Meet Jodi F!

Name: Jodi F

Hometown: Euclid, Ohio        

Age: 21

Major: Early Childhood Education

Favorite Color: Turquoise

Favorite Candy: Almond Joys

One interesting fact about yourself: I enjoy hiking and I love when I get a new pair of wool socks to wear in my boots!

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who

would it be and why?

I would definitely choose Julie Andrews. She has been my favorite person since I was in 1^st grade, especially after falling in love with the movie Mary Poppins. She and I share a birthday, too! She is just the definition of class and sass and I aspire to be just like her when I am older.

It is a lazy Sunday, how would you spend your day?

I love to read adolescent novels, so I would spend it reading a novel. Ideally I would get to be outside in the sun on a beach, but near a fireplace works too!

What is the funniest comment you have heard from a child

while working for SMS?

“I’m 4, not 3! I know a LOT!”

When you were a kid growing up, what did you want to be?

I have almost always wanted to be a teacher or a librarian. Both of my parents are teachers so I have spent a lot of time in schools and libraries.

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could pick three

items, what would they be?

I would bring my music collection (is that allowed?), a journal, and colored pencils and pens! I love getting new pens and pencils and art supplies.

What is the funniest memory from your childhood babysitter?

Anytime we got to drive with her in her car (usually to Dairy Queen) we played a bunch of oldies tunes, specifically, “Build Me Up Buttercup”! This summer she got married and my whole family went and the DJ played that song and we all danced to it together.

What has been your most memorable experience while

working with SMS? Finding a family that I really connect with and being able to go back and babysit more than once.

SMS Farewell from our Social Media Intern

I have been a sitter for SMS since I started college four years ago, and although I loved every minute of it, working in the SMS office, as an intern, was by far one of most educational and amazing experiences I have ever had. I had previous internship experience coming into it, so I never thought I was going to learn not only so much about myself but also about the world of business. My favorite part about working in the SMS office was getting to see just how SMS works “behind the scenes.” From a sitter’s or clients prospective the company could be seen as an online simple process, it is far more than that. It takes a lot of time, effort, and expertise to make SMS work and work well. I have never seen more driven, hard working people as I have in the SMS office. It was an eye opening experience to go from being a sitter to being an office intern and it gave me a newfound respect for Amanda and the entire SMS Company. 

While working in the office I got to learn a lot about myself and my personal strengths and weaknesses. I learned I am able to pick up tasks quickly and efficiently multi task, but I also learned an extremely important life lesson. I learned to not “sweat the small stuff” and realize it’s important to put time and energy into your personal goals and your business and things that will make you happy. Amanda taught me how to become a smarter businesswoman but also a stronger more confident individual and for that I will be forever grateful. She has also taught me the importance of working for what you want, and if you want to be the best you have to work at it and you have to be driven all the time.  My favorite day in the SMS office was when I invaded Amanda’s kitchen after she had a dinner party at her house. The food was delicious, especially the pesto cream cheese dip! Safe to say I ate my body weight in cheese that day. 

 My future advice to sitters is INTERN IN THE OFFICE YOU WON’T REGRET IT! I worked for SMS for four years before interning and I wish I would have done it sooner, it is a fun, creative working environment that will teach you more than you would have ever guessed.  Some future advice to interns, is work as much as you are able in the office and give it your best, because if you give it your best you will 100% take away skills that will help you for the rest of your life.  I tear up writing this blog post because my time at SMS has come to an end but I cannot wait to see what is in store for the bright future of SMS!

Meet Kelly M!

Name: Kelly Mueller

Hometown: Minster, Ohio

Age: 21

Major: Early Childhood Education

Favorite Color: baby blue  

Favorite Candy: Kit-Kat bar

One interesting fact about yourself:

My hometown where I am from only has 3 stop lights!  A lot of people who I know that are from big cities find that astonishing. 

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who

would it be and why?

I would have dinner with my favorite country music singer Jake Owen because I love his music and I think it would be interesting asking him about what his life is like.  He is so great with his fans and seems very down to earth. 

It is a lazy Sunday, how would you spend your day?

I would order takeout Mexican food and snuggle up under a blanket watching my favorite Netflix shows.

What is the funniest comment you have heard from a child

while working for SMS?

I always get a kick out of asking some of the kids to guess how old I am.  I have been guessed as a 12 year old and a 35 year old, which is pretty far off from my actual age. 

When you were a kid growing up, what did you want to be?

I have always wanted to be a teacher because I love working with children and I have a desire to make an impact in young children’s education. 

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could pick three

items, what would they be?

I would choose to bring my cell phone so I could still contact people, food/water so that I don’t starve, and my bed so that I have a comfortable place to sleep. 

What is the funniest memory from your childhood babysitter?

My two older brothers used to babysit me when we were younger.  I remember one time they were playing a sports game that I wanted to play but they wouldn’t let me because I was a girl.  So I went into my brothers’ room, put on their boy clothes, and came back dressed as a boy so that I could play the game.  It was so funny and the story still gets brought up today. 

What has been your most memorable experience while

working with SMS?

My most memorable experience while working with SMS was when I was babysitting a little girl and I told her I am going to college to be a teacher.  Her face lit up and she told me that I was going to be a great teacher because I am nice and a good babysitter.  It was such a simple compliment that made me feel good about myself and confident with my future career choice. 

Meet Marissa H!

Name: Marissa Hunter        

Hometown: Rockford, OH

Age: 20

Major: Animal Biosciences

Favorite Color: Turquoise

Favorite Candy: Butterfinger

One interesting fact about yourself:

I am the only left-handed person in my family.

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who

would it be and why?

Singer/Songwriter Jimmy Buffett- he has the best outlook on loving life and living it to the fullest, and my dad would be so jealous.

It is a lazy Sunday, how would you spend your day?

Laying out in the sun with my mom until I get too hot after five minutes and jump in the pool.

What is the funniest comment you have heard from a child

while working for SMS?

Once I had a child ask me how old I was and I told her I was 20, then she responded very sternly with, “Well why aren’t you married and have your own kids?”

When you were a kid growing up, what did you want to be?

I always wanted to be an elementary teacher because I love little kids.

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could pick three

items, what would they be?

A dog, a volleyball, and a lifetime supply of ice cream…that stayed frozen of course!

What is the funniest memory from your childhood babysitter?

My childhood babysitter was always my grandma and whenever my brother and I would fight, she would make us sit on the couch and hold hands until we very reluctantly said nice things to each other.

What has been your most memorable experience while

working with SMS?

My most memorable experience was taking care of a very fussy baby and staying up with her all evening, then getting feedback from the mother saying how much she appreciated my work and how well I did with her child.

Meet Maria A!

Name: Maria Albino

Hometown: Cincinnati, Oh

Age: 22

Major: Animal Science

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Candy: Kit Kat

One interesting fact about yourself:

         I have played the violin since 1^st grade

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who

would it be and why?

         J.K. Rowling because I am crazy obsessed with Harry Potter

It is a lazy Sunday, how would you spend your day?

         Sleeping in, catching up with friends, and watching Netflix.

What is the funniest comment you have heard from a child

while working for SMS?

         “Are you 30 years old?”

When you were a kid growing up, what did you want to be?

         A veterinarian

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could pick three

items, what would they be?

         A bathing suit, my kindle, and sunscreen

What is the funniest memory from your childhood babysitter?

         When we cut off all the hair on my barbies.

 What has been your most memorable experience while

working with SMS?

My most memorable experience with SMS was walking in the New Albany parade in support of Victoria.

Meet Danielle J!

Name: Danielle Jennings             

Hometown: Parma Heights, OH

Age: 20

Major: Early/middle childhood studies

Favorite Color: red

Favorite Candy: sour gummy worms

One interesting fact about yourself:

I hate ketchup.

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who

would it be and why?

Mila Kunis because I think she is a perfect human.

It is a lazy Sunday, how would you spend your day?

Watching Netflix and doing homework.

When you were a kid growing up, what did you want to be?

An actress

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could pick three

items, what would they be?

Sweet tea, potato chips, and a cellphone with service.

What is the funniest memory from your childhood babysitter?

I did not have a babysitter, my mom was a stay at home mom.

What has been your most memorable experience while

working with SMS?

 Just seeing the kids and hearing them say crazy things.

Meet Kim S!

Name: Kim Smith

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Age: 22

Major: Speech Language Pathology

Favorite Color: blue

Favorite Candy: M&Ms

One interesting fact about yourself:

I can mirror write (writing backwards and reversed). Not sure what use this skill set is, but I can do it!

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who

would it be and why?

Channing Tatum, so I could tell people I went to dinner with Channing Tatum.

It is a lazy Sunday, how would you spend your day?

Watching greys anatomy reruns avoiding homework

What is the funniest comment you have heard from a child

while working for SMS?

“We have lots of snacks!” – On why I should move in (“live with her”)

When you were a kid growing up, what did you want to be?

A teacher.

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could pick three

items, what would they be?

My best friend (sorry Jess), music and water

What is the funniest memory from your childhood babysitter?

My babysitter had to drop me off at softball practice and as soon as I got to the field we both realized I was not wearing shoes (oops!).

What has been your most memorable experience while working with SMS?

I have been with the service for a long time now, so it is hard to pick one!! One of the most rewarding experiences has been having the opportunity to see the kids reach new milestones and grow up. I have been able to form close relationships with families, which is wonderful.