I am so excited to kick off 2019 by re-introducing interviews to Fresh Jess! Emma and I are highlighting some of our favorite womxn of color in lifestyle snapshots. These womxn inspire us to do better with their hustle, perseverance, and ability to keep it real at all times. Enjoy our first interview by Emma! - Jess

CHRISTINE “CRANE” GERONIMO (AS INTERVIEWED BY EMMA EEKHOFF)

Christine is truly a special person to me. I remember the summer before my freshman year of high school when I first job shadowed her. We spent the day running all over Seattle; giving new supplies of CDs to different record stores, giving promo posters of The Physics’ Tomorrow People show all over town, and doing fulfillment at her old SoDo office.

MERCH: THE COMMON THREAD IN CHRISTINE GERONIMO'S LIFE
Born in St. Mary’s, Georgia, Christine Geronimo a.k.a. Crane has navigated her way through different parts of the music industry; interning for artists and record labels, as well as working on their merchandise. Merch has always where she found herself loving her work the most and feeling the most connected to the people she's serving and working with.

“Merch rules my life!”

Who is your biggest inspiration?
“My grandma, because she is the reason why I’m here. She's so strong; she's 80 years old. She’s in all the senior dance clubs in Waipahu, and the ukulele club. Also she’s so well-networked, we went to church and everyone there knew her. I want to have those relationships with people throughout my life, when I’m 80.

What have you been reading lately?
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Crucial Accountability by Kerri Patterson & Various Authors.

What are you looking forward to in 2019?
“I’m seeing Carlos Santana at the end of the month, that's a lifelong dream.
Also looking forward to more sales records (at Midnight Supply Co.) We had amazing sales last year with amazing clients, particularly Macklemore because he released an album, so that helped us. But I want to hit the same sales goals without him releasing an album, which means that was a huge chunk of what got us there. So I’m looking forward to figuring out how to hit the same numbers that we did last year.”
 
What’s on your playlist?
“Ariana Grande and Carlos Santana.

I’ve been listening to Carlos Santana’s setlist playlist because I’m so excited for his show.

Ariana Grande, non-stop, because she’s amazing. I haven't’ been listening to her for that long, but she’s my favorite!”

What’s your favorite thing about Seattle?
”The views, I like the views more than going out and eating at places.

The viaduct, RIP the viaduct. That was my favorite drive whenever I picked someone up from the airport, because you see our stadiums, the water, the ferries and a ton of the city.”

What does self care look like in 2019?

“To read more books, explore our great state and spend more time with my partner.”

Dear Young People…
”Follow your dreams, because why not?
But don't forget to pay your dues.”

Find Christine:

Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/cranegeronimo/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/cranegeronimo

See more interviews here!