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Join NABR in partnership with Corp! Magazine for our CEO & Executive Thought Leadership Series, where Jennifer Kluge sits down with C-Suite Leaders to get their insight and expertise.
NABR is a service organization igniting greatness in companies and their people.
00;00;00;05 - 00;00;08;02
Jennifer
Hello everyone. I am Jennifer Kluge and with me today is Denise Navarro. Denise, how are you? Oh, I'm.
00;00;08;02 - 00;00;10;14
Denise
Fantastic, thank you.
00;00;10;17 - 00;00;22;15
Jennifer
So I have known you for a very long time, and I'm so at least, at least. And I think the first time that I met you, you're on your way to an Astros game.
00;00;22;19 - 00;00;23;25
Denise
Quite possibly.
00;00;23;29 - 00;00;52;05
Jennifer
Well, thank you for joining today. I want to tell everyone a little bit more about you. Denise is just an incredible woman, businesswoman, founder, community person. We're just so blessed to have you with us today. And for those that don't know, Denise is the owner and founder of CEO and CEO, wow, of Magical Innovations, and you have been working as a government contract her for quite some time now.
00;00;52;08 - 00;01;14;00
Jennifer
NASA specifically, which I'm, I'm oh my gosh, I'm a mess up. I can't even tell you what a fan I am of, of the sciences. So we'll talk about that a little bit too. But specifically the Johnson Space Center Small Business Council, you're on as well. You were recently honored as one of the top three most influential women in Houston.
00;01;14;00 - 00;01;15;07
Jennifer
Congratulations.
00;01;15;14 - 00;01;17;03
Denise
Top 30.
00;01;17;05 - 00;01;21;29
Jennifer
Oh, did I say three? Well, that's how I feel right now. You've risen by.
00;01;21;29 - 00;01;23;00
Denise
Race. That's awesome.
00;01;23;04 - 00;01;35;03
Jennifer
And then you're also doing some work in underserved communities. So we're going to talk about all of that. So let's begin for those that don't know what Magical Innovations does, give us a gist. Sure.
00;01;35;03 - 00;02;01;20
Denise
So Logical Innovations is a value added partner and provider of business, technical and creative services to the federal government. As you mentioned, my primary customers NASA. And with that, I have been just so fortunate to support NASA across the country and in fact, 11 different NASA facilities. We have folks just coast to coast and, you know, life is awesome and just truly blessed.
00;02;01;21 - 00;02;10;01
Jennifer
Oh, that's pretty cool. That's pretty cool. I mean, as far as cool jobs go, I would put Chad in the top 30 myself.
00;02;10;04 - 00;02;12;09
Denise
Oh yeah it is. Yeah.
00;02;12;11 - 00;02;28;06
Jennifer
So I know you see the best and brightest companies to work for. So take a moment to brag a little bit about your culture and your people. And if you could describe your culture for us and any brand points about you as an employer, let's chat about that for a second.
00;02;28;09 - 00;02;43;17
Denise
Well, first of all, we just have some amazing folks, you know, I call them, you know, they're part of my family. And as I said, you know, they're working coast to coast day in and day out. They don't even see me, you know, and especially during the pandemic, they don't they haven't seen me. Some of them haven't seen me in a couple of years.
00;02;43;20 - 00;03;04;29
Denise
But the culture is that we maintain this this connection and they understand that, you know, I'm there rooting for them day in and day out, whether I'm whether they can see me or not. They know they're appreciated and valued. And that's our culture that we are a family and we just do what it takes to get the job done and whether we're together or not, you know, like we're together in spirit.
00;03;04;29 - 00;03;16;01
Denise
So I think, you know, it's just it's it's really making sure that they know they're at the top there. And, and this is, you know, this company is what, you know, it's all about them. So. Yeah.
00;03;16;03 - 00;03;40;25
Jennifer
Well, I think you hit on something and I think there's a taboo about saying your work family. But as a small business. And I can relate to this too. As a small business, you spend quite a bit of time with your colleagues and they become an extension of your family. And it's a it's a much more tight knit culture than, let's say, a big business with 10,000 employees.
00;03;40;27 - 00;04;02;13
Jennifer
So I think it's okay to say work family, because that's really what we are. We know so much about each other, both within the company and their work, but as their family, their family and their interests and their hobbies and caring for them as a whole person. So thank you for mentioning that. Let's talk about the pandemic for a second.
00;04;02;16 - 00;04;23;06
Jennifer
You know, we've all had to stretch ourselves and we've taken on challenges and whatnot. And leadership has become defined differently post-pandemic. What would you say you learned most about yourself and your leadership, and what worked really well for you during the pandemic? Talk to us about that. Well, so the.
00;04;23;06 - 00;04;51;18
Denise
Pandemic, you know, really has created a lot of opportunities for us. And it's also really shown that our folks are just resilient and they're going to get the job done no matter what. You know, one thing about being across the country as a small business and not always being together, working and a remote capability and moving to that environment really didn't take a lot of effort because we were pretty much, you know, in remote situations to begin with.
00;04;51;18 - 00;05;08;02
Denise
I mean, that's that's really been our business model that we don't have to be together to get the job done. We know who to count on. You know, we know we can count on each other and have to call on each other. So so as far as challenges, I think the biggest challenge for me was not so much getting the work done because I have rock stars and money.
00;05;08;02 - 00;05;30;10
Denise
I mean, I'm just so fortunate that, you know, I've got these, you know, group of folks across the country that, you know, that I'm honored to work with. But I think the biggest challenge for me is not being able to get out there and see them in person. You know, I always tell I tell them I'm really craving seeing people in 3D because, you know, the, you know, travel stopped, everything stopped, everything's shut down.
00;05;30;10 - 00;05;45;24
Denise
People work from home. So that that was my biggest challenge. So, you know, we just really, you know, just really rolled out technology to make sure we stay connected. And, you know, and I just have to beg people to, like, turn on your camera, add a computer, brush your hair. I just want to see you, you know, see you're smiling face.
00;05;45;24 - 00;05;54;09
Denise
So just that opportunity to to use different methods to connect, even though we couldn't be in person. And you know, we know eventually we'll get there.
00;05;54;11 - 00;06;16;20
Jennifer
So, Denise, it sounds like you're one of the the people that likes to have people around them is really interesting. During the pandemic, what we learned about each other. Yeah, some people like to be in person. Other people thrived not being in person. And it sounds like you and you learned in your leadership style that you like to be around people and get that energy.
00;06;16;22 - 00;06;42;13
Jennifer
It's really interesting how we all discovered these things about ourselves. And now you're a woman owned business. You just got recognized by NASA for small business Prime contractor of the year. Plus you've had a plethora of other honors. It's just truly incredible. And I know you're humble. I know you're very humble. But what do you think is the secret to your growth and strategy?
00;06;42;13 - 00;06;49;00
Jennifer
So if you ever had another entrepreneur sitting in front of you, what would you tell them? Is the secret to success?
00;06;49;03 - 00;07;13;28
Denise
You know, it's not really a secret. Know, sometimes you just it's just knowing how to treat people right, knowing that, you know, I'm committed so everyone around me knows I am committed. I'm dedicated. You know, I'm here for them. And I think it's just, you know, whether it's your employees, your your customers, your business partners and even your community, it's all about just maintaining this partnership.
00;07;14;01 - 00;07;33;29
Denise
You know, we're we're we're in it together. And yeah, I may be the owner I may be you know what they consider the top of the the ladder, so to speak. But really, you know, I'm part of their team and and so I think that's, you know, it's it's just really making sure that, you know, everyone involved knows they matter to me.
00;07;34;01 - 00;07;42;22
Denise
And, you know, this goes back to our culture. It is it's you know, we work with NASA, but it ain't rocket science just to do things right, you know?
00;07;42;28 - 00;07;48;29
Jennifer
Oh man, you must have so many rocket jokes down there.
00;07;49;01 - 00;07;49;25
Denise
It's not rocket.
00;07;49;25 - 00;07;51;29
Jennifer
Science. That's great. Denise, I.
00;07;51;29 - 00;07;55;08
Denise
Guess you could say I had kind of a sense of humor, too. I like to laugh.
00;07;55;14 - 00;08;22;17
Jennifer
So you'd be surprised how many businesses don't focus on treating their people right? I mean, that was the first thing that came out of your. Your mouth is you treat your people right is your secret sauce. And to you, it seemed like, well, that's no big deal. Just but there are so many people out there that are in jobs where they they are ignored or they're not treated with respect or they don't feel like they're in it together with the CEO.
00;08;22;17 - 00;08;44;08
Jennifer
So don't undervalue that secret sauce that you have. It's, it's it's quite an accomplishment. So just for fun, I mean you're you have one I love your job. I think it's so cool you're working with NASA with some of the proudest moments that you've had working in your job, or do you want to share a fun story with us of the coolest thing you guys did over there?
00;08;44;10 - 00;09;14;09
Denise
Oh gosh. You know, there's just so many stories I can talk about. I mean, just some of the places I've been and just some of the access I've had, you know, to walk the halls of these different NASA facilities, the NASA centers, the headquarters, you know, getting, you know, getting to drive up to a launch pad. I mean, you know, witnessing to witnessing a launch, you know, just just being part of that excitement that, you know, the, you know, you know, the reaching for the stars, you know, exploration is out there.
00;09;14;09 - 00;09;32;27
Denise
And how cool. Now it's like suddenly, suddenly, it's not this, this exclusive club. Right? So you have commercial space, you know, and you have all these different launches. So, you know, it's just it's just one big, you know, dream. You know, I always tell people, you know, when they say, well, you know, what made you go down this path?
00;09;32;27 - 00;09;50;04
Denise
And, you know, I tell them, you know, I grew up in the Houston, Galveston area. So, you know, as a kid, I drive by the Johnson Space Center and, you know, it was just one of those like, you know, I could work there one day. That would be so cool if I could work there one day. And so I just set that on my, you know, my to do list.
00;09;50;05 - 00;10;13;11
Denise
It's like, I'm going to get in those gates. It's, you know, I'm going to. And it took me a while, but and now, you know, it's let's say it's been since November of 1984 when I got my first contracting job there when I was starting my career. So time has flown and I am excited every time I see something come out, you know, here's the next one, or here's the next opportunity coming up.
00;10;13;11 - 00;10;24;08
Denise
I mean, it's it's really exciting. And I think that's why I wake up every day just so excited to to see how the day is going to go and what and what challenges and what, what cool things are going to see.
00;10;24;10 - 00;10;52;17
Jennifer
Yeah. Well, you, you mentioned as a young lady you would drive past that. What would you recommend for a young lady that's she's really good in sciences, science, math, maybe even physics. And she doesn't live in Houston. She doesn't see NASA right there. Or her family is. Maybe they're in business and they're not. Or they in retail and they don't have access to science degrees.
00;10;52;19 - 00;10;55;22
Jennifer
How would you encourage that young lady?
00;10;55;25 - 00;11;17;11
Denise
You know, I was actually that young lady. You know, my family, my sisters went into the medical field and, and, you know, so so I was the I was the only one that was really had that passion for technology and space and all these cool things. So, you know, I guess just, just kind of what I would tell myself and put myself back in the day, it's like, you know, just just do it.
00;11;17;11 - 00;11;42;22
Denise
Just follow your dreams. You know, you got to work hard, study hard, but you can make it happen. And you know, gender or your family's background, those aren't roadblocks at all, because you're the one who is in charge of your destiny. And if you just plug into the right formula, surround yourself with the right people, find mentors, just, you know, just go out and pursue your dreams and make it happen for yourself.
00;11;42;25 - 00;11;51;01
Jennifer
And I, I believe you're mentoring others too. I saw that you're doing quite a bit of work out there. Do you want to touch upon that at all?
00;11;51;04 - 00;12;12;21
Denise
Oh, sure. So really, just because of logical innovations, I have the opportunity to pursue some of my long term goals. And the first thing we did was we said we started setting up scholarship programs for for. Well, what I tell is like these students with a passion for learning, but maybe not the means to achieve their educational goals.
00;12;12;23 - 00;12;44;29
Denise
So we initially set up with a local community college, which is a minority serving institution, a full ride, a full two year scholarship so they could obtain their associate's degrees or maybe some just some certification of some sort, you know, whether it be a skill that would take them straight into the workforce or the foundation to go on to a four year university, but just something to get their feet off the ground, give them that ability, that license, so to speak, to get out there and achieve their dreams.
00;12;45;01 - 00;13;17;04
Denise
And so that is growing from one scholarship at a community college to now we have two at that community college, three others and another local minority serving institution, and then one at an HBCU and so, well, as those as have evolved, they've also become very active on the foundation boards and board for a College of Science and Engineering, and also working as part of some of the business curriculums in the local schools where I come in and do a talk on entrepreneurship and what it takes to to own a business.
00;13;17;04 - 00;13;41;02
Denise
So a lot of things like that. I really like being out there and seeing people that I recognize myself in back in the day many, many years ago. And then, you know, and also just working within the community, serving on various boards to to work within, you know, the greater good, so to speak. So and, and then as a company, we're actually an official mentor through the Small Business Administration.
00;13;41;02 - 00;13;50;16
Denise
And so we have two active proteges that are small businesses that are coming up, and we're working with them so they can secure contracts in the federal government.
00;13;50;19 - 00;14;24;01
Jennifer
That's fantastic. Just more testament y. You are a best and brightest company to work for. And it's it's very cool to witness it and it's very cool. So let's shift gears a little bit. Many times people in your industry know things that are going to happen before the rest of us in the business world know it. So based off of your industry knowledge, what trend is are happening right now that you think are going to stick and will be important for all of us as we move forward?
00;14;24;03 - 00;14;48;27
Denise
Well, you know, so I mentioned commercial space and I said, you know, there's just so many things going on when you, you know, now you've got, you know, folks taking rides to, to experience space and they're just, you know, lay people who have, you know, who get a seat, you know, on board. And I really like that because I think it just feels the passion for exploration and some of the things that, you know, NASA's been working on for many years.
00;14;48;27 - 00;15;06;06
Denise
And I think that really expands opportunities for other businesses. You know, and, you know, I'll get back to, you know, when people think about NASA or the space industry, they think, well, if I'm not a rocket scientist or I'm not an engineer, then I have, you know, I had nothing to offer. But that couldn't be further from the truth.
00;15;06;06 - 00;15;30;00
Denise
I mean, I employ folks that and I tell them even if they're not on the front line, they're they're behind the scenes and they believe that to happen. So whether they're accountants, whether they're trainers, whether they're, you know, acquisition folks, they're behind the scenes taking care of the work that needs to be done. You know? So every industry has its needs.
00;15;30;00 - 00;15;58;05
Denise
And so, you know, this trends in technology, you know, just I would just say also just keep an eye on what's going on in technology. There's just so much happening and and so many tools and I would say just make sure that you understand and you leverage technology, you know, don't be afraid of it. Even if you're, you know, if you think that, you know, technology can't benefit you guess get everything you have around you is, you know, with, you know, the phone you carry, you know, it's a computer, you know, in your pocket.
00;15;58;07 - 00;16;13;26
Jennifer
So I did do the tour in Houston of the NASA facilities, and they did say that they went to space and back to the moon and back on less pad than what we have on our cell phones right now. It's right.
00;16;14;01 - 00;16;15;19
Denise
This could probably get me to Mars.
00;16;15;19 - 00;16;17;29
Jennifer
Oh, and there and back.
00;16;18;01 - 00;16;31;00
Denise
Yeah. It's amazing when you think about, you know, how we've evolved over the years, right? Yeah. We just take it for granted and we really need to kind of sit back and, you know, being all.
00;16;31;05 - 00;16;51;04
Jennifer
Well, let's let's kind of dream a little because, I mean, we are talking about dreaming. We're going to Mars, where you have all this cool tech that we got to keep our eyes on and leverage and use. If you had, let's say your company has ten times the budget it has now, where would your company be? What would you be investing in?
00;16;51;04 - 00;16;53;14
Jennifer
What would you be doing? What would the future look like?
00;16;53;17 - 00;17;17;11
Denise
You know, so the first thing I would do is I would surround myself with, you know, my really smart people that I have the opportunity of knowing and calling my friends, calling my colleagues, calling my business partners, calling my, you know, logical family and really just, you know, just have brainstorming sessions to say, where do we see, you know, the trends?
00;17;17;11 - 00;17;39;02
Denise
What do we see? The future? What do we see? Opportunities. And then also because as our culture is, we want to make sure we take care of our own. I would specifically ask our folks like, where do you where do we need to improve, to make, to make life better for y'all as part of this logical family? You know what?
00;17;39;02 - 00;17;58;17
Denise
What would it take? And you know, if I had ten times the budget and no earmarks for it? Oh my gosh, you know, it would just be like, where do we allocate it? You know, what are the smart things to do? But but also remembering like what am I folks need and what can help them to, you know, to make life a little bit better for them and their families.
00;17;58;20 - 00;18;22;01
Jennifer
Yeah. So again, another reason why your best and brightest company to work for, because your first thought was to collaborate. Where can we take the business together? How can we make our lives better? How can we move the business forward and help you at the same time? So you do it naturally. You probably don't realize that others don't think like that.
00;18;22;04 - 00;18;43;15
Jennifer
So that's a pretty cool testament to you, Denise. One of the things that I guess is my pet peeve as a leader is sometimes you're seen by the title and not as a human. Right. So one of these things that I want to do as we talk to folks in this, in the series of interviews that we're doing, is get behind the person that's the leader, the CEO.
00;18;43;15 - 00;18;58;04
Jennifer
You're a community leader, you've gotten all kinds of accolades. You're the CEO and founder of your business. You've grown incredibly, very down to earth. So let's let's just talk a little bit about Denise. Who inspires you or what inspires you?
00;18;58;08 - 00;19;15;29
Denise
Wow. You know, so, so many people, you know, my family, you know, because at the end of the day, that's what I always tell people is like, you don't work for me. You work with me, you work for or, you know, whatever it is. So like for me, it was always I work for my family. I work with a lot of people, but I work for my family.
00;19;16;05 - 00;19;41;00
Denise
And now, you know, because I've always got a vision is my family has grown. So my logical family are such an inspiration to me because they're just they're just so hard working. They're just so dedicated. And I'm just humbled that they, you know, they signed up with me and helped me build my reputation. You know, these community leaders that are out there that I get to work with, to, to help others to make a brighter future for those generations coming up.
00;19;41;00 - 00;20;10;24
Denise
They're inspirational. My my customers. I have some wonderful customers. And, you know, I've established a partnership with them, and their confidence in me has inspired me to keep it going and to always look to improve and to do better by them, you know, as well. And then I've got some great business partners that I work with that you know, that, you know, I talk about being a mentor, but, you know, I'm a protege, you know, because we're always here to learn.
00;20;10;26 - 00;20;31;14
Denise
And, you know, every day is an opportunity to learn and to be able to find something, some, some nugget of wisdom that you can carry forward and, you know, make yourself a better person, make logical innovations, a better company. And, you know, so so I'm just always inspired by, you know, I think I, I'm a people person. So I'm fueled.
00;20;31;14 - 00;20;39;29
Denise
My energy levels go up because the more I'm around these people, especially people who are positive and help me to be a better and more positive person.
00;20;40;02 - 00;20;45;08
Jennifer
Yeah, energy creates energy. What you put up there goes somewhere, right?
00;20;45;11 - 00;20;45;29
Denise
Yeah.
00;20;46;01 - 00;20;49;29
Jennifer
Like Denise grabbing it. If it's positive energy you grab onto.
00;20;50;01 - 00;20;51;27
Denise
You and I have a lot of energy as it is.
00;20;51;27 - 00;21;16;07
Jennifer
So that's great. No, that's really wonderful. Not many people talk to that, that there's energy that we put out there in, in we bring people to us or we push people away. And you're one of those people that thrives on that positive energy. Put a room of happy people and you're probably in your best element creating strategy and and plans and oh, what are we going to do?
00;21;16;12 - 00;21;36;07
Jennifer
You know, master collaborator, a positive energy. So it's pretty cool. Pretty cool. Yeah. Let's let's talk about you know, this is a typical question. We can shift a little bit. You know, what keeps you up at night. Or if there was a limitation or a weakness, what would you get rid of? You know what. Yeah you're a cup harmful person.
00;21;36;07 - 00;21;44;21
Jennifer
So you probably don't actually go there. But you know what? What bothers you? What are some of the things that bothers you that you would like to see gone one day?
00;21;44;26 - 00;22;03;10
Denise
You know, just negative energy. You know, I talk about, you know, so I think, you know, I think if you can't, you know, you got to get up and enjoy what you're doing. You got to get up and just, you know, grasp that those opportunities and what life puts in front of you make something happen, you know?
00;22;03;10 - 00;22;24;02
Denise
Don't you know I am a glass half full? I, I'm the eternal optimist. You know, I, I can find the silver lining in, you know, most everything out there. So I think that's important to, you know, you know, and I, you know, I think I told you earlier, I like, I, I like to be able to, to smile and laugh because I think that's, that's, you know, I always say laughter is the best medicine.
00;22;24;02 - 00;22;43;25
Denise
And I think that helps to you to, to keep that energy going. So I can't really say, you know, I try to make sure that I, I focus every day and I always have my to do list and I know it's going to grow, but I always make sure that I, in my day, whatever time that might be, because I don't have any defined parameters in a day.
00;22;43;27 - 00;23;02;14
Denise
But I always try to make sure that that I in my day, on a positive note, and I look at it and say, I'm proud of what I've gotten done today. And, you know, because I've learned as I get older that I really do need to relax and, and, you know, take some time to sleep, because I, I used to say, no, I'm not going to sleep.
00;23;02;17 - 00;23;25;27
Denise
But, you know, if I get, I get at least six hours of sleep a night. And I said that because if I'm not, you know, waking up with my energy and, you know, my enthusiasm, then I'm no good for anybody. So I need to make sure that I do that focus. But it does help to make sure that you end your day on a positive note and, you know, you just you just, you know, if you if you act with, you know, within values and ethics, then then you're going to end every day.
00;23;25;27 - 00;23;45;20
Denise
That way, if I could get rid of something I get, I would add more hours to the day, you know, 24 hours. Sometimes it's just not enough. I tease with people that I really enjoy my trips west, because on the way out there, I get a 26 hour day. If I start from Central Time to Pacific on the way back, it's like, oh no, I'm getting I'm going to get down to 22.
00;23;45;20 - 00;23;53;24
Denise
But but on the way over there that day is 26 hours like, and I'm just like, I get to use, you know, I had an extra two hours of my day.
00;23;53;27 - 00;24;14;22
Jennifer
You really are that if Carpe Diem had a photo next to it, it would be. You see. I mean, for real, for real. It's a natural energy. It's a natural. Want to make changes? Now let's talk about that energy a little bit. Does it get daunting at times for you? Do you overextend yourself sometimes.
00;24;14;24 - 00;24;40;00
Denise
Oh, always I mean, but that's a good thing. You know, I tell people like, you know, I, I borrow too easily, you know, so you know, I just like to, I just like to feel like I'm accomplishing and that I'm using every minute of the day to its fullest extent. I think sometimes I'm a little tiring the others around me, but but no, you know, and I love taking on new tasks, you know, it's like.
00;24;40;04 - 00;24;50;08
Denise
And people will tell me like, stop saying yes or stop raising your hand, you know, but it's it's just not in me to say, you know, to not want to, you know.
00;24;50;10 - 00;24;51;00
Jennifer
Be a partner.
00;24;51;02 - 00;25;04;00
Denise
To help out in some capacity or not want to, you know, accommodate someone if there's a need for something and I can fill that need, then I, you know, I just I just feel compelled to do it. So. Yeah.
00;25;04;02 - 00;25;06;20
Jennifer
I'm energized just to you. I'm ready.
00;25;06;22 - 00;25;18;23
Denise
Where are we going? Yeah, I just got up a little earlier and I was talking and, and and one of the persons is saying said, wow, you make me really feel lazy. And I'm like, no, no, that's not my I think.
00;25;18;25 - 00;25;21;05
Jennifer
It's to pull people with and up. Yeah.
00;25;21;07 - 00;25;23;29
Denise
Like no no, no. Yeah. Let's do this. Yeah.
00;25;24;02 - 00;25;45;20
Jennifer
But I could imagine that somebody that's more methodical and wants to be a little bit more skeptical. I would imagine that they would have some issues with your style. How do you address that? The you're you're surrounded by people that like numbers and like to analyze and be scientific and go real slow with the data. How do you navigate that?
00;25;45;23 - 00;26;01;26
Denise
Well, I mean, I believe in numbers. I believe in looking at the data. So I mean, I will slow down to make sure that I have the right picture. I mean, I you know, I don't want to wear rose colored glasses all the time and go, nope, that's not us. You know, you know, I, I, I'm also very brutally honest with myself.
00;26;01;28 - 00;26;20;29
Denise
And I tell this people around me like, give me the truth. But then I also look at it and say, okay, now what are we going to do to correct that? How are we going to make how are we going to turn that into a positive and so then that becomes my quest of turning that around and making it up, making it a success story.
00;26;21;01 - 00;26;24;11
Denise
So I could write. Yeah. So I can get my optimism back in there.
00;26;24;15 - 00;26;28;09
Jennifer
You force the success to happen. That's great. That's great.
00;26;28;11 - 00;26;31;00
Denise
But just let it find its path, you know.
00;26;31;02 - 00;26;50;09
Jennifer
Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah. You know a path always rise up. I like to see a path always rises up. If you're patient enough to wait for it, it'll pop up there where you force the path to happen. Right? Yeah. You know, come along. So I like to do these little rapid fire questions. So I'm going to just throw them in reverse.
00;26;50;09 - 00;26;55;13
Jennifer
In your mind I think I know this answer. Favorite sport?
00;26;55;16 - 00;26;56;23
Denise
Football.
00;26;56;25 - 00;27;00;22
Jennifer
Oh I don't know the answer. I thought you were going to say baseball.
00;27;00;24 - 00;27;06;14
Denise
You know, we we just seem to hang around during baseball season. But football is number one for me.
00;27;06;16 - 00;27;08;10
Jennifer
And your favorite team.
00;27;08;13 - 00;27;10;16
Denise
Dallas Cowboys.
00;27;10;18 - 00;27;18;04
Jennifer
Oh, that's interesting for you too. Good for you. Do you have a favorite kid? So yeah, I gotcha. Favorite book.
00;27;18;09 - 00;27;27;05
Denise
You know, I don't have a favorite book, but I really love like suspense thrillers because I like to be surprise at the end.
00;27;27;07 - 00;27;35;18
Jennifer
Yeah. So yeah, I read for pleasure. And to clear your head, I would guess, rather than reading for business content.
00;27;35;19 - 00;27;51;16
Denise
Well, I read for business every day, so if you know. So if I'm going to read just for pure enjoyment, then it's going to be, you know, like a John Grisham or a Patricia Cornwell or, you know, something like that. Yeah. It's, yeah, there's a.
00;27;51;18 - 00;27;53;23
Jennifer
Twist at the end. Yeah.
00;27;53;26 - 00;28;06;09
Denise
Favorite dessert? I really I'm not a dessert person, so. But yeah. So I mean, really, at the end of a meal, my best thing to do is, you know, coffee. And if I'm feeling adventurous and, you know, a cappuccino.
00;28;06;12 - 00;28;09;01
Jennifer
What about snacks? Do you like potato chips?
00;28;09;05 - 00;28;19;19
Denise
Those are my weakness. But I try to stay away from them. But, yeah, yeah, I do like my chips. Yeah, yeah, and some salsa. Oh, man. You have me.
00;28;19;20 - 00;28;29;06
Jennifer
Have you tried pickle chips? They're delicious. No chips. I'm going to have to send you a bag of chips. What was the last vacation you took?
00;28;29;09 - 00;28;30;22
Denise
What's a vacation?
00;28;30;25 - 00;28;32;10
Jennifer
The last vacation you take?
00;28;32;17 - 00;28;34;01
Denise
What is a vacation?
00;28;34;06 - 00;28;39;28
Jennifer
Oh, so you're okay? You just. You just identified yourself to this whole audience here.
00;28;40;01 - 00;29;01;18
Denise
You know? So. So I. You know, I'm not one who can unplug because I don't like to feel like I've missed out or anything, or someone's waiting for me. So I will take, like, long weekends and just, you know, sometimes just hop in the car and, you know, drive, you know, so maybe, you know, drive the San Antonio drive to Austin, you know, drive up just north Houston, you know, just something, you know, just.
00;29;01;20 - 00;29;17;21
Denise
But I'm but I'm always connected in some way. But sometimes, you know, just to recharge the batteries. I don't need a long time. I don't need to fly to exotic places. I mean, I won't turn that down. I mean, you know, things like you ought to go to Hawaii. Well, yeah, I, I probably should, because I haven't been there in a number of years.
00;29;17;21 - 00;29;24;13
Denise
But but yeah, I mean, I think I just, I just like to, you know, take those moments I can when I can and then enjoy life.
00;29;24;15 - 00;29;26;06
Jennifer
You do and watch movies.
00;29;26;11 - 00;29;32;04
Denise
Not really. I mean, I don't watch it. I, you know, I can't remember the last time I went to a movie theater.
00;29;32;07 - 00;29;39;06
Jennifer
Hey. Sees the. It's like, actually it sees the workday. Carpe diem with that lantern.
00;29;39;08 - 00;29;51;00
Denise
But I do watch, like, I can watch, like, old movies over and over, you know, it's like, I know what's going to happen. I probably even know the lines. But you know, sometimes it's just it's just fun to. Yeah.
00;29;51;03 - 00;29;54;11
Jennifer
I'm curious when you wake up in the morning, what's your routine?
00;29;54;16 - 00;29;57;17
Denise
Exercise and coffee.
00;29;57;19 - 00;30;02;28
Jennifer
Whereas coffee is your thing. What what what kind of exercise?
00;30;03;00 - 00;30;19;21
Denise
Well, I have a room full of machines, and so I have a treadmill. I have a health writer, I have an elliptical. I have free weights. It just kind of depends on what little routine I want that day. I try to change it up, but I just, I sometimes, you know, it's just good to sweat.
00;30;19;24 - 00;30;20;27
Jennifer
It's good. It is.
00;30;21;01 - 00;30;23;19
Denise
And it boosts my energy.
00;30;23;22 - 00;30;31;13
Jennifer
It sure does. It's let me ask you this and let's leave it. Leave it with this. How would you define happiness being.
00;30;31;13 - 00;30;38;27
Denise
Able to make a positive impact on those around me? That is happiness to me.
00;30;38;29 - 00;31;09;06
Jennifer
You made a positive difference in their life. Yeah, not very nice. Well, Denise, you are incredible. Thanks for joining us today. And I think it just goes to show that you have an amazing background and you're so humble and you're so personable and and you humanize this role, a CEO so beautifully. And you help so many people with what you do, not only your own team, but all the folks at NASA.
00;31;09;06 - 00;31;19;05
Jennifer
And I'm sure I'm pretty happy that you're with them. Also. Thank you so much. Appreciate your time. Do you want to leave us with the last word of advice?
00;31;19;07 - 00;31;45;09
Denise
You know, I always tell people no one can define what success is but you. So, you know, just be happy and be be happy with what you have and what you've achieved. And that is success. And then let me thank you and your organization for embracing me and pulling me into the fold, because I am a very different company than when I first started with y'all in 2012.
00;31;45;09 - 00;31;57;07
Denise
But it's amazing that we've been together that long. So I appreciate this new community and this connection I have with y'all and just what y'all do for businesses. Overall. I really appreciate y'all. Thank you.
00;31;57;10 - 00;32;03;28
Jennifer
Thanks, Denise. Thank you so much. And thank you for being with us today. And everyone have a good day. Bye bye everybody.