Meet Bre!

We’re thankful that so many customers use commonsku as the platform to power their business and many of you have asked about our team so, we thought we would share more about the people behind the platform!

Bre Redmond lights a room with her smile and eclectic charm! As one of the friendliest voices on the team (and that's saying a lot!) you can hear her warm enthusiasm across the phone line and even in her typewritten words. Learn more about our friend from Vancouver!

What is your role at commonsku?

I’m part of the Customer Success team at commonsku. My favorite part of my job is the interactions I have with our clients, anybody who has trained with me knows I could talk for days. I get to balance between the business and personal side of things, which means when I ask how people’s days are going, it’s not just a standard intro, I actually enjoy listening and getting to know them on a deeper level.

What does a typical day at commonsku look like in your role?

First things first, coffee. I love starting my day with a (homemade) almond milk latte on my balcony. I work remotely, so my home is my office, and I get the perks of my kitchen being a few steps away. After that, I’m either taking care of calls, emails, or support requests. I try my best to balance everything, but as I mentioned, I love to talk, so I try and book up my calendar with as many calls as I can - which in turn usually leads to another cup of coffee. I can’t stand having unopened emails or support requests, so I end my day wrapping up anything that’s outstanding.

Where were you born? Where did you grow up?

I was born in Winnipeg Manitoba. I spent my childhood in Winnipeg with my mom, then had some adventures as a teenager moving out to Thunder Bay. Finally, I came to Vancouver in my early 20’s - let’s be real, we’re still doing a lot of growing in our early 20’s.

How did your childhood home or town help shape your worldview and how you think?

My family was very small, just my mother and I for the most part. Since she was working full time + going to school, I spent a lot of time on my own, which caused me to spend a lot of time in my head (imagination is key as an only child). I learned the value of introspection at a very young age and was always very critical of myself and others around me, definitely not your average kid. Since then I’ve learned to tone down the critical aspect, but the curiosity and need to connect with others never left me. One of the most beautiful things about Winnipeg in its large prairie skies. I used to spend a lot of time in small towns and farmers fields outside the city, and the big skies made me feel like there was no end to where I could go or what I could achieve. Naturally, the next step was for me to see what was beyond those big skies.

Where was the most exciting and enjoyable place that you lived?

So far, Vancouver. I love the scenery - mountains, trees, the ocean, hard to beat a city with so many natural wonders. Also, the food scene is incredible!

Where have you traveled? What was your favorite trip?

I’ve done quite a few road trips through the Prairies to the West Coast of Canada, plus a couple drives to Ontario. For the USA I’ve been to Seattle (technically international, but it’s only a few hours drive), San Diego, Orlando, and Dallas. Mexico I’ve visited Mazatlan and the Riviera Maya - I usually go 1-2 times a year and have stayed in Akumal, Puerto Morelos, Playa Del Carmen, and Cancun. On a truly international level, I’ve been to Amsterdam and Nairobi. Favorite trip would be Mazatlan. Most life-changing trip was Nairobi - I found my dad on Facebook (I’ll skip that story) and he flew me out to meet the family, go on safari and visit for five whole weeks.

What hobbies/interests do you have? What do you enjoy doing when not at work?

My newest hobby is tending to my balcony garden. I’ve got to use the term garden loosely because it’s more so a collection of plants I’ve been able to keep alive thus far. I also love being in the gym, taking walks and short hikes, swimming in the lake and ocean, visiting the many beaches we have in Vancouver and just generally spending time in nature. Oh, and food, I love eating at new restaurants and have many go-to places in the city, also I enjoy trying new recipes at home.

Favorites? Movies? Books?

I really don’t have favorites, of anything. I can say that I love all Wes Anderson's films and I’ve watched many of them more than five times each (seriously, I get to the point I can talk along with the characters). My current Wes Anderson obsession is "The Grand Budapest Hotel," I’ve probably watched it at least ten times. I love that his characters are bright and colorful, but at the same time they’re dark, and there’s a lot that goes unsaid. I feel like they don’t always have reasons for acting the way they do - but the story doesn’t revolve around ‘why’ they're doing something, just that it happens, kinda like life happens, and we don’t always get to know ‘why.’

Where do you draw inspiration from? Who inspires you?

TED Talks has been my go-to for inspiration the past few years, but recently I’ve been listening to Joe Rogan’s podcast (The Joe Rogan Experience) on a regular basis. He has a variety of guests on the show - sometimes the talks can be really intellectual, other times they’re very down to earth. I like that I can agree or disagree with the things he says, but no matter what statement he’s making he always gives the backstory of how he came to that conclusion and is open to hearing an alternative point of view. Even if I disagree with one of his statements, or don’t find a talk all that interesting, I come out with a new way of understanding things.

Best live band you’ve ever seen?

Vince Staples had the best live performance I’ve ever seen. I hadn’t heard of him before the show, but I’ve been listening to his music (mostly Big Fish Theory and Summertime '06) on a loop for months now. Two performances (not bands) I didn’t see live but watch the live versions of pretty often are "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Prince and Tom Petty, and "Uninvited" by Alanis Morissette, with the full orchestra ensemble at the Grammys (I believe it was 1998).

Do you have a playlist you’d like to point us to?

Google Play: Chill Indie, Blogged 50, Blogged 200Soundcloud: Uproot Andy

What is your favorite boring activity?

Cleaning, I love cleaning. I remember hearing that you should never let dust settle on something because it means you’re not making use of it (or something like that?).

What is one of your fondest memories as a child or a teenager?

My family (Mom, Grampe and I) used to have these outdoor BBQs called ‘Fish Fry’s.’ We’d go out hunting (rabbit, deer, and what I remember as “prairie chickens”) and fishing, then have a big BBQ with family friends. My Grampe had a pool in his backyard, so it would be a full day affair, complete with fireworks and a big fire at night. I remember we always invited one of his neighbors, but not the ones that would call the police.

Quirkiest (yet favorite) wardrobe item?

I have so many quirky wardrobe items - in fact, I enjoy wearing things I know others are too afraid to (big, bold, statement pieces). Right now my favorite quirky item is a poncho (no link, unfortunately) I got from Samurai Apparel - a couple of local Japanese designers. It has tassels all around the neckline and is sure to stand out in a crowd - I got ninja pants too, just haven’t worn them out yet.

You have to pick three albums or three books or three movies that define who you are, what are your three? And why?

White Oleander, For Colored Girls, and Garden State. They’re all turbulent and heartbreaking, but in the end, they’re great stories of people finding out who they are and what they love.

Best cup of coffee (or tea) nearest you?

It depends what type of coffee you want:

• Best caramel macchiato = 812 Bakery ( below my rental, 1-minute walk to deliciousness)
• Best iced mocha = Cuppa Joe Coffee (they have chocolate whip cream, seriously)
• Best hot chocolate = JJ Bean or Brazza (depends how rich you like your chocolate)