Rising Stars: Meet Paige Jeschke of Westminster

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Jeschke.

Hi Paige, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always knew I was a bit nuts, but I began my marketing journey touring the country in the Planters NUTmobile with Mr. Peanut, attending events across the entire United States. Even though I visited 38 states I felt as if I was most at home in Denver. After my tour ended, I packed up my car and relocated to Denver managing to snag a job as a marketing coordinator for The Orchard Town Center up in Westminster.

Shortly into my role at The Orchard, I was provided the opportunity to be in charge of the marketing and events programs. Armed only with one year of experience driving a giant peanut and pure grit, I looked at the situation as a challenge to prove that a 23-year-old woman could dominate in this field so early on in my career.

COVID-19 provided substantial hits to the retail and shopping center industries, but I thought about how could we pivot our traditional marketing and events programs to be safe for our shoppers and drive sales for our retailers. My coworker and I got to work on new and innovative ways to bring people back to our outdoor shopping center as well as provide entertainment at a time when absolutely nothing was going on. We came up with two excellent programs, Dinner and a Murder and the Flower Power Art Walk. Both events were completely socially distanced and contained a component to drive sales back to our retailers. They ended up winning MAXI Gold Awards from the International Council for Shopping Centers with both Dinner and a Murder drive-ins selling out and the Art Walk’s audio tour having over 3,000 downloads.

I’m always plotting my next big idea (like goat yoga) while focusing on the wonderful group of merchants that make up The Orchard Town Center.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I feel like the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my role was my age. People didn’t take me seriously as a decision maker and it made me doubt my own abilities. My boss really encouraged me and provided me with the tools to become more confident in myself. I think now many of the vendors who questioned me understand I’m now a force to be reckoned with.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am my own powerhouse marketing/events/public relations firm at The Orchard. Every aspect of marketing from the website to signage to having concerts etc. I manage which is wonderful because I have learned so much.

I am known for being really inventive with our events programs. We have to adapt to the changes in our consumer’s shopping habits. They are really looking for a full experience of dining, shopping and entertainment. I have provided unique events like an art program or goat yoga that brings people out to the center while subtly providing them with offers from our tenants so they are encouraged to shop post-event.

Really, I just don’t quit and I don’t like to take no for an answer. I will keep looking for the next best thing that will spark interest for our shoppers and promote our wonderful merchants.

How do you define success?
I’d say success is being fulfilled in life. Of course, you can define success in the traditional sense as an accomplishment, but I like to look at it in more general terms. For me, to have success is to have a balanced, happy life. Being fulfilled professionally and feeling good about your achievements is important as well as enjoying life through hobbies, travel or family.

Contact Info:

• Email: paigejetski@gmail.com

Image Credits:
Kari Ghea Photography