having worked as a teacher for over 5 years. It was a a big leap, and definitely a bit scary, but has shown me what I am capable of, and that I have a whole range of skills I hadn’t fully utilized before. Now, in my day-to-day, I get to be creative, engage with my community and create partnerships with other businesses in the area.

DCF: Who was your first cheerleader?

MG: My very first cheerleader was definitely my mother. She’s the strongest woman I know and she’s always made me feel like I can do whatever I set my mind to (DCF: Such an important lesson!).  When I decided to make this career change, she helped me weigh the pros and cons, but ultimately told me to follow my heart. I know I wouldn’t be the person I am without her in my life.

I also have to mention my amazing husband, Daniel. Since we met, he’s encouraged me to do whatever I was passionate about, and helps in anyway he can. Whether it’s shooting photos of me for interviews (DCF: Thanks Daniel!!), helping me to learn new computer programs, or just being there to listen after a hard day. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

DCF: What experiences in your life prepared you for where you are now?

MG: That’s a tough one. I think more so than experiences, it’s the people I’ve me that prepared me for where I am now. My family, friends, co-workers… they’ve all taught me different lessons about life, relationships, and work, and they’ve gotten me to where I am.

DCF: Where do you get your inspiration and/or motivation?

MG: I’m incredibly motivated and inspired by this city. The people, architecture, the creative movement going on right now- I want to be a part of this community and I love that my job allows me to do just that.

In terms of recharging, my loved ones play a big role in that. Whether an impromptu date night with the hubby, happy hour with a friend, or a long phone call with my mom, I find these activities help me to relax and feel ready to take on the next challenge.

DCF: What does balance mean to you and how do find balance?

MG: Finding balance in a small company can be hard. I have my hands in a multitude of different projects and end up wearing many hats. Sometimes, I may have to work on weekends or evenings, which can make it hard to feel balanced, so it’s something I have to be cognizant of. I find balance by giving myself time and space to just “be”. I might take a mid-day yoga class, or make time for lunch with a friend, but without making this time, it’s easy to feel stretched too thin.

DCF: What sacrifices did you have to make to get here?

MG: Being willing to go the extra mile has definitely made it possible for me to be where I am, but I don’t really consider that a sacrifice. The choices I make to get to where I want to be aren’t always easy but when I remind myself that they’re bringing my closer to my goal, I feel focused and secure in my decisions. Another important thing to remember is that the people in your life who are supportive of your goals will also understand the need for these sacrifices; just make sure to keep your loved ones as a priority in your journey to meeting your goals.

DCF: What struggles have you faced as a women in your industry?

MG: Unfortunately, being a women in any industry comes with it’s difficulties. I have found though, that particularly in DC, the women here are incredibly supportive of one another. For example, groups like Pineapple DC create an environment where women in DC’s food industry can learn from one another and support each other’s projects. It’s a really wonderful community.

DCF: What is the early advice you didn’t listen to that you wish you had?

MG: I got a lot of advice early in my career encouraging me to not be afraid to stand up for myself and what I deserve in the workplace. For a long time, I felt I had to accept what I was offered, and should just be grateful to have a job. Only in the last year or so have I really become able to speak up for what i needed and deserved at work, and it’s only made my experience at work better. It really is true that when you stand up for what you deserve, people treat you accordingly.

DCF: What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from it?

MG: I’m having trouble with this one honestly. I can’t think of a really pronounced failure so far in my career (DCF: Lucky!!), however there have certainly been a lot of little/medium sized hiccups.

I think if I had to claim a failure, it was staying in a position I didn’t enjoy for too long. While the failure isn’t so obvious from an outside perspective, I felt it every day that I stayed in a job I didn’t like, and it really wore my down. I failed myself by not actively trying to improve my situation.

DCF: What is your proudest moment?

MG: I think my proudest moment in the most recent past has been taking the leap and accepting this job with JRINK. It was a moment where I really overcame my fear of failure and set out to try something new. It would have been much easier to stick with a field I knew I was successful in, but instead I took a chance on myself and I’ve learned so much in the process. No official side projects yet, but I am taking the time to really learn about and hone my photography skills. I’ve been so inspired by the great photo scene here in the city and I’m excited to get more involved. Check out my Instagram to see what I’ve been working on!

Connect with Mary (or Jrink): On Instagram: @melizabeth5  @JrinkJuicery

Twitter: @thatsrealtlk @JrinkJuicery

Make sure you check out Jrink Juicery this weekend for their annual #easterJRINKhunt for your chance to find a coveted golden bottles!!