Jenny Heinzen York
 |
Tell us about your current position and a little about your work experience.
I am the editor in chief of Home Accents Today and the editorial director of Kids Today. I started with Furniture/Today 13 years ago at age 22 on the copy desk. From there, I was named managing editor of our small office/home office magazine SoHo Today, then added managing editor of Kids Today to my titles. I moved to Home Accents Today in 2004 as its managing editor and took over as editor in chief in 2007. I double-majored in journalism and anthropology at the University of North Carolina.
How did you get your start in the home furnishings field?
Through my husband, who is in the business. He was working with a Furniture/Today reporter on a story and mentioned that his girlfriend was a journalist, too. That writer mentioned a few job openings and I promptly applied and joined the team.
Please list a few of your most recent accomplishments or activities.
I am very active on the speaker circuit at markets and trade shows, and have been asked to present at every major home furnishings and gift market. I speak on topics ranging from styles and trends, color forecasts, marketing/PR, industry research, social media, retail tips, and more.
|
 |
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Choose your battles. This is my mantra both in my work and personal situations. And, from a book I read a couple years ago – “Nice girls don’t get the corner office.”
What are the major challenges you have faced in your career?
The biggest challenge I have faced is managing the changes in journalism and the business of media, especially transitioning to online content. We are under constant pressure to keep costs down, but still generate the high-quality products (in print and online) that our readers need to operate their businesses.
What inspires you?
Deadlines!
What would you like to do or learn that you haven’t yet?
I am lucky in my job that I get to do a lot of travel, but I still have a lot of places left to see. And I have yet to successfully bake bread, despite countless attempts.
What are your interests, beyond your profession?
I love to cook, and I am a hardcore bookworm. I like being outdoors – walking, hiking, gardening, bird-watching – and am excited that the weather is improving so I can get back outside. Other interests include wine, politics and seeing as much of the world as I can.
Tell us something people may not know about you.
I am a certified “mixologist” and can whip up some really fantastic cocktails.
|
