Meet Tessa Wiser, the Communications Coordinator at Downtown Lincoln Association (downtownlincoln.org).
Tell us a little about your business. – Downtown Lincoln Association (DLA) is a nonprofit organization that provides downtown maintenance and management services, including economic development, marketing, business advocacy, and events. Long story short, we keep Downtown Lincoln clean and beautiful while helping businesses thrive.
How did you get started in the business? – I got an internship in college at a local non-profit music festival, and I loved my work. I eventually fell in love with graphic design, marketing, and making community connections. Working for a non-profit can very much be an all-hands-on-deck situation, so your role is constantly morphing. I’ve worked at a handful of non-profits and always enjoy the environment. I’ve always wanted to feel like I’m doing something good for the community, and what better way to give back?
Who inspires you? – All of my coworkers really inspire me. We’re a small team, so we are all pretty close-knit. They hype me up and make sure I know what I’m worth and what I bring to the table. It’s a very positive environment, and I really do love my job and what I do. I’ve worked for a couple of non-profits, and I’ve always loved non-profit work, but the DLA feels more like a family than anywhere else.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? – Teleportation, but only if I could carry items and people with me. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to take all your friends on a spontaneous adventure?
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I am actually very crafty, and I paint. I am a mixed-media artist who usually uses acrylic paint to make cool abstract paintings. My art has changed a lot since I first started painting in college. I often incorporate unconventional materials into my art, like glass beads, costume jewelry, chains, and found objects. That’s just a fancy way of saying I like to stick things into wet paint and glue cool things I find onto a canvas. I’ve recently had a few showings around Lincoln, including one downtown.
I have an Instagram account, @wise_r.creations, if you want to see what I’m talking about.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – I love to read, actually. I used to read a lot growing up, but during college I didn’t have much time to read for fun. However, this past year, I’ve gotten back into books. Lately, I have been into the subgenre of “women’s wrongs,” which usually involves a female protagonist who is just making all the wrong decisions. It’s very entertaining and often unhinged, but fascinating and fun. The last book that really stuck with me was Chlorine by Jade Song; it’s a coming-of-age story about a girl who grows up swimming and wants to be a mermaid. Any person who identifies as an overachiever in school should definitely read it, as it focuses on the stress of juggling it all. I have nothing but good things to say about it!
What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – That is a tough one, because it really depends on the day. Sultan’s Kite never disappoints. If I’m looking for coffee and a quick bite, the Coffee House is hands down the best. I grab a matcha and cromlette to-go, and I’m off to work.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so (phone/email/business website)? – You can always shoot me an email at tessa@downtownlincoln.org. I’m always down to chat.