Her Story
About Samantha
Every day is different, and every month can be different, too. But I'd say, primarily, I meet with my customers, I get a feel for what project requirements are needed, whether it's a commercial project or residential project. Those can vary very drastically, the depth of the interview, the initial interview. From there, I will build kind of a proposal, and we will collaborate from there what the end results will be and what requirements are needed. I run my own independent company called Wheeler Works and Designs, where I've been a senior designer for about 3 years. I'm extremely involved in the community and do a lot of volunteer work and community service. Right now, I am involved with our county, Jefferson County, and I am working with the Parks Department to develop a better feel for the public spaces that are in our area. My passion project is a bike park that I am currently designing with Apex Parks and Recreation in Arvada. I have a passion for putting together experiences for the users and getting involved in the community. I like to be a face that people know and feel connected to as they're experiencing the parks, for example, or even in their own home.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Samantha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say just having a passion for putting together experiences for the users, and getting involved in the community. I like to be a face that people know and feel connected to as they're experiencing the parks, for example, or even in their own home.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I would say, stay humble, but also take pride in the work that you do. I've been involved in some bigger projects, so it can sometimes be easy to fall into the background, but as long as you're staying focused, staying charged, and focusing on being an influential person in the field, that's what I'm passionate about.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep networking. It's a very personable field, so as long as you're getting your face out there, putting your name out there, things tend to unfold. You never know when your next project will be around the corner.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My personal current challenge is that I am extremely involved in the community. I do a lot of volunteer work and community service, so it's trying to balance my time between all of my different roles.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I like to stay ethical, especially with my nonprofit organizations. Things can be very scattered and not very directed with the work that we do. So as long as you're keeping track of where funding's coming from, how you allocate your time, that really goes into the ethics of how businesses operate. Also staying true to the vision. I would say, primarily with my design work, I reflect narratives, and staying true to that value system that it is a story, a narrative that you're trying to help the client with is a big focus for me.
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