Engrave-A-Crete's Marketing Department just wouldn't be the same without the friendly smile and quick wit of JudyAnn Lorenz. Adept at many computer applications, Judy spends much of her time working with social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and creating blog entries for Groov-E-News on the company's website. Judy knows the value of social media in today's marketplace, and she is always on the lookout for Engrave-A-Crete customers or seminar attendees who have set up new websites or joined Facebook. She often becomes one of their first followers and interacts with suggestions and comments to help them succeed.
Why does Judy show up for work at Engrave-A-Crete?
“They pay me,” Judy laughs, “but that's just part of it. I like the product and the processes. I'm excited about decorative concrete and all the things we do here. I love the mad scientists things and the madder the scientists get, the better I like it. It's fun and stimulating. Everybody here is really nice. The Marketing Department is the alive part of the company. I like that.”
Judy also recognizes the green benefits of concrete and the worth of reusing existing concrete as a medium for creating something new.
“I understand how concrete works,” Judy says. “In terms of perspective, I have a position of preserving concrete and reusing it. The decorative concrete that we do is a recycling process to keep the old concrete and make it look good so people are pleased to keep it and it doesn't go away or get thrown out.”
Having a job is important to Judy. She likes to work and to see others work.
“I'm not a good stay-at-home housewife,” Judy says. “Never was even when I stayed at home. I like learning things. I like people and seeing people learn new things. I also like for people to have jobs. Engrave-A-Crete makes jobs and that's important.”
Judy has a variety of experiences, and the wisdom and knowledge she has picked up from each one helps her every day as she works at Engrave-A-Crete. Her enthusiasm as she describes them is evident.
“I've been a real estate broker and sales person. For a time I worked with a land planning consultant and we did a lot of GIS work and that was really fun. I have worked on a cattle ranch and that was fun, and worked in the forest as a logger and that was fun. I've been busy!”
The idea that women can and should be an important part of the decorative concrete industry is important to Judy.
“I'm a member of Women in Concrete,” Judy says, “but we aren't nearly as active as we should be. We all get busy and don't want to think about it, but really we should reach out to the group as part of what we do two or three times a week.”
When she isn't working for Engrave-A-Crete, Judy enjoys reading and expanding her virtual assistant practice. She also likes to mix things up—literally; things such as sourdough batters and homemade soap. Although she seldom finds the time or space for it, she also loves doing bead art, weaving tiny little beads into intricate patterns.