30-60-90 Days with Bheeni Kapur

Note from editor (Victoria)-

This blog post is part of a project that we are starting here at Freemind Seattle, to document our new hires (and us as a team overall) experiences, growth and continual development over the course of 30, 60 and 90 days. In 2020, Freemind Seattle began to expand. -Before the pandemic, we had 4 full time employees, now- we are approaching 20! We treasure the learning opportunities we’ve been granted because we worked hard to build the best team to allow us to do both what we love and what we’re good at. Because a company isn’t successful based on its income and profit margin (well- yes…but that isn’t everything) - a successful company is one who doesn’t cannibalize its workers for the bottom line. A successful company gives their employees everything they need and ask for to be successful, and then offer more. A successful company is a team that comes together to admit what they don’t know and reaches out to find those who can teach all of us.

We’ve asked our team to think about what they expected with their role, what was a surprise, anything that stuck out to them, and they want to share. There will be updates on this post for 60 and 90 days, possibly beyond. We invite you to follow along.


Bheeni Kapur: 30 days at Freemind Seattle- July, 2022


Whether you are an intern or a CEO, there is that one day when anxiety gets the better of you and the butterflies in your stomach start having a party. IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW JOB. Now, the 22-year-old naïve me had assumed this to be a one-time phenomenon, but of course, it continued. And when I recently joined Freemind Seattle, it came back in all its flurry. Not only was I joining a new organization, but I was also working for the first time in a new country. As I drove to office, already a bag of nerves… (my first time driving alone on the freeway… GULP, GULP, GULP!) all kind of questions engulfed my mind; What if I don’t understand their accent or lingos…. or worse… what if they don’t understand mine? Will I get their jokes and laugh on cue?

But you know what’s the best stress buster? A room of smiling individuals!

Like any new hire, I was worried how my colleagues would perceive me; are they watching my every move?  But at Freemind Seattle, I felt the warmth and was welcomed from the minute I stepped through the doors. Yes, I was an outsider, but during the course of the day, the weeks and month, I felt more and more appreciated, motivated, and heard, until I didn’t feel like an outsider at all.

I think we underestimate how the people we work with impact our lives. When we say someone has an amazing job, we perhaps refer to their position, salary or role, however the people we spend most of the hours in a day with probably affect our lives the most. And that’s what 30 days at Freemind Seattle has done for me. I am encouraged to do better and am inspired by the high bar my colleagues have set. Yes, the learning experience will continue but I feel I have arrived.


 Coming soon- 60 days, 90 days, and beyond


Bheeni was born and raised in the bustling and cosmopolitan city of Delhi in India. She has over 16 years of experience in Event Management, Brand Building and Communication. After spending 12 years growing her portfolio in the luxury industry, Bheeni decided to move continents and restart her corporate journey in Seattle. She loves how events transform into unique experiences and is always looking for new ways to WOW her clients with fresh ideas and one crazy imagination. In her spare time, Bheeni likes to travel the world with her husband (they have seen more than 40 countries together!). In addition, she is a certified Bharatnatyam dancer and is extremely passionate about personal wellbeing and tries to keep up with her marathoner husband.

Traveling in a Covid World…

For a team and company that is used to working trade show floors and large events, 2020 was a harsh blow. But we made it through that year…and made it through 2021, in fact- we even grew the team! However the real test on what life was going to look like after…(or truthfully…during) Covid, was always going to be the first in-person event, the first real work trip that was more than the walk from our bedroom to our home office desk. Thankfully- after being grounded for over a year, we’re back in action! Victoria was off to Las Vegas in December 2021 for co-located events (aka…a lot of things happening at the same time!)

Reminder- The Pandemic isn’t over just because you’re over it. But yeah- we’re all over it.

First things- assume you need to be the smarter person when in public. Freemind Seattle and most of its clients have mandated vaccines as a condition of employment (much to this employee’s joy & relief), but while traveling, you can’t trust everyone to be as dedicated to keeping those around them healthy and safe. Keep your distance as best as you can, wear your mask, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. The 6ft social distancing guideline is very hard to stick to when traveling, especially in an airport.

The Pandemic Packing & Travel Plan

No matter if you are checking a bag or just taking a carry on:

  • Pack lots of masks, both cloth and disposable, you will sweat, you will need a break, switching up the masks during the day, or even just each day, can really help your skin, your mind and your body adjust and get through the day.

    • There are so many types of masks, you can find the perfect one for you. There is no excuse to not have a mask or a face guard.

  • First Aid kits- have always been my ‘must-have’ when I travel, but it’s even more important now. Hand sanitizer, band aids, blister pads, pain killers, tummy settlers…hard work and stress can make you feel like crap, so be prepared.

  • When booking your room- aim for 2 queen beds rather than a single king. This way you have one bed to sleep on (…and eat in…) and one bed to lay out all your stuff and clothes so you can see it all and not have to riffle through a suitcase of messiness

  • Air compression bags aren’t just a space saver…they also help you keep clothes and things separated as needed.

    • Perfect for keeping dirty clothes away from clean clothes, no residual smells.

    • When you come home, simply empty out the ‘dirty clothes’ bag into your hamper.

  • First class- upgrade if you can, the extra space really helped me ease my mind. For me, it was worth it.

  • Security at the airports is just as annoying as before…it’s probably time to sign up for Pre-Check or Clear.

    • But some airports have a priority line for First Class tickets- check on that! (Seattle & Vegas are two such airports-FYI)

  • Once you go noise cancelling headphones, you’ll never go back

    • HUGE thanks to our fearless Freemind leaders, Melissa & Kori, for the early Christmas gift to the team :)

 

Love when the early morning flight has fantastic ambiance! <3

 

Conference Days during a Pandemic:

  • DRINK WATER

    • No excuses.

  • Different Day- Different Shoes. Socks are your friends; blisters are the worst.

    • Double up on (thin) socks in shoes, when your feet start to swell halfway through the day, take off a pair. It will give you a little extra space and ease up on the pressure.

  • Masks plus a crowd act like blinders on a horse…Make sure you check your surroundings before moving quickly. Especially if you have a backpack on.

  • Bring your tech (laptop, charger, phone charger, USB stick)- you’ll never know when you, your client or a speaker will need something.

  • You will forget to put your mask on after eating or drinking and get up to walk away and freak out once you realize. It’s ok!

  • USE HAND SANITIZER

  • Sit when you can. Just. Sit.

If you missed Victoria’s adventure as it unfolded on our Instagram Stories- you can catch up on the highlights HERE. Until next time- we’ll be re-stocking our travel sizes, shopping for new shoes (and a *slightly* bigger carry on) and staying safe with masks, social distancing & vaccines. We wish you all the best and can’t wait to see you at the next event. We’re adaptable! We’ll get to your audience, no matter what is going on in the world.

P.S. Victoria’s Random Thoughts:

  • Why do hotels never have a diffuser for the hair dryer?

    • Or a steamer? Who irons anymore?

  • How is Vegas not the “City that Never Sleeps”? - The casino floor was just as busy at 4:30 am when I left for my flight home as it was at 8:00 pm the night before…on a Thursday…