Editor’s Note:
We sat down with Ryan Maxson, Digital Outreach Specialist-turned-Recruiter, to talk about coffee, the elusive “best mozzarella stick,” and the unexpected irony of Taylor Swift’s lyrics. Read on to find out more!
Q1: How did you come to work at Terakeet? What is your favorite part about working here?
I originally heard about Terakeet from a few employees that attended the fitness studio I was working at. The class would start at 5:30 PM, and there would be a group of friends rolling in around 5:15 PM talking about the projects they were working on or changes that were happening on their teams. After asking one of them where they worked, I began doing my research on Terakeet’s website as well as checking out their social media pages. I was instantly engaged by Terakeet’s sense of community, how they strive to constantly improve and grow to be the leading name in the SEO industry.
The reason I love working at Terakeet is the constant flow of creativity and desire to continue growing together as a company. If there is a problem, we come together to solve it. We are always challenging each other to find new and innovative solutions. The support of our workplace culture, along with each individual’s drive to simply be better day to day is refreshing and makes coming to work exciting.
Q2: Tell us a little more about you outside of work! What’s one thing most people wouldn’t know about you?
When I am not at work, I would say I am always looking for a great cup of coffee. Syracuse has some really great local coffee shops, but I love getting in the car and heading to surrounding cities to check out different coffee options. Each shop has a different vibe that makes it unique, as well as their own specials and a daily flow of usual customers. I also love to go hiking when the weather warms up. I’ve lived in several different locations in Upstate NY and been fortunate to explore a lot of beautiful trails and hikes along the way. My perfect day would be grabbing coffee and heading on a long hike with friends.
Q3: What’s your current obsession?
I am currently obsessed with finding the perfect mozzarella sticks in Syracuse. If you have any suggestions, please reach out to me and let me know. There’s nothing more beautiful than a plate of mozz sticks and the warm accompaniment of marinara sauce.
Q4: Choose a movie title for the story of your life.
If I think about it, I would have to title the movie of my life as, “The Perfect Playlist.” I am always asking people what the name of that song was, or wishing there was a background song playing for certain hilarious, awkward, or unfortunate moments. The movie would be all about me recreating these moments with the perfect song playing in the background.
Q5: What’s the strangest or coolest thing that’s ever happened to you?
When I was ten years old, my family and I went hiking for the 4th of July. After a long day of swimming and enjoying a picnic, we took a hike up one of the nearby mountain trails. Eager to get to the top before everyone, I kept running ahead to make sure I was going to be first. Forty minutes into the hike, I had sprinted a good distance ahead of my family. I turned the corner on a trail, there ten feet in front of me, was a mother black bear and her three cubs. She noticed me and stood up on her hind legs — before she could do anything else, I let out a scream at the top of my lungs. Surprised and scared, the mother bear took off immediately.
When my family caught up to me, I was still screaming with three baby bears staring up at me! Once we were safely down the trail and back at our campsite, I had officially calmed down and realized, although I could’ve been a bear’s lunch, it was still pretty cool to be that close to a bear and her family. It was also pretty cool to go back to school and tell everyone how I “fought off” a mother bear and her three cubs to save my family’s lives … at least, that’s the way I remembered it.
Q6: What would your “Desert Island” band or artist be, and why?
If I was stranded on an island with one music artist, it would have to be Taylor Swift. Just so I could laugh about the irony of her lyrics, “And we’ll move to an island-and he can be my jailer, Burton to this Taylor.” Hopefully, she would laugh as well and not write a breakup ballad about our experience together.
Q7: What is one thing you’re scared to do, but really want to try this year?
This year is all about stepping out of my comfort zone in as many ways as possible. I’ve really been trying to push myself and try new things as well as keep a positive mindset. I’ve always wanted to run a race or a marathon. My friend, Molly McGuane (Digital Content Specialist) actually asked if I would like to do the Tipp Hill Shamrock Run with her this March. I’m a little bit nervous, but excited to try something new and know it will be a great time with my friends.
This is a continuation of our Humans of Terakeet series. Read the previous posts here: