Employee Spotlight – January 2017

Tawny Labrum - Director or Marketing

Name:   Tawny Labrum
Birthday:   December, 20th
Where are you from? Where do you live now?   Southern California. Southern California. Yes, I am one of the rare California natives. Lol.

Company Related:

What is your role at LiveLitigation, and why is it exciting to you?
Director of Marketing. It is exciting to me because I get to interact with our clients and prospects each day and learn how the court reporting/legal technology industries work.

How long have you worked here?
I have been with LiveLitigation since the beginning. I started working for LiveLitigation’s parent company, MegaMeeting, on October 5, 2009…7 years ago.

What do you like best about working at LiveLitigation?
I love the people I work with. I love that I get to work in an environment where my opinion is heard, and my professional growth is encouraged.

If you could pick one theme to turn into a book about LiveLitigation, what would it be?
Bringing change to an industry that is not fully ready for change, or how to use your current client list as a never-ending salesforce.

What have you gained from working here?
I have gained confidence in myself and my work product. I have gained skills and talents that can be used not just inside the walls of my office, but can be applied in social settings as well.

What is your proudest moment at LiveLitigation?
My proudest moment at LiveLitigation would have to be while I was attending a conference a few years back. A well-known court reporter came up to the LiveLitigation booth and told us that while presenting a seminar she told the audience that the reason she was talking about LiveLitigation so much was because we were the true innovators of realtime delivery technology and because of us the industry has totally changed, forcing other vendors to step up.

It was a wonderful feeling to know that we were looked at as “true innovators” and have such an impact on what other vendors in the industry are doing.

Professional Background:

What did you do before LiveLitigation, and why did you choose to work here?
Before LiveLitigation/MegaMeeting I was working as an Office Manager/Social Media Manager for a recruiting company that placed high end technology professionals. In 2009 when the economy was at one of its lowest points and many companies were going through hiring freezes, I was laid off. I have always had a love for technology, so I knew I needed to find a job in that sector. I interviewed for a job as a copywriter with MegaMeeting, but it just so happened they were in need of a Marketing Director as well. I was a little nervous because I didn’t think I had enough experience to be a Marketing Director, I had experience writing for blogs, managing an office, and social media marketing experience, but that was about it. Our CEO, Dan Richmond had faith in me and offered me the job of Marketing Director. That was a little over 7 years ago, and I couldn’t be happier for the opportunity Dan gave to me.

What was your first job?
My first job was at Subway. Yes, I was a Sandwich Artist. I worked there for 4.5 years, all through high school and then some. After Subway I started working in a little shop that repaired office equipment. I was hired as the Office Manager, but when I started to get bored with that I taught myself the technical side and began repairing computers, printers, typewriters, and anything else customers would bring in that needed repair.

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
If I wasn’t working for LiveLitigation in my current role, I would probably be doing something that would utilize my creativity. I would probably continue along the marketing path because that is what I enjoy doing, but I would also love to get into software development/design. It is such a thrill seeing something you built get put to use in everyday situations.

What did you want to be when growing up?
When I was growing up, I always dreamed of owning my own party planning and custom invitation company. I love coming up with themes and planning events/decorations around that theme. I also wanted to write children’s books. Every holiday, as a child, for as far back as I can remember, I would sit down and write a story. I wish I kept them, it would be fun to go back and see what I was thinking at that time.

Fun/Personal:

How would you describe yourself in 10 keywords or fewer?
Hardworking, Self-taught, Loyal, Responsible, Selective, Task-driven, Lives for a Challenge, Proactive, Thoughtful, Compassionate.

What are your three most overused words/phrases?
No, Dude, Yeah Right, Like

What is the one thing you cannot resist?
A good German Chocolate Cake or comfort food.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
Family, a guitar (I would have to learn how to play), and a solar powered laptop w/ unlimited internet access.

What is your favorite travel destination?
Hawaii, or any tropical island.

If you were a box of cereal, which one would you be? Why?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Not just because it is my favorite, but because it is sweet, with a little crunch like me.

Cats or Dogs?
Dogs, hands down.

If you were allowed one superpower, what would it be?
I think it would have to be time travel. I would love to go back in time and visit previous generation and be part of events that have made up our history. I would also like to go back and spend more time with my grandparents.

What would you most likely be doing on a normal Saturday afternoon in your free time?
Umm honestly I’d probably be sleeping or binge watching something on Netflix. Although my inner self would be telling me to get up and do something active like go on a hike, or get some exercise.

Favorite movie?
The Outsiders

Favorite movie line?
Just one? There are so many… “Let’s do it for Johnny, man. We’ll do it for Johnny!” – The Outsiders, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” – The Help

What is your pet peeve?
Where to start, where to start… Pen clickers, when I can hear someone eating their food, people that file their nails while on the phone.

Android or iPhone?
iPhone. I was once a Blackberry loyalist, but I converted to the iPhone and am never going back.

Favorite type of food?
Italian

Favorite restaurant?
Barones

What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
Smartphones. Everything you could possibly need is right at your fingertips.

Mac or PC?
PC, I haven’t used a Mac since playing Carmen San Diego in elementary school.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Be careful with your money and live inside your means. There is no need to try and keep up with the Jones’s, be happy with what you have. Pay attention in school, get good grades, and go to college. It is important. A college education is much more than book knowledge. You learn about life, how to be on your own, and you build lifetime bonds with others.

What’s the last book you read?
The Butterfly Garden

What is the first concert you attended?
It was either Billy Joel or 311/Incubus

If your life were a song, what would the title be?
“Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Trust in yourself and your abilities. You can accomplish anything you put your heart into.

Cake or Pie?
Cake

Last thing you watched on Netflix?
Fuller House Season 2 (I am a glutton for nostalgia and horrible acting)

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you want to meet?
Nikola Tesla – He was a genius with brilliant ideas, inventions, and predictions that reached far beyond his life span. It would be life changing to be able to sit with him and pick his brain.

What is one item on your bucket list?
To go skydiving

Complete this sentence: Most people don’t know that …
when I was in second grade we were at my grandma’s house and I called 911. When the police showed up I blamed it on my sister. That same day my cousin hit me in the face with a 2×4 and I had to get rushed to the hospital to get stiches above my right eye. Karma, right? The permanent scar I now have reminds me to always take responsibility for my own actions, although it took me 30 years to finally come clean to my family about the whole thing.