Four Inane Questions with Global Entrepreneur Week’s Callie England
Photo Courtesy of Callie England
If you’re an entrepreneur, solo-preneur, or any other preneur for that matter, listen up! Callie England has your back. Not only is she helping spearhead Global Entrepreneurship Week over the next few days, she’s sure to become your newest fan.
With her 15 years of expertise in creative and brand management, she’s successfully scaled multiple consumer-facing brands in Kansas City. “I’m passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and delivering impactful events that inspire growth and innovation,” she says.
As the marketing director of the UMKC Innovation Center, England tells us she’s leading the charge for Global Entrepreneurship Week for her second consecutive year. (It helps that she is a tried-and-true entrepreneur herself.)
She’ll also be the first to tell you she’s a big fan of Kansas City. “I’m a proud graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute,” she says. “And while my professional journey has taken me worldwide, I’m deeply connected to my Kansas City roots.”
We caught up with England seconds before the launch of this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week to zing her with our zany questionnaire. We also asked if she needed a new infomercial pitchman. She did not. Bless.
The Pitch: What word do you always spell incorrectly every damn time?
Callie England: No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to spell “conscientious” correctly. My mind and mouth always get twisted up, reminiscent of the tongue-twister “Sally sells sea shells …”
And when anyone brings up this word in conversation, it inevitably turns into a funny game, as I struggle to pronounce each syllable perfectly. But, ultimately, it just results in uncontrollable laughter. It’s a never-ending fight that I’ve come to embrace. I am who I am.
What mandatory requirements do you have for the best night of sleep in the history of slumber?
Despite my former claims of being an insomniac for life, I am now a total sleep diva. My friends know not to disturb me after 8 p.m. when all electronics are turned off, and my phone goes to do-not-disturb. My rest requires the perfect combination of melatonin, magnesium, and high-quality bedding.
Also, I have carefully crafted a synthetic-free sleeping oasis complete with a weighted blanket and cushiony Dunlop latex mattress topper. (It’s like snoozing on a cloud.) And don’t even think about bringing a clock into my pitch-black room.
Photo Courtesy of Callie England
If you were a soap fragrance, what soap fragrance would you be?
No question about it, my go-to scent is mint. I make sure to always carry a rollerball of essential oil from Saje Wellness called “Peppermint Halo.” It’s the perfect choice because I never have to worry about overwhelming anyone with a strong perfume fragrance.
I’m not a fan of heavy scents and am allergic to synthetic perfumes, so I may be a bit biased in my preference, but nothing can compare to the clean, fresh scent of mint.
Other than salt and pepper, what spice is most used in your household?
100 percent—cumin. It has become a staple in my cooking routine, as I roast vegetables almost every night, and cumin is my go-to spice. Despite its sometimes polarizing reputation (uh, I’m looking at you, Mom), cumin should not be underestimated; It’s a versatile and essential spice that can elevate any dish.
From adding depth to hummus to infusing lentils with rich flavor or simply enhancing the taste of roasted vegetables, cumin reigns supreme in my kitchen. Yes, even more important than salt. It’s the unsung hero of spices.
Bonus 5th Question: What’s one weird/uncommon skill you’ve always wanted to learn?
There’s no contest! Speed reading is the ultimate weird skill I’d like to learn. Just imagine how much time you could save by being able to consume information at the speed of light. It would not only satisfy my need to read everything I put my hands on, but also prove invaluable in the workplace, where hours spent analyzing reports and articles could be reduced to mere minutes. Three words: Sign me up!
