Rachel Slovin joins the Kahena team with a rich array of SEO experience. We had a chance to catch up and find out a little more about what makes the newest Kahena SEO Account Manger tick…
Rachel, when you first heard about Kahena, what did you think a “Kahena” was?
I really had no idea what a Kahena was or how to pronounce it. Being an SEO person, clearly the first thing I did was Google it, and still don’t quite understand why there is a company named after a 7th century female military leader…thanks Wikipedia! [editors note: see About Us!]
What’s your favorite thing about working in SEO?
The most exciting thing to me is when you FINALLY see your efforts pay off. After days/weeks/months, you finally get the page 1 ranking, or the increase in traffic/goals. It is a fun reassurance that you are doing something right.
What’s a piece of technology that you can’t live without?
I feel lost without my Blackberry. It has been 2 hours since I lost my phone and I don’t know what to do with myself. I know I have email on a computer, and everything else is accessible when I’m at home or work, but it still feels like a part of me is missing without it. I think losing my phone was a punishment for being so dependent on my phone.
What’s it like being a girl in a male-dominated tech world?
The tech world is male dominated, says who?!?! But seriously, it can be frustrating to be the only girl sometimes, yet it is also to my advantage. I have a different perspective and thought process based on gender alone so it allows me to bring a different point of view to the table. Most men assume I won’t be able to follow the conversation or understand what they are talking about. There is something priceless about the look on their face when they realize that I actually might know more than them. Nowadays there are many female techies to look up to and it is becoming a more diversified market.
If you weren’t working in SEO and you could be anything you wanted, what would you be?
So many options… I like vacationing. It has been a while since I have done that but I think I would like owning a water sports shop. It has been many years since I’ve gone, but as reflective in my car driving, I enjoy the high speed thrill of driving a Jet Ski. I learned when I was young and it is one of my favorite things to do. There is nothing like being in the water and it would give me the opportunity to sit at the beach all day.
Let’s be honest.. I would probably be promoting my store website to bring in traffic so I am sure it wouldn’t be without any SEO work.
Any favorite bands, books, movies?
Music – I like Jason Mraz, The Fray, Gavin DeGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Matthews Band, Joshua Radin (I stopped looking through my iPod at J but I know there are much more. I am a shuffle kind of girl, I like listening to a little of everything)
Books- Right now I keep reading the Daniel Silva series, but I also read Hunger Games and loooved Twilight. Same with the movies. (Ed’s note – err, not sure if the Twilight thing was a joke or serious.)
Movies – so many classics… too many to list…
TV Shows – West Wing, Friends, Will and Grace, Grey’s Anatomy… My friend and I have this thing where we start an old series and watch from start to finish – we just finished the original Beverly Hills 90210. It was awesome… the 90’s rocked!! Now we are watching Mad Men and it is fascinating to see the changes evolve in society!
Have you ever had trouble explaining what you do in SEO to other people?
I don’t think there has been a time that I didn’t have trouble explaining my job. It adds to the mystery. Some think I am a lawyer against Google fighting why we deserve to be page 1. I don’t even try to explain it to my grandma. I just tell her I work in marketing.
Do you have a favorite local (or secret) spot in Jerusalem?
Umm.. it’s a secret.. by definition it means I shouldn’t tell you!
I am a big restaurant fan. I like a good place to sit with friends and have good food, company, and atmosphere. My Foursquare shows I like Emek Refaim but there is one place in town that I am going to keep to myself 😉
Any weird hobbies, pets or former pets, talents?
I have an insane memory of movies, tv shows, songs, quotes of things I have seen or heard. I practically live on IMDB and will go nuts unless I can find who the actor was. It is something I share with my father. My mom and I share our OCD tendencies and the inability to say no when someone needs help.
What else should we know about you?
I looove to bbq so I bring meat back from Chicago when I go to see my family. I have had some sad situations of luggage being lost and throwing out a perfectly good London Broil. I will bbq in any weather and have many good bbq in the snow memories! I know what you are thinking and I don’t share well so don’t even try!