Friday Introductions: Anjelica Eitel, Director of Community Impact at United Way of Calvert County
This Friday, I am pleased to introduce you to one of my very best friends, Anjelica. We met when we worked at the jewelry store together. And now, she works right down the street from my office at United Way of Calvert County. Anjelica's my go to lunch date and wall to bounce ideas off of.
Fun fact about Anjelica: she worked on a commercial feedlot in Kansas when she and her husband were living there and working on his family's farm. I'm glad they're back in Maryland now though, and I had a chance to catch up with her for this interview.
What’s on your Netflix queue right now?
We’ve been watching the whole Harry Potter series with the kids because we’re going to Universal Studios later this year. For adult shows, we’re watching The Crown right now. Normally I don’t like historical series but I’ve really enjoyed this one. Next we’re going to watch Godless.
If you could splurge on one item what would it be?
We set short and long term goals and one of our long term goals is to buy into Disney Vacation Club. If you’ve never been to one of their presentations, I’d highly recommend it. There’s no high-pressure salesman and they give you ice cream at the end!
What would you choose as your super power?
The ability to stop time. I never feel like I have enough time with the kids, to get work done, to pursue hobbies, etc. My dream would be to create little pockets of time whenever I wanted.
What’s your best piece of marketing advice?
Take it seriously. Marketing is a serious part of your business. I’ve worked in nonprofits and at for-profits and a lot of the times, businesses owners don’t realize that marketing is a legitimate place to spend time and money. You need to have a marketing budget and a marketing plan. A lot of people undervalue marketing and think they shouldn’t have to pay for it. But it is a real thing that you need to grow your business or nonprofit.
Tell us something we don’t know…
Even though Calvert County is one of the wealthiest counties in the country, a lot of people don’t realize that almost 1/3 of the population who live here are living paycheck to paycheck. They’re working full time (in many cases there are two working adults in the household) they’re above the poverty line, but a major life event like being laid off or a child getting sick would set them back enough that it could result in utilities getting shut off or a trip to the food pantry. Thanks to the recent ALICE study, there’s a lot of attention being paid to this population right now to try and change that situation.