Wondering who’s behind the PerkStreet blog? Hi, I’m Jennifer! I’m the Digital Communications Manager, which means I manage our Facebook page and Twitter stream, as well as this blog, articles, and guest posts on other blogs. You also may have seen me commenting on other blogs as PerkStreet Jen.

My story

I started as a PerkStreet customer, just like you. (Not a customer? Open an account in less than five minutes!) I had a horrible experience with my big bank – a story for another blog post – and was looking for a solution that was fee-free, convenient, and had amazing customer service. I was really happy with my experience as a customer, and six weeks in to my new job I’m absolutely loving being an employee here.

Inside the PerkStreet Studio

If you’ve ever watched Inside the Actor’s Studio (or the SNL parody with Will Ferrell) you’re familiar with the list of questions James Lipton asks each guest. In the interest of getting to know me, I thought I’d give them a whirl here:

What is your favorite word?
“Cattywompus.” I guess I picked it up when I lived in Virginia, because everyone in New England looks at me like I’m nuts when I say it. And if you’ve ever tried to drive in Boston, you know I have cause to use it frequently.

What is your least favorite word?
Knowledgeable. I can never remember how to spell it, and that’s a particularly sore point for a former spelling champ.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Sharing food and conversation. There is no better place to cultivate ideas than over a plate of something delicious, like nachos or goat cheese or nachos WITH goat cheese.

What turns you off?
Rudeness. Having a bad day is one thing, but I just can’t wrap my head around what drives some folks to be mean all the time.

What is your favorite curse word?
Without realizing it, I picked up “Son of a bee sting!” from Anchorman. I say that a lot, especially when I bump into things. I bump into things a lot, because I’m often in a hurry – I hate being late – or flailing around expounding upon some great idea and WHACK. Ow. Son of a bee sting.

What sound or noise do you love?
The silence of my grandmother’s farm in Maine. The sound of sabrage (yes, that’s me. I do my own stunts.)

What sound or noise do you hate?
Noisy neighbors late at night.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Farming. My very first job was working on a blueberry farm in NJ. I was always sunburned, filthy, and bruised and I never had a day off to join my friends at the beach. But at the end of the day, there’s a real sense of accomplishment. And no, I never got sick of blueberries.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything that would cause me to act in a way that’s untrue to myself. I have to know that the company or product I represent is ultimately out to do good in the world, and work for and with people who support that.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“The ice cream here is calorie-free.”

Now it’s your turn: tell me about you. Tell me why you love PerkStreet. Tell me what you want to see on this blog. Grab some nachos – let’s chat.