Meet Greta Shanahan, the HR director at John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning (www.jhlincoln.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – At John Henry’s, we provide solutions to your plumbing, heating, and air problems in your home and/or business.
How did you get started in the business? – I was looking for a professional career change that better aligned with my long term goals and the balance that I needed for my family.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge I had was completely changing my career and going from an area of work that I knew almost everything about, to a new field of work that I knew very little about. It was exciting, risky, and in the end has become the best professional decision of my life.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I have been asked to speak at several important events in the area with people whom I admire and respect as the audience. Nothing is more humbling and gratifying as that.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – One of the biggest turning points of my life happened when I read a book that shared the notion that you will only get as far in life as you allow others to hold you back from. It was that moment that a colleague of mine encouraged me to look outside the field of work I was so accustomed to in order to find something greater that I was capable of. I am so grateful that I was given that advice and listened.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love all things college football so if it is the fall season you can probably catch me watching College Game Day or something similar and making sure I have tailgate food in the oven or on the stove. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
Who inspires you? – My parents inspire me. They risked everything they had, literally, to start a small business. With hard work, dedication, and grit, they have turned an idea in a fruitful business. They are always supportive of me and make me believe that the impossible is possible.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – The best one that a mentor described me as would be “Constructively-Dissatisfied”. It took me a moment, but as I thought about that, it became more and more fitting.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – I would love to read minds! Imagine what you could do with that!
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – When I initially went to college, I was going to school to become an attorney for doctors. If I had to pick something else, it would to go back to that path and see how that would have turned out.
What is your favorite movie? – I will always watch The Boondock Saints. I also love any action movie or suspense film.
What is your favorite TV show? – I love Schitt’s Creek and Friends.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – I would love to eat with Maya Angelou. I feel that being in her presence would make anyone a better person.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 802-9420; gshanahan@jhlincoln.com; www.jhlincoln.com.