Genumark’s newest satellite office can be found in the historic maritime city of Halifax. At the helm is none other than Kari Watson, an Account Manager who started off in the Toronto office and has now uprooted herself to the east coast. She aims to provide better service to those in need of promotional products in Halifax and surrounding areas.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Kari during a short layover in Toronto.
KARI, WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY?
I first go to the gym and come home to eat breakfast. Then I open my computer and stare blankly at the backlog of emails I need to catch up on before I start talking with current and potential clients. Some days I’ll just pop by and say hello or I’ll pick up the phone to chat. Sometimes I just end up talking to myself!
DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES?
Kare-Bear
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH GENUMARK?
10 years total.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THE PROMO INDUSTRY?
I studied and was certified (well, expired now) as a paramedic. I could still save your life, but I’d rather save your marketing strategy.
COOLEST PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT YOU HAVE WORKED ON AT GENUMARK?
Underwear. It was for a plumbing parts manufacturer. They were boxer briefs for plumbers that showed their tagline, “show me your plumbing!”
DREAM JOB AS A KID? WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
When I was 3, it was to be a McDonald’s worker – chicken nuggets, am I right?. Growing up, it was to be an architect.
My first job ended up being in food preparation at a Chinese restaurant.
WHAT WOULD YOU NAME THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF YOUR LIFE?
In Between Naps
IF YOU COULD LEARN ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Probably scuba diving.
DEAD OF ALIVE, DREAM DINNER GUEST?
Rod Stewart. Haha it’s true!
I GUESS THAT LEADS INTO, WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASSING THING YOU ARE WILLING TO ADMIT?
Haha, go with that. I would love to have dinner with Rod Stewart!
WHAT CHORE DO YOU HATE DOING?
The green bin and garbage. I HATE IT. It’s gross! I will clean the whole house but will not do that.
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GENUMARK?
Sports and outdoor activities like golfing, surfing, snowshoeing, and lots of yoga.
FAVOURITE FOOD & ADULT DRINK?
Tacos – any kind, any day of the week. Definitely a good Manhattan.
THREE WORDS TO DEFINE YOU?
Passionate. Energetic.. Maybe funny?
IF YOU COULD RELATE TO ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU BE?
Meredith Grey. Minus the Ph.D., all of the emotion.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
The amount of wrinkles on my face. I am a pretty happy person and I feel that is my mark of success.
FAVOURITE BOOK? FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM?
All of the Harry Potter books. They are incredible.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, obviously!
PHOBIAS?
Burping. I don’t burp. I can chug a can of Coke and I won’t burp. It grosses me out, but I also don’t understand it… I am just unable to do it.
THREE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE?
The move to Nova Scotia. Birth of my nieces and nephew. My wedding coming up!
HOW MUCH COFFEE OR TEA DO YOU DRINK A DAY?
Too much. I am a tea granny. Anywhere from 4-6 cups. Sometimes though, it is the same cup being reheated… but I lose track of the count often.
PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA; DOES IT BELONG?
NO!! Hard no!
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TORONTO & HALIFAX?
Pace of life. It is like 100km/hr here in Toronto but about 5km/hr out east. It’s a welcomed change of pace.
WORDS OF ADVICE TO OTHERS?
Sometimes you’re the bird, sometimes you’re the statue.
