HOW I WORK with JEFF LOUCKS

Name: Jeff Loucks 

Occupation: Mentor Coordinator, Nashville Entrepreneur Center

How long have you worked at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center? I’m pretty sure I was born here. — I started as an intern in Mid-Fall 2011 and joined the team full time in July 2013

What are your greatest achievements so far at the EC?
1. The greatest achievement working at The EC is working with a great team that collaborates well.
2. Working with an incredible group of volunteer mentors who literally change lives hourly
3. Too many achievements. These forms always make me feel like my other achievements are going to get jealous. Every day we achieve awesomeness.

What challenges do you face working at the EC? Mainly just working with Jessica (Hey, don’t forget who posts this stuff, buddy!- JH)

What’s your workspace like? Papers everywhere!! It’s a snapshot of my A.D.D. entrepreneur brain.

What do you listen to while you work?  Generally, I listen to a lot of instrumentals. It helps me tune out the world and focus in. However, right now I’m listening to the 80s SMASH HITS play list on spotify — Specifically, Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.

Do you have a favorite to-do list manager? Asana is a great tool to keep me on task whenever I’m juggling a ton of different things. Although, when I’m in a big rush I use this new fangled thing called a pen an paper to-do list. Writing by hand helps me organize my thoughts a little better.

Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without? My glasses. Are those a gadget? I generally can’t see without my glasses.

Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert? I’m an extrovert evangelist. I like to meet introverts and convert them.

What’s your daily routine like? Wake up, go to work, try to find the to-do list I wrote out the day before, work, get a shot of espresso from CREMA, work, get another shot of espresso, work, go to the gym (yes, I work out), go home, and hang with my pup.

What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else? I’m really good at being happy and singing.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Wow, that’s tough. The one I think about the most is from Sam Lingo… When I first started at The EC, I was having trouble balancing everything going on in my life. I can get so focused into work that I forget to eat meals. I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten to breath before. I asked him how he keeps his life balanced and how he manages to get work and other important things in life done. He said, “Just be where you are.” — It’s really simple advice, but it’s stuck with me for a long time.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? Working at The EC is an experience I wish everyone could have. There are never any dull moments. Working with a leader like Michael is great because he constantly challenges you to do more and more. Everyone who works here can agree that we’ve been stretched beyond our limits a time or two, but because of that we were able to do way more than what we thought we could. It’s an educational experience on steroids.

Oh yeh and working with Jessica isn’t really a challenge. She’s awesome. (Thank you, so are you!- JH)