She Leads – With Jai Otwell
Name: Jai Otwell
Job Title: Sr. Client Services Executive, CAI
What would you tell your younger self? Invest early and invest as much as you can. Make sure you really enjoy the career path you choose and make it fun. Learn to communicate!
What was your major in college? Hotel & Restaurant Management I got my job at Manheim when a friend of mine let me know about an opening when I was moving from Tennessee to Georgia. Started with a position handling internet sales and moved around and moved up one step at a time.
What was your inspiration and what helped you become successful? How do you define success? My inspiration was my dad and making him proud of me because I knew that is what wanted. Now that I am older, I define success by a happy family and feeling like I make a difference today.
How do you balance your work and personal life? Often times one has more importance, and we’re curious to know how you’ve handled the balance. Balance is a tough thing to manage. When I was younger, I used to LIVE TO WORK. Now that I am older, I changed and I WORK TO LIVE. Big difference in the two.
What is your favorite quote? “Life is short, you only live once. Make it great!”
What’s your favorite part of your job and why? Without a doubt, my favorite part is the relationships created and interaction had on a daily basis with co-workers and some of our clients. Those will last long beyond the job!
What is your favorite hobby? Being an amateur photographer
What advice do you want to give the next generation of women leaders?Never settle and always do what makes you happy. Do not sell yourself short and do not allow someone to take your happiness from you.
What does leadership mean to you? Leadership means someone that supports you and gives you guidance to the point where you WANT to work harder for that person and do more to make their job easier. Leadership also means rolling up your sleeves to get a job done rather than just telling someone to do something.
What’s your advice on mentoring? I have been a mentor for over 11 years at my local high school. It has been just as rewarding for me as it has the kids I have worked with. Go do it!!! Take the time and make a difference in someone’s life. Most of the kids I work with do not have a father figure in their life and this helps them day to day. As I say that, I think I get more out of it than they do. It is eye opening and humbling for sure!
What’s your favorite ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip
Is there any other information that you think Girl Talk members would benefit from? Do not procrastinate. Once today is over, you will never get that day back. Each day is an opportunity. Also, take care of yourself. Mental and physical health make a huge difference in your ability to go forth and impact someone else’s life. Always remember to PACE yourself…..Positive Attitude Changes Everything