Today is my one year anniversary since being hired at the radio station. When I saw the “Secretary Wanted” posting at Brooke Communications, I jumped out of bed, dressed as fast as I could and drove down with my resume. I was so afraid somebody would beat me to it and take the position. Within an hour I was sitting in Tim’s office praying to God that I would land this job. I worked in the secretarial field many times and knew that I was qualified from the job, but when it’s your “Dream Job,” the fear of not being chosen still lingers near. Luckily, I was meeting with Tim. He is one of those people that you tell yourself, “It is a privilege to know this person.” He moves to the beat of his own drum and wears the craziest colorful socks with his crisp business attire. He’s fun, and no matter the day he can brighten it in just a moment with his presence. There wasn’t much of an interview. It basically consisted of, “This is the pay, these are the hours.” I literally had to say, “So does this mean I am hired?” When Tim told me I had the job, I threw my hands in the air and said, “YESSSSSSS!!”.
Vikki and I share a desk, Monday through Friday. We split the shift here at Brooke Communications. Vikki has worked here for 36 years, long before the current owner of the station bought it. She’s hilarious, always an open ear, and can surprise you with the words that come out of her mouth. She’s been there done that and often I find myself wanting to take some make up lessons from her as she used to be married to a cosmetologist! She’s always got a story to tell, and when you think you’ve heard them all you’re not even close. Plus I always get a kick out of us being Vikki and Rikki!
I work pretty closely with the sales team as well. They are the people that go into the community to bring the advertising you hear on the radio. It’s neat really. I have always been for the underdog, so when it comes to local businesses I love to see the word spread to help them build their business. Over the past year I have seen so many wonderful things come from advertising on radio and watching businesses grow. Our sales team consists of, Amber who is beautiful – really is the first thing that comes to mind. Aside from her outer beauty, her inner beauty is stunning. She makes you laugh, sometimes she can be a little spazzy, but it’s who she is and I know we wouldn’t take her any other way. Michael is the man of the sales team. He’s a big teddy bear with a set of pipes that will knock your socks off. He’s the lead singer for Mo’ Jo’ Boogie, so the next time you see an event for them know you won’t be disappointed. Kelly is the “Senior” of the group as she has been with the radio station in sales for 11 years. I knew I loved Kelly from the get go when I found out she shared my love of Subaru’s. The sales team is fun, but there is a reason we keep the doors shut in the office.. it tends to get wild and loud.
That’s the thing with Brooke Communications. Unlike a lot of jobs, this one encourages you to be fun and creative. This is probably one of the biggest reasons I love my job here. I have always been creative, I like to think outside of the box and when faced with a challenge I approach it eagerly. When I took this position, it came with the mentality that I could do anything as long as I put my mind to it. I was given a new confidence. Prior to this, I worked in the medical field. I went to school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and felt that my calling was a job as a nurse. Boy was I wrong. Every job I found one way or another didn’t fit. I couldn’t figure it out. Why was this happening? Believe me when I say that Garth Brooks song, “Unanswered Prayers,” is true. I am living proof. I realized that it never worked out anywhere else because I wasn’t in the right place. I came to the station where it’s been “home” ever since.
Garth Brooks – “Unanswered Prayers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il4qOQGUGbo
I don’t just do the receptionist position here. I also have a show on Best Country 103 Friday nights called “Friday Nights with Rikki.” If you follow my blogs, than you know that being a country music DJ is the career I’ve dreamt of having since I was a toddler. Randy of Best Country 103’s “Wake Up Crew”, is married to a great friend of mine. Many times he and I had conversations about country music and in that he would see my passion. I was at the Kodiak Bar and Grill when Randy walked up and said, “Rikki how would you like to do come down to the station and record some commercials?” At that moment my eyes lit up and away we were on our way to the radio station. I did that for a while, working on my voice and how to deliver a good commercial. This was the best training to prepare me for a life as an On-Air Personality for Best Country. Not long after taking the position as receptionist, Randy kept hearing my commercials on the radio and finally decided to give me a chance behind the Best Country 103 microphone. I’ll never forget the first time he walked me into the studio and said, “press this, this and this..have fun.” I was so nervous. The only time I had been on air before was when J. Gambill had me come in on his show once for a birthday segment. My body was a bundle of nerves behind the microphone. I remember looking at the microphone and then looking back at Randy, and then I lost it. This was real. This was my life. It was my job and I was recording my first radio show! With tears running down my face all I could say was, “Thank You!”
So working as a On-Air Personality for Best Country 103, means that all the other DJ’s for the different stations come with the territory. I’ve known Kyle the longest and we share a great friendship complete with “Heart” signs with my hands through the window of the KQEN studio as he does the 5:00 news. Ashley, Peg, Joey and Rob all sit in the back of the office. It’s a whole other world back there, and should sometimes be avoided. Kyle and Rob share and office otherwise known as the designated farting area. Joey, who has the greatest sportscaster voice ever, sits next to Peg, who does our website and promotions. Peg, who often reminds me of Marylin Monroe back in her Norma Jean days, has helped me so much with my Country Dreaming blog. If it wasn’t for her I never could have done it.
Most people think that Rachelle, co-host of the Wake Up Crew, is done at the end of the show – WRONG. This woman works her tail off and has a million different positions here. We couldn’t survive without her. Like everyone else here, she has been a great friend. More than a just a boss, she’s been an advocate for me. She has instilled in me growth and the desire to want to be half as strong as her. When you have a boss that gives you the ability to spread your wings, you don’t ever take it for granted.
I am far from the same person I was when I came here a year ago. I am much more mature, confident, and wiser. I think I owe this to the Brooke Communications family I received when I came to work. Whether it be Martie who works in traffic and has an entire family of race car drivers, Hannah, who is was hired as a copywriter but found her calling as a host on the Morning Brew, or Greg, who puts the commercials together with his warm, reassuring smile. Not only did I gain a career, but I gained the most wonderful family a girl could have. I will forever be grateful to Randy for making my dreams come true and seeing something in me that I couldn’t. My life here has been a blast, a wild, crazy, fun filled blast with lots of unique experiences. I am excited for my future in radio and where it’s going to take me. It’s already taken me to live broadcasts with Randy, to DJ’ing a fun Friday night show where I can develop it using my creativity, – even meeting senators and being asked to participate in events in the community. I still pinch myself. It’s hard to believe this is my career. In all the dreaming I did wanting to be a country music DJ, I never thought it would come with my Brooke Communications Family. This is a family I love with all my heart no matter how cooky they all are!