A Day in the Life of Stephanie Hunter: COO, Budding Author, and Maven of Mirth
1. Tell us a bit about yourself — Provide an overview of what you do and share something interesting about yourself.
In the early 70’s , reading Henry James this quote struck me as compelling ” Go everywhere, do everything, get everything out of life, be happy to triumphant.” Not an ad for consumerism, but rather a way to approach each day. Having had the good fortune of being married for to a very cool man for 32 years, having two millennial sons (btw working in software start ups) and two German Shepherd dogs — it’s been a true privilege to have been on the ground floor when Ving the platform was being developed and Ving the team was being created.
Having 34+years of work life “in” to date, (in all four distinct parts of the country: Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Midwest and South) contributing alongside my colleagues to create and refine Ving is incredible. There is no beginning and end to work/life; it’s one in the same. My husband is a heart surgeon and this is how our world turns.
We’ve always had a vision of where we were going. Admittedly, getting there-we’ve had some minor detours, but we’ve never ever been deterred by reaching our goals — be they short, middle or long term.
2. One of the most important qualities necessary to work at Ving is:
We are looking for grit. What makes up grit? Determination, a “can do” attitude and the willingness and commitment to succeed both individually and as a group. We support an environment of intelligent risk taking. Asking questions, engaging in important debate and proposing creative solutions and options are encouraged and celebrated.
Very early on, we established a living document called “The way we think” outlining our core set of values. We share and talk about them during interviews. We reinforce this during on boarding and stay committed to these core values throughout the life of the company.
[Summary: I am attaching for your reference.]
3. What does your typical day at Ving look like?
As the COO, I’m responsible for the “inside of the house”, my typical day involves working on HR topics (recruiting the best and the brightest and supporting current team members), connecting with our legal team on intellectual property advancement, working with external vendors, grant/funding sources, accountants and engaging with current Ving customers and prospects.
In a small but mighty team, “multi tasking” is essential.
Working with partners across the county, I start my day at 6:00 AM and am often still available and connected through to 10:00 PM, but that’s what makes our world exciting.
4. What is your favorite part about using Ving?
Ving makes me more productive and allows me to still be personal. I am able to share important information and engage with recipients when it makes sense in their day. For employee onboarding I have a template with all of the pertinent documents. I am able to revise and personalize this Ving over and over again-a true time saver and I know what needs to be shared.
Frequently I also need to connect with team members at the same time that I am meeting with contacts externally; I am able to use Ving to provide information to team members and have them continue with their workday, without having to schedule more and more meetings.
As far as being personal, I am a huge fan of recording audio to accompany my Vings. It’s of particular value to be able to share energy and tone inflections with documents.
5. “Going above and beyond” to you means what?
It means not settling, taking that extra step(s) to make the Ving experience “delightful”, to provide that extra for our Ving customers, to add that extra something to make the better — best.
6. What is unique about the environment at the company?
Having had the privilege of working in several industries and companies of all sizes, I would say that it’s the tempo and the authenticity of the work place. There are no “airs” no pretense, nothing that gets in the way of what we’re trying to do.
No one is on an island. We have a supportive and creative space — it’s the type of environment that nurtures and encourages professional success and personal growth.
Ubber information sharing, team lunches, transparency is real.
