Meet Judy Brown! She’s a bubbly and bright CSM that works for ICUC, and boy are we glad to have her on our team. Judy is the kind of co-worker who gets called “Super Woman” more often than I hear her real name used. Early hours, long shifts, last minute projects – Judy is always ready to jump in and do her best.
I caught up with this uber team player to chitchat about work, life in Hawaii (yes! Judy lives on the gorgeous island that I used to have the pleasure of calling home), and more. Check out our interview, here:
Rose for Snoo.ws: What do you love most about working for ICUC?
Judy: I love that I get to work from home! I spent 14 years working outside of the home with very little time for family or extra curricular activities. Having a job with no commute or sitting in traffic for an hour or more to and from is wonderful!
Rose: Do you have a favorite social media platform?
Judy: Facebook! Seriously, so many different things you can do with just that one platform, its amazing! Living across an ocean AND continent from family, Facebook has been a lifesaver. All in one place I can share photos, experiences and chat with family and friends that I can not road trip to see.
Rose: After two years of living in Hawaii, I so agree. Facebook was a lifesaver for me too! What about memes – do you have a favorite?
Judy: The ridiculously photogenic guy ones. Seriously, who looks that good when they are running or working out!! Definitely not me, LOL.
This guy is ridiculously photogenic!
Rose: You have a reputation for being an awesome team player, always ready to help out (something I can vouch for personally) – what inspires you to work so hard? Where does your drive come from?
Judy: My Granny is who inspired me, or I should say has instilled that great work ethic in me. This lady did it all! Worked two jobs, built a house(literally) and raised a family on her own for many years. Seriously though, if you love what you do then it is easy to put your all into it, and simply put, I love what I do.
Rose: Amazing words of truth, right there! So, as I was saying, I used to live in Hawaii too. You’re there now, so what do you love about life on “the Aina?”
Judy: Whats not to love? OK, the vog (volcanic fog, for you Mainlander folks) is a huge downside along with the occasional Tsunami warning, but that is not everyday so I can’t complain, LOL. So many people hate Island living because you can only drive around the Island, but I LOVE IT! Always something new to see and do, and so beautiful here. 365 days of being outdoors without having to worry about it being too cold or a freak snow storm or even a tornado. Something is always in bloom here and almost everyday there is a rainbow! Winter here brings surfing and big wave competitions. Just a day of watching 30+ foot waves while soaking in the natural Vitamin D from the sun is amazing.
One of my own snapshots from Hawaii.
Rose: You’re making me Hawaii-sick, I miss it so much sometimes (as the Western New York snow is coming down right now). Let’s talk about ICUC a bit. Do you like being a leader here at ICUC?
Judy: I do! There are so many aspects to being a leader, it never ever gets boring.
Rose: What’s your leadership approach to being a CSM?
Judy: The extra training I get from Navigate, advice I take from Tawny and the feedback from my moderators is where all my leadership abilities come from. Can’t say that I have one specific approach as each person I work with requires something different. If at the end of the day I have helped guide someone back on track or in the right direction, then I am happy.
Rose: You have such an upbeat approach to life and work, I love it. When it comes to working with ICUC’s amazing clients, what do you love the most?
Judy: Whats not to love?!?! Each client I have, has a different aspect I love… and that variety is the biggest thing for me, it really keeps everything interesting! I have learned a lot from each client, which has helped me so much. And at the end of the day, when I hear from them that they are happy and appreciative of all we do with them, well that just makes it all worthwhile!
Rose: Do you have any projects going on, or an aspect of your team you’d like to give a shout out to?
Judy: My awesome team, they themselves are amazing! I have a great team and they really help make things easy for me. They all are always willing to help each other out no matter what. Love my team!
There is not one particular project that I am proud of, but when I get positive feedback from clients or even my moderators – that is where the pride really comes in! However if I had to pick any one thing, it would be all the little projects we get here and there that end on a successful note for the client, I always love seeing their side projects succeed!
Rose: You participate in a lot of runs and races that help the community, how long have you been a runner?
Judy: I have always been a runner, but it was always just for exercise up until about five years ago. Before moving to Hawaii I did just a few races. Living here and the Aloha spirit at all the races has me doing as many as I can. Not to mention the giving back!
Rose: Do you have a favorite event?
Judy: Monthly Eat the Street food truck rallies here on Island. We get to taste local fare as well as other ethnic foods with an Island flare. Favorite stop is Ono Pops, best homemade ice cream pops!! They truly live up to their Ono name! (Hawaiian slang translation: ono is a term for something that is super tasty). Of course if you mean runnings events, I would have to say The Warrior Dash. Going to do my second one this year and I can’t wait! Pretty exhilarating climbing over walls, under barbed wire, jumping over fire and ending in a HUGE mud bath!
Rose: What else do you like to do in your analogue life?
Judy: I love being able to go to the beach! Salt, sand and the sound and smell of crashing waves is one of my favorite things. Hiking is something I like to do also, reaching a peak or outlook area is a great accomplishment and to be rewarded with beautiful views all around is awesome. For my me-time it’s all about DumBell Fit boot camp, running and spin class. I love staying active and I love that I get to show my kids that nothing is impossible and that being healthy is a great thing.
Rose: Seriously, you can tell me, are you really Super Woman – or some kind of super heroine?
Judy: LOL – yes, I am Super Woman. But that is a secret, haha.
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Too funny! What a great chat full of so many words of wisdom and inspiration. Judy Brown really is an amazing woman, role model, member of the community, and at ICUC – she tops all around. Thanks for your time, Judy – it was a pleasure featuring you this month!
Do you know someone who would make a great candidate for The Inside Scoop? Email me, Rose, and let me know who you’d like to see interviewed! (rosed@icucmoderation.com).
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