In the Front Desk hot seat: Princess Lolly rides again
Name? Laura Coombs
Where do you live? Bend, OR
Where’s your hometown? Bellevue, WA
What’s your favorite app (other than Pike13)? They come and go, but Instagram has been a steady winner.
How did you come to work at Pike13? I emailed persistently until I was granted an interview. After meeting the CEO and learning more about the product, (and the people and the passion behind it), I was intent on working here.
What do you do for Pike13? I work within the Customer Success team to help onboard, train, and support enterprise clients and other business owners.
What part of pop culture do you wish would just go away? The gym selfie
What do you miss from your childhood? Unlimited free time to play in the summer and a bit of ignorance and bliss
What’s the favorite place you’ve lived? Bend, although San Luis Obispo was a great experience as well
Have you ever been on a boat? My parents had a boat, so growing up I learned to drive a boat before a car. I love boats and all the associated water sports.
If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us? Depends a bit on the season and weather, but it would include fresh seasonal fruits/veggies and would be something I made from scratch, plant-based and gluten-free. I'd probably ask you if you dislike any food in particular and then see what looks best at the store and go from there. It would be tasty and full of color.
What form of public transportation do you prefer? (air, boat, train, bus, car, etc.) Does a bike count?
If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be? Spending more time with my parents when I was younger
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning toilets, who likes that?
Diamonds or pearls? Reclaimed wood or metal, hand crafted into something gorgeous
Are you a clean or messy person? Clean
What's your favorite fast food chain? Laughing Planet Cafe, although it's not really fast food and primarily located in Oregon
What was your favorite subject in school? Spelling, if that counts. In middle school we had a cumulative spelling test at the end of the year called “the Whopper.” If you achieved a score of 99% or greater (there were two bonus words), you'd win a Costco-size box of Whopper candies. I studied for days (or maybe it was weeks?) and won the box.
Coolest thing you've ever been for Halloween? Princess Lolly from the Candy Land game. I bought about $60 worth of candy and a glue gun and went to town making an elaborate and semi-edible costume. It was a huge effort and some of my best costume work to date.
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Citizenfour (a documentary), and I highly recommend it to everyone, literally.
Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best? Yep, although it took a long time to realize.
What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to? My best friend's wedding in Cozumel
What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up? Book: The Art of Racing in the Rain, my favorite book to date. I haven't yet met someone who hasn't cried while reading it. Movie: Rising from Ashes, an amazing film documenting the hope, spirit, and journey of the Rwandan cycling team's resurgence and what the population has endured. (Watch it on Netflix!)
Describe your perfect day off. Wake up and head out to catch the sunrise while doing something active outside. Next, luxuriate in a casual breakfast before embarking on the next activity outside with friends (epic bike ride, hike, etc). Afterwards, take a relaxing float in the river to cool off. Throw together a picnic outside for dinner while enjoying the sunset. Finally, chat about the day's highlights over a fire and pass out contentedly under the stars.
What interest haven’t you pursued, but have always wanted to and what draws you to it? Learning to skate ski, everyone here does it and it looks like a blast.
Favorite kind of bean? Kidney? Black? Pinto? Garbanzo
Proudest moment? Finishing 7th in my age group at Kona (Ironman World Championship race) when I was 21, at my first-ever full Ironman race.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? A fat bike (named "Fatty") from my Grandpa for Christmas
What is your first memory of being really excited? Probably going to Disneyland for the first time. I made custom cards with puffy paints for Mickey and Minnie Mouse and couldn't wait to hand them out directly in person.
What was the first thing you bought with your own money? Early on I'd buy small things like gum and candy at the local 7-11. Later after 6 years of continued saving, I purchased my mom's old Honda Accord (1985). I had been saving for it since I was 10 and when I was 16 my entire savings ($2k) was drained in exchange for the car.
At what age did you become an adult? 17. I graduated from high school a year early and moved down to California not knowing a soul.
Goal you have for yourself? Get back in shape to be able to race triathlons competitively again... and start a yoga practice, both of which feel quite lofty right now.
Are you a morning person or a night person? Used to be early morning 5 AM every day without fail. Now it depends on a few variables.
What is your hobby? Experimenting in the kitchen creating new dishes, cycling (road, mountain), trail running, swimming, outside stuff.
What did you want to be when you were little? A pediatrician.... and then a few years later, a roller coaster designer (specifically for Disney as an Imagineer)
What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had? I worked at a high-end spa and salon my last year in high school and was basically a glorified janitor. It taught me early on what I did not want to end up doing.
Favorite game? Typically, Scrabble or Taboo, but with the right crowds Cards Against Humanity can be a riot
Cook in or eat out? Cook in but then eat outside
What’s your favorite season? The peak of summer and the special period of time that bridges summer to autumn
If you had to be named after a city, state, or country (etc), which would you want it to be? Soldotna (it's a city in Alaska)
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