Today we’re shining the spotlight on Amanda, the queen of many hats. She brings teamwork, creativity and a really risky favorite meal (are you sure you want to eat that?) to TableCraft everyday.
What is your name?
Amanda Bramblett
What’s your title at TableCraft?
Product Manager
What exactly would you say you do here? (hopefully you read that like the guy from Office Space)
I bring full product collections to life from inception to release to market for our front-of-the-house food service categories, our full retail division, including Coca-Cola® as well as co-lead product management and marketing for our European division. This includes product ideation and development, strategic planning, advertising, marketing, tradeshow merchandising and staging and much, much more! You can just call me the queen of many hats.
What values do you try and uphold to in and out of the office?
Hustle, loyalty, respect … wait that’s John Cena. I like to work hard and drive many projects, but I also really respect team work and love watching people when they work on something they truly enjoy and have it all come together as a group. So… teamwork, respect, creativity, honesty and overall, just an element of kindness, lightheartedness and fun.
Favorite part of working at TableCraft?
Every day is different, when you’re involved in so many projects from start-to-finish no two days are the same. New elements pop up daily; whether it’s a new problem you need to solve, different avenues you didn’t think of before or just a new product or marketing idea. It’s fun for me because I’m a combination of left and right brain – so I get to do so many different things, both creatively and logically and it keeps me on my toes.
What did you do before TableCraft?
Before TableCraft, I worked for FedEx Freight focusing on data management and service center support. Being in that role helped me learn a lot, but every day was the same and I didn’t really feel like I was growing professionally. Before that, I’ve done everything from customer service, sales, hair salon services and even creating soft serve goodness at the local Tastee Freez in downtown Grayslake.
Describe TableCraft in 3 words?
Supportive, Open-Minded and Fun
What’s your favorite podcast?
Oddly enough, I’ve always wanted to get into podcasts … but just haven’t yet.
What’s your favorite TV show?
It’s hard to nail me down on one favorite TV show or movie. If I had to pick, it would either be Battlestar Galactica (the newer series), Game of Thrones, The Office, Parks & Rec, Haven, Game of Thrones or Downton Abbey … this quickly became my top five favorite TV shows.
What’s your favorite movie?
No question: “Casablanca”
Netflix, Hulu or something else?
You name it, I stream it.
Lebron or Jordan?
Jordan, hands down.
What’s your favorite meal?
Hibachi Golden Shrimp with Golden Shrimp Side Order with Beef Fried Rice with Golden Sauce – it’s essentially a heart attack on a plate.
Favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
Paris, France — I went by myself and wandered the city alone and it was one of the most eye-opening and self-fulfilling experiences of my life. One of those “aha” moments where your whole outlook on the world and your part in it changes.
What’s the place you’d most like to travel to?
Australia and New Zealand are definitely on my list … but that flight … it’s killer.
If you could choose one superpower to have, what would it be and why?
I’d want to be able to move things with my mind, because I’m lazy like that. I literally scoot myself all the way across my office on my chair so I don’t have to get up and take a few steps.
Spring, summer, winter, or fall?
As much as I love summer, fall has my heart. The leaves, the smell in the air, the scarves, the bonfires, haunted hayrides, Halloween. I could go on and on. Winter is just ridiculous, especially in Wisconsin. Who honestly enjoys that? Really?
If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso. These artists changed the way people saw the world, and they were all so interesting. I would love to meet any of them. Also, Jeff Bridges and Julie Andrews are two people who I would love to meet; they just seem like such epic human beings.
Is a hot dog a sandwich?
Absolutely not.
Yanny or Laurel?
I heard something close to the Laurel variety, and Amy Waala-Hay (graphic designer) got very upset with me because it was clearly Yanny.
Who was your childhood crush?
Paul Walker RIP
Light or dark side?
Rebel Scum
What was your first car?
Silver Honda Accord. I felt cool because I had a six CD changer. Now they don’t even include CD players in cars.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Always make time for you. Take care of yourself.
How would you spend 1 million dollars?
I’d pay off my student loans, car payment and use some for a down payment on a house and then save the rest.
Strangest talent?
I can pick out music playing ANYWHERE. Loud bar, low-playing ambiance in a restaurant, wherever. If there’s music playing, I’ll hear it and know it.
Would you rather know how or when you were going to die?
No, spoiler alert!
Worst job you’ve ever had?
Working the register at Victoria’s Secret on Black Friday. I still have nightmares about it…
If I gave you 3 wishes, what would they be? (Aladdin rules)
Good health & happiness for myself, my family and my friends. That’s all I really want.
Choose 1: 3 inches in height, look 10 years younger, eat without gaining weight, $200k?
I think I’d want to eat whatever I want without any repercussions.
The ‘Meet TableCraft’ series is an employee spotlight to help explain exactly what our employees do, who they are, and why they’re are happy to call themselves part of the TableCraft family. Now you get the opportunity to know the person you’ve been talking to over the phone or email a little bit better.
