1) Name:
Jennifer Osborn
2) How did you get to gap intelligence?
After 21 years in the retail industry, I found myself with an opportunity to change careers. I came across an open position at gap intelligence that was shared on Facebook from current employee, and long time friend, Adrienne Spear. I researched gap intelligence through its website and LinkedIn and was impressed with the values that lead the company and a focus on work-life balance. As someone who also spends many hours as a non-profit volunteer, gap's philanthropic efforts resonated with me on a personal level. I saw this position as the start of a new chapter in my life. With Adrienne’s encouragement, I applied and was hired on!
3) What values lead you and why?
Integrity, commitment & community are at the top of my list because each one of those values encompasses traits that, together, form solid individuals. For the sake of this blog, I’ll focus on community. As the saying goes…“it takes a village.” I find this to be true in every aspect of life. Whether it’s with kids, during tragedy, or throwing a simple potluck. We rely on others to help out during a time of need. Aside from family, my support system has been my core group of girlfriends. They are my ride-or-die friends that have been there for me through everything, good and bad, for almost 30 years! How many people can say that 6 of their closest friends were all-in to help celebrate a milestone birthday 5,500 miles away, no questions asked?
4) What skills are you bringing to gap intelligence and what skills are you excited to learn?
I spent so many years in retail that my greatest strength is building relationships. I love meeting new people, finding out what makes them tick and applying that knowledge to provide excellent customer service. Being in management for most of my career, I also excel in training others and communicating like hell (as gappers do). My volunteer efforts, outside of work, require refined research and planning skills that have made me an extremely detail-oriented individual. I have a real thirst for knowledge and am constantly asking questions to better my understanding of how things work. I am excited to enhance my computer skills and learn more about the data world. I hope to one day use my retail knowledge and relationship building skills to help grow the gap business with new categories and clients.
5) If you could have any superpower, what would it be, why, and what would you do with it?
As a person that thinks of others first, having the ability to heal would be the most useful power for me to possess. Not just on a physical level, but on an emotional and mental level too, Yoda tells us in The Phantom Menace, "Fear is the path to the dark side…fear leads to anger…anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering." I believe this to be true in reverse, as well. Suffering can also lead to fear, anger and the dark side for many. There is a lot of suffering in this world and I would travel the globe helping those in great need.
6) What’s the quirkiest thing about you that you’re willing to admit?
I purposely set my alarm 20 minutes ahead of the time I want to wake up just so I can hit the snooze button. I do this in 10-minute intervals, before actually getting out of bed. There is no better feeling, in the morning, than being able to hit the snooze and drift back into sleep…if only for 20 more minutes!
7) What’s your favorite thing to do in San Diego and why?
I tend to spend most of my extra time with friends & family, so my favorite thing to do is seek out a great new eatery or watering hole. San Diego is the perfect city to find restaurants and bars with great ambience. Whether it’s a perfectly decorated interior or a spot with a view. Shank & Bone, in North Park, is a new favorite with a fun interior anchored by vintage motorcycles and a larger-than-life print of Revolution Girl from Obey Giant.
8) What was the last gift you gave someone?
My sister means the world to me and is my absolute best friend so we often spoil one another with small lavish presents. On a recent trip to London, with my sister, I bought us "matching" rings that I found at Kensington Palace. I was told that the rose gold used in our rings is from the same source of gold used to create the royal wedding bands. Whether or not that is true will never be confirmed, but I was happy to find something special for us to share.
Do you have what it takes to be a gapper? Head over the careers section at gapintelligence.com to learn more about open positions. Find more info the bottom of our about page.
