What The Funk?

All right, we are back on what the funk beautiful Friday fall day here in Colorado. I know you're liking it Sally too. You're a little bit south of me, but currently a Colorado native. That's about to change. We'll get into all of that. But Sally, you're somebody who I don't know when we've met, but we definitely reconnected at an intercom happy hour. Your name, I just saw it so many times, like in emails, I think it was a Western energy line. So it's something you were just out there. I'm like, God, this Sally, howling's that? She's just everywhere, man. So I met you. I was like, you got to come on my podcast. You're like, Oh, I actually had a podcast and you're an easy, easy person to talk to. And I know a very social networker in the oil and gas space. So I love having you on Sally Howling's that. Well, thank you so much, Jeremy, for inviting me. I'm happy to be here. I'm happy that you're here. So you know, I'm going to hit you with the hardest question first is who? Are you Sally? Who is Sally, how is that? Oh gosh, you know, that's a great question. I think it depends on who you would talk to, but for me, I think I am just, I know I'm a hard worker that just wants to, you know, get shit done. I like to call it the GSDUER, right? And luckily for me, I found a great community within the energy network. And I think that, you know, this network is notorious for having dedicated work versions. So it's like a natural fit for me. So I think, you know, I hate to say that I'm a hard worker and that's all I am, but growing up in North Dakota, the Midwest, we're notorious for that, right? So it's something I'm really proud of is, you know, people can ask me to do things. I actually follow through on it 'cause what I've learned is in my old age now, that one of my biggest pet peeves is people that aren't honest with their time commitments or the ability of what they're, you know, like their capabilities, right? And so I am like authentic. to the core, like you will see me on this podcast, you'll see me in person and it's not, you know, or just on a one-on-one and it's the same person. So I think being an authentic hard worker is probably what I would classify myself as. And for the most part, bubbly, most part. Definitely, definitely that God. You're like the female version of me. So there's a couple ways I wanna take this. I didn't know you're from North Dakota, that's cool. I think that there is a logical comparison point there to I grew up in New Hampshire and it was cold, man. It was cold in the winters. And just seeing my parents get up early and shovel snow to get out of the driveway. We didn't have a garage to get out of the driveway and drive to school regardless of the conditions outside. They called the Puritan work ethic in New England. Like really, you just sort of pull yourself up by your bootstraps and you do it. And I think I have a pretty good work ethic. And that was instilled in me because of what I saw, everybody in my community and my family doing, just pushing through it, no matter what. And it sounds like a lot of that resonates with you in North Dakota where it's just like, well, you got a blue collar job or whatever it is, you got to get up and you got to go. It doesn't matter that it's 20 below. Like if your car starts, you're going. Right, well, and it's funny in my first, so I moved to Colorado in 2003. And remind me to tell you about the Minnesota thing, 'cause when I was doing some research, that was kind of a funny thing But as I moved from Minneapolis to Denver in 2003, and I remember my first winner here, I didn't even buy a jacket, 'cause I looked at people and I said, you don't know what cold is, until you have to plug your car in at night to make sure it starts in the morning. And people were so confused by that. And I was like, no, it's like an inch and block heater. Nevermind. It's a different kind of cold. You're right. Okay, so I take back what I said. It's definitely colder in North Dakota, 'cause we didn't have to do that in New Hampshire. The first time I heard about that, That's like Calgary shit, I heard that. Calgary, I'm like, oh my God, that is the next level. Funny, I moved to Colorado in 2003 as well. When did you move out here? What month? June. Ah, you beat me. I was Halloween of 2003. So I'm right up on 21 years. You're at 21 years. That's awesome. And of course, like you come from a place where it's colder, it's not as sunny. You get out here and you're like, this kind of rules. And like you said, you don't really need a jacket in the winter I mean, obviously if you're going skiing or spending time up in the mountains, you do. Right. That's really relatable stuff. So where'd you go to school? Like what was, what happened before? And go ahead, yeah. Yeah, I was gonna say, so I went to school in Minnesota, a thing called state. And I noticed that you have like somebody else named Jeremy Funk that's in Minnesota or something that you, isn't there like another Jeremy Funk? Did I win that somewhere? You want to hear the story? I do want to hear the story. This is amazing. Yes, I have funk futures. That's my company. We have a website and I get like some messages on the website, but it's mostly just like spam. Like we can help you get more leads in this and occasionally I get like a real message. So I get a message from a guy named Jeremy Funk in Minnesota. And I'm like, there's no way this is real. But I looked at it and the message was, hey, you hit my radar somehow your podcast or something and you were wearing a hat that said Funk Futures. I was looking at your website. I didn't see anywhere where I could buy one of those hats. I'm like, oh, well, I don't really sell the hats. I just kind of like give them the clients and friends and study in my family. Like, I guess I could sell you one if you want. I'll just sell to you for cost. He's like, yeah, okay, for sure. So he sent me his address, I sent him a hat. He like took a picture of a selfie and sent it back to me. There's a Jeremy Funk out there wearing a funk futures hat in Minnesota as well. I've never met him, but he's walking around happy as a clam wearing a funk futures hat right now with the same name. I hope that the next time I go back, I run into him randomly or something. That would be awesome. Yeah. Well, but no, I was going to say, but yeah, I went to school at St. Cod State, which is about 60 miles northwest of Minneapolis and was living in Minneapolis before I moved here So, you know, we were just talking about the cold and I would say that Minneapolis is even colder than North Dakota, just because of the amount of lakes around there and that how that cold just rips right through you. It's kind of ridiculous. But, but yeah, when I moved here and I don't know what your experience was, I was, I was huge in the local music and Minneapolis was notorious. I mean, I mean, it was a home of prints, right? So the amount of music that I was like, yeah, the amount of music I was exposed to, I was super. bummed about leaving that. And then I came to Denver and I was like, they really don't have shit here. Like for local music and artists were stopping on their tours at that time to come through. And then all of a sudden they feel like it just started to shift a little bit. Like the fray became big and one republic became big. And then all of a sudden Denver actually became an awesome music scene. And so now I'm hoping that my next venture, my next city as you kind of alluded to, I'm hoping that Houston has just as much good music as Denver and then previously Minneapolis did. Yeah, I think Denver has always gotten the big acts that play at what is it, ballerina now, Pepsi Center, Red Rocks, but yeah, like the smaller, more local, things you do have to seek out. Any like famous artists, you can always find, like they're gonna, this is gonna be part of their tour, like Taylor Swift was here and some of my friends, well, friends, babysitters of my kids, who are like 19 year old girls, they couldn't afford to go in, so they would literally like. camp out in the, uh, what, the Bronco stadium, like parking lot so that they could listen to the Taylor Swift show, you know what I mean, but yeah, I think actually, for sure, local acts, oh, then of which there are many. Um, yeah, I remember reading something about how like her, her era's tour, like impacted positively the GDP for the country because it drove just so much business. And it also made her a billionaire. It's crazy. She's probably the most popular artist pop star since Michael Jackson, I think. I would agree. And I think it's partly because, you know, like her whole tour is called it, but like she crosses over so many different generations, right? Like it's kind of amazing. I mean, I, I'm not personally like the biggest fan of her music, but I am a big fan of her business, like her drive. And I mean, and obviously her boyfriend. So. Yeah, we need to like switch questions now, because now I'm just going to blush and get all excited and be like, oh, Travis Kelsey, but anyways, which now I think I'm more addicted to his brother at this point, but his brother is just so relatable. I don't know, like he's he's obviously immensely popular now, maybe like more popular now that he doesn't play football in some ways like his podcast and then he's on these Campbell's chunky soup commercials. And it's he's just seems like a dude, like he's a guy you could sit down and have a beer with for four hours, right? And tell you what he just happens to be like a freak athlete as well. It doesn't look like he would be, but he is. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He's he's looking good nowadays too. But anyways, again, moving on. So you move you move to Colorado. So you move to Colorado in 2003, like me. What did you get into? work-wise and where in Colorado did you live at first? Yeah, so it was funny because when I was living in Minneapolis, so I graduated, I should back up a little bit, I graduated from St. Cloud with a degree in mass communications, mostly so I could just be done with school and it was like all my credits finally equaled something, so to speak. And I was working at a bank in an ACH department, which is like behind the scenes not talking to anyone and I just hated it so much. And so when I was looking at like, I need like a shift in my life. I looked at moving to Chicago, Boston, or Denver, and Boston was just way too expensive without having a job or knowing what you were gonna do. Chicago, my buddy that lived there, and he was like, Oh yeah, come here, you can like crash on my couch. And I was like, No. And I had a friend who was living in Thornton at the time and she was like, Well, just come use our second bedroomuntil you figure it out. And so I started out living in Thornton, worked my first job. I mean, back in 2003, it was much easier get jobs I feel like now. than now sometimes. But I worked at what is now the Grand Hyatt. It was the Hyatt Regency downtown. And I was working in their public relations department. And so I did that for a while. Always had a second job serving. So like my first serving job was at Sullivan's Steakhouse, which is no longer around there. I remember, I remember Sullivan's. That was in Loto, right? Yeah, it was where the now, the Rio is the, where the Rio moved to on that corner. Yep. I liked that place 'Cause it wasn't as expensive as Morton's and some of the other ones, right? It was like that just that next year below, right? Yeah, well, and then you, you know, the bar was always hopping 'cause it was a cigar bar and we always had Bronco's players coming in there. So it was pretty, it was pretty fun. But then I, my second serving job was actually helping open Elway's and Cherry Creek, which is sadly now shut down. So, but yeah, that was quite the experience too. But yeah, so I moved from day job I ended up doing some non-profit work. I like to say that I had my mid-life crisis right around 2013 where I quit my job, sold my house, and decided I was going to Europe for a while, and right before I left, I was doing some job hunting and I saw an advertisement for the executive director of the Denver Petroleum Club, and I was like, it was, you know, truth be told, it was the worst job description I had ever seen. I kind of laughed at it, but I was like, heck, I'll, you know, I'll apply. So I did, and I went through the interview process and got to meet some really fun, cool people, and it didn't get the job. And it was, it was, I was like, what the heck? You know, it's kind of a bummer, but I did the proper thing where you follow up and you say, well, you know, if anything changes, please let me know. And by, that was on a Friday and by Monday, they'd called me back and said, you know, our number one pick turned us down. Do you still want the job? And I was like, well, that's not really the coolest way to be asked, but whatever. I like being number two, I guess. But, um, but I was like, yeah, sure, now I can't start for a month because I literally just booked a trip to Europe, then I'm - you know, traveling and stuff. So, so that's the history of how I got started in the energy industry was running the Denver Petroleum Club, which was an experience of its own. And the thing that I think I take away the most from that, which was so much fun. And for those that don't know in Denver, the Denver Petroleum Club hadn't been so in space since like the early 2000s. So it was very much geared towards like education and programs and social, the social side of the industry. And we housed within a different building, the Denver Athletic Club But it was really, really cool because I was new. I had no idea who was who. And so I treated everybody the same. So I didn't know if I was talking to a CEO or a land man or an administrative person. And it was just, it was probably the best job I could have ever had starting in the energy industry. Yeah, that's cool. I didn't know that. So that's probably when I first started seeing your name. This is all tying together nicely. The mass communications. I've been getting into industry. So you had no background in oil and gas whatsoever before 2013? None whatsoever. Nope. Yeah. It was pure luck. Pure happenstance. So, and it's been like the best thing that's happened to me, I feel like, for my career and just personally too. Yeah. Yeah. No, me too. Me too. And I was a little bit earlier, 2007, but yeah, it's, you meet a lot of good people and I think your naivety helped you out in that case, because like you said, you treat the janitor the same way as the CEO, then you start doing some research like, Oh my God, that guy makes7 million a year. And I was just talking to him like, he's some low level person at his company to say, If you talk to anybody that comes in, so I love that. That's cool. How long did you stay at the DPC, which is at the Denver Athletic Club? Yeah I was there, I think it was a total of five years. And I, you know, and Chase Boswell, I'll make him listen to this and give him the shout out, but he was my board president at the time and I had just convinced him to stay on for another year 'cause normally it was only a one year term. And I just convinced him and he said, Only if you don't leave. And then like, I think it was like three weeks later, I was like, So, by the way, I have an interview at Whiting. And so he was, he still holds us against me like years later 'cause I left there in what, 2018. And so it's been, he's still, I don't think he talked to me unless he absolutely asked to or need something, so. He's mad, he's mad. He's mad, but it's a lovingly mad, I think. But yeah, so I went from DPC to Whiting in-house for a couple of years doing their community relations, which was a crazy awesome experience. And then, you know, I did it, I had so much fun for the first year and then 2020 hit and there was like rumors of what was happening with the company. And I was like, what's going on? you know, pandemic in March, we went into bankruptcy April 1st, which I think is like the dumbest day to go into bankruptcy. It's like, April Fools, are you really in bankruptcy or not? Sure. Sure are, and so then, you know, you're at home and not really, like I was in community relations. We were in bankruptcy, I wasn't giving away any money or making any relationships, right? So it was just, it was an interesting and difficult time. So, but yeah, I ended up getting laid off when we came out of bankruptcy when they restructured and then went to Western Energy Alliance, which is another trade association for oil and gas companies. So, and then about a year, just over a year ago, I ended up at Moss Adams. So I was, I saw the job opportunity, it looked like an incredible place to be a great company and became their business development for the energy group. So, business development executive for the energy group So was Moss Adams called something else before that? Yep. So boss Adams is like 100 plus year old firm. The headquarters are in Seattle and they are very well known on the West Coast for their renewables and power and utilities sectors. So when they were kind of looking around to round out their energy practice, they saw Heinen Associates, which was an oil and gas firm in Denver. So that Heinen had Denver Dallas and Houston offices. And so in 2017, they merged with Heinen. And so then that's how they rounded out the energy practice with that firm. Nice. So I like this background. Thank you. Really explained it succinctly and really well. I want to talk a little bit about your current job. So what do you do as the business development executive for Moss Adams here in Denver? What does that mean? Well, usually when I'm on meetings, I tell people I'm the hugger and the drink buyer So as you probably are familiar with, like, you know, there's I'm not trying to knock any of my coworkers because we definitely have a lot of unicorns in our firm, but traditionally, accountants are not necessarily the most social, and they prefer to do what they're good at, which is the technical and the skills stuff, right? And we have an amazing team, and they're very, very good at it. So they have people like me that go out and try and dig up business, so to speak And not that they can't do themselves, but a combination of, you know, they're more introvertedness, so to speak, and the busy times that they have. I mean, they are constantly billing out. I mean, it is never ending. I thought Tax Day is really once a year, like April 15th. That is not true. I've learned. And it is like constant. And so our team is always kind of heads down, really working hard for our clients. And it's my job to go out and make sure that our current clients are happy, but then also look for other opportunities for them to do work with so yeah Yeah, you are like the VP of smiles over there. Basically it sounds like. I like that, yes, yes. Smiles and hugs, I like, yeah. It's so funny 'cause I don't know, Jeremy, I feel like even when you and I reconnected, I can't remember if we hugged or not, but like I'm such a hugger. And I realize that sometimes that really does offend people and I need to step back and like wait for other people sometimes to make the move. Like are they sticking their hand out or can I just go in? I'm definitely a hugger too So I'm gonna say that based on both of us being huggers there was definitely a hug. 'Cause I'm just like, oh my God, this isn't the famous infamous Sally Howling set. Now come on, bring it in, bring it in. Yeah, I get what you're saying though and I actually think for my business it's somewhat similar, right? We work with a lot of early stage tech companies which the founders are brilliant but they're technical. So why do they work with us? Because we do the stuff that's a little bit less comfortable They're good once you get them in the room and once they build a relationship, but getting them in the room, it's hard for them. That's them getting out of their comfort zone where I think as for the two of us, that is our comfort zone, is creating and brokering those new human connections, those authentic relationships and business opportunities. So it sounds like a great fit. And you told me, which I'm kind of bummed out about since we're getting to be friends, you're moving Yeah, yeah, I am, I'm excited. It's been in discussions for a while and we finally, I guess, heard on fun features first, right? Like it's just like, or what the fun, I should say. It's, yeah, it's happening in January. I'm moving to Houston after 20, I guess it'll be almost 22 years by then, being in Colorado. And it's so funny 'cause Jeremy, I'm sure you've had this happen to you before, but never say never, right? Like, I remember, When Colorado started shrinking, consolidating, and people were moving for jobs, I was like, I would never move to Houston. Like that is, why would people do that? It's so hot there, right? And now here I am eating my words. So yeah. Is it just that there's so much more business opportunity for you to get down there? Is that the primary driver of this? Yes, I think our Houston office, we're really focusing on our entire central region of offices, so Denver Dallas and Houston on growth And there is, it's not just oil and gas in Houston. I mean, there's everything. There's renewables are really starting to pop up and be kind of highlighted down there. Power and utilities is in Texas, right? So like, there's so much opportunity to your point for business. But I think the other thing that really kind of solidified it for me is, to your point and you've been so nice about like highlighting me in the infamous alley or whatever, I've had such a great opportunity car I don't know to build. an incredible network and that network's never going away, right? So like for me, I've been traveling so much. The last year and the majority of my travel is in Texas that I'm like, I would rather be based there boots on the ground, build that same network that I have in Colorado and then come back to Colorado for five or six weeks to maintain the network here, right? So to me, you know, especially growing up in North Dakota, like I'll never forget when I started at Whiting and my boss, Ashley Mackenade, he brought me up to Williston for some meetings with the local offices. And it was like in December of 2020, whatever year it was, 2018. And we sat down and they were all just kind of like looking at me, like, who is this bitch from corporate, right? Like, why wouldn't we want her involved in all this? And Ashley felt like it was guys, she's one of you. And they were like, what? And I was like, yeah, I grew up on Turtle Lake. And they're like, Oh, you know, the Rust family. And like, and so then it was like instant, like they liked me like it when start. in that I had. And I think that Texas and North Dakota are so similar in that way. It's not that people aren't gonna trust you 'cause we all understand that especially after the pandemic, there's, you know, sometimes the only way you can meet is virtually, but I think that people in Texas and I mean, anywhere really, they just appreciate seeing your face, right? They wanna see that you're a part of the community and that you're a part of not only the energy community, but Houston as a whole or Texas as a whole. So that's, that's solidified it That's great. Yeah, you sum that up well. I would say even, I think Houston, you can live somewhere else and go visit Houston. You have to go a lot. I like to joke around. I think I've been to Houston maybe 200 different times. So if each of those is an average of a three day trip, I've almost spent two years of my life in Houston without ever actually moving there. I would say the smaller pockets, like the Tulsa's, Pittsburgh's, Midlands, They appreciate seeing you even more. in person. I probably put Calgary in that bucket too because it is pretty insular, but yes, it will help you to be there. And it's shorter flights to some of those places that I just mentioned. So yeah, very cool. You brought up Tulsa, but I freaking love Tulsa like that downtown. And I just on the my last plane ride, I just started watching Tulsa King. So I'm very excited. I haven't seen that, but I will. It's it's on the list. There's I'm working through the air in Hernandez dock right now, which is just so painful to watch. But I don't know, that's on I think that's a Netflix show. Anyways, yeah, Tulsa is cool. It's come a long way. My first trip there, I think was 2009 and there wasn't much. But now let's become like kind of hip. I don't fully buy into like this is the next Austin. I'm not gonna go quite there. I don't know if there ever will be. But I've I said, OKC. is a better business town, but Tulsa to me, if we're looking at Oklahoma as a whole, would be a great place to live. Like, I can see why people live there. It's close to lakes, right? The pace is a little bit slower. There's really not any traffic. That airport is like easiest airport to navigate ever you show up 30 minutes before your flight, and you're at your gate with 28 minutes before your flight. Check out. Yeah, it's cool. Yeah. So you're on the road a lot. Do you have family? Like, is there anything tethering you hear? You have kids or anything like that? No, it's, it's well, a funny story. So I thought at 22 that I wasn't going to have children, but I went to a psychic a couple of years ago that told me that I knew at 12 that I wasn't having children. But I have avoided, so to speak, the marriage and the children piece of it. So that definitely helps with the travel. I will say it like as much as I would love a dog, so much would I love a dog I just, I can't, like. I can't justify having one right now. But yeah, my family, I do have one of my brothers, lives here in Denver, but the rest of my family is all back in North Dakota. And so I get home probably like every four or five weeks to see them, 'cause I have a 13 year old niece who is definitely the love of my life. And so it's great to be able to go back and really help her through some teenage stuff. Let's put it that way, but. Yeah, I have daughters who are 14 and 12 and it's interesting sometimes Yeah, my wife does a great job with them 'cause I think, you know, she lived it. But for them, it's sometimes they just love me. Other times, I'm like just the scourge of the earth through the most annoying person I've ever met. The slow eye roll, both of them have really mastered that whenever I make like a dad joke or say something that annoys them. But they're special, like they're just awesome kids. And it's funny too, like my wife and I were just joking about this the other day We had parent teacher conferences, and they're just like. these teachers are just raving about them. Like, is this the same kid that like flips me off when I'm just asking her to like clean up her room? Because it sounds like a different person, but I like to tell them I'm like, really like, you know, great job. Like kudos to you for being such a great student and a good person in the community. Kudos to me and Eliana for how we've raised you. And they're like, you are the most annoying person I've ever met in my entire life. Yeah, it's a special time. Yeah, it's good that they're getting your like, their sarcasm and the things, like the subtle things that you're teaching them, right? And they're, hopefully they're using it correctly, even if it's being used on you. Hopefully it's coming through like, yes, I am a smart, sarcastic, witty woman. And even though my dad doesn't appreciate it as much now, he will in the future. Yeah, I remember talking to my therapist about this She is probably wouldn't there were likes. four, and two, or five, and three. And I'm like, God, these girls are tough, you know? But she's like, I know that that's hard right now, but like, that's what you want, you know what I mean? Like you want strong, independent girls that become strong, independent women. And I'm seeing them evolve into that, which is pretty spectacular And. we have a six-year-old son, right? Which he just has it so good, right? So everybody loves him. And now he's just like the bell of the ball, right? Like, he runs the house at this point. And it's just special. Yeah. Well, so talk to me a little bit about - yeah, go ahead. I was going to ask you, so then, do you have siblings? Do you have, like, older sisters? I have an older sister and a younger sister on the middle. You do. Obviously, you're right in the middle. So are you in that? Like, I can't do any wrong, because they keep you in line, or - and you're the favorite as well? Is that kind of how your family was? I think I was definitely my mom's favorite. I mean, you know, the baby, you know, Shoshana, she's great. I still is like, she must have turned, she's gonna turn 40 in March, which is just insane to me 'cause she's always just a little baby, you know? And yeah, so she was, of course, everybody loves the baby, but I do think in some ways, for sure with my mom, because I didn't like create as much conflict with her. I didn't get into a ton of trouble. It's class president, captain of sports teams, like good all American boy I think that I was my mom's favorite and I couldn't do much wrong, but then as I started to get into my 20s and do a lot of shit wrong, then there was hell to pay for that. But like growing up in the house, I was for sure like the golden boy and I think that annoyed my sisters a little bit too. Yeah, yeah, sounds like my brothers. They were definitely the golden boys, so yes. Anyways, continuing on, we won't get into that. We don't need to do our therapy sessions right now, right? You never know what these are gonna turn into on what the phone, that's why I send a list of questions and I almost never follow the list of questions, but regardless. So you're moving soon, right? You're gonna build the same type of network in Houston that you've built in Denver and you're gonna love it. I think one of the things about Houston that's a little bit different too, is Denver is so centralized, right? Like, you mentioned the Denver Petroleum Club, but most of the events are focused downtown, occasionally Cherry Creek every once in a while in the tech center, but the traffic's so bad down there that I generally try to avoid it. Houston almost feels like four different cities, right? You've got the Woodlands, you got downtown, you got Katie, then you've got like the, you know, Galleria, Energy Corridor area. So I think for you, like, you'll have to get really good at like mapping out your days to be in a certain part of the city, otherwise you're gonna be in your car or an Uber's for like three or four hours a day. Yep, I agree So fortunately, I have been traveling down there. for the last year and even before Moss Adams with Western Energy Alliance, I was traveling down there. And so I'm familiar. So fun fact is I had a paid off cheap liberty. And in February 2020, I decided to sell it because it had started to break down. And so I was like, oh, I'll just sell it now. And then by a new car later this year, well, as we know the pandemic didn't really allow for that. So I haven't had a car in almost five years. And so watch out Houston is all I have to say I am one of the first things I'm doing when I get down there is buying a car. So I apologize in advance. Yeah, you'll spend a lot more time in cars. And I've even thought about that here, too. I live in the burbs. And I think because of having kids, I do need to have a car just in case of like emergency stuff or sick kids from school and all that. But I think without kids, it would be easy to live out here without a car. Like I could just take a bus downtown or find public transit. like it's just super easy to get either a boss or trained to anywhere. I've never taken that train from the airport to downtown, but I'm like the biggest advocate for it. 'Cause I'm like, dude, you're either like renting a car and that process is annoying and then you're driving and you're paying a lot of money to park downtown or you're taking an expensive Uber or you could pay like 12 bucks and get to Union Station in like 30 minutes. That's pretty nice. Assuming there's no problems, but yes, when I do personal trips, I take that all the time. It's nice 'cause you can sit there, you don't have to think about it. You're not stuck in that traffic that you see happening on, you know, I 70s. So yeah, I'm a big advocate for it as well. Nice. Well, I'm eager to see what kind of car you get too, 'cause it feels like everybody in Houston has like a car, a level above what their job pays them. I think because they spend so much time in their car, it's like, oh, okay. make sense. You don't see as many like fancy cars around here. You see a lot of Teslas and Subaru's. Of course, my God, when I first got to Boulder, it was like, what is it? Like every, you know, out of out of 10 cars, you see like four or five Subaru's. See, they're super cheap, right? Like it's those are the two Colorado cars and Subaru's and Jeeps. Subaru's and Jeeps. And I read this a few years ago that Boulder in the 90s and early 2000s was a Subaru town. And then as you know, things started to evolve a little bit more, it became like a Tesla town, right? And now at this point, it's straight up like an Audi town. You know what I mean? Like it's just leveled up and it's that level of wealth and and fanciness. So we've seen things start to really transition out here too. Because like like you said, you mentioned Boston. I grew up close to Boston. And for me it was like, you know, I'm gonna live in Boston. Like when I grow up, this is where I'm gonna have a career. And I got hit in the face pretty hard with like, my God, it is expensive here. That it made Colorado seem like super cheap. I don't think that's the case anymore. I think it's really expensive here now. But man, early on, like my quality of life went way up, living in a shoebox embossed and not having anywhere to park to like renting a condo with a couple of friends, paying330 a month, right? All in, to live somewhere and having a garage. And I'm like, yeah, this is the good life out here. Quality of life is important. And you get a good one out here. Yeah, yeah, no, it's funny. I am, it's to the point of the cost. Like I just signed my lease at my apartment in Houston and it'll be the same square footage, same two-bedroom, two-bath type thing. And it's800 a month less in Houston and living almost like close to downtown to the office and stuff, but then, you know, you know, my last car payment was like 150 bucks. And apparently that's not the normal anymore. So I feel like so much for seeing it. Good luck with that. Yeah, good luck with that. And I don't know if Elise makes sense down there too with how much you drive, right? So you'll have to weigh that. Yeah, yeah. It's going to be an interesting one, that's for sure. Yeah, yeah, lots of decisions. I'm excited. Yeah, I'm excited to follow your journey as you get down to Houston I want to pivot a little bit to, you know, outside of work, outside of business stuff. So what do you like to do when you're not going out and, you know, shaking hands and kissing babies and buying people drinks? Yeah, that's funny. I usually say that the other way around. Accidentally, like it's like shaking babies and kissing hands in a way. It's not the right way to say that. Probably not, probably not. I know, normally I love, you know, like obviously being in Colorado, I've been very much an outdoors girl So you know In the past, it's always been hiking and road biking. I've never really got into skiing or snowboarding. Like I just decided I didn't like it. So why keep trying to force myself to do this? And I would just, you know, go up with people of the mountains and just wait for them at the Apray ski, right? Like, why not? But so it's kind of nice, like with Houston, I won't be missing any of that, that I know that some people are really gonna miss. But I don't know, it sounds so sad, Jeremy, but like I am very, very invested in women's energy network right now It's like my second full-time job. And as much as I try and do like hobbies and things like that, that is one hobby that just takes over my life, but I love it. Like there's, it's a, for those that aren't aware, it's a global organization that really started 30 years ago. This is the 2024 is a 30th year anniversary. And just really is another professional organization that brings women in all sectors of the energy industry together for networking, education, leadership development. It's been a passion of mine. Like we started the Colorado chapter in 2016 and now I sit on the global board and I'll take over next year in July as global president. And we have 27 chapters right now and a lot of fun but we're making a lot of really cool changes at the global level to really support all of our chapters. And so that is what is sucking up my time right now. So I can't even say like, I like to go speed dating or anything like that. Like it's literally all just work or volunteer work. I don't know, it's really sad right now I don't put that in, but hopefully Houston will help me create boundaries and change that desire to constantly be working, so. Yeah, but I would guess that Women's Energy Network has also created a really strong friend group for you as well, like-minded women who are in the same industry and can empathize with what you've got going on. Is the Houston chapter similar size? Is it bigger? Houston's the OG chapter. So the woman that founded us, Carol White, she was an oil and gas lawyer back in the 90s, late 80s and 90s. And so she started this organization in 1994 when she realized that she was kind of tired of being the only woman going to these networking events. And you know, I mean, we've always said that the energy industry, regardless of its oil and gas, power and utilities, renewables, it's very male dominated. It's a male dominated field And even though we've definitely gotten better, it's still like people like me, I go to a happy hour and I could be one of five women in the room, right? And you're just going to get used to it. And you always make the joke. You're like, how many black or navy suits are going to be there today, right? Like, and so having Carol starting when she did a really good job of pulling the few women that were in the industry at the time together so that you're just more comfortable going into a room because, hey, at least you know the other four women there with you now, right? versus trying to navigate. everything on your own. So that's the thing that I really like about when and to your point, like building these connections, because I was just watching, so quick side now, I am addicted to Hallmark Christmas movies. I don't know why, but I am, but one of them I was watching the other day, and they were talking about how hard it is for adult women to make friends. And I was like, that's so not true, like in my mind, but I also realized that I've been very fortunate. I realized it's a movie, but then I also realized I've been very fortunate to be surrounded by incredible women to your point that have, you know, the same drive, the same kind of experiences and really forging those connections and making them deeper has been incredible. So even if when I retire from my role, I will definitely be a big advocate and supporter of one. Exactly. You'll stay involved. No, I love it So, you know, I'm curious a little bit, like. you worked in the food service industry for a while, which I did too, really from I'd say age 19 through about 23, bartending, waiting tables, managing the bar and restaurant, and really liked it. I think it's part of what drove me into getting into sales, 'cause if you just look at the numbers, like, okay, well, if I do1, 000 in sales and I average 20 tips, that's like 20 commission on1, 000 deal, right, I can make 200 bucks And then you start thinking, okay, you're good at talking to people, you're good at getting people to like you. And if you do just a little bit more, then you can get a few more bucks out of the deal, right? And I think that there's a lot of like natural transitions for people that are in the food service industry to be comfortable in a career. And whether it's software sales or real estate or construction, it makes sense that you took that baseline and then moved into. business development role in a more professional capacity. So I gotta ask, what are your favorite restaurants in Denver? What are some places that you're gonna miss not going to all the time when you leave? That's a great question. And I hate that you put me on the spot for this. Well, I love the pig and sprout, like 'cause it's close to my apartment, like it's downtown. That's a good spot, that's a good spot. It is, and it's actually really good for any prospects or clients that you're not sure if they're like vegetarian or something. Like, 'cause it, you know, half the menu is vegetarian and half. I like that. Gosh, I, you know, Apple is a grill. Like it sounds, I just love that they always have live music. Yeah, and the burgers are really good. But no, you know, it's funny, like, I would say always, but I think I'm still have PTSD from working there. So I don't, and now you can get it in the airport And like, did you know they opened one in the A terminal now too? anywhere in the airport, which is crazy. I saw it last week, I saw it last week. Yeah, I don't know, it's not the same. I've eaten there, it's not quite the same, either experience or quality, which I don't understand. I feel like airports should have amazing food because like, where does the food come into, right? If it's being thrown in, it comes to the airport, it should be like the freshest food, right? And then our airport, obviously, it's like so much land, or there's gotta be like cows right out there. How are they not just like slaughtered and then brought right to the airport, right? They're like, gosh, me, right? I don't understand, yeah, but hey, quick side note, if you ever, I don't know for sure if the airport has it, but the downtown one definitely does. They have their own custom seasoning for their steaks. So go in and buy that5 can of seasoning and put it on your king's soupers or whole food steaks and it's the same thing. It's crazy. Yeah, now we're talking, usually Costco for us, they've got good meat at Costco. But yeah, I do like that seasoning that Elway's puts on it. not as big of a fan of Shanahan's. I think they overseas in it. That's a different conversation for another time. Appaloosa Grill, I go with the Elkburger there. I love it. And I think it's the candy bacon at the pig and sprout. That is just like the appetizer. That's just literally just a plate of bacon. It's great. Yeah. Yeah. We'll take, we'll take that with whatever candy, sweet stuff that you just put on it. Exactly. I want to know, you're big into being, you know, an advocate for women and energy and very strong and independent yourself. What is, maybe, and I'm putting you on the spot with these questions. I hope you don't mind. I love that path. I'm sure. Well, there's really no fail in this, but like what's, what's some advice that you would give maybe to yourself, like when you first moved to Denver or first started building your career that the 23 24 year old version of Sally howling stat and then somebody today. a young woman getting out of school. Like what is a piece of advice that you might offer to them with the wisdom that you have now? Don't be afraid to ask questions. I think that's the biggest thing. I think people are afraid of looking stupid. And I don't think, you know, I do believe that there are such thing as stupid questions. Don't get me wrong on that. However, I think that if you are truly trying to understand and better yourself, there is no stupid question in that sense, right? So that, going back to the energy industry, I remember starting at the DPC and not knowing shit about anything. And I still am very confused at how we pull things out of the ground. But I leave that to the technical people, right? Like that is, there are reasons why we all have our specialties. And so I think that for me with the DPC, I had, nobody looked at me like I was an idiot when I was asking these questions. And even if I had to ask it like three times and I still to this day, I just look at people and I'm like, I don't understand. What is that acronym? Or like, what does that mean? And I don't think people, I guess maybe it's also because I'm older now, like I don't, you know, you give no fucks when you get older, right? And so maybe that's part of it. But I think if I could tell myself, don't stop asking the questions, I would. And then, you know, like, you're not alone. I think that's the other thing I want people to realize is that, you know, regardless of what you're trying to do with your career, somebody else somewhere is probably trying to do that. So as hard as it may be to get out there and network and find people of the same, you know, at the same level or the same skill set, really try and do that because you're not alone and you're gonna find the people that you need around you to help move you to the next step or get you through what you're currently going through, so. Yeah, be curious and don't be afraid to ask questions. I actually think that's one of the things that hurt me a little bit, especially in my 20s, was I was afraid of looking dumb by asking certain questions kept information from me that people would have been willing to offer up and then I would have learned things sooner versus trying to figure it out on my own. So I like that. I think that is, that's a really salient point and a good one, right? Not only for you when you were younger, but for the young female going into the workforce today. And if they think it's done, like you said, who gives a fuck anyway, right? Yeah, right. Well, then you're on the flip side of it Not wanting to feel stupid is one thing, but then also don't think you know everything. That's the flip side, right? Like don't be overly cocky and don't think that just because somebody says it, that you understand what they're saying, right? Like regardless of what they're talking about, just don't be an asshole. Wait, that's it. Don't be an ass. Be curious and don't be an asshole. Sounds like a bumper sticker. I kind of like it. Be curious and don't be an asshole. I'm gonna have to put that in the show notes. I dig it. Sally, I promise I would get you out of here on time and that we keep it to a Houston commute. Houston commute is about 45 minutes. We're right about there. So last question I have for you is, is where can people find you? If they want you to come on their podcast or they want to learn more about Moss Adams or talk to you about when? Where can people find your company? Where can they find you? What's the best way to get ahold of you? LinkedIn, just find me on LinkedIn. I think I've done everything correctly as far as having the right URL for my LinkedIn page, but that's the only social media I'm on. So they can find me there and it has my email in there and everything. So please don't hesitate to message me. Our website is mossatomscom, but feel free to direct message me with any questions and I'm always happy to answer anything. And that's, you know, just to give one more plug to Moss Adams. Like, I think they do a fantastic job. The work that we do, we're a mid-market accounting and consulting firm The people I work with are incredible. I mean, they just, they really care about their clients and they really care about trying to find them money, right? And that's one of, and saving money, right? So I think, you know, if you're a business looking for, you know, why did I pay so much in taxes? Or why did I, you know, you know, different things or systems that might not be working or you want to question, always reach out to me and I can connect you to the right person to talk about it, so. I love it, I love it. Well, Sally, I really had fun on this podcast I wish you a safe move, a good move. I'll probably see you at NAIP and you'll be like, you know, drinking from the fire hose a little bit, but I want to check in and just make sure that last month is treating you well and that Houston is great. And, you know, you're probably leaving at the right time. You're not a skier, so you're not missing much here other than the cold weather and you get Houston and all of its glory until inevitably May and June, July, comes around and you're wondering why you moved Yeah, well, I think But there's going to be a very large project in Colorado in July that I need to be here for the whole month. I'm pretty sure that's what's going to happen. Yeah. Well, well played Sally. Thanks. Well, thank you for coming on What The Funk and all the best to you.