Kim Esau

Marketer

Years at Telcion: <1

What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?

B2B and B2C marketing. Learning how to target specific titles within a company is certainly a tricky task because each position has a unique perspective on the needs of their company.  It’s quite an interesting challenge that I am excited about.

How do you prefer to start your day at work?

With a large cup of iced coffee and digging through emails to see if there is anything I’ve missed. Then scrolling LinkedIn for topics related to the marketing campaigns we are currently running has been quite insightful.

What was your first job?

I worked at TCBY in High School.  It was a great first job and I used the skills I got there to transition to a job at a local bakery with better work hours.

What led you to this career? 

Honestly, a lot of testing the waters in different positions.  I got lucky at a previous job that integrated me into HR, Payroll, and then finally asked me to join the Business Development & Marketing Team as an Admin.   I developed processes for bidding and then was asked to work on the marketing proposals for the smaller bids that came through the Business Development Team.

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

Always being willing to say yes to new things.  If I hadn’t been willing to test different departments or expand my knowledge in different systems, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now.

What energizes you at work?

Being given a challenge. I tend to thrive with something out of the norm.  It gets the creative juices flowing when I’m pushed out of my comfort zone.

What drains you at work?

Idle time.  I love to be busy.  Too much time to think about things and I lose all steam.

What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?

I made the mistake in my first job out of college by saying no to extra hours that would have put me in a different department 2 days a week.  I was laid off a month later as business took a downturn and my department couldn’t keep me on.  It was a hard lesson to learn as I stayed unemployed for a few months.   I made the decision after that to be open to trying different departments, if asked, and to help where needed.  It has been nothing but beneficial since.

What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?

Prayer.  It helps to ask God to help me turn the bad day around and either let go what I’m holding on to, or to not let whatever is the problem alter my attitude and demeanor.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I love music and burst into song often.  This includes altering mainstream songs to be silly or fit my kids and pets names into them. I get giggles from my little people. It keeps me performing.

What’s something—big or small—that you’re really bad at?

Paying attention while I’m cooking. For a year, my son regularly asked for “Burnt Cheese Sandwiches” because every time I made one, it wound up a little burnt because I would walk away or get distracted while making them. He still asks for one, so they must still taste good!

What’s something—big or small—that you’re really good at?

Baking. I decided when I was pregnant with my oldest that I was going to figure out yeast breads.  I had never had experience with anything to do with yeast and now I buy it in bulk at Costco.  From breads to cinnamon rolls, I’ll make them all!

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

“Forgiveness means learning to live with the consequences of someone else’s actions.” You can’t change it and there is no guarantee they won’t do it again, but you forgive. It was such hard truth to deal with at the time, but definitely words I needed from my mentor Lynette.  I cherish her wisdom so much!

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? 

I always end my day watching TV.  My brain is maxed out by the time I put my kids to bed, so I lay in bed and watch TV.  It requires nothing more of me.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Honest- If they want the truth, they know who to come to, Caring- I will do anything to help a friend, and Loud- I have one volume that I speak at. It’s a family trait. I try to turn it down, but it’s not always possible.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

Camping!  Our family loves to camp at the Lake. You can find me out on my paddle board with my Golden Retriever and daughter.

What book are you reading now?

Oh man, I can’t put a book down once I start reading so I try to make sure I start one on my days off.  If not, I don’t get much sleep.  I love historical fiction and biographies.  I’m about to start “Suffering is Never for Nothing” by Elisabeth Elliot.

What’s one totally irrational fear that you have?

I have this fear of all sea creatures, except for the cute fluffy ones like otters. I don’t like fish and I cried when someone tried to put my hand in the tide pool exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I like these things best behind thick plexiglass.

What’s your favorite TV show—the one you’re always watching on repeat? 

It’s either Psych or Parks and Rec.  They’ve been out of syndication for a few years, but they still make me laugh.

Thanks so much, Kim!

🤝 Connect with Kim on LinkedIn

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