Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Jen Smith of AT Work Collaborative. Jen talks about her journey to get to where she is today. For more information on Jen's weekly news letter with industry events and job opportunities email her: jens@atworkcollaborative.com or go to www.atworkcollaborative.com .
The At Work Collaborative, people are sometimes surprised when I say my role isn’t about the nuts and bolts of furniture. My real focus is assembling the best team of people to help our clients meet their goals. I believe my job is to make other people’s jobs easier, and I do that by connecting, listening, and showing up. That’s where my passion for community involvement, inclusion, and mental health comes into play. I’m all about making things easier for our clients. Contract furniture can be complicated, so I use my network to connect the dots—bringing in the right people and resources to move projects forward smoothly. I help assemble the best team for the job and make sure our clients feel supported every step of the way, from planning to install. My goal is to take the stress off their plate and help them get exactly what they need. Its on me to use emotional intelligence to anticipate and understand the client’s needs, and to hear what they’re saying without saying it. I also create a safe space for the client to give feedback because when we improve everyone wins.
Outside of work, I stay active in the industry and community. I co-chair United Way’s Real Estate Celebration, serve on At Work Collaborative’s DEI committee, and I’m a proud Big Sister mentor of 10 years. I also send out a bi-weekly AEC event calendar to over 1,000 people—because I believe everyone should have a seat at the table and know where the table is.
I’ve also co-founded two fun, inclusive networking events: the Bush League Ski Club, which gathers about 400 people each winter, and the annual Croquet After Party, now in its 4th year, which brings together about 300 people across the industry. On a personal note, I love travel, live music, skiing, golf—and I’m always down for an adventure.
Ultimately, I’m here to connect, contribute, and help build stronger, more inclusive communities—one relationship at a time.
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