In this episode, Kurt Hartmaier, a 2004 Western Washington University graduate, shares his career journey to opening The Blue Abode Bar with his wife Katy. Kurt started out his career working for a running shoe company to pay homage to his other passion at the time, running, where he was a company-sponsored athlete. He then joined Farmers Insurance for a while as an agent and later worked at RacerMate Inc. in sales and technical support. After these few jobs, Kurt decided to go into bartending and restaurant management for a few years until he decided to combine his current role with his Marketing experience and open The Blue Abode Bar. Kurt is a testament to the idea that interests and career changes happen, and are normal. His advice for soon-to-be graduates is to find your passion first because you can always combine your marketing degree with your passions. It also helps to have a wonderful partner alongside you.

Follow Kurt online LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurthartm...   

Website: The BLUE ABODE Bar

Instagram: THE BLUE ABODE BAR (@theblue.abodebar) • Instagram photos and videos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THEBLUEABODE...

Hosts: Steinar Mikkelson & Talia Aukema-Gray 

Producers: Karlie Kildall & Sara Slone 

Editor: Arnav SenGupta 

Guest Booker: Karlie Kildall 

Product Manager: Jace Gersten 

Professor: Daniel Purdy

In this episode, Ben Hodson, a 2021 Western Washington University graduate, shares his journey toward becoming one of the cofounders of The Blue Room while working for IAJ Media as their social media manager. Throughout the podcast, Ben shares his journey of opening The Blue Room in a risky economy to encourage current students to take risks. Ben shows students to combine the skills you've learned with your passions to do something you really love. 

"Marketing: More than just a major" 

Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodson-2a8075167/

Follow The Blue Room: https://www.blueroombham.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueroombham/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueroombham/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlueRoomBham

Hosts: Steinar Mikkelson and Talia Aukema-Gray 

Producers: Karlie Kildall and Sara Slone 

Editor: Arnav SenGupta 

Guest Booker: Karlie Kildall 

Product Manager: Jace Gersten 

Professor: Dan Purdy 

In this episode, Nick Weaver, a 2015 Western Washington University graduate, shares his journey toward becoming a product owner and business analyst of customer systems at financial technology company, InDebted. Nick had a background in business and a focus on digital marketing when he started pursuing his degree from WWU. His drive for learning relevant skills and embracing new technology resulted in earning his first job and led to the pivotal moment when he was offered his current position. Nick says he broke barriers in the FinTech realm using knowledge he acquired from the WWU Marketing Department. His advice for potential and current marketing students is to retain what they learn in college and try new things, even allowing themselves to fail, so they can continue growing throughout their careers. Nick is currently working on updating communication systems for InDebted by finding solutions that will unify the company’s global communication strategy. Nick’s story is an excellent reminder that when we take advantage of every opportunity and push ourselves to continue growing, we can enjoy a career full of meaning and excitement.

In this Episode, Elisabeth Jackson AKA "The Afro Coach"- 2014 Western Washington University Marketing graduate, dives into the world of operations management and strategizing. With her extensive experience in creating personalized business systems, Elisabeth knows how to streamline a business to make it sustainable, scalable, and successful. For her, being able to run a business without exhausting yourself is key to being successful and long-lasting. Elisabeth currently runs her own business, The Afro Coach, she is a System Strategist & Operations Consultant. Listen in to hear all of her tips for organization, management, and growth as it all stems back to her early days at Western Washington University. 

Follow Elisabeth Online

Website: https://theafrocoach.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzijackson/

Hosts: Claudia Webster and Clay Ashworth

Sound Effect by SSPsurvival from Pixabay

In this episode, Ashley Hann - 2012 Western Washington University Marketing graduate with incredible experience in the marketing & branding industry - shares her Marketing journey and how she has launched and maintained her career as a branding and marketing strategist, coach, podcast host and a mission-driven entrepreneur. In her experience, accurately reflecting you or your brands message will make you the most money. Ashley can do it all, from entering the online space as a Marketing Director for ABC Shark Tank Mark Cuban Company to founding her own company, Ashley Hann Branding & Consulting. 

Follow Ashley online

Website: https://www.ashleyhann.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-hannawacker-6a1ab336 

Hosts: Claudia Webster and Clay Ashworth

Sound Effect by SSPsurvival from Pixabay

In this episode, Lizzie Rice - 2019 Western Washington University Marketing graduate with a rich portfolio in product design - shares her Marketing journey and how she launched her career in UI/UX design. For her, product design is the intersection of creativity, data, people, and business. Lizzie is a UX designer at Nordstrom and has previously worked at T-Mobile, Boeing, and PitchBook Data.

Follow Lizzie Online

Hosts: Claudia Webster and Clay Ashworth

Sound Effect by SSPsurvival from Pixabay