Lizzy Bakhaus, BrandJuice Strategist, is the spotlight of our February employee profile. We sat down for a Q&A to deep dive into her refreshing way of thinking and insightful vision that drives our team every day.
Tell us about where you grew up?
I was born in Lexington, Kentucky but spent most of my life in the armpit of the south, otherwise known as the City of Dreams—Columbia, South Carolina. It was quite a transition moving from the beaches to the mountains, but there’s a different type of calm here in Denver that not even the softest, smoothest beach waves can express. Snowfall trumps all.
What brand is your personality most aligned with?
Well it’s always changing—not my personality, the brand I align with most. That’s why I’m so infatuated with the wonderful world of branding. The slightest shifts in tone and personality create ripple effects that change the entire landscape of a brand’s industry, forcing it, too, to constantly evolve. Right now? I love the work that Slack is doing to promote efficiency in the workplace with an unexpectedly lighthearted tone.
Video 1 & Video 2
What led you to choosing this profession?
A desire to make an impact, creatively.
Who inspires you? Who do you aspire to be like?
I’m inspired most by people, brands and companies that stay true to their values and hold their positions strongly in debate. Unwavering opinions. I like people who know what they like, but also know how to control their passion. Being the Strategist I am, it would only be rational and prudent for me to acknowledge that I aspire to be like our CEO because nothing would please me more than to one day lead a group of strong-willed, creative and thoughtful individuals as ourselves.
What’s your most irrational fear?
The wifi’s out and I’m stuck on hold with my cable provider during a blizzard that’s trapped me at home. That’s as close as it gets to purgatory for me.
If you could keep only 5 possessions, what would they be?
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- Luna: Great Pyrenees, 2.5 yo, 130 lbs.
- My piano
- A pen with limitless ink and a notepad that never runs out of paper
- My yoga mat
- The Denver Public Library—yes, it’s allowed.
What are you drinking come five o’clock?
Casamigos Anejo, with 5 dashes of Angostura Bitters, a drop of agave, a splash of club soda and an orange wedge. Stirred and served on the rocks in a short, fat, ice-cold glass.
Best restaurant in Denver?
Ophelia’s: the creative and delightful food, the buzzing, yet calming atmosphere, the live music, the thoughtful and ever-evolving cocktail menu. There’s no place I’d rather be.
What’s the best book you’ve read so far this year?
Death & Co by David Kaplan: a definitive guide to the contemporary craft cocktail movement. It gives a glimpse into the lives, minds and hands behind one of America’s most influential bars. Even having bartended for years, this book was incredibly enlightening and honestly quite enthralling. It’s not an encyclopedia, but instead a tale of transformation.
On Philosophy, Politics and Economics by Gerald F. Gaus: rationality, utility and choice theory on a basic level. This was the first book I read in college that truly expanded my mind and opened a new realm of philosophical understanding for me.
When you’re in need of creative inspiration, where do you go? What do you do?
I run, far and fast. I hike, smooth and slow. I ski, quick and broad.
What was the last picture you took with your phone?
A screenshot of a response from Siri: I asked her for the gender ratio of Denver and she delivered extensive data in a chart and it made me truly realize the advancements of today’s technology.
If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?
Ask more questions.
What’s the best part about working at BrandJuice?
The humor. Comedic connections in the workplace are a privilege not to be taken advantage of. Being surrounded by some of the most creative minds I’ve come in contact with is pleasure enough, but when fun is sprinkled on top with a dash of wit and a hint of sarcasm, then, by golly, we’ve found something absolutely scrumptious.
Follow along on our social media over the coming weeks to find out more about what Lizzy’s life is like when she’s not leading creative genius at BrandJuice.