Say hello to Lianna

It’s finally time to sit down and learn a little more about our wonderful client relations specialist, Lianna Schroeder. 

We asked her to share about her journey to roux (it involves a fun connection!), her love for travel and of course, some pictures of her beautiful growing family. 

Keep reading to hear more of Lianna’s story!

Tell us a little about your background prior to roux. How did you get here?

I was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and I stayed there through college—I got a marketing degree from Marshall University. In 2012, right before my senior year at Marshall, I participated in a mission trip called the World Race where I traveled to 11 countries in 11 months, living out of a backpack on just a few dollars a day.

I never thought I would do something like the World Race, but I remember sitting in my college classes, thinking I wanted to do something that wasn’t about me, to get rid of all of my stuff and focus on serving other people. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We traveled to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, China, India, Nepal and the Philippines. 

After that experience, I came back to finish my degree, and I just wanted to travel more. I really wanted to move to the Philippines because it was my favorite country from the World Race experience, and so I went back there for a few more months after graduating. I prayed a lot about whether I should stay or not, and I just wasn’t sure what I was going to do. It was either the Philippines or Nashville, and when the Philippines started to fall through, I picked a date and said, ‘On September 7th, I’m moving to Nashville.’ I didn’t have a job or anything lined up, but it all worked out, and I moved in 2014.

During that time, I met my husband, Chuck, and we actually ended up moving away for a while. In 2017, we were living in Crossville, and then in 2018, Chuck got a job offer back in Nashville with JetRight. I was job hunting for a while, but one day Chuck came home and said one of his coworkers’ wives loved her job at a local marketing agency. It turned out to be Jared and Lauren, and the rest was history. I started with roux in January 2019. 

Tell us about your role here and what a day in the life looks like.

I’m a client relations specialist, so my role is really similar to Karen’s.

Essentially, I listen to our clients and tr y to figure out what their pain points are, what they need most, and I strategize together with them and then we implement those strategies with our creative team. It’s really relational, a lot of talking and listening, which I love.

What’s been your memorable moment while at roux?

I was talking to my friend about this the other day. I’ve never worked for a place that truly cares about family. Family is first here, and they mean it. I love how roux cares so well for people, and truly loves people. Even if a client or creative isn’t a good fit, we still try to connect them with someone else so they can be their best. We’re always trying to think of others first.

I have a degree in marketing, but that's because I didn't know what else to do, and I thought it would be useful. So, I've been in marketing jobs that I haven't loved leading up to this point, but now I'm actually able to strategize with clients and work in a place where we have a passion for people and helping them find their voice.

Tell us about your family.

Chuck and I got married in 2017, and we had our daughter, Praise, in 2020. I’m actually pregnant right now with our next baby, due in October! Oh, and we also have two cats, Luna and Moxie, who are the same age as Praise.

Before having Praise and before COVID, we used to have all sorts of hobbies. We played volleyball and tennis, and because of my background and Chuck’s job as a pilot, we love to travel. We’re hoping to take Praise and our new little one on some fun trips once this is all over. Hopefully, they’ll be good travelers!

Trying to find a balance between work and motherhood is always challenging, but that’s the nice thing about this job. Our company really means it when they say “family first.” After I had Praise, Stefan said, “Let’s just play it by ear, and ease back into it.” Everyone is really understanding

JUST FOR FUN

What’s something your co-workers might not know about you?

Well, they know I love Jesus a lot, but they also don’t know I have a deep love for 90’s rap.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Franklin?

Wild Wasabi. They have sushi rolls that are three times the normal size. There’s no ladylike way to eat them, but they’re so good. I can’t wait to get back there once I’m not pregnant anymore!

Do you have a favorite coffee spot?

I love The Well. They have locations all over Nashville, and they donate a portion of the proceeds from every cup of coffee to help build wells in Africa.

Favorite food?

I can eat breakfast food any time of day.

Do you have a signature recipe?

I love comfort food, and a favorite is shrimp and grits, made with our roux spice blend, Authentic Zydeco Dust!

Keep following along to see what we cook up next in the kitchen!