One of our favorite things about Business Energy’s co-working and networking space is that we are able to bring together Westfield’s local entrepreneurs and experts from a wide range of fields, each with unique ideas and experiences to share. We learn something new from everyone who walks through the door at Business Energy, and we’re excited to feature some individual stories in our new Your Business Energy column. We’ll be focusing on how the talented professionals in our community manage to stay inspired, focused and productive.
MEET ROBIN ABRAMS.
If you enjoyed the Oscars last night, Westfield resident Robin Abrams gets some of the credit. As a freelance Associate Director for a wide range of television events, Robin likes to compare herself to an air traffic controller. She’s behind the scenes, interacting with stage managers, cameras, master control, audio and countless other crew members. From cueing pyro to counting out musical bars, she keeps everyone on script, ensuring that the show runs smoothly. We caught up with the Emmy Award-winning Robin Abrams from the set of the Oscars to get a little bit of business energy from her!
What are some of the highlights of your career?
Hamilton the movie. You haven’t seen it yet because although we shot it with the original cast three years ago, it has yet to be released. Most of my other highlights come from live TV shows, and there’s nothing like live TV. You have to be ready for anything unplanned that might happen and be able to quickly adapt. It keeps you razor-focused the entire show, and you have to be ready with alternate plans. We always discuss backup plans! Working on the Super Bowl halftime show with U2 following 9/11 was a very powerful experience; it was a live show with everyone watching, and the adrenaline was exhilarating. I also love doing award shows – I’ve worked on the Tonys, Emmys, and Oscars, but the show that finally made me a cool mom to my kids was the Kids’ Choice Awards!
What ties you to the Westfield community?
My family! My husband Kenneth is an architect in town and we have three kids – one each at Tamaques, Edison and the High School. I especially like watching my oldest son perform with the marching band at football games, my middle school son play ultimate, and my daughter compete with her travel soccer team. I also found the time to be a Class Mom this year because it was my last chance! When I’m not working, you can find me in Tamaques Park walking the dog or out to dinner in town.
What’s the secret to your productivity?
I love my job. Loving what you do gives you a huge push to be productive – you want to do well. As productive as I am at work, that doesn’t take me out of being productive at home. If I have a break at rehearsal, I’m probably using it to text about carpools – I definitely still have my handsin things at home when I’m away. It’s a kind of focus that you learn as you become more confident in your job. Associate Directors have to be extremely organized so I’ve taken some on-the-job tips and applied them to my home life.
How do you balance it all?
It’s so cliché, but it’s all about the village. I could not do it all without my husband, my mom, and my friends. My daughter has so many afterschool activities that I literally have to text her a list of the four different people who will be driving her from one activity to another when I’m working. Thekey to keeping all of the balls in the air is a really well-maintained calendar. If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not going to happen.
What inspires you about your job?
I work with a lot of very talented people. I learn something new each and every show that I work on. I love my career and I love being a mom. Working freelance gives me the opportunity to focus on both. I’m fortunate to have a nice balance between how much I work and how much I can be at home. Freelance work gives me the best of both worlds and gives me opportunities to explore both sides of myself.
The Your Business Energy column is provided by Business Energy, a coworking and networking community for local business professionals. Business Energy’s modern, bright, and newly renovated downtown Westfield, NJ space offers individual work stations, private offices, a professional conference room available with daily or monthly options, and a venue for regular networking events and educational gatherings. For more information about Business Energy and its services, visit http://www.yourbusinessenergy.com, call 973-885-4694, or stop by at 220 Lenox Ave, suite 101. BE Productive. BE Inspired. BE Close to Home.