Editor’s Note:
We sat down with Jeremy Coffey, Terakeet’s go-to sommelier and project manager to find out about his hobbies outside of work, what his current obsessions are and more.
Q1: How did you come to work at Terakeet? What is your favorite part about working here?
I read a bunch of articles and blog posts written by Terakeet’s content team, which I was hoping to join. I was impressed with the quality of the writing across bylines. I don’t recall how many articles I read, but by the time I had an in-person, I’d read at least one thing everyone in the room had written. This made for a pretty open and comfortable conversation. It also made me want to join the team even more. Fortunately, I got the offer and went on to love every minute on the Creative Team.
My favorite part about working at Terakeet? People just want to get things done. There’s a lot of buy-in across disciplines and teams. Everyone wants to see results and is willing to contribute what it takes to build success.
Q2: Tell us a little more about you outside of work! What’s one thing most people wouldn’t know about you?
Outside of work, I’m a complete homebody. I like tidying, cooking, and playing with my kids. A few times a year we pack the gang up for some travel. Last year we went to Burgundy, France, with a quick stop in Paris. Stateside, we took a road trip up the Maine coast and saw some friends in Texas. Kids are really portable, that’s what life as a parent has taught me so far.
On a related note, no one at Terakeet knows that I’m a prolific singer/songwriter. I spend most of my non-working hours singing to my kids some of the many songs I’ve authored about them and how they smell. This is especially fun for them on long drives.
Q3: What’s your current obsession?
I’m obsessed with entering my son into the prestigious “potty-trained before two” club. It’s like a toddler EGOT.
Q4: Choose a movie title for the story of your life.
Hop On Pop, The Untold Story (straight to DVD).
Q5: What’s the strangest or coolest thing that’s ever happened to you?
My partner and I were separated on a train platform in Heathrow hours after getting secretly married in the States. It was a nervous fifty-ish minutes on our different trains wondering if we knew enough about the other person to know what they’d do in a situation like that. We found each other pretty quickly at the station, courtesy of a garbled intercom. Clearly we’d made the right secret decision.
Another time, I was on an overnight junk (ship) in Vietnam with a family from Denmark, a teacher from NJ, a group of students from Ireland, holidaymakers from Thailand, and a mysterious man named Fernando who said he was only stopping temporarily in Southeast Asia on his way to China where he had plans to study under a Kung Fu master. Fernando needed this training because he’d been wronged back in Argentina, and he planned to use Kung Fu to avenge the wrong. He wasn’t detailed about the insult.
After the group went hiking and swimming, the teacher and I took a kayak around the bay. The sun set, and we didn’t get back to the boat till after dark. Fernando met us as we docked, concerned. Apparently he’d made up his mind moments before to swim out to find us. The Danish father had disagreed and they’d argued. We thanked them both.
At dinner, the students brought out whiskey and the crew put on karaoke. The hit of the night was ‘Fernando’ by Abba, for which we passed around the mic and sang to our new friend. He was clearly delighted. The next day, those of us going to Hanoi agreed to meet up, including Fernando. The Danes showed, as did the students, and the couple from Thailand, but Fernando ghosted. We spent our meal wondering about the insult, his bravery, and whether he had a visa to get into China. In the end, we sang ‘Fernando’ one last time and exchanged information.
Q6: What would your “Desert Island” band or artist be, and why?
Bob Dylan. I could build a boat listening to Bob Dylan. Or rather, Dylan’s discography is so immense I could fail numerous times at building a boat and not have to deal with the additional frustration of listening to the same songs over and over again.
Q7: What is one thing you’re scared to do, but really want to try this year?
My daughter is designing a tattoo for me. I am scared – and obligated – to put it on my body. Adding to my fear, she doesn’t seem to have a plan. Every time it comes up she rifles through a few big ideas like “the sky” or “some planets” or “a picture I draw.” I’ve yet to see mock-ups. She swears they exist. She’s six.
This is a continuation of our Humans of Terakeet series. Read the previous posts here: