Coffee or tea?
Unflavored iced tea, all day long. Lots of ice.
Morning person or night owl?
I’ve become a morning person over the last several years. The house is quiet, especially in the summer, and I enjoy the stillness of the morning as the sunrise begins to peak over the soft sloping landscape of crops directly outside my door. The dew begins to lift as a gentle and short-lived fog settles into the low areas and bands of trees. Wisps of clouds take on dramatic colors, then quickly dissipate to white when the sun rises above the horizon.
Favorite fashion trend?
I adore this age of “love your body.” The 1980s was full of a lot of things, but “loving yourself as you are” was not one of them. While we undoubtedly have a ways to go, I’m thrilled that my kids can grow up with visible role models of all sizes, gender identity, and diversity.
How did you make your first dollar?
My identical twin sister and I worked as “shadows” for a then-budding car museum in Lincoln, Neb., which started as the private collection of “Speedy” Bill Smith, who founded Speedway Motors in 1952 with his wife, Joyce. The company has become the country’s longest running speed shop, providing race car parts and aftermarket accessories to classic car enthusiasts. Along with my fearless mom, Joyce secured her place in my life as a strong female role model. She spent countless hours building a business, raising four sons, and managing staff and vendors, and she did it all with grace. Joyce began conversations with a fun story and ended them with a kind word.
Your go-to karaoke song
Totally showing my age, but “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. It gets all the Gen-X and seasoned Millennials singing, but “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond gets everyone singing.
First album you ever bought
“Very Necessary” BY Salt-N-Pepa.
Cocktail of choice
Vodka with cranberry. It’s easy-peasy and tastes as anticipated regardless of strength.
Your hidden talent
My twin sister coined me as “JPS,” which stands for “Jennifer Positioning System.” I have an uncanny sense of direction and confidence if dropped into an unknown city. Digital tech makes everything easier but even equipped with a paper map, I can find my way.
If you weren’t an interior designer, you would be …
A care provider. My mom thought that I would become a nurse due to my grandpa’s progression of Alzheimer’s. When I was young, he moved into a memory care unit in Lincoln, Neb., where we learned about caring for someone who would slip in and out of the past. My dad visited him daily under the belief that if he was visible and friendly to the staff, that everyone would work as a team to provide better care. That’s a lesson I use daily: get to know the people within my reach. I strive to create authentic connections that build trust and create effective teams.
Favorite …
Quote “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” –– Brené Brown
Movie character Real-life professional racer and TV personality Jessi Combs, who was profiled in the documentary “The Fastest Woman on Earth.” She put in the time, effort, and sweat-equity to earn a respected place within a male-dominated industry.
Show to binge watch “Only Murders in the Building.” Actors Martin Short and Steve Martin make me cackle, and I enjoy the freshness of actress Selena Gomez opposite the two legends.
Weekend activity Tackling renovation projects on our 1960-era house, tending to our large vegetable and wildflower garden, or working on my 1934 Ford Tudor Sedan hot rod, or any other classic car we’re lucky to be stewards of, to get ready for the next road trip.
Band/musical artist I’m into a bit of everything including the 1960s tunes playing on the old radio in my dad’s personal mechanic shop. My son is always slightly offended that I can sing the lyrics of just about any classic song he’s recently “discovered.”
Guilty pleasure Listening to podcasts, generally news sources that explain the economy, politics, and climate change. When that gets too gloomy, my favorite escape is “SmartLess,” hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. It features a surprise guest each week that can make me roar with laughter while I learn something new.
Snack when you travel I pack fruit snacks for the kids, but they’re secretly for me.
Sport Racecar building. I grew up in my dad’s shop with hotrods and racecars. My dad and his friend built a land speed racecar called the MacKichan/Schulz Streamliner to race on the salt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The project started in 1988 when I was 6 years old, and we all quickly became part of the race crew. It became a core part of my life and taught me to work diligently to realize success, regardless of the barriers.