River City Six – Michelle Brinkman
Meet Michelle Brinkman, a commercial sales consultant with Echo Systems (echosystemsmidwest.com).
Tell us a little about your business.
Echo Systems is a part of Echo Group, which does business in five states and employs almost 500 people. We now rank #32 on CE Pro’s list of the top 100 audio/visual companies in the United States. Echo Systems specializes in the design and installation of lighting control, motorized shade solutions, audio and video distribution systems, video surveillance, video conferencing, huddle spaces, conference rooms, sound masking, classrooms, auditoriums, houses of worship, digital signage, and much more. We have a one-of-a-kind $2.5 million “Experience Center” in Omaha, NE.
How did you get started in the business?
I was working in another industry when someone from Echo Systems who thought I would be a good fit for the business approached me about an employment opportunity. Once I got started working with the Echo System team I realized it really was a perfect fit for me, and it has been an absolute joy working with them every day!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Be teachable and treatable. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” If you think about that, you’ll do things differently. That has been a major part of my professional and personal life; you never know who you might meet.
What are you most proud of?
My daughter and granddaughter. They make me proud each and every day!
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
To have been given the opportunity to work in the tech industry. It was a completely different career path for me and with the continuously changing landscape of technology, it definitely keeps you on your toes! The fact that I work with such a talented group of individuals helps me grow and expand my knowledge base every day.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
My family has been involved in two restaurant operations in Omaha for over 50 years. My uncles, Al Cascio and Joe Cascio, started Cascio’s Steak House and my aunt and uncle, Rose and Fred Bruning, started Big Fred’s Pizza. Both restaurants are still being run by family members and remain two of Omaha’s longtime favorites.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Creative.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
I’d love to be a fashion designer. Fashion is so much fun and a great way to show off your creativity and personality each time you walk into a room.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Of course my family’s restaurants, but definitely can’t forget about Pasta Amore, which is amazing too!
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Warren Buffett. He’s been incredibly successful for such a long period of time, so I might be able to pick up some great finance tips at the very least!
Is there anything else you’d like to mention to our readers who are interested in what Echo Systems has to offer?
If you’re looking for help learning about how you could use technology to enhance your home or business, I’d love to talk. We essentially make technology smarter and more intuitive for people’s lives. I recommend that anyone interested come and see our Experience Center firsthand. Words just don’t do it justice!
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 334-4900; Website: echosystemsmidwest.com.