October 19, 2020 • 19 mins
Laken Samis was so much fun to connect with. Her smile, laugh, and kind demeanor immediately puts you at ease and makes you want to get to know her more. She is mom to Greyson, a real estate agent, and the Operations Director for You Betcha, a Midwest entertainment channel media company taking the internet by storm with their hilarious videos, media content, and You Betcha Radio of what it’s like living in the Midwest.
We connected on personal and professional pivots, who she finds her inspiration in, how she works through her anxiety being in a very public position, and words of advice for someone who is thinking about trying something new.
In typical You Betcha fashion, you’re going to laugh at how our conversation starts (hint: it involves donuts) and leave inspired by this incredible and authentic woman.
"Be you, don't worry about other people's perception of you." - Laken Samis
To connect with Laken:
Instagram: @lakenoperationsgal
Website: www.ohhyoubetcha.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Laken Samis (00:00):
Something that I think that everyone should take
a chance on is if there issomething that you have been
wanting to do, do it.
Like if you want to start yourown YouTube channel or podcasts,
do it, don't let other, people'sgoing back to perceptions, scare
you away from doing that
Jessi Woinarowicz (00:20):
Glaze and Grit is a podcast where honest
and real conversations are frontand center.
A conversation we're Fargo,Moorhead, area, business owners,
thought leaders, advocates, andvisionaries share their lessons
learned and provide a freshperspective to better inform and
support you in your journey.
It's about sharing the realstory to inspire lead and
(00:42):
encourage.
All right here in my backyard ofFargo, North Dakota, it all
starts with a conversation andhonest one.
I'm Jessi Woinarowicz, and thisis Glaze and Grit.
I had so much fun connectingwith Lake Samis.
Laken is the operations directorfor You Betcha, the Midwest
(01:04):
entertainment channel mediacompany, taking the internet by
storm with their hilariousvideos, blogs, and p odcast of
what it's like living in theMidwest.
What you'll hear in this episodeis Laken sharing her personal
and professional pivots, who shefinds her inspiration in and how
she works through her anxiety.
Being in a very public position.
(01:25):
We talk about what it's likeworking on the you betcha team
and words of advice for someonethinking about trying something
new, be sure to check outLincoln's Instagram at Laken o
peration scout and all theawesome new b etcha merchandise
for sale.
Here's Laken S amis.
How are you?
Laken Samis (01:44):
Good.
How are you?
I'm doing good.
Thank you so much for coming on.
Thank you for having me.
Sorry.
I don't know how to turn thisoff.
I'm sorry to interrupt you.
So I muted this conversation andwe have a group chat going and
miles just asked if we wanteddonuts.
And so everyone's like, yes,donut, shut up.
(02:05):
Sorry that won't happen again.
Mild never offers to bring usanything.
So I think everyone was like,what's going on yet?
Jessi Woinarowicz (02:17):
Let's start at the beginning.
You grew up in Fargo.
So tell me a little bit aboutyourself.
Laken Samis (02:22):
Yes.
I was born and raised in Fargo.
Um, I went to West Fargo highschool and then I feel like
anyone in Fargo really, they tryto get out for a little bit.
So after high school I moved toMinneapolis and then I got there
and I was like, Nope, I want togo home.
Like, uh, so it was like typicalFargo syndrome.
So I ended up moving back, allmy family lives here.
So it's just, it's not that faraway, but you know, being a kid
(02:45):
fresh out of high school, likeit was pretty scary, but I'm
glad that I did it definitelylike learned something along the
way I was in property managementfor a very long time before you
betcha.
And I'm actually still apart-time real estate agent.
So that's something I also dowith taking care of the guys
that You Betcha.
I am married and I have a littleboy he's two and a half.
(03:06):
Um, my husband is currently ingrad school right now for
athletic training.
Um, and then after this, he isgoing on to physical therapy.
So we're very busy,
Jessi Woinarowicz (03:16):
Very, very busy.
Cause that's coming to you.
What made you decide to move toMinneapolis after high school?
You mentioned you wanted adifferent scenery from Fargo.
What was it about Minneapolisthat drew you there?
Laken Samis (03:28):
I always had this aspiration of living somewhere
in a big city where I could walkplaces and experience different
things and different cultures.
And I got there and I got to doall those things, but I was
going to school at the time tobe a vet tech and I was working
part-time at a restaurant andit's just the whole money
factor.
(03:48):
I was like, this is insane.
I don't know how people do it.
I'm trying to work.
Full-time I'm in full-timeschool.
Mom.
I need help.
I want to come home.
I'm scared.
So that was the main factorsjust getting out and getting
different scenery.
Um, it was almost a year cause Iremember we signed a nine month
lease and towards the end of thelease, it was like the winter
(04:09):
time.
I'm like, I gotta go home.
And it was like Christmas timeand I wasn't by my family.
It just didn't feel right.
And it wasn't something I wasready for.
Definitely made me veryhomesick.
And my mom was like, I want youback home too.
Jessi Woinarowicz (04:22):
Was that tough?
Moving back home.
And
Laken Samis (04:25):
Not that it would be hard to like leave my
Minneapolis friends andwhatever, but my mom is my
world.
So like knowing that I got tolike go back and be close to her
and I have a very small family.
My grandparents were here, mybrother was here and I, you
know, I'm around them.
Mostly like every day I miss mymom dinners and my grandparents
stepping over and saying hi, Iknew that my grandpa didn't have
(04:48):
that long left.
So like that was also like afactor too in, it was, I just
need to be around family.
Like glad I got to experiencethis.
But life is too short.
You have to be around yourfamily.
When you, when you're called todo it.
Jessi Woinarowicz (05:01):
Who do you move back to Fargo and you
stepped into real estate.
What made you decide on realestate?
Laken Samis (05:08):
I was in property management for four years and
experiencing the things andbeing a part of that world.
I was a leasing agent and then Iwas a property manager and I
enjoyed the leasing agent partmore so than the property
management part.
I enjoyed helping people findsomething that they were going
to live in and they'recomfortable with.
(05:28):
And I'm a very personal person.
So when I got to know them andbe friends with them as well,
like not on a property manageraspect of it, it was great.
I mean, I have so manyexperiences with that.
And then I just knew that Iwanted to be in real estate and
sell homes.
So that started to spark myinterest.
And I just wanted a tool on mybelt per se, for when I got into
(05:52):
real estate.
So I was a little bit moreprepared than just being like
thrown to the wolves with theterminology, everything behind
that.
So I got my real estate licensea year ago.
I was actually on a real estateteam.
So I quit my property managementjob.
And it is a grind when you'retrying to be a full-time agent,
it is hard to get your feet upand going and being on the team,
(06:13):
I was going to get a little morehelp with that than I actually
did, unfortunately.
So I started to look for jobs,but I knew I still wanted to be
a real estate agent, but I don'tthink I was in it full time.
It started to become not fun forme.
And that was when it's,something's not fun.
It's hard for you to do it anddo it well.
So I started to look for jobsand then I stumbled upon an
(06:35):
operations director for youbetcha.
And I was like, what?
Like, I didn't even know thatthis was a company necessarily.
So I applied for it and I wasvery honest with miles.
I was like, Hey, I still have areal estate license.
I want to continue practicing.
And I want to do this, but I amcommitted to getting a full-time
job.
(06:56):
And he was totally understandingof it.
And we had a couple of phonecalls and I met with him in
person.
And now I'm the operations galfor you and a part-time real
estate agent.
Real estate is mostly on theweekends and at night.
And then You Betcha is all thetime.
Jessi Woinarowicz (07:13):
So going back to your real estate and you're
starting to look for somethingdifferent, it feels like maybe
operations director is a littlebit different than real estate,
but probably a lot of similarresponsibilities and traits that
you brought to the table whereyou nervous about what is this,
or if I can stop this or wereyou like, yes, I'm going to do
(07:34):
it.
Laken Samis (07:35):
You know, I wasn't nervous just because when I
worked for property managementfor those four years, I was
managing a leasing team as well.
I took the traits from that andthe things that I've learned
from that and how to managepeople.
And I knew that I could apply itobviously very different worlds,
but the mindset is the samewhere it's like, Hey, we have
(07:56):
stuff to do.
Like we need to get it done.
Quit messing around.
This is how it's going to work.
I wasn't nervous about it.
The only thing I was nervousabout is obviously there's a lot
of eyeballs on the things thatyou do and people are going to
notice if something is messed upwith having a 2 million
audience.
So that part is still nervewracking.
And the fact that I manage allmen, uh, that, that part is kind
(08:19):
of nerve wracking as well.
Because prior to that, I wasworking with all females, very
different worlds.
Let me tell you that.
That's the other thing that Iwas a little bit nervous about
was like, okay, I know I'm goingto be the only girl here.
Like, okay, we gotta make itwork.
Like it's going to be anadjustment, but I think I can do
it.
So I think it was all just likea mindset.
Yes, this is going to bedifferent.
(08:40):
But also like my managing skillscan be the same, if not better,
because I might have people whoare more open to listening to
me.
Jessi Woinarowicz (08:48):
What was it that drew you to You Betcha and
Miles?
Laken Samis (08:52):
Yeah.
So miles and I had aconversation on the phone.
I first applied and right awayour chemistry were just hitting
it off immediately.
It was very like casual, butstill business professional at
the same time.
And then I met with him and Ryanfor like the face-to-face
interview.
And he's like, do you want abeer or something?
I'm like, wow, I can't turn downlike a beer from the You Betcha
(09:14):
guy.
Like that would be weird.
That'd be like grounds for notgetting the job.
I feel like.
And so we had a really goodlaugh and we just hit it off.
So every day, um, I get to workand I clean up Miles' mess.
No, just kidding.
But, um, I tidy up around ouroffice.
We were very small.
(09:35):
It's five people right now inthe same space.
You see the warehouse behind me.
This is one of our warehouses,but our main one is where like
our offices are.
I am such like a clean freak.
If I'm going to work, I need aclear head space, organized
everything.
So I do that.
And then I answer a lot of ourcustomer service emails.
So I do a lot on the merchandiseside.
(09:55):
People need help with theirsizes or exchanges or returns.
I take care of all those people.
First, our customer service issomething that I pride myself on
because have you ever orderedsomething online and you need to
return it?
And you're like, how, who do Italk to?
Like, what do I do?
Do I send an email?
Like that kind of thing.
We make it very easy on ourcustomers.
And so that's my top priority inthe morning.
(10:17):
Um, and then we do a lot of teammeetings just going over and
making sure everyone's on thesame schedule and making sure if
the video is being edited anddone, who is streaming tonight?
What time is the podcast beingfilmed?
All of that kind of thing.
Just checking in on everyone,making sure everyone has the
tools they need to get their daygoing then afternoon times kind
of the same, sending out anyproducts that were returned,
(10:40):
sending out the exchanges, thatkind of thing every day is
different.
Jessi Woinarowicz (10:45):
A misconception that you feel
people may have about youbetcha.
Laken Samis (10:51):
I think people think that we just sit around
and like we're all friends andwe just goof around all day 90%
of the day our headphones are inand we don't even talk to each
other because we're so focused.
We have so much stuff to do.
We're growing so fast and we'reproud of the products that we've
put out, whether it be thepodcast or the stream or
merchandise on my end of things.
(11:12):
Yeah.
So I think people think that wejust sit around and goof off.
Like, don't get me wrong.
Like we do.
Like, we all have like a ton offun, but yeah, we definitely
work very hard.
I mean, I have a little one Ihave to go pick up and I know
that the guys are here sometimesuntil eight o'clock at night
still working.
So, I mean, we're all verycommitted and excited to do our
work.
Jessi Woinarowicz (11:32):
So with you betcha being a national
sensation over 1.7 millionfollowers on Facebook alone,
millions of views, likes andshares sometimes just on one
video, a weekly podcast nowgaming on Twitch.
Laken Samis (11:47):
Yeah.
Oh my gosh.
You know, our merchandise isreally off as well.
Our numbers for our merchandiseare just crazy.
We just released our new hauntcollection and we knew it would
do well, but we had like arecord day and we're like, dang,
we're all really happy andexcited about that to grow our
merchandise.
And we have a couple otherthings like up our sleeve, but
(12:09):
we got to move first.
So we are getting a new office.
So that's very exciting, but we,we just need more room.
Like we're just outgrowing.
So I think when we get more roomand when we start to do the
other things that we're lookingforward to do, like it's just
going to be amazing.
It's going to be so great.
Incredible.
Yeah.
Jessi Woinarowicz (12:29):
I think for so many, it can be challenging
building a brand on just onesocial media platform.
And I find it shows all the hardwork and the skillsets and
talents that you and the teamhave.
Can you share a piece of adviceyou've learned thus far in your
journey of working with you?
Betcha.
Laken Samis (12:46):
Yeah.
Miles says it all the time.
Just don't overthink it and beyourself.
Honestly, people can see rightthrough if you're trying too
hard to do something or takesomething or another good piece
of advice, he always says, it'sjust throw all your darts at the
board, try everything and thensee what sticks and go with it.
And if you like it, and if youfeel comfortable doing it, go
with it.
Jessi Woinarowicz (13:06):
That's really great advice.
So speaking of branding, youknow, when you're stepping into
maybe something new, it can be alittle nerve wracking putting
something out there, you know,you share with me, you know, you
struggle with anxiety and Ithink anxiety come into that
aspect of putting yourself outthere.
What are your thoughts on beingan organized, structured person,
(13:29):
struggling with anxiety andputting yourself out there?
Laken Samis (13:32):
Yeah.
So I, I do suffer with, fromreally bad anxiety and it was
before, like I had thepostpartum anxiety.
I had all of that, but likepersonally, I've always
struggled with anxiety and itwasn't until like I actually sat
down and talked to my therapistabout it and like being in the
job that I have, obviously youhave not, I don't have a lot of
eyeballs on me necessarily, andthat's fine.
(13:53):
I have my Instagram page.
And like, I have fun with that.
But he was talking about howanxiety stems from you think
that someone is perceiving you acertain way.
Why do you care?
And I'm like, I don't know.
Why do I care?
And she's like, well, someonecould be already having a bad
morning.
They, you know, got stuck at ared light too long and now
they're late and they see yourpicture and they judge you for
(14:14):
it.
They're already just having abad day.
So that shouldn't matter to you.
It's nothing should matter toyou as long as you're happy
about it.
And you're proud of yourself,your anxiety should just melt
away knowing that I can't changesomeone's perception of me.
And that piece of advice hasstuck with me so hard, hard.
(14:34):
I was like, you know what,you're right.
Like, I've definitely had myfair share of bad days where
like someone does something I'mlike, I just don't like them.
Why?
Because I'm having a bad day.
Like I'm perceiving my emotionsand like my bad day onto them
and how I've used them.
I know that that's not right.
So I can only imagine that otherpeople are doing the same thing
(14:54):
and feeling the same way, but Ican't change it.
And I can't control it.
That little piece of advice hashelped so much with my anxiety.
And then just when I get towork, making sure that my, my
workspace is clear and I'm readyto go.
And I do my, like, you know,going to the gym helps a lot
with my anxiety, like a ton andjust making sure everything is
(15:17):
how I want it to be set up.
So I can work in a free headspace and clear and keeping in
mind that some people just talkdifferently and communicate
differently than I would likethem to, especially we're
working with all guys.
Right.
Cause sometimes guys aren't thebest texting back right away.
And you're like, Oh my God, didI say something that like makes
them mad?
No, no, no.
(15:37):
It's just people communicatedifferently again.
Like it'll be okay.
Jessi Woinarowicz (15:42):
Thank you for sharing.
Um, you know, I think it isimportant for people to hear,
especially because an anxietydoes affect one in 13 people
globally and being honest withour struggles or things that we
do to help manage and, and, um,techniques to work through that
is really, really important.
(16:02):
So thank you for sharing.
Laken Samis (16:04):
Absolutely.
All right.
Jessi Woinarowicz (16:06):
Well, let's move on.
Laken.
Who is someone that inspires you?
Laken Samis (16:12):
I know that this is pretty cliche, but my mom
absolutely has been myinspiration.
She raised two little kids onher own from the get go.
I mean, I have, I have a two anda half year old son and I like
think all the time, like how didmy mom do this?
Plus another one all on her ownlike absolutely crazy.
Right.
And that just the fact that youworked so hard to, like, we
(16:33):
never felt like we were lackinganything when she definitely
like made a lot of sacrifices onher end being as an adult, I can
definitely see that she madesacrifices and places.
So her kids wouldn't have togrow up with anything.
So that is my biggest motivationand my who I look up to the most
is my mom.
She's amazing.
Jessi Woinarowicz (16:54):
No, what is something you think everyone
should do at least once in theirlife?
Laken Samis (17:01):
Okay.
So something that I think thateveryone should take a chance on
is if there is something thatyou have been wanting to do
this, do it, like if you want tostart your own YouTube channel
or podcast, do it.
If it's something that youreally feel like, Oh gosh, like
I feel like I could be reallygood at this.
Try it out and do it.
Just don't let other, people'sgoing back to perceptions, scare
(17:22):
you away from doing that.
I love that.
Jessi Woinarowicz (17:24):
That is such great advice.
Do you have anything else toadd?
Laken Samis (17:29):
I'm really happy that you're doing this and
you're speaking to women who canhelp other women.
I think that now more than everin our world, like we need to
come together as women andbecome this strong force that
don't take from anyone.
And if you're happy, likecontinue to be happy.
And do you do whatever makes youhappy and care about what any
(17:50):
other person says?
Don't take shit from anyone.
Jessi Woinarowicz (17:53):
I love it.
Well, let's end our time with alittle lightning round of
questions.
If you're cool with that,
Laken Samis (18:00):
let's do it.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:00):
What makes you laugh?
No matter what?
Laken Samis (18:02):
cat videos on Tik Tok.
(18:07):
what is your must have purse item per item?
Probably ibuprofen.
brownies or cookies.
Oh, Oh, they're both.
So good cookies.
Say a word in Spanish.
Is that bathroom?
I think so.
Texting or talking.
Oh, I am a talker.
I will call if I'm driving in mycar, like I have to call someone
(18:28):
like, of course, like I'mBluetooth.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:30):
pizza or pasta.
Laken Samis (18:31):
pizza.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:32):
climb a mountain or jump from a plane.
(18:35):
I have crippling anxiety.
So both sound awful climb.
A mountain.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:39):
sour patch kids or Swedish fish,
Laken Samis (18:42):
sour patch kids all the way.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:44):
All right.
Last one.
Bush light or IPA.
Ha, Busch light.
you're off the hot seat.
Laken, you have been such aninspiration through this whole
conversation.
Laken Samis (18:59):
Thank you.
I have goosebumps.
(19:09):
Hey, thanks so much for listening in today.
If you would like to learn moreabout glazing grant and the
incredible community leadershighlighted on the show, check
out glazeandgritpodcast.com.
Also, if you enjoyed thisepisode, please let us know by
subscribing rating and sharing.
Thanks again for listening.
Talk to you soon.
Something that I think that everyone should take
a chance on is if there issomething that you have been
wanting to do, do it.
Like if you want to start yourown YouTube channel or podcasts,
do it, don't let other, people'sgoing back to perceptions, scare
you away from doing that
Jessi Woinarowicz (00:20):
Glaze and Grit is a podcast where honest
and real conversations are frontand center.
A conversation we're Fargo,Moorhead, area, business owners,
thought leaders, advocates, andvisionaries share their lessons
learned and provide a freshperspective to better inform and
support you in your journey.
It's about sharing the realstory to inspire lead and
(00:42):
encourage.
All right here in my backyard ofFargo, North Dakota, it all
starts with a conversation andhonest one.
I'm Jessi Woinarowicz, and thisis Glaze and Grit.
I had so much fun connectingwith Lake Samis.
Laken is the operations directorfor You Betcha, the Midwest
(01:04):
entertainment channel mediacompany, taking the internet by
storm with their hilariousvideos, blogs, and p odcast of
what it's like living in theMidwest.
What you'll hear in this episodeis Laken sharing her personal
and professional pivots, who shefinds her inspiration in and how
she works through her anxiety.
Being in a very public position.
(01:25):
We talk about what it's likeworking on the you betcha team
and words of advice for someonethinking about trying something
new, be sure to check outLincoln's Instagram at Laken o
peration scout and all theawesome new b etcha merchandise
for sale.
Here's Laken S amis.
How are you?
Laken Samis (01:44):
Good.
How are you?
I'm doing good.
Thank you so much for coming on.
Thank you for having me.
Sorry.
I don't know how to turn thisoff.
I'm sorry to interrupt you.
So I muted this conversation andwe have a group chat going and
miles just asked if we wanteddonuts.
And so everyone's like, yes,donut, shut up.
(02:05):
Sorry that won't happen again.
Mild never offers to bring usanything.
So I think everyone was like,what's going on yet?
Jessi Woinarowicz (02:17):
Let's start at the beginning.
You grew up in Fargo.
So tell me a little bit aboutyourself.
Laken Samis (02:22):
Yes.
I was born and raised in Fargo.
Um, I went to West Fargo highschool and then I feel like
anyone in Fargo really, they tryto get out for a little bit.
So after high school I moved toMinneapolis and then I got there
and I was like, Nope, I want togo home.
Like, uh, so it was like typicalFargo syndrome.
So I ended up moving back, allmy family lives here.
So it's just, it's not that faraway, but you know, being a kid
(02:45):
fresh out of high school, likeit was pretty scary, but I'm
glad that I did it definitelylike learned something along the
way I was in property managementfor a very long time before you
betcha.
And I'm actually still apart-time real estate agent.
So that's something I also dowith taking care of the guys
that You Betcha.
I am married and I have a littleboy he's two and a half.
(03:06):
Um, my husband is currently ingrad school right now for
athletic training.
Um, and then after this, he isgoing on to physical therapy.
So we're very busy,
Jessi Woinarowicz (03:16):
Very, very busy.
Cause that's coming to you.
What made you decide to move toMinneapolis after high school?
You mentioned you wanted adifferent scenery from Fargo.
What was it about Minneapolisthat drew you there?
Laken Samis (03:28):
I always had this aspiration of living somewhere
in a big city where I could walkplaces and experience different
things and different cultures.
And I got there and I got to doall those things, but I was
going to school at the time tobe a vet tech and I was working
part-time at a restaurant andit's just the whole money
factor.
(03:48):
I was like, this is insane.
I don't know how people do it.
I'm trying to work.
Full-time I'm in full-timeschool.
Mom.
I need help.
I want to come home.
I'm scared.
So that was the main factorsjust getting out and getting
different scenery.
Um, it was almost a year cause Iremember we signed a nine month
lease and towards the end of thelease, it was like the winter
(04:09):
time.
I'm like, I gotta go home.
And it was like Christmas timeand I wasn't by my family.
It just didn't feel right.
And it wasn't something I wasready for.
Definitely made me veryhomesick.
And my mom was like, I want youback home too.
Jessi Woinarowicz (04:22):
Was that tough?
Moving back home.
And
Laken Samis (04:25):
Not that it would be hard to like leave my
Minneapolis friends andwhatever, but my mom is my
world.
So like knowing that I got tolike go back and be close to her
and I have a very small family.
My grandparents were here, mybrother was here and I, you
know, I'm around them.
Mostly like every day I miss mymom dinners and my grandparents
stepping over and saying hi, Iknew that my grandpa didn't have
(04:48):
that long left.
So like that was also like afactor too in, it was, I just
need to be around family.
Like glad I got to experiencethis.
But life is too short.
You have to be around yourfamily.
When you, when you're called todo it.
Jessi Woinarowicz (05:01):
Who do you move back to Fargo and you
stepped into real estate.
What made you decide on realestate?
Laken Samis (05:08):
I was in property management for four years and
experiencing the things andbeing a part of that world.
I was a leasing agent and then Iwas a property manager and I
enjoyed the leasing agent partmore so than the property
management part.
I enjoyed helping people findsomething that they were going
to live in and they'recomfortable with.
(05:28):
And I'm a very personal person.
So when I got to know them andbe friends with them as well,
like not on a property manageraspect of it, it was great.
I mean, I have so manyexperiences with that.
And then I just knew that Iwanted to be in real estate and
sell homes.
So that started to spark myinterest.
And I just wanted a tool on mybelt per se, for when I got into
(05:52):
real estate.
So I was a little bit moreprepared than just being like
thrown to the wolves with theterminology, everything behind
that.
So I got my real estate licensea year ago.
I was actually on a real estateteam.
So I quit my property managementjob.
And it is a grind when you'retrying to be a full-time agent,
it is hard to get your feet upand going and being on the team,
(06:13):
I was going to get a little morehelp with that than I actually
did, unfortunately.
So I started to look for jobs,but I knew I still wanted to be
a real estate agent, but I don'tthink I was in it full time.
It started to become not fun forme.
And that was when it's,something's not fun.
It's hard for you to do it anddo it well.
So I started to look for jobsand then I stumbled upon an
(06:35):
operations director for youbetcha.
And I was like, what?
Like, I didn't even know thatthis was a company necessarily.
So I applied for it and I wasvery honest with miles.
I was like, Hey, I still have areal estate license.
I want to continue practicing.
And I want to do this, but I amcommitted to getting a full-time
job.
(06:56):
And he was totally understandingof it.
And we had a couple of phonecalls and I met with him in
person.
And now I'm the operations galfor you and a part-time real
estate agent.
Real estate is mostly on theweekends and at night.
And then You Betcha is all thetime.
Jessi Woinarowicz (07:13):
So going back to your real estate and you're
starting to look for somethingdifferent, it feels like maybe
operations director is a littlebit different than real estate,
but probably a lot of similarresponsibilities and traits that
you brought to the table whereyou nervous about what is this,
or if I can stop this or wereyou like, yes, I'm going to do
(07:34):
it.
Laken Samis (07:35):
You know, I wasn't nervous just because when I
worked for property managementfor those four years, I was
managing a leasing team as well.
I took the traits from that andthe things that I've learned
from that and how to managepeople.
And I knew that I could apply itobviously very different worlds,
but the mindset is the samewhere it's like, Hey, we have
(07:56):
stuff to do.
Like we need to get it done.
Quit messing around.
This is how it's going to work.
I wasn't nervous about it.
The only thing I was nervousabout is obviously there's a lot
of eyeballs on the things thatyou do and people are going to
notice if something is messed upwith having a 2 million
audience.
So that part is still nervewracking.
And the fact that I manage allmen, uh, that, that part is kind
(08:19):
of nerve wracking as well.
Because prior to that, I wasworking with all females, very
different worlds.
Let me tell you that.
That's the other thing that Iwas a little bit nervous about
was like, okay, I know I'm goingto be the only girl here.
Like, okay, we gotta make itwork.
Like it's going to be anadjustment, but I think I can do
it.
So I think it was all just likea mindset.
Yes, this is going to bedifferent.
(08:40):
But also like my managing skillscan be the same, if not better,
because I might have people whoare more open to listening to
me.
Jessi Woinarowicz (08:48):
What was it that drew you to You Betcha and
Miles?
Laken Samis (08:52):
Yeah.
So miles and I had aconversation on the phone.
I first applied and right awayour chemistry were just hitting
it off immediately.
It was very like casual, butstill business professional at
the same time.
And then I met with him and Ryanfor like the face-to-face
interview.
And he's like, do you want abeer or something?
I'm like, wow, I can't turn downlike a beer from the You Betcha
(09:14):
guy.
Like that would be weird.
That'd be like grounds for notgetting the job.
I feel like.
And so we had a really goodlaugh and we just hit it off.
So every day, um, I get to workand I clean up Miles' mess.
No, just kidding.
But, um, I tidy up around ouroffice.
We were very small.
(09:35):
It's five people right now inthe same space.
You see the warehouse behind me.
This is one of our warehouses,but our main one is where like
our offices are.
I am such like a clean freak.
If I'm going to work, I need aclear head space, organized
everything.
So I do that.
And then I answer a lot of ourcustomer service emails.
So I do a lot on the merchandiseside.
(09:55):
People need help with theirsizes or exchanges or returns.
I take care of all those people.
First, our customer service issomething that I pride myself on
because have you ever orderedsomething online and you need to
return it?
And you're like, how, who do Italk to?
Like, what do I do?
Do I send an email?
Like that kind of thing.
We make it very easy on ourcustomers.
And so that's my top priority inthe morning.
(10:17):
Um, and then we do a lot of teammeetings just going over and
making sure everyone's on thesame schedule and making sure if
the video is being edited anddone, who is streaming tonight?
What time is the podcast beingfilmed?
All of that kind of thing.
Just checking in on everyone,making sure everyone has the
tools they need to get their daygoing then afternoon times kind
of the same, sending out anyproducts that were returned,
(10:40):
sending out the exchanges, thatkind of thing every day is
different.
Jessi Woinarowicz (10:45):
A misconception that you feel
people may have about youbetcha.
Laken Samis (10:51):
I think people think that we just sit around
and like we're all friends andwe just goof around all day 90%
of the day our headphones are inand we don't even talk to each
other because we're so focused.
We have so much stuff to do.
We're growing so fast and we'reproud of the products that we've
put out, whether it be thepodcast or the stream or
merchandise on my end of things.
(11:12):
Yeah.
So I think people think that wejust sit around and goof off.
Like, don't get me wrong.
Like we do.
Like, we all have like a ton offun, but yeah, we definitely
work very hard.
I mean, I have a little one Ihave to go pick up and I know
that the guys are here sometimesuntil eight o'clock at night
still working.
So, I mean, we're all verycommitted and excited to do our
work.
Jessi Woinarowicz (11:32):
So with you betcha being a national
sensation over 1.7 millionfollowers on Facebook alone,
millions of views, likes andshares sometimes just on one
video, a weekly podcast nowgaming on Twitch.
Laken Samis (11:47):
Yeah.
Oh my gosh.
You know, our merchandise isreally off as well.
Our numbers for our merchandiseare just crazy.
We just released our new hauntcollection and we knew it would
do well, but we had like arecord day and we're like, dang,
we're all really happy andexcited about that to grow our
merchandise.
And we have a couple otherthings like up our sleeve, but
(12:09):
we got to move first.
So we are getting a new office.
So that's very exciting, but we,we just need more room.
Like we're just outgrowing.
So I think when we get more roomand when we start to do the
other things that we're lookingforward to do, like it's just
going to be amazing.
It's going to be so great.
Incredible.
Yeah.
Jessi Woinarowicz (12:29):
I think for so many, it can be challenging
building a brand on just onesocial media platform.
And I find it shows all the hardwork and the skillsets and
talents that you and the teamhave.
Can you share a piece of adviceyou've learned thus far in your
journey of working with you?
Betcha.
Laken Samis (12:46):
Yeah.
Miles says it all the time.
Just don't overthink it and beyourself.
Honestly, people can see rightthrough if you're trying too
hard to do something or takesomething or another good piece
of advice, he always says, it'sjust throw all your darts at the
board, try everything and thensee what sticks and go with it.
And if you like it, and if youfeel comfortable doing it, go
with it.
Jessi Woinarowicz (13:06):
That's really great advice.
So speaking of branding, youknow, when you're stepping into
maybe something new, it can be alittle nerve wracking putting
something out there, you know,you share with me, you know, you
struggle with anxiety and Ithink anxiety come into that
aspect of putting yourself outthere.
What are your thoughts on beingan organized, structured person,
(13:29):
struggling with anxiety andputting yourself out there?
Laken Samis (13:32):
Yeah.
So I, I do suffer with, fromreally bad anxiety and it was
before, like I had thepostpartum anxiety.
I had all of that, but likepersonally, I've always
struggled with anxiety and itwasn't until like I actually sat
down and talked to my therapistabout it and like being in the
job that I have, obviously youhave not, I don't have a lot of
eyeballs on me necessarily, andthat's fine.
(13:53):
I have my Instagram page.
And like, I have fun with that.
But he was talking about howanxiety stems from you think
that someone is perceiving you acertain way.
Why do you care?
And I'm like, I don't know.
Why do I care?
And she's like, well, someonecould be already having a bad
morning.
They, you know, got stuck at ared light too long and now
they're late and they see yourpicture and they judge you for
(14:14):
it.
They're already just having abad day.
So that shouldn't matter to you.
It's nothing should matter toyou as long as you're happy
about it.
And you're proud of yourself,your anxiety should just melt
away knowing that I can't changesomeone's perception of me.
And that piece of advice hasstuck with me so hard, hard.
(14:34):
I was like, you know what,you're right.
Like, I've definitely had myfair share of bad days where
like someone does something I'mlike, I just don't like them.
Why?
Because I'm having a bad day.
Like I'm perceiving my emotionsand like my bad day onto them
and how I've used them.
I know that that's not right.
So I can only imagine that otherpeople are doing the same thing
(14:54):
and feeling the same way, but Ican't change it.
And I can't control it.
That little piece of advice hashelped so much with my anxiety.
And then just when I get towork, making sure that my, my
workspace is clear and I'm readyto go.
And I do my, like, you know,going to the gym helps a lot
with my anxiety, like a ton andjust making sure everything is
(15:17):
how I want it to be set up.
So I can work in a free headspace and clear and keeping in
mind that some people just talkdifferently and communicate
differently than I would likethem to, especially we're
working with all guys.
Right.
Cause sometimes guys aren't thebest texting back right away.
And you're like, Oh my God, didI say something that like makes
them mad?
No, no, no.
(15:37):
It's just people communicatedifferently again.
Like it'll be okay.
Jessi Woinarowicz (15:42):
Thank you for sharing.
Um, you know, I think it isimportant for people to hear,
especially because an anxietydoes affect one in 13 people
globally and being honest withour struggles or things that we
do to help manage and, and, um,techniques to work through that
is really, really important.
(16:02):
So thank you for sharing.
Laken Samis (16:04):
Absolutely.
All right.
Jessi Woinarowicz (16:06):
Well, let's move on.
Laken.
Who is someone that inspires you?
Laken Samis (16:12):
I know that this is pretty cliche, but my mom
absolutely has been myinspiration.
She raised two little kids onher own from the get go.
I mean, I have, I have a two anda half year old son and I like
think all the time, like how didmy mom do this?
Plus another one all on her ownlike absolutely crazy.
Right.
And that just the fact that youworked so hard to, like, we
(16:33):
never felt like we were lackinganything when she definitely
like made a lot of sacrifices onher end being as an adult, I can
definitely see that she madesacrifices and places.
So her kids wouldn't have togrow up with anything.
So that is my biggest motivationand my who I look up to the most
is my mom.
She's amazing.
Jessi Woinarowicz (16:54):
No, what is something you think everyone
should do at least once in theirlife?
Laken Samis (17:01):
Okay.
So something that I think thateveryone should take a chance on
is if there is something thatyou have been wanting to do
this, do it, like if you want tostart your own YouTube channel
or podcast, do it.
If it's something that youreally feel like, Oh gosh, like
I feel like I could be reallygood at this.
Try it out and do it.
Just don't let other, people'sgoing back to perceptions, scare
(17:22):
you away from doing that.
I love that.
Jessi Woinarowicz (17:24):
That is such great advice.
Do you have anything else toadd?
Laken Samis (17:29):
I'm really happy that you're doing this and
you're speaking to women who canhelp other women.
I think that now more than everin our world, like we need to
come together as women andbecome this strong force that
don't take from anyone.
And if you're happy, likecontinue to be happy.
And do you do whatever makes youhappy and care about what any
(17:50):
other person says?
Don't take shit from anyone.
Jessi Woinarowicz (17:53):
I love it.
Well, let's end our time with alittle lightning round of
questions.
If you're cool with that,
Laken Samis (18:00):
let's do it.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:00):
What makes you laugh?
No matter what?
Laken Samis (18:02):
cat videos on Tik Tok.
(18:07):
what is your must have purse item per item?
Probably ibuprofen.
brownies or cookies.
Oh, Oh, they're both.
So good cookies.
Say a word in Spanish.
Is that bathroom?
I think so.
Texting or talking.
Oh, I am a talker.
I will call if I'm driving in mycar, like I have to call someone
(18:28):
like, of course, like I'mBluetooth.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:30):
pizza or pasta.
Laken Samis (18:31):
pizza.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:32):
climb a mountain or jump from a plane.
(18:35):
I have crippling anxiety.
So both sound awful climb.
A mountain.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:39):
sour patch kids or Swedish fish,
Laken Samis (18:42):
sour patch kids all the way.
Jessi Woinarowicz (18:44):
All right.
Last one.
Bush light or IPA.
Ha, Busch light.
you're off the hot seat.
Laken, you have been such aninspiration through this whole
conversation.
Laken Samis (18:59):
Thank you.
I have goosebumps.
(19:09):
Hey, thanks so much for listening in today.
If you would like to learn moreabout glazing grant and the
incredible community leadershighlighted on the show, check
out glazeandgritpodcast.com.
Also, if you enjoyed thisepisode, please let us know by
subscribing rating and sharing.
Thanks again for listening.
Talk to you soon.
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