Meet Ashlynne Meyer, furniture account manager at AOI (aoicorp.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – AOI is a women-owned business providing solutions for the built environment through commercial furniture, prefabricated architectural products and general construction. We are the exclusive MillerKnoll furniture dealer in Nebraska and have access to hundreds of other furniture manufacturers. We’re focused on helping clients create and reimagine spaces in which they work, learn and heal.
How did you get started in the business? – A very determined recruiter (who now also works for AOI) found me in the food logistics industry and convinced me to meet the Lincoln GM for a quick coffee. We ended up chatting for almost two hours about the position, industry and culture of the company, and before I left, I knew AOI was where I wanted to be. Changing career paths after being with a company for 10 years was a scary thought, but it was the best decision I have ever made for my professional career. I could not be happier!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Working in the food logistics industry during the pandemic was something I will never forget. During the quarantine, every hour had a new challenge on how we were going to deliver food to thousands of customers with logistic, driver and employee limitations. Navigating the supply and demand daily proved to be very challenging due to ever-changing regulations defined in each city and state. We rallied as a company and took each day as it came. I learned how to work under extreme circumstances during the pandemic and I know that I am better for it. From these experiences, I came to respect logistics and drivers on an entirely different level. Almost everything we have at our disposal in our everyday lives has arrived because of a driver, so please be kind both on and off the road.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love a day off where there are no set plans – I can do whatever I feel like doing that day! Relaxing at home with my pup, brunch, dinner with friends, spending the day with family, thrift shopping and crafting are some of my top picks.
Who inspires you? – My family, friends and teammates continue to inspire me daily with their outlooks on life, how they handle situations, their accomplishments and positivity.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Genuine.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Each year, AOI selects a committee of employees from different departments to work together and raise funds for a nonprofit of their choosing, called AOI GIVES. Our company and our partners look forward to this every year! Last year, I had the opportunity of acting chairperson for AOI GIVES and the nonprofit we chose to raise money for was CRCC. Children’s Respite Care Center of Omaha (CRCC) provides a wide range of programs to families in our community, addressing the cognitive, therapeutic and social needs of children in their care. It was an amazing experience, and I cannot wait for this year’s fundraiser.
What is your favorite TV show? – I have a lot of favorites… New Girl, The Office, Workaholics, Supernatural, Outlander and The Witcher.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Vincenzo’s Ristorante.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – ameyer@aoicorp.com; aoicorp.com.