Meet Sydney Kendle, the public relations coordinator with Brookestone Meadows (brookestonemeadows.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Brookestone Meadows is a skilled care and rehabilitation facility with one main focus, “Dignity in Life”. This to me means our team provides the best care to our residents whether that be through activities, therapy, spiritual enrichment and nursing care.
How did you get started in the business? – I originally moved to Omaha from Normal, IL for a position with Brookestone Village. After six months I was promoted to the public relations position at Brookestone Meadows, and March marks one year of working with the best team ever!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Being a “young” professional in a world where the workforce is predominantly dominated by “veteran” professionals, in the sense of being in their field for over ten years. Upon completion of my degree, I was excited to finally enter the workforce, but I was faced with a challenge. Almost all positions I was applying for required at least a minimum of five-seven years of experience…for an entry-level position. After sending hundreds of applications to PR Agencies in Chicago and numerous rejections due to not meeting their experience requirements, I finally got a yes.
Tell us a little about your family. – I am currently engaged and we are five months out from our wedding! My fiancé’s name is Curtis, and we have two fur babies, Cali, a German Shepard Malamute Mix and Wrigley, an Aussie with his tail. Any time we travel we make sure they have accommodations for dogs so they can join in on all the adventures.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – One of the biggest turning points in my life was deciding to take an internship in Tampa, FL to broaden my horizons. Before the internship in my junior year of college, I would have described myself as shy and quiet. Now I am the complete opposite! I am an outgoing, social and high-energy person. It was the push I needed finally find my place!
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love to be outdoors either hiking with my dogs or kayaking. I am currently trying to teach them how to sit on the paddle boards when we go out on the water so they can join us too!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – Before moving to Omaha, I ran and operated a training facility for athletes who aim to be on the TV show American Ninja Warrior. I created competition course layouts and was honored to train young athletes and even adults! I even got the opportunity to run my own dance training program from the facility for a year before moving.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – My greatest talent that I don’t get to utilize is my dance ability. I have spent the majority of my life dancing on the competitive level and am now a judge at the collegiate level!
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – I currently have two favorite authors, Lisa Jewell and Coleen Hoover. Both authors write thrilling stories with twists you never see coming.
What is your favorite movie? – How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Lola’s Café in Dundee. Most Sunday mornings you can find me and my fiancé enjoying brunch and coffee there! It is our time to catch up and spend time relaxing unplugged together.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 289.2696; skendle@vhsmail.com.